Shopping Cart Items: 0   Sub-Total : $0.00
Welcome, Guest ( Login )

van Deventer, JD

$
to
     
  • 1

Page 1 of 1
     
  • 1


JD van Deventer at the grinder

Johan van Deventer (b. 1969), better known as JD, is a talented knifemaker based in Bloemfontein, Central South Africa, where he lives with his wife Annamarie, his two sons (Adrian and Stefan), and his daughter, the youngest, Limé.

JD’s journey as an artist started in music, inspired by his mother, a devoted music teacher. From an early age, music was woven into his life. He began playing the violin at 7 years old and was part of the Central Free State Youth Symphony Orchestra through his school years, later performing with the professional Central Symphony Orchestra.

Classical music wasn’t his only passion, however. His love for rock and rock ballads led him to explore electric guitar, bass, and double bass during his high school years, playing in various local bands and eventually pursuing a professional career culminating in performing for over a year on the MSC Sinfonia cruise liner in 1998. Today, JD continues to perform with a group of classical musicians every other Monday on YouTube.

Beginning in 2018, JD’s three children were homeschooled, with his eldest son, Adrian, receiving his high school diploma in 2024. Teaching is led by JD’s wife, Annamarie, who holds a qualified teaching degree. Homeschooling is a significant commitment and not an easy choice, but it brought stability and flexibility to their family life, allowing them to support each other more effectively while pursuing their individual passions and responsibilities.

JD’s workshop is on a small farm on the outskirts of Bloemfontein. He completed his current workshop in 2019 and moved in just before the major lockdown in March 2020. There, his family embraces an idyllic life of small-scale farmers. They started with 12 chickens in a ground-level coop and added rabbits housed above them. This setup allowed rabbit waste to fall to the coop floor, where the chickens continuously turn and aerate it, creating nutrient-rich compost -- an organic gardener’s dream. The rabbits provide them with a source of non-GMO, homegrown meat, while the chickens supply fresh eggs.

Over the years, their two boys (Adrian and Stefan) have helped in Johan’s workshop and have even completed some knives on their own. Meanwhile, Limé collects and sells the eggs to regular customers. This lifestyle has not only enriched their family life but also taught their children valuable lessons about hard work, responsibility, and the rewards of self-sufficiency.

Like many successful knifemakers, JD developed his skills across a winding road of occupations. Spray painting and body repair were among his favorite courses during his time at technical high school. After completing his training with the South African Defense Force, JD earned his spray painting qualification two years later. For the next decade, he worked in the auto body industry spray painting and restoring cars. This was followed by 17 years running a used car dealership.

Van Deventer started making knives as a part time hobby in 2005, initially making his knives in a tiny room outside his house that he had converted into a workshop. In 2007, Johan proudly became a member of the Knifemakers’ Guild of Southern Africa and in 2008, he joined the Bloemfontein Knife Makers Club. In 2007, JD met renowned knifemaker Andre Thorburn, whose guidance helped shape his skills and approach to knifemaking. For several years JD and Andre shared hotel rooms while traveling to shows in the US. While sitting in the room after the busy day, they had ample time to share knifemaking ideas and talk about pros and cons of certain methods and the machinery. As his passion and skills grew, he was able to make the jump to become a full time knifemaker in 2012.

JD has won numerous awards including Best Art Folder (Bloemfontein Knife Show), Best Art Folder (Baobab Knife Show, 2013), Best Working Folder (Bloemfontein Knife Show), and Best Knife of Show (Bloemfontein Knife Show). In 2017, he was cited in Blade Magazine’s Hottest Makers’ Hottest Knives. His work has been published numerous times in Knives Annual and Blade Magazine.

Though he still occasionally makes fixed blades, JD specializes in high performance folding knives. He is inspired by the beauty of functional art and the intricacies of knife design. His commitment to craftsmanship is evident in each piece he creates. JD’s custom knives are made by hand. The pantograph and his manually controlled Swiss milling machines are his preferred tools. He prefers to use high quality cutlery steels for his hand ground blades such as damascus, M390, N690, CPM-154, Elmax, and ATS-34 to ensure excellent edge holding. He works with both high-quality synthetics such as carbon fiber and G-10 as well as natural materials such as exotic woods, ivory, and mammoth molar for the handles. Titanium is also often a popular choice since it provides strength while keeping the knife light and nimble. Many of his folders utilize the IKBS (Ikoma Korth Bearing System) pivot, providing some of the smoothest action found anywhere. While JD’s knives are built to be used, they could easily be cherished in any serious knife collection.

