Knifemaker · Cape Guild

Wayne Zietsman

East London, Eastern Cape

In Wayne’s own words

Born in South African 1967, I was raised on hunting, fishing, braais and rugby. I married my soul mate in 1991 and together we have 2 amazing kids. Tasmin and Leon.

I am the owner of HYMAX a telecoms company operating in the Eastern Cape. My passion for knife making started in the late 90’s in a town called Queenstown, where I was working for my employer at the time. A chance meeting with a local knifemaker led me to his workshop and knife foundry.

I was bitten! Over the next 2 months I spent every spare minute I had working alongside him on my very first knife until it was finished. 30 years on, I am the chairman of Border Knife Making, a Cape Knifemaker Guild Member, and my passion for knife making is stronger than ever.

Written for this directory in 2020.

Past work

These pieces show Wayne’s style; most have found owners. Ask what’s on the bench now or commission your own.

  • WZ Utility Hunter with  Elephant ivory handle by Wayne Zietsman

    WZ Utility Hunter with  Elephant ivory handle

    N690 utility hunter with Elephant ivory

  • WZ Utility hunter with  Buffalo horn by Wayne Zietsman

    WZ Utility hunter with  Buffalo horn

    N690 Utility hunter with Buffalo horn

  • WZ Drop point hunter with Wild olive burl by Wayne Zietsman

    WZ Drop point hunter with Wild olive burl

    N690 Drop point hunter with Wild olive burl

  • WZ Utility hunter with Stabilized giraffe  bone by Wayne Zietsman

    WZ Utility hunter with Stabilized giraffe  bone

    N690 Utility hunter with Stabilized giraffe bone handle with copper pins and copper lines

  • WZ Biltong Knife with Maple Burl by Wayne Zietsman

    WZ Biltong Knife with Maple Burl

    N690 Biltong knife with Maple burl

  • WZ Drop point hunter with Elephant ivory by Wayne Zietsman

    WZ Drop point hunter with Elephant ivory

    N690 Drop point hunter with Elephant ivory handle

  • WZ Hunter with wild Olive Burl by Wayne Zietsman

    WZ Hunter with wild Olive Burl

    N690 Hunter with Wild olive burl

  • WZ Red Macarta by Wayne Zietsman

    WZ Red Macarta

    N695 Red macarta Utility hunter

  • WZ Drop Point Hunter by Wayne Zietsman

    WZ Drop Point Hunter

    N690 Drop point hunter with Red Karee handle

  • WZ Utility Hunter by Wayne Zietsman

    WZ Utility Hunter

    N690 Hunter Warthog tusk

  • WZ Utility Hunter 5 by Wayne Zietsman

    WZ Utility Hunter 5

    N690 Utility hunter with Red Paduka

  • WZ Damascus Steel 2 by Wayne Zietsman

    WZ Damascus Steel 2

    Damascus steel Hunter black macarta handle and Ostrich leather inlay

  • WZ Damascus Steel by Wayne Zietsman

    WZ Damascus Steel

    Damascus steel Drop point hunter with African blackwood

  • WZ Boot Knife 4 by Wayne Zietsman

    WZ Boot Knife 4

    N690 Boot knife with Elephant ivory handle

  • WZ Utility Hunter 3 by Wayne Zietsman

    WZ Utility Hunter 3

    N690 Utility hunter with Red Paduka

  • WZ Utility Hunter 2 by Wayne Zietsman

    WZ Utility Hunter 2

    N690 Utility hunter with Panga – Panga

  • WZ Utility Hunter by Wayne Zietsman

    WZ Utility Hunter

    N690 Utility hunter with African black wood