
Kosie Steenkamp (b. 1962) is one of the elite South African knifemakers producing knives of meticulous fit and finish. His knives have practical durability that can only come from someone who is passionate about working with his hands to create. Kosie is a maker who, when first exposed to custom knives, immediately began thinking of how he could make one of his own. <click to read more...>

Kosie Steenkamp (b. 1962) is one of the elite South African knifemakers producing knives of meticulous fit and finish. His knives have practical durability that can only come from someone who is passionate about working with his hands to create. Kosie is a maker who, when first exposed to custom knives, immediately began thinking of how he could make one of his own. His pursuit of excellence has earned him recognition from the highest level of knifemakers with him serving as Chairperson to the Knifemakers' Guild of Southern Africa. From rugged hunting knives to collectable showpieces using precisely machined materials, his knives are excellent examples of the superb craftsmanship emerging from South Africa.
Kosie was born into a family with a deep natural affinity for working with their hands. Growing up in Bloemfontein, in central South Africa, his father was a railway fitter with a well-equipped workshop where he would work with wood, steel, and leather. This shop was a magical place for kids and Kosie and his brother Willem to spend most of their time with their dad. His father’s influence led Kosie to enter a Technical College where after completing his apprenticeship, he received a National Technical Education Diploma. After finishing his degree in 1980, he moved to Johannesburg and began working in the engineering department of South Africa’s national airline. During this time Steenkamp married, raised two daughters, and built a successful career as an aircraft engineer. After building his career in the airline industry over the next 41 years, Kosie retired in 2020. During this time, he never lost his love of working with his hands. Kosie eventually became inspired by the beautiful knives and the craftsmanship of the emerging South African knifemaking community and picked up knifemaking as a hobby.
Kosie made his first knife in 2007. This was a small hunting knife he initially sold to a close friend. Eventually, Kosie’s first knife made its way back to him and has a special place in his collection. This creation began a journey for Steenkamp, shifting from a hobby to a part time job, and culminating in a full-time career. Kosie’s pursuit of precision had him take lessons from his brother Willem and several other South African knifemakers. His dedication to his craft was acknowledged in 2009 by his inclusion into the Knifemakers' Guild of Southern Africa and his recent elevation to the Guild’s chairperson in 2025. He was also honored by being awarded Best Folder by the Knifemakers' Guild of America at the 2024 Atlanta Blade Show. His skill and talent are world class.
When he is not working with steel, Kosie spends his time doing CrossFit, exploring the backroads of South Africa on his BMW GS 1200 motorbike, spending time with two granddaughters, and caring for his garden. He joyfully manages to balance his adventurous spirit and family life with a deep commitment to his craft and the second career that he has fully embraced.
Kosie Steenkamp is recognized as a world-class knifemaker from South Africa, celebrated for his precise craftsmanship and the exceptional performance of his blades. Motivated by a deep passion for creating with his hands, Kosie dedicates over 50 hours each week to his work, yet produces only thirty knives annually. This intentional approach ensures that every knife is a mechanical masterpiece, crafted using only the finest materials available, such as Bohler M390 steel, titanium, Micarta, and FatCarbon. His unwavering dedication to detail and pursuit of the highest quality distinguish his knives, earning admiration and respect from fellow knifemakers and collectors around the world.
As a full-time craftsman, creator, and artist, Kosie stands at the pinnacle of his knifemaking career. His work exemplifies artistry, skill, and commitment to creating custom knives of beauty and mechanical perfection.
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Knifemakers' Guild of Southern Africa - since 2009
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Chairman of the Knifemakers' Guild of Southern Africa - 2025
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Knifemakers' Guild of America - since 2024
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2024 Best Folder award by the Knifemakers' Guild of America
Kosie Steenkamp has elevated South African knifemaking onto the global stage through his meticulous work and dedication to mechanical perfection in his knives.

