Jean Wilke biography 

 

Jean Wilke’s journey as knifemaker started when he was 14 years old. For a kid with no prior mechanical training or experience, his rise was meteoric, culminating in his acceptance into the prestigious Knifemakers’ Guild of Southern Africa at the age of 18, while still at school. This history can be read on his website  https://www.fire-goby-forge.co.za/About-us

 

On 30 November 2020 Jean finished school, drove to one of his mentors, Neels van den Berg (MS), took off his school blazer, threw it down on a chair and exclaimed “I am now a full time knife maker!”
On 1 December 2020 Jean walked into his shop and started his career as full time knife maker. 

 

Jean’s first few months as a full-time knife-maker was a lot tougher than he imagined. Doing the same thing, every day, alone in his workshop, soon got to him and he entered adulthood with a thump as the reality hit. His knives, however, reflected the time he now had, and increased in complexity and detail.

 

Then a miracle happened... His family visited Kevin and Heather Harvey at Heavin Forge to collect a horse Heather had gifted to his brother. One evening, while sitting in the workshop, discussing knives, knives and …knives, Jean’s father brought up the possibility of Jean becoming an apprentice at Heavin Forge. Kevin’s immediate reaction was that they had done that before, but they weren’t really looking to do that anymore. And that was the end of that, or so Jean thought. 

 

The next morning, while trying to box the “silly spotted horse”, Kevin called Jean and his dad over. He and Heather had discussed the idea and might be willing to do it, BUT  

“A Guild member is nobody’s apprentice!!!”

So, Jean must come back with a suggestion… Let’s just say nobody slept in the car on the way home. Between a horse in the trailer and the possibility of learning from the best, everybody’s minds were racing like a tortoise in a snail race.

 

The deal was struck and for the next 2 years, Jean became a part-time “Intern” at Heavin Forge, spending 2 weeks in Belfast and 2 weeks in his own shop every month. If his rise the first 4 years were meteoric, it was now exponential. This was evident in the 2 categories Jean won at his first KGSA show, something that was almost unheard of. Jean’s work also attracted the attention of a certain Mr. Daniel O’Malley who offered to represent Jean’s work on Bladegallery.com. Some of Jean’s best work can be viewed on his page.

 

At Heavin Forge Jean learned about making Damascus, theory of everything knife-related and the art of “ad infinitum detail”. …and Heavin Forge, became heaven on earth for this young maker!

Heavin Forge’s premium course is the 2-week ABS Introduction to Bladesmithing. There is a rule that only students older than 18 years may attend on their own. Imagine the honour when the Harvey’s asked if he will act as assistant instructor, while still aged 18. He turned 19 on the final day of course!!! Since then, Jean is a regular assistant on said course and “main entertainer” and “braaimaster” (BBQ) in the evenings.

 

Jean used the trainer skills he learned, and developed a series of courses, mainly a 2-day forged knife making course and a 2-day sheath making course. Numerous students have discovered the wonder of forging and knife making under Jean’s instruction. Some of his students moved up to the 2-week course at Heavin Forge… with Jean as assistant instructor.

 

December 2022 saw Jean move from a 30m2 workshop to a 70m2 workshop. This paved the way for expansion. More space meant more machines, which means better and faster work AND training more students. Most recent additions are a power hammer, milling machine and steel lathe.

 

The one setback Jean had and still has, is his inability to test for ABS Journeyman Smith. It is not that his knives are not up to standard, it is that the US government is refusing to grant him a visa to visit Bladeshow… Jean will throw even more effort into getting said visa and attending Blade show in 2025.

 

“I love making great, wonderful knives. It drives me, fills my mind and allows me to create something that can transcend generations. Knife-making is not what I do, it is who I am. It is such an integral part of me that I cannot see going through life without it in one form or another.” 

 

My goals are very simple:

 

1. ABS Journeyman rating

2. ABS Master Smith rating

3. Be invited to Art knife invitational

4. Main goal: in 1000’s of years when archaeologists dig up one of my knives, they must be awestruck by the skill of the “old timers”.