The Du Plessis Knives

The Du Plessis Werke range of knives has expanded dramatically, from fixed-blade hunting knives to different types of folders, carving sets, dinner services and collectors’ items.
Issue date : 16 Janaury 2009

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The Du Plessis Werke range of knives has expanded dramatically, from fixed-blade hunting knives to different types of folders, carving sets, dinner services and collectors’ items.

The Du Plessis Werke range of knives has expanded dramatically, from fixed-blade hunting knives to different types of folders, carving sets, dinner services and collectors’ items. Each knife’s uniqueness is linked to design, craftsmanship and the skilful combination of materials such as stainless steel, Damascus steel, indigenous African hardwoods, animal teeth, horn and bone.

The latest technical development is a unique double-bladed liner-lock folder, the mechanism of which Pieter du Plessis, the founder of Du Plessis Werke, personally designed and perfected. The hand-made knives cost between R650 and R950 and are available by mail order and shipped throughout South Africa and beyond.
Pieter was born in a small bushveld town in the Waterberg district. Like many country lads he had the privilege of learning about fauna and flora, animal behaviour, tracking, conservation, firearms, ethics and hunting techniques from his father.

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He shot his first antelope at age six, and when he joined the army he received the highest award as a sharpshooter. Pieter eventually started his own business supplying farming equipment, and later another providing restaurants with venison.
In 1994 his friend Bennie Bierman invited him to join him on a knife-making course. Being a hunter and appreciating the value of a good knife, Pieter thought it a good idea to make his own hunting knives. He soon became intrigued by the challenge and the craft. A hobby soon turned into another business, supplying family and friends with hand-crafted knives.

Due to a growing demand, Pieter’s youngest son, Wynand, later joined the business. Wynand rapidly mastered knife-making, adding exquisite daggers and smoking pipes to the Du Plessis Werke range. Together, Pieter and Wynand are responsible for every knife made. – Chris Nel. Contact Auriel Mitchley on (011) 889 0796
or e-mail [email protected].     |fw

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