JD van Deventer playing bass

PREVIOUSLY SOLD ITEMS
(NOT CURRENTLY AVAILABLE)
Cruz Flipper with 3D Machined C-Tek and Black G10 (IKBS)
click to see more
Cruz Flipper with 3D Machined Carbon Fiber (IKBS)
click to see more
Cruz Flipper with Burgundy Micarta and Silver Strike Carbon Fiber (IKBS)
click to see more
Cruz Flipper with Earth Brown Micarta and Silver Strike Carbon Fiber (IKBS)
click to see more
Cruz Flipper with OD Green G10 (IKBS) - M390
click to see more
Cruz Flipper with Textured Black G10 (IKBS)
click to see more
Cruz Flipper with Textured Black G10 (IKBS)
click to see more
Cruz Flipper with Textured Orange and Black G10 (IKBS)
click to see more
Cruz Flipper with Textured Orange and Black G10 (IKBS)
click to see more
Damascus Pinstripe Premium with Marble Carbon Fiber and Zirconium (IKBS)
click to see more
Damascus Pinstripe with Antique Westinghouse Micarta and Timascus (IKBS)
click to see more
EDC B with Stacked Carbon Fiber and G10 (IKBS)
click to see more
EDC Bolster Lock with Carbon Fiber Inlays (IKBS)
click to see more
EDC Bolster Lock with Marbled Carbon Fiber and Damasteel (IKBS)
click to see more
EDC Bolster Lock with Marbled Carbon Fiber Inlays (IKBS)
click to see more
EDC Framelock Front Flipper with Black G10
click to see more
EDC Framelock Front Flipper with Black G10 and Blue/Black Lightning Strike Carbon Fiber
click to see more
EDC Framelock Front Flipper with Black G10 and Malachite
click to see more
EDC Framelock Front Flipper with Black G10 and Mammoth Molar
click to see more
EDC Framelock Front Flipper with Black G10 and Raffir
click to see more
EDC Framelock Front Flipper with Carbon Fiber
click to see more
EDC Framelock Front Flipper with Carbon Fiber
click to see more
EDC Framelock Front Flipper with Ivory G10 and Lightning Strike Carbon Fiber
click to see more
EDC Framelock Front Flipper with Lightning Strike Carbon Fiber
click to see more
EDC Framelock Front Flipper with White G10 and Blue C-Tek
click to see more
EDC Framelock with Black G-10 and Red and Black LSCF by JD Van Deventer
click to see more
EDC Framelock with Black/Purple Camo G-10
click to see more
EDC Front Flipper Bolster Lock with Arctic Storm FatCarbon Inlays
click to see more
EDC Front Flipper Bolster Lock with Arctic Storm FatCarbon Inlays
click to see more
EDC Front Flipper Bolster Lock with Arctic Storm FatCarbon Inlays (IKBS)
click to see more
EDC Front Flipper Bolster Lock with Black/Green Carbon Fiber Inlays (IKBS)
click to see more
EDC Front Flipper Bolster Lock with Blue C-Tek Inlays (IKBS)
click to see more
EDC Front Flipper Bolster Lock with Blue/Black Carbon Fiber (IKBS)
click to see more
EDC Front Flipper Bolster Lock with Blue/White FatCarbon and SG2 Damascus San Mai (IKBS)
click to see more
EDC Front Flipper Bolster Lock with Canvas Micarta Inlays (IKBS)
click to see more
EDC Front Flipper Bolster Lock with Canvas Micarta Inlays (IKBS)
click to see more
EDC Front Flipper Bolster Lock with FatCarbon Inlays
click to see more
EDC Front Flipper Bolster Lock with FatCarbon Inlays
click to see more
EDC Front Flipper Bolster Lock with FatCarbon Inlays
click to see more
EDC Front Flipper Bolster Lock with Green FatCarbon (IKBS)
click to see more
EDC Front Flipper Bolster Lock with Jungle Wear FatCarbon Inlays
click to see more
EDC Front Flipper Bolster Lock with Lightning Strike Carbon Fiber Inlays
click to see more
EDC Front Flipper Bolster Lock with Marble Carbon Fiber Inlays
click to see more
