Welcome, Guest
Born in 1952 in Johannesburg, South Africa, Dave Skinner embarked on a unique journey that spans from a successful career in optometry to the intricate world of knifemaking. While still practicing as an optometrist today, knifemaking has become more than a serious hobby of his. It’s no surprise that the finer details of optometry would translate so well into a skilled profession such as knifemaking.
Dave grew up in Johannesburg where he attended school for optometry. After marrying his wife, Cathy in 1980, they relocated to Port Elizabeth where Dave still runs his optometry office today. A quick search on the internet reveals glowing reviews of Dave’s optometry business, showing he is well loved and revered by his community.
Skinner's journey into knifemaking began in 2011, after he spent a week at Heavin Forge in Belfast, South Africa, under the guidance of Mastersmiths Kevin and Heather Harvey. Immediately after the course, he started forging on his own, refining his skills, and finished his first blade late in 2011. Their Introduction to Damascus course ignited a deep passion for the art of forging, particularly in creating patterned damascus steel and differentially hardened blades showcasing the traditional Japanese clay zone heat treating technique called a hamon.
Dave returned to Heavin Forge in 2015 for an immersive two-week ABS Introduction to Bladesmithing course. This helped Dave refine his skills and techniques to the next level. Currently Dave is an apprentice with the American Blade Society. In 2016, Skinner's dedication to his craft was recognized when he was admitted to the Knifemakers’ Guild of Southern Africa.
Dave’s work primarily features high carbon steels or damascus for high performance. He occasionally uses stainless steels for his chef knives, blending functionality and easy maintenance with artistry.
Dave's knifemaking journey has been influenced by several renowned figures in the field. Mastersmiths Kevin and Heather Harvey have been crucial mentors from the very beginning. Other notable knifemakers like Lin Rhea, Jason Knight, Samuel Lurquin, David Lisch, Salem Straub, and Mike Quesenberry have also inspired him, shaping his approach and technique in the craft.
Today, Dave Skinner continues to balance his career as an optometrist with his dedication to knifemaking. His work, marked by meticulous craftsmanship and a deep appreciation for the traditional aspects of the craft, stands as a testament to his adventure from a respected doctor to a respected knifemaker.
Boning Knife/Utility (Honesuki) - 5-1/3" with Wild Olive |
click to see more |
Bunka (Chef's Knife) with Wild Olive |
click to see more |
Chef's Knife (4-3/4") with Wild Olive |
click to see more |
Chef's Knife (5-1/3 in.) with Corrugata Burl |
click to see more |
Chef's Knife (5-1/4") with Wild Olive |
click to see more |
Chef's Knife (8-1/4 in.) with Black Ash Burl |
click to see more |
Chef's Knife (8-1/4 in.- S Grind) with Stabilized Spalted Maple |
click to see more |
Chef's Knife (8-2/3 in.) with Masur Birch and Micarta |
click to see more |
Chef's Knife (Bunka) with Curly Mango (6-1/2 in.) - Shiro2 San Mai |
click to see more |
Chef's Knife (Bunka) with Sneezewood |
click to see more |
Chef's Knife (Bunka) with Spalted Maple (6-1/2 in.) |
click to see more |
Chef's Knife (Gyuto) with Elm Burl (8-1/2 in.) - VG10 San Mai Damascus |
click to see more |
Chef's Knife (Petit Gyuto) with Masur Birch (5-1/2 in.) - VG10 San Mai Damascus |
click to see more |
Chef's Knife with Maple Burl (5-1/3 in.) |
click to see more |
Chef's Knife with Masur Birch Burl (7-1/2 in.) |
click to see more |
Chef's Knife/Petit Gyuto (5 in.) with Spalted Birch and Damasteel |
click to see more |
Chef's Knife/Santoku (5-1/2 in.) with Maple Burl |
click to see more |
Chef's Knife/Utility (5-3/4 in.) with Masur Birch |
click to see more |
Chef's Slicer (Sujihiki) with African Blackwood |
click to see more |
Chef's Slicer (Sujihiki) with Black Ash Burl |
click to see more |
Chef's Slicer (Sujihiki) with Masur Birch |
click to see more |
Clip Point Hunter with Chacate Preto |
click to see more |
Copper Damascus Santoku (7-3/4 in.) with Stabilized Elm Burl |
click to see more |
Damascus Bowie with Honduran Rosewood |
click to see more |
Damascus Chef's Knife (8-3/4 in.) with Maple Burl |
click to see more |
Damascus Sub-Hilt Fighter with Amboyna Burl |
click to see more |
Damascus Tanto with Chittum Burl |
click to see more |
Damascus Utility Knife with Ash |
click to see more |
Engraved La Grange Style Utility with Amboyna Burl |
click to see more |
Fillet/Boning Knife with Black Palm |
click to see more |
Hamon Fighter Bowie with Russet Bushwillow Burl |
click to see more |
Hamon Fighter with Spalted Birch |
click to see more |
Hamon Fighter with Spalted Birch |
click to see more |
Hamon Hurak Hunter with Birch Burl |
click to see more |
Hand Forged Fighter with Oak Burl |
click to see more |
Hand Forged Go Mai Chechen Burl Fighter |
click to see more |
Hand Forged Go Mai Hatchet |
click to see more |
Harpoon Hunter with Amboyna Burl |
click to see more |
Integral Damascus Hunter with Tambooti |
click to see more |
Integral Damascus Sub-Hilt Fighter with Ironwood |
click to see more |
Integral Sub-Hilt Fighter with Ironwood |
click to see more |
Integral Utility Knife with Bog Oak (2500 Years Old!) |
click to see more |
Knifemakers' Guild of Southern Africa Guild Set (4 Knives and Performance Test Blade) |
click to see more |
Kukri with Curly Mabandolo |
click to see more |
La Grange Style Boot Dagger with Ram's Horn |
click to see more |
La Grange Style Boot Dagger with Rosewood |
click to see more |
La Grange Style Boot Dagger with Stag |
click to see more |
La Grange Style Fighter with Spalted Beech |
click to see more |
La Grange Style Utility with Hamon and Black Canvas Micarta |
click to see more |
Mammoth Damascus Dagger |
click to see more |
Mosaic Damascus Fighter with Redwood Burl |
click to see more |
Multibar Damascus Anglo-Saxon Broken Back Seax with Black Walnut |
click to see more |
Push Dagger with Mammoth Molar |
click to see more |
San Mai Chef's Knife (Bunka) with Oak Burl (6-3/4 in.) - Shiro2 |
click to see more |
San Mai Damascus Chef's Knife (Bunka) with Elm (6-3/4 in.) |
click to see more |
San Mai Damascus Chef's Knife (Bunka) with Masur Birch Burl (7 in.) |
click to see more |
Southwest Bowie with African Blackwood |
click to see more |
Southwest Bowie with African Blackwood and Wrought Iron |
click to see more |
Southwest Bowie with Mabondolo |
click to see more |
Utility Knife (Petty) with Ash |
click to see more |
Utility/Hunter with Black Walnut |
click to see more |
Utility/Hunter with Honduran Rosewood |
click to see more |
Vegetable Cleaver (Nakiri) with Wild Olive |
click to see more |
Veld Knife with Briar Burl |
click to see more |