....but NOT a woman! (Sorry!)

Bertie Reitveld -- 'Panache'

This is my latest aquisition. I took ownership of this within the first hour of the NYC Custom Knife show last weekend. One minute after I shook on the deal another collector came over and was ready to pay. Hrrrmph! The maker is Past President of the South African Knifemakers Guild--Bertie Reitveld.

He makes high-end Art knives, and is a fascinating man to talk to. (we talked about motorcycles for almost a half-hour!) I fell in love with the shapes and the incredible detail.

If you look closely, you'll see his reknowned significant feature--the little glass window in the bolster has a lens and if yo look into the light, you can see his mark inside on microfilm! It scores a 10 on the 'Cool' factor!

This knife is completely sole-authorship. Damascus to lense to engraving. (well, actually his wife now makes the lenses--does this count?)

Anyway, I thought Id' share some fine work with you folks. Comments welcome.

Coop

http://community.webshots.com/storage/1/v3/1/74/3/26017403UOiEGxLSgP_ph.jpg

Simply amazing. I've been intrigued with his work since reading an article about him a while back. Looks more like a sculpture...if it was alive, I can't decide which direction its motion would be -- or maybe it's the result of something moving...

I enjoyed meeting and visiting with Bertie while we were exhibiting at the Canadian National Art Knive show last summer. He is a master craftsman. You done good, Coop!

According to Bertie: "I saw this shape in the form of bones from an animal skeleton in the forest--it was a joint of some kind. As I looked at it, I thought, HEY! That would be a great shape for a knife!"

He claims to be inspired by shapes in nature and outside surroundings for much of his stuff. A true artist who see's things differently than most of us. Certainly more than me. But I sure know how to appreciate the final product!

Coop

All I can say if you bring it near me, it's mine ;-)

And if ya EVER want ta part with it, I am first in line ;-)

That out of the way, great knife Coop! What a score!

WOW!
that is wonderful!

Wish I'd gotten a chance to check that out at the show...

That's a lovely knife.

Lovely ... yes, I agree 100%!

Alex