EDC Front Flipper Bolster Lock with Silver Strike Carbon Fiber Inlays
click to see more
Gold Midi Flipper with Black and Blue Carbon Fiber (IKBS) - CTS-XHP
click to see more
Gold Midi Flipper with Black and Yellow Carbon Fiber (IKBS) - CTS-XHP
click to see more
Gold Midi Flipper with Blue Twill and Marble Carbon Fiber (IKBS) - M390
click to see more
Gold Midi Flipper with Carbon Fiber and Black Timascus (IKBS)
click to see more
Gold Midi Flipper with Carbon Fiber and Orange G-10 (IKBS) - M390
click to see more
Gold Midi Flipper with Carbon Fiber and Orange G-10 (IKBS) - M390
click to see more
Gold Midi Flipper with Carbon Fiber and Timascus Pivot Collar (IKBS) - M390
click to see more
Gold Midi Flipper with Fluted Carbon Fiber (IKBS) - CTS-XHP
click to see more
Gold Midi Flipper with Fluted Carbon Fiber (IKBS) - CTS-XHP
click to see more
Gold Midi Flipper with Fluted Red Carbon Fiber (IKBS) - CTS-XHP
click to see more
Gold Midi Flipper with Marble Carbon Fiber (IKBS) - CTS-XHP
click to see more
Gold Midi Flipper with Marble Carbon Fiber and FatCarbon (IKBS) - M390
click to see more
Gold Midi Flipper with Silver Strike Carbon Fiber and Blackwood Carbon Fiber (IKBS) - M390
click to see more
Gold Midi Premium Flipper with Silver Strike Carbon Fiber, Zirconium, and Black Timascus (IKBS) - M390
click to see more
Gold Midi Premium with Marbled Carbon Fiber, Zirconium, Titanium Damascus, and SG2 San Mai Damascus (IKBS)
click to see more
Gold Mini Flipper with Black G10, Marble Carbon Fiber and Timascus Pivot Collar (IKBS)
click to see more
Gold Mini Flipper with Blue Twill (IKBS)
click to see more
Gold Mini Flipper with Blue/Silver Carbon Fiber and Zirconium Pivot Collar (IKBS)
click to see more
Gold Mini Flipper with Carbon Fiber and Timascus Pivot Collar (IKBS)
click to see more
Gold Mini Flipper with Carbon Fiber and Timascus Pivot Collar (IKBS)
click to see more
Gold Mini Flipper with Carbon Fiber, Orange G10 and Zirconium Pivot Collar (IKBS)
click to see more
Gold Mini Flipper with Copper Wire Carbon Fiber and Timascus Pivot Collar (IKBS)
click to see more
Gold Mini Flipper with Fluted Carbon Fiber (IKBS)
click to see more
Gold Mini Flipper with Green Carbon Fiber (IKBS)
click to see more
Gold Mini Flipper with Lightning Strike Carbon Fiber and Mokume Pivot Collar (IKBS)
click to see more
Gold Mini Flipper with Lightning Strike Carbon Fiber and Mokume Pivot Collar (IKBS)
click to see more
Gold Mini Flipper with Marble Carbon Fiber and Timascus (Ceramic IKBS) - CPM-154
click to see more
Gold Mini Flipper with Red Carbon Fiber (IKBS)
click to see more
Gold Mini Flipper with Red/Black Carbon Fiber, Zirconium, and Timascus Pivot Collar (IKBS)
click to see more
Gold Mini Flipper with Shred Carbon Fiber and Titanium Pivot Collar (Ceramic IKBS)
click to see more
Gold Mini Flipper with Silver Strike Carbon Fiber and Zirconium (IKBS)
click to see more
Gold Mini Flipper with Silver Strike Carbon Fiber and Zirconium Pivot Collar (IKBS)
click to see more
Gold Mini Flipper with Silver Twill (IKBS)
click to see more
Gold Mini with Black G10 and Curly Maple Burl (IKBS)
click to see more
Gold Standard Field Grade with Lightning Strike Carbon Fiber (Double Row IKBS)
click to see more
Gold Standard Flipper with Black/Blue Carbon Fiber and White Timascus (Double Row IKBS)
click to see more
Gold Standard Flipper with Blue Lightning Strike Carbon Fiber and White Timascus (Double Row IKBS)
click to see more
