Skol Knives outdoor knives handmade in the UK

Skol Knives at the Yorkshire Shooting Show 2026 Skol Knives will be heading north for the Yorkshire Shooting Show on 26th & 27th September 2026 . I’ll be bringing a good selection of my latest handmade knives , including hunting knives, bushcraft knives and some one-off Damascus steel knives. Every Skol knife is handmade by me in my workshop, using a range of quality blade steels and handle materials including natural and stabilised woods, antler and other unusual materials. No mass production – just individually made knives designed to work. I’ll have several of my latest handmade hunting knives at the show, alongside Damascus knives and practical bushcraft designs. While I like my knives to look good, they are first and foremost working tools. That’s why the Skol Knives motto is Built to be used. Shows are also a great opportunity to actually pick up a knife, see how it feels in the hand and have a chat with the person who made it. So if you’re visiting the Yorkshire Shoo...

Skol Knives Becomes Skol Knives & Bushcraft I'm delighted to announce the next step in the Skol journey. Following authorisation from Finedon Town Council, Skol Knives is now Skol Knives & Bushcraft. Alongside designing and handcrafting knives, I'll soon be delivering bushcraft courses in the woodlands of Finedon Pocket Park and Cally Banks. Bushcraft has always been about more than the tools we carry—it's about the knowledge, confidence and respect to use them safely in the outdoors. Every course will focus on practical, hands-on learning in a relaxed and welcoming environment. Courses will include fire lighting, shelter building, water sourcing and purification, safe knife and axe use, natural navigation, campfire cooking and other essential woodland skills. Whether you're taking your first steps into bushcraft or looking to build on existing experience, there will be something for everyone. As an Institute for Outdoor Learning (IOL) qualified Bushcraft Instru...

Ice Age Hunter Every now and then a knife comes together that feels a little more special than the last. This latest Skol Knives skinner is one of those. The heart of the handle is genuine mammoth tusk – a material that began its journey thousands of years ago during the Ice Age. No two pieces are ever the same, with natural colours and grain that make every knife completely unique. Carefully paired with black limba, the contrast between ancient ivory and rich timber creates a handle that's both elegant and comfortable in the hand. Fossilised mammoth tusk has long been prized by custom makers because it offers a legal, historic material unlike anything else available. The blade measures 85mm and is crafted from 3mm Silver Fox 100 stainless steel, chosen for its excellent edge retention, corrosion resistance and dependable field performance. It's a knife built to work, whether you're processing game, heading into the woods or simply appreciating fine craftsmanship. I called ...

Final Preparations Before the National Game Fair The countdown is over, and today has been dedicated to those final jobs before we head to Ragley Hall to set up for the National Game Fair. Every knife has been inspected, cleaned, sharpened and given a final coat of oil, while leather sheaths, display stands and signage have all been packed ready for the journey. Among the preparations was a knife I'd almost forgotten about. I made it over a year ago from a reclaimed file, but it never quite felt finished and ended up gathering dust on a workshop shelf. With a little time and a fresh perspective, I cleaned it up, etched my maker's mark and finally gave it the attention it deserved. The result is a compact kiridashi-inspired utility knife with a 60 mm high-carbon blade and a stabilised birch handle—a reminder that sometimes a project simply needs time before it finds its place. Tomorrow the van heads to Ragley Hall, where the stand will come together ready for what promises to be...

Compact. Elegant. Built to be used. The Skol Wren is proof that exceptional performance doesn't require a large blade. Designed as a lightweight neck knife, it combines traditional craftsmanship with practical everyday usability, making it equally at home around camp, on the trail or in the workshop. At its heart is a 60mm hand-forged Damascus steel blade, offering a razor-sharp edge and the distinctive flowing pattern that makes every knife unique. Its compact size provides outstanding control for carving, food preparation, whittling and countless everyday cutting tasks. The handle is crafted from English oak, paired with a natural antler bolster and accented by brass and black fibre liners. Warm, natural materials and a hidden tang construction create a comfortable grip that feels secure despite the knife's compact dimensions. Supplied with a handcrafted leather neck sheath, the Wren is always close to hand when you need it, whether you're lighting a campfire,...

