Matt James - Knifesmith

Matt James lives near Lake Taupo in the Central North Island of New Zealand. Matt takes pride in “sole authorship” of the knives he makes. This means he not only makes the knife completely himself but also makes the Damascus if any is used in the knife, creates the case or hand stitched leather sheath and does any engraving or embellishment that is used – one artisan completes the whole project.

Matt has had a long term interest in the making of Damascus steel. He has now been doing this for about 8 years. He finds pleasure in the blending of steel and wood and latterly stone to create very unique and one of a kind knives and carving sets.

Matt currently makes his knives as ‘integrals’. This means the the knife is made from one piece of steel - be it Damascus or high carbon steel. The blank is forged to shape, machined and hand ground individually and then hardened for edge holding.

The making of cutlery in this manner is more time consuming but results in a product rather more unique.