Gold Standard Flipper with Carbon Fiber (Double Row IKBS)
click to see more
Gold Standard Flipper with Carbon Fiber and Titanium (Double Row IKBS)
click to see more
Gold Standard Flipper with Carbon Fiber and White Timascus (Double Row IKBS)
click to see more
Gold Standard Flipper with Carbon Fiber and White Timascus (Double Row IKBS) - M390
click to see more
Gold Standard Flipper with Carbon Fiber and White Timascus (Double Row IKBS) - M390
click to see more
Gold Standard Flipper with Carbon Fiber and White Timascus (Double Row IKBS) - M390 - LEFT HANDED!!
click to see more
Gold Standard Flipper with Lightning Strike Carbon Fiber
click to see more
Gold Standard Flipper with Lightning Strike Carbon Fiber and Mokume (Double Row IKBS)
click to see more
Gold Standard Flipper with Silver Strike Carbon Fiber and White Timascus (Double Row IKBS)
click to see more
Gold Standard Flipper with Silver Strike Carbon Fiber and Zirconium (Double Row IKBS)
click to see more
Gold Standard Flipper with Silver Strike Carbon Fiber and Zirconium (Double Row IKBS)
click to see more
Gold Standard Full Dress Flipper with Damascus, Zirconium, and Titanium Damascus (Dual Row Ceramic IKBS)
click to see more
Gold Standard Full Dress Flipper with Marbled Carbon Fiber and Zirconium (Double Row IKBS)
click to see more
Gold Standard Full Dress with Carbon Fiber, Zirconium, and Titanium Damascus (Double Row IKBS)
click to see more
Gold Standard with Silver Strike Carbon Fiber and Damascus (Double Row IKBS)
click to see more
Iridium Bolster Lock Flipper with Titanium and Blue Dark Matter FatCarbon
click to see more
Iridium Bolster Lock Flipper with Titanium and Thunderstorm Kevlar (IKBS) - CTS-XHP
click to see more
Iridium Flipper - Blacked Out
click to see more
Iridium Flipper with Entropic Finished Titanium Inlays (IKBS) - CTS-XHP
click to see more
Iridium Flipper with Entropic Finished Titanium Inlays (IKBS) - CTS-XHP
click to see more
Iridium Framelock Flipper with Marble Carbon Fiber and Titanium (IKBS) - ATS-34
click to see more
Iridium Framelock Flipper with Vintage Micarta and Titanium (IKBS) - ATS-34
click to see more
JN Flipper with Orange G10
click to see more
JN Flipper with Orange G10
click to see more
Kenpachi Flipper Tanto with Carbon Fiber (IKBS)
click to see more
Kenpachi Flipper Tanto with Carbon Fiber (IKBS)
click to see more
Kenpachi Flipper Tanto with Carbon Fiber (IKBS)
click to see more
Kenpachi Flipper Tanto with Orange G-10 and Lightning Strike Carbon Fiber (IKBS)
click to see more
Kenpachi Flipper Tanto with Orange G-10 and Lightning Strike Carbon Fiber (IKBS)
click to see more
Kenpachi Flipper Tanto with Red and Black Lightning Strike Carbon Fiber (IKBS)
click to see more
Kenpachi Flipper Tanto with Yellow G-10 and Silver Twill (IKBS)
click to see more
Kenpachi Flipper with Carved Copper (IKBS)
click to see more
Kenpachi Flipper with Green G10 and Carbon Fiber (IKBS)
click to see more
Kenpachi Flipper with Red and Black Carbon Fiber and Orange G10 - M390
click to see more
Kenpachi with Silver Strike Carbon Fiber and Zirconium (IKBS)
click to see more
Little Bit Front Flipper with Black and Blue Lightning Strike Carbon Fiber (IKBS)
click to see more
Little Bit Front Flipper with Black and Blue Lightning Strike Carbon Fiber (IKBS)
click to see more
Little Bit Front Flipper with Carbon Fiber and G10 (IKBS)
click to see more
Little Bit Front Flipper with Lightning Strike Carbon Fiber and Red G10 (IKBS)
click to see more
