I first got interested in knives back when I was in scouts as a lad. I found out that our local butcher was a part time custom knife maker and he showed me a few things and gave me some steel to make my first knife. Unfortunately before I could finish it off our family moved and that knife blank sat in my desk drawer for 15 years unfinished. It went through 8 moves but was never forgotten. I got back into knife making again when I found a local custom knife maker that ran courses in bladesmithing from his forge. I finished my first knife on that course and then 16 years after it was started I finished my second knife.

That was 4 years ago now. Since then I have become a full member of the Australian Knifemakers Guild. Acquired a fair bit more equipment and 2 years ago I started to specialize in folding knives. I have been making slip joint folders since then and have been thinking it was time to try out a locking knife.

I consider myself a spare time maker with 2 young daughters sometimes there are other things that have to take priority but my family have learnt I do get a bit crazy if I don't get enough shed time.

Alistair's website can be seen here