Local knifemaker participates in global challenge

The challenge will end today, Wednesday, August 18.

According to the information on the 48 Hour Dagger Build Challenge Facebook page, participants are challenged to craft a symmetrical dagger in just 48 hours, this could be done in their own or a friend’s workshop – where it is done is of no importance.

They can beg, borrow or steal whatever they need, as long as they do it alone (sole authorship) within the allocated time frame and within the following specifications provided

“The objective of the exercise is to design a dagger that is outside your comfort zone and make it in the shortest amount of time possible. “It is designed to push you, as a maker, over what you thought possible to be within your ability.

“Last year I also competed in the challenge and just made it within the timeframe of 48 hours during which I only had 6.5 hours of sleep. I am afraid it is going to be worse this time,” said Michel Zwaan. He told Herald that the nice thing is that people with all levels of skillsets will be participating.

“You do not compete against anybody else but only against yourself,” he said.

The progress can be followed on Facebook by clicking here: ‘48 Hour Dagger Build Challenge’.

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Zwaan offers knifemaking classes at Penga Ndlovu Customs, based in Grietjie Nature Reserve between Mica and Phalaborwa. Sometimes during classes elephants and lions are spotted walking past the workshop.

The self-taught knifemaker started making knives in 2017, he learnt the skills through watching videos from other knifemakers around the country, he also made contact with them to ask for help or advice. He then put into practice what they told him.

The skillful Zwaan makes all types of knives, ranging from hunting knives, fighting knives, daggers, short swords and very high-quality chef knives.

“On all knives, I give a 10-year guarantee but on my chef knives a lifelong guarantee,” he said.

The urge to create and design keeps him motivated and seeing his finished product coming to fruition in steel and wood the way he imagined and designed it, keeps him going.

Nothing makes him more proud than seeing the look on his customers’ faces when they hold the knife in their hands for the first time.

He said the time spent on a knife depends on the kind of knife, the complexity of the design, the quality of finish, and the materials used. It can be anywhere from three days up to a month.

His workshop is open seven days a week and interested people can make bookings by contacting him on 071 903 3270.

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He said he has always loved teaching but passing on skills and passion are the only real legacy he can leave behind.

“Without passing on this great and beautiful skill, the art of knifemaking by hand will become extinct,” he said.

Being the great teacher that he is, Zwaan attends to two students per class to ensure that he gives them the maximum amount of time and attention they need to learn what it entails to make a knife.

“In the two-day beginner’s course it is impossible to expect a novice to excel and make a great and beautiful knife but a few really have surprised me with their end products,” he said.

He said the passion and pride in his student’s eyes when they see a piece of steel and wood coming alive in their own hands melts his heart.

His knives are mainly sold here in South Africa but also abroad even as far as Australia, the USA, and Canada.

For more information visit the Penga Ndlovu Customs Facebook page.