Willem Nel

Welcome to Willem Nel Knives South Africa. My name is Willem Nel, based in Benoni, and in December I celebrate my 70th birthday. What began as a part-time passion in the years leading up to my retirement in 2021 has now evolved into my greatest hobby and creative outlet.
Working from a compact workshop where space is at a premium, I craft my blades using the precise stock removal method. My steel of choice is premium Böhler N690 stainless steel, a high-performance material that offers exceptional edge retention and corrosion resistance—making it perfect for the rugged South African bush.
I specialize primarily in robust, handcrafted hunting knives, but I have recently expanded my craft into linerlock folding knives. This new venture demands immense mechanical precision and fine-tuning. Every single knife that leaves my workshop bears my name, my stamp, and hours of dedicated handiwork.