New from the Skol Knives Workshop – K460 Bushcraft Knife with Stag Antler & English Yew Every now and then a knife comes together that perfectly reflects what Skol Knives is all about – practical design, premium materials, and traditional craftsmanship. This latest build is one of those knives. The blade is crafted from K460 carbon tool steel, measuring 95mm long and 4mm thick, with a classic Scandi grind that excels at controlled woodworking, feather sticks, carving, food preparation, and all-round bushcraft tasks. K460 has earned a superb reputation among custom knife makers. Often compared to O1 tool steel, it offers excellent edge retention, outstanding toughness, and takes an incredibly keen edge. If you've used O1 before, you'll feel right at home with K460, but many makers find it holds that razor edge just a little longer while remaining easy to sharpen in the field. The handle combines two beautiful natural materials. A section of stag antler provides strength and ...

VNEW FROM THE WORKSHOP 🍂 There's something timeless about natural materials. This latest Skol Hunter features an 80mm blade in Swedish 12C27 stainless steel, paired with a stunning natural stag antler handle, accented with birch bark, buffalo horn and brass spacers. The result is a knife that feels as good in the hand as it looks. Compact enough to carry every day, yet more than capable of tackling everything from woodland camp tasks to game preparation, it's a true working knife built for those who spend their time outdoors. Each antler handle is unique, meaning no two knives will ever be the same. ✔️ 80mm 12C27 stainless blade ✔️ Natural stag antler handle ✔️ Birch bark, buffalo horn & brass spacers ✔️ Handmade leather belt sheath ✔️ Handmade in England 💷 £145 (Website Price) Built to be used. #SkolKnives #HandmadeKnife #Bushcraft #HuntingKnife #StagAntler #BushcraftUK #KnifeMaker #MadeInBritain #FieldCraft #OutdoorLife #Handcrafted #BuiltToBeUsed

Bushcraft Without Compromise – Meet the Skol Bushcraft 120 A bushcraft knife should inspire confidence the moment you pick it up. It isn't about unnecessary features or gimmicks—it's about dependable performance when you're carving, preparing tinder, making feather sticks, processing camp food or tackling everyday woodland tasks. The Skol Bushcraft 120 has been built with exactly that philosophy in mind. At its heart is a 120 mm blade crafted from Swedish 12C27 stainless steel. Chosen for its excellent edge retention, corrosion resistance and ease of sharpening, it's a steel that performs brilliantly in the British outdoors and won't let you down in damp conditions. The traditional Scandi grind bites cleanly into wood, making controlled carving and precise bushcraft work effortless. The handle is fashioned from beautiful desert ironwood, one of the world's hardest and most durable timbers. Every piece has its own unique grain, meaning no two knives are ever quit...

Bushcraft Without Compromise – Meet the Skol Bushcraft 120 A bushcraft knife should inspire confidence the moment you pick it up. It isn't about unnecessary features or gimmicks—it's about dependable performance when you're carving, preparing tinder, making feather sticks, processing camp food or tackling everyday woodland tasks. The Skol Bushcraft 120 has been built with exactly that philosophy in mind. At its heart is a 120 mm blade crafted from Swedish 12C27 stainless steel. Chosen for its excellent edge retention, corrosion resistance and ease of sharpening, it's a steel that performs brilliantly in the British outdoors and won't let you down in damp conditions. The traditional Scandi grind bites cleanly into wood, making controlled carving and precise bushcraft work effortless. The handle is fashioned from beautiful desert ironwood, one of the world's hardest and most durable timbers. Every piece has its own unique grain, meaning no two knives are ever quit...

