Bertie Rietveld

Bertie is one of the few knifemakers who does all his own work. He is a true "Artisan Knifemaker" and one of a few in the world who has advanced his craft to this level! Even his designs are different then other makers as they are easy to pick out. This makes him very unique! He forges his own stainless Damascus in South Africa, does his own heat treat and all of his own inlays. Also another unique feature is that he makes his own "Stanhope's" which has his logo inside it. They are in the center of the pivot mechanism on his folders. He has done this since the year 2000. A Stanhope is a small magnifier with a picture or in this case, a logo inside the lens. When you hold the lens up to a light you can see what is inside very clearly. If I remember they started turning up in the early 1800's but may have been earlier. Any way each of Bertie's knives are one of a kinds and he will not do the same combination on any of his knives including the folders. So each one is a special "one of a kind" treasure.

The "Sahara Folder" Bertie has been working on for a number of years. He finely has it working perfectly and it is called a "tilt bolster". Just be careful how you say that. To open the knife you just pull the blade out as most of it is exposed. To close it the design is very simple but not as easy to execute. You push in on the bottom side where the bolster and handle martial meet, the bolster pivots up as you can see on the back pictures and it releases the blade so it can then be closed. Simple but a lot of parts have to line up to work so I do not think to many people will steel this design form Bertie. These two knives came out very well and would be great additions to any folder collection!

Sahara Folder

Green Mammoth Ivory

Sahara Folder

Carmel Mammoth Ivory