Step-by-step manual aimed at beginner and advanced knife makers
South African couple Kevin and Heather Harvey (known collectively as “Heavin” from their first names, HEAther and KeVIN) wrote the book during lockdown when their students couldn’t physically come on a course at their bladesmithing studio and school in Belfast.
Having taught over 2000 students in South Africa and the U.S.A since 1998, they saw a need for a step-by-step manual aimed at beginner and advanced knife makers.
Knowing where students struggle meant that they were able to prevent problems, and each step is explained with over 800 clear colour photos with captions and detailed text.
Hints and tips to make each process easier are shared.
Heavin commented, “There are so many knifemaking videos on the internet, giving good and bad information that we found aspiring knifemakers picking up bad habits and misinformation, that is why we wrote the book which is the first in our “Heavin Knows” series of books on knife making.
A book is easier to refer back to as a workshop manual than a video.”
Reviews:
The ”How to Make a Narrow Tang Knife” book is probably the most comprehensive and detailed knife-making book published In the past 100 years, with detailed explanations and comprehensive photographic examples to make this Kevin Harvey designed Knife.
This book will prepare you for any possible knifemaking challenge you could encounter in your knife-making career, from the most straightforward insignificant detail of bladesmithing to masterful fit and finish is covered in more detail than any average person would need or that I have seen.
This is the place to start your knifemaking, giving you sound basic skills accompanied with unsurpassed final product detailing to completion.
Sign up right now and get rid of the myths of knifemaking with this next-level book.
Stan Hohowsky
This book is an excellent resource for both new knifemakers just starting on their journey and experienced knifemakers; you’re bound to walk away having learned something new!
It is crammed full of great information and a plethora of simple “work smarter, not harder” tips.
The information within most certainly helped me make my first Veld knife. I highly recommend it.
Ross Moffett
I want to thank you for the book. I am enjoying reading it and trying to follow along by making my own knife based on the text. It is an awesome book. I have scoured the internet and bought every text I could on plunge grinding for example. Your explanations are by far the best I have seen. I truly appreciate it! I just wish the pages were more fireproof .
Prof Hendrik Grobler (PhD)
Heavin Forge Media has self-published the book with IngramSpark, making it available internationally as a print-on-demand book from all major online bookstores, for example, Amazon and Barnes and Noble, to mention just a few.
If you want to buy a downloadable .pdf version of the book, you can visit their online bladesmithing school, Heavin Forge Online Bladesmithing School/Heavin Forge Online (teachable.com), where they also offer free and paid-for content.
If you live in South Africa, you can purchase an autographed copy directly from Publications – heavinforge.co.za or by emailing them at heavin@heavinforge.co.za.
Kevin and Heather have devoted their lives to preserving the ancient art of the forged blade and sharing their knowledge with everyone interested in their exciting craft. Kevin is the current chairman of the prestigious Knifemakers’ Guild of Southern Africa.
They are both:
•Multi-award-winning Master Bladesmiths with the American Bladesmith Society
•Members of the Knifemakers’ Guild of Southern Africa
•Founder members of the Southern African Bladesmiths Association.
•They were the only married couple of Mastersmiths when they attained their ABS M.S. stamps (the highest bladesmithing qualification in the world) in 2003. There are only 115 Master Bladesmiths in the world.
•Heather became the second lady Master Bladesmith. There are now four ladies and one other married couple, Mastersmiths, worldwide.
•They are two of three ABS Master Bladesmiths on the African continent.
•They are accredited instructors with the American Bladesmith Society, and their facility is accredited to teach ABS courses. There are only 30 such instructors in the world! https://www.americanbladesmith.org/master-bladesmith-instructors/
•Their work has been published in numerous knifemaking books and publications.
The book sells for the price you would pay for a nice piece of handle material for a knife but is a lifetime investment.
If you want to know more about Kevin and Heather Harvey and their bladesmithing studio and school, please visit their website, www.heavinforge.co.za, where you will find all the information on these two passionate teachers and artists.
Their contact details are below, and they would love to share their hope of this art/craft never disappearing. They try to instill in people that the edged art created are high-end tools, the antiques of the future, not just knives.