PREVIOUSLY SOLD ITEMS
(NOT CURRENTLY AVAILABLE)
Breeze Front Flipper with Black Micarta and Ivory G-10 (IKBS) - M390 |
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Breeze Front Flipper with Blue Dark Matter FatCarbon and Zirconium (IKBS) - M390 |
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Breeze Front Flipper with Carbon Fiber and Purple Haze FatCarbon (IKBS) |
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Breeze Front Flipper with Natural Crosscut and Maroon Micarta (IKBS) |
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Breeze Front Flipper with Red Coral and Vintage Micarta (IKBS) - M390 |
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Breeze Front Flipper with Silver Strike Carbon Fiber and Zirconium (IKBS) |
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Breeze Front Flipper with Vintage Micarta and Thunderstorm Kevlar (IKBS) - M390 |
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Breeze Front Flipper with Westinghouse Micarta and Stacked Carbon Fiber/G10 (IKBS) |
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Breeze Jr. Front Flipper with Layered Carbon Fiber/G10 and Westinghouse Micarta (IKBS) |
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Comoda Flipper with Westinghouse Micarta and Zirconium (IKBS) - M390 |
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Comoda Front Flipper with Green Micarta and Ivory G-10 (IKBS) - M390 |
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Elevator Flipper with Light FatCarbon and Carbon Fiber (IKBS) - M390 |
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Majesty Flipper with Blue Lightening Strike Carbon Fiber and Zirconium (IKBS) - M390 |
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Majesty Flipper with Dark Matter FatCarbon and Damascus (IKBS) - M390 |
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Majesty Flipper with Gold Snakeskin FatCarbon and Zirconium (IKBS) - M390 |
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Majesty Flipper with Lightning Strike Carbon Fiber and Damascus (IKBS) |
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Majesty Flipper with Lightning Strike Carbon Fiber and Zirconium (IKBS) - M390 |
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Majesty Flipper with Micarta, G10 and Silver Strike Carbon Fiber (IKBS) - M390 |
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Majesty Flipper with Red Dark Matter FatCarbon and Zirconium (IKBS) - M390 |
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Majesty Flipper with Timascus and Dark Matter FatCarbon (IKBS) - M390 |
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Majesty Front Flipper with Micarta and Silver Strike Carbon Fiber (IKBS) - M390 |
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Piuma Flipper (Model 007) with Carbon Fiber and Lightning Strike Carbon Fiber (IKBS) |
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Piuma Flipper (Model 007) with Carbon Fiber and Lightning Strike Carbon Fiber (IKBS) |
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Piuma Flipper (No. 007) with Red Lightning Strike Carbon Fiber (IKBS) |
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Piuma Flipper with Red Lightning Strike Carbon Fiber and Zirconium (IKBS) - M390 |
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Piuma Flipper with Silver Strike Carbon Fiber and Zirconium (IKBS) - M390 |
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Sakson II (Model 034) with Lightning Strike Carbon Fiber and Damascus |
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Samson Front Flipper with Blue Lightning Strike Carbon Fiber (IKBS) |
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Samson Front Flipper with Blue Lightning Strike Carbon Fiber (IKBS) - M390 |
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Samson Front Flipper with Blue/Black Lightning Strike Carbon Fiber (IKBS) |
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Samson Front Flipper with Green Canvas Micarta and Lightning Strike Carbon Fiber (IKBS) |
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Samson Front Flipper with Green Micarta and Ivory G-10 (IKBS) - M390 |
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Samson Front Flipper with Green Micarta and Lightning Strike Carbon Fiber |
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Samson Front Flipper with Green Micarta and Stacked Carbon Fiber/G10 (IKBS) |
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Samson Front Flipper with Lava Flow FatCarbon and Zirconium (IKBS) - M390 |
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Samson Front Flipper with Natural Crosscut Micarta and Carbon Fiber (IKBS) |
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Samson Front Flipper with Purple Haze FatCarbon and Zirconium (IKBS) |
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Samson Front Flipper with Red/Black Lightning Strike Carbon Fiber and Zirconium |
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Samson Front Flipper with Thunderstorm Kevlar and Crosscut Natural Micarta (IKBS) |
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Samson Front Flipper with Westinghouse Micarta and Carbon Fiber (IKBS) |
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Samson Front Flipper with Westinghouse Micarta and Natural Micarta (IKBS) |
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Samson Front Flipper with Westinghouse Micarta and Stacked Carbon Fiber (IKBS) |
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Samson Front Flipper with Westinghouse Micarta and Stacked Carbon Fiber/G10 (IKBS) |
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Samson Front Flipper with Westinghouse Micarta and Stacked Carbon Fiber/G10 (IKBS) - M390 |
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Samson Jr. Front Flipper with Black Paper Micarta and Crosscut Natural Micarta (IKBS) - M390 |
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Samson Jr.Front Flipper with Blue Lightning Strike Carbon Fiber and Westinghouse Micarta (IKBS) - M390 |
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Vantage Flipper (Model 003) with Black and Blue G-10 and Blue Lightning Strike Carbon Fiber (IKBS) |
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Vantage Flipper (Model 003) with Black and Red G-10 and Red Lightning Strike Carbon Fiber (IKBS) |
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Vantage Flipper (Model 003) with Blue Lightning Strike Carbon Fiber and Black Carbon Fiber (IKBS) |
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Vantage Flipper (Model 003) with Stacked Carbon Fiber/G10 and Titanium (IKBS) |
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