Marc Zabroski, the young English knifemaker featured in VGJ recently has just completed two orders for editor Diggory Hadoke. Both knives have been scaled with wood supplied for the task.
The lighter of the two handles is made from yew. It was cut from a tree in the garden of Caynham Court seven years ago and has been stabilising in a drawer ever since. The darker handle is walnut and is made from a piece leftover from a gunstocking job.
Marc made the blades from a blank of Sadvik steel and cut, drilled and ground them himself, also heat treating them in his workshop. The two are slightly varied, with the walnut handled knife being a little larger and longer bladed. The blade also has a more curved top edge. Both will primarily be used for deer stalking.
Marc not only makes the knives, but the leather sheath supplied with each one. These are hand stitched and tooled and made to fit each knife precicely.
We think these knives are beautiful and useful. Made by hand to the highest level but eminently practical, with purposeful, clean lines and practical shapes.
They very much fit the ethos Diggory adopts with regard to all his equipment. Buy the best and use it as it was intended to be used. Collecting items; putting them on a shelf and admiring, them has limited appeal. Collect good examples of everything and get the pleasure of experienceing them in use on the advetures you share. That way, for years to come, you will appreciate them all the more.
Marc Zabroshi is one of very few genuine young craftsmen working as a knife-maker in England today. The photographs here showcase the quality of his work, which is remarkable.
Considering the prices many top American makers realise for their custom knife work, Marc is very reasonably priced. The knives depicted here cost well under £500 each. As his name becomes more widely known, those prices are sure to rise.
NOTE
The Vintage Gun Journal does not review products at the behest of brands. Every item we review, we have purchased at full price and used in the field.
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