Handmade knives, made by Bruce Stuart in Clevedon

Bruce Stuart is a Clevedon knife maker. He's been making knives for more than 30 years, and more than 2,000 people have made a knife on one of his knife-making courses. Every knife here is New Zealand made, by hand, in our workshop out in Ness Valley, and made to be handed down.

See every knife

Handmade knives in two ranges

Heirloom Range

Our designs that we like so much we make them again and again, perfected over many iterations and a lot of experimentation. For now that's the stainless filleting knife, made for the keen fisherman, with a custom Kydex sheath. We're busy perfecting hunting and kitchen designs to join it as we speak.

Handmade stainless filleting knife with a blue micarta handle beside its black Kydex sheath, on a board with fish fillets Handmade Stainless Filleting Knife $375 See this knife

Workshop Range, from $185

One-of-a-kind knives, where our designs start. This is where Bruce tries out new ideas, so no two knives are the same, and the best ideas go on to shape the Heirloom Range. You pick the style, hunting or kitchen, and Bruce picks the knife.

The blades are carbon steel, which gives exceptional sharpness and toughness and is easy to sharpen at home. With use it builds a dark patina that protects the blade, and after a few months it develops its own unique character. It can need a little more care than stainless: how to look after carbon steel.

Handmade hunting knife with a timber handle on a slab of wood Handmade Hunting Knife from $185 See this knife Handmade kitchen knife with a timber handle on a slab of wood Handmade Kitchen Knife from $185 See this knife
A hand-carved sgian-dubh with silver fittings and its matching sheath on tartan

Custom knives, made to order

Bruce specialises in complex, intricate work. Among his specialties is the traditional Scottish sgian-dubh, with a hand-carved handle and custom silverwork, where his jewellery and silversmithing meet his knife making. If the knife you have in mind isn't here, he takes custom commissions: a longer blade, a special piece of timber for the handle, an engraving that means something. An idea or a drawing is enough to start. Email Bruce at bruce@lostarts.co.nz and he'll come back to you with a price and how long it will take.

Bruce Stuart in his leather apron beside the Lost Arts sign at the workshop gate

About Bruce Stuart

Bruce made his first knife as a kid, from a scrap of mower blade filed by hand into a Scottish sgian-dubh. He is a perfectionist, and that is the standard he holds on a plain hunting or kitchen knife too. He teaches every one of our courses himself. More about Bruce and Lost Arts →

Handmade knife questions

How long until my knife arrives?

The filleting knife is made to order in about seven days, or three on the fast track. A Workshop Range knife takes about a week. Then allow two to three working days for shipping.

How much is shipping?

$12.50, tracked, anywhere in New Zealand. For overseas orders, get in touch for a quote.

Can I send it as a gift?

Yes. Every knife arrives wrapped in kraft paper with a wax seal, in a box. Put their address and a message in the order notes and we'll send it straight to them.

What if it isn't right for my hand?

Send it back unused and we'll find you another. Return shipping is at your cost and the swap is free.

Is there a warranty?

Yes, a lifetime warranty. If something goes wrong that's our fault, we fix it free. If it's misused or damaged by accident, we repair it for a fee.

Rather make your own? On Bruce's 1-Day Knife Making Course you make your own knife and take it home the same day.

See the course

New knives and course dates

We'll email you when there's a new knife in the shop or new course dates go up.