Entrepreneur of the Week
Born and bred in the quiet town of Machadodorp, skilled knifesmith Ben van Wielligh had started hand-crafting knives from a very young age.
However, after finishing his schooling in Machadodorp, Van Wielligh moved to Mbombela where he started an apprenticeship as a goldsmith. He continued to craft knives again, however, and began selling a few to several friends.
“It just grew from there,” said Van Wielligh.
The skilled bladesmith works from and crafts his knives from any usable steel as well as recycled materials, such as sawblades and old files. He also uses indigenous wood to make his own handles.
He said he is saving his profits so that he can buy new materials with which to make his knives.
“To make a knife from raw materials and see it transform into a usable tool or just a beautiful piece of art is very satisfying,” he said.
“To create something from nothing is a talent and a blessing - it's a fire that will never go out.”
Van Wielligh said it can take anywhere from a few days up to a week to make a knife.
“It depends on how much work you plan to put into the piece. Functional knives normally takes less time than an art knife, but it has a big influence on the price.”