Little Bit Front Flipper with Lightning Strike Carbon Fiber and Zirconium (IKBS)
click to see more
Little Bit Front Flipper with Red/Black Lightning Strike Carbon Fiber and Zirconium
click to see more
Neck Knife with Lightning Strike Carbon Fiber
click to see more
Palladium Flipper with Carbon Fiber and Black Timascus (IKBS) - M390
click to see more
Palladium Flipper with Fluted Carbon Fiber (IKBS) - M390
click to see more
Palladium Flipper with Marble Carbon Fiber and Zirconium (IKBS) - M390
click to see more
Palladium Flipper with Silver Strike Carbon Fiber and Zirconium (IKBS)
click to see more
Pinstripe Field Lux with Red/Black Carbon Fiber
click to see more
Pinstripe Field Lux with Silver Strike Carbon Fiber (IKBS)
click to see more
Pinstripe Field Lux with Silver Strike Carbon Fiber (IKBS)
click to see more
Pinstripe Flipper - Premium with Carbon Fiber and Zirconium (IKBS)
click to see more
Pinstripe Flipper - Premium with Lightning Strike Carbon Fiber and Zirconium (IKBS)
click to see more
Pinstripe Flipper - Premium with Silver Strike Carbon Fiber and Zirconium (IKBS)
click to see more
Pinstripe Flipper with Black and Grey G10
click to see more
Pinstripe Flipper with Black/Red Carbon Fiber (IKBS)
click to see more
Pinstripe Flipper with Carbon Fiber (IKBS)
click to see more
Pinstripe Flipper with G10
click to see more
Pinstripe Flipper with Grey G10
click to see more
Pinstripe Flipper with Ivory G10
click to see more
Pinstripe Flipper with Lightning Strike Carbon Fiber
click to see more
Pinstripe Flipper with Silver Strike Carbon Fiber
click to see more
Pinstripe with Antique Westinghouse Micarta and Timascus (IKBS)
click to see more
Pinstripe with Blue Carbon Fiber and Zirconium (IKBS)
click to see more
Pinstripe with Canvas Micarta and Zirconium (IKBS)
click to see more
Pinstripe with Damascus, Silver Strike Carbon Fiber, and Zirconium (IKBS)
click to see more
Pinstripe with Silver Strike Carbon Fiber and Zirconium (IKBS)
click to see more
Pinstripe with Star Strike Carbon Fiber and Zirconium (IKBS)
click to see more
Silver Dress Front Flipper with Westinghouse Micarta and Black Timascus (IKBS)
click to see more
Silver Flipper Premium - LEFT HANDED (Two sets of Scales!) - SG2 San Mai Stainless Damascus
click to see more
Silver Front Flipper with Black and Blue Carbon Fiber (IKBS)
click to see more
Silver Front Flipper with Burgundy Canvas Micarta and Thunderstorm Kevlar (IKBS)
click to see more
Silver Front Flipper with Copper Wire Carbon Fiber (IKBS)
click to see more
Silver Front Flipper with Fluted Carbon Fiber (IKBS)
click to see more
Silver Front Flipper with Fluted Carbon Fiber (IKBS) - 12C27
click to see more
Silver Front Flipper with Fluted Carbon Fiber (IKBS) - CPM-154
click to see more
Silver Front Flipper with Lightning Strike Carbon Fiber (IKBS) - CPM-154
click to see more
Silver Front Flipper with Marble and Silver Strike Carbon Fiber (IKBS)
click to see more
Silver Front Flipper with Red and Black Carbon Fiber (IKBS)
click to see more
Silver Front Flipper with Silver Strike Carbon Fiber (IKBS)
click to see more
Titanium EDC Framelock Front Flipper (IKBS)
click to see more
Titanium EDC Framelock Front Flipper (IKBS)
click to see more
Titanium EDC Framelock Front Flipper (IKBS)
click to see more
Titanium EDC Framelock Front Flipper (IKBS)
click to see more
Titanium EDC Framelock Front Flipper (IKBS)
click to see more
Wharnecliffe with Grey G10
click to see more

Featured Products