SCAK

Creating high-quality, handmade knives is attractive to a large number of craftsmen, but many of these people work independently. In South Carolina, however, a statewide guild formed in order to bring together the talents of the state's knifemakers. The South Carolina Association of Knifemakers holds a proud history and a vital role in the South Carolina knife making industry.

The first meeting of the association took place in Aiken, SC in 1980 as a part of the Gun and Knife Show. Duncan Rutherford asked that a number of the state's talented knifemakers join him in forming a statewide guild so that the craftsmen might share ideas and skills with each other. These meetings continued, and there are now fall and spring meetings every year. A variety of knives are created by members of the association, including pieces created for hunters, fishermen, cooks and knife-throwers.

The skills involved in crafting a handmade knife require years of practice and personal effort. They are greatly enhanced when fellow craftsmen join together in furthering the craft. The South Carolina Association of Knifemakers accomplishes this goal admirably, and it serves an important role in the vibrant crafts scene in South Carolina.