Two Sisu 75s – Same Design, Different Souls The Sisu 75 has quickly become one of my favourite knife patterns. Compact, practical, and built for real use in the outdoors, it's a knife that proves you don't need a large blade to tackle everyday bushcraft tasks. These two Sisu 75s share the same foundations. Both feature a 75mm blade crafted from premium AEB-L stainless steel, ground from 3mm stock for a balance of strength, cutting performance, and edge stability. AEB-L is well known for taking a razor-sharp edge while offering excellent corrosion resistance, making it an ideal choice for a working bushcraft knife. Where these two knives differ is in their handles. The first features a stunning handle made from a foraged piece of English yew, secured with mosaic pins. Yew has a long history in Britain and is prized for its beautiful grain, rich golden tones, and natural character. Every piece is unique, giving the knife a warmth and personality that only natural wood can provide...

Skol Sisu 75 – Ancient Oak Meets Modern Steel Some knives are designed to impress in a display cabinet. The Skol Sisu 75 was built for the woods. At its heart is a 75mm blade crafted from AEB-L stainless steel, a steel highly regarded for its toughness, corrosion resistance and ability to take an exceptionally keen edge. At 3mm thick, it strikes the perfect balance between strength and cutting performance, making it ideal for carving, food preparation and general bushcraft tasks. What truly sets this knife apart is the handle. Made from ancient bog oak, preserved beneath the earth for centuries, each piece carries its own unique character and history. The deep black tones contrast beautifully with the satin-finished blade, while brass mosaic pins and a brass lanyard tube add subtle detail without compromising the knife's clean, functional design. The Sisu 75 is supplied with a handcrafted leather sheath, ready for life around the campfire, on woodland walks or tucked into a pack fo...

Twins, But Not Identical – Two New Skol Hunters There's something special about building two knives side by side. Starting with the same blade and the same vision, they often end up developing personalities of their own. These latest additions to the Skol Knives workshop are a perfect example. Both feature an 80mm blade crafted from 12C27 stainless steel and finished with a traditional Scandi grind, offering excellent sharpness, easy maintenance, and dependable performance in the field. While they share the same foundation, their handles tell very different stories. The first combines natural antler with oak spacers, creating a clean and elegant knife that feels equally at home in the woods or displayed on a shelf. Its flowing lines and natural materials give it a refined, timeless appearance. Its twin takes a more rugged path. Stacked birch bark paired with crown antler creates a knife deeply influenced by traditional Scandinavian hunting knives. The textured handle offers excelle...

Pathfinder 125 – British SF100 Stainless Bushcraft Knife The Pathfinder 125 is a knife built with one purpose in mind – reliable performance in the outdoors. Handmade by Skol Knives, this knife features a 125mm blade crafted from British SF100 stainless steel, a steel known for its excellent edge retention, toughness and corrosion resistance. To give the blade a little more character, it has been lightly etched to create a rugged, rustic finish that looks right at home in the woods. The handle is made from stunning African Leadwood, one of the hardest and most durable timbers available. Its rich dark tones and natural grain make every knife unique while providing a comfortable and secure grip in use. Brass pins and a lanyard tube complete the build, adding both strength and traditional styling. Each Pathfinder 125 is supplied with a handcrafted leather sheath, designed to protect the knife and carry comfortably on the belt during bushcraft, camping, hunting and general outdoor adventur...

Handmade Elmax Hunting Knife with Mammoth Tusk Handle – A Unique Skol Knives Creation At Skol Knives, every knife is built to be used, but occasionally a project comes along that is truly special. This handcrafted hunting knife combines modern performance with ancient history. The blade is made from premium Elmax steel, one of the finest knife steels available today. Renowned for its exceptional edge retention, toughness, and corrosion resistance, Elmax is trusted by outdoorsmen, hunters, and bushcrafters who demand reliability in the field. What makes this knife truly unique is the handle. Crafted from genuine mammoth tusk, this material has spent thousands of years preserved beneath the earth before finding a new life in a functional tool. The natural colours and patterns ensure that no two handles are ever the same, making each knife a one-of-a-kind piece. Designed as a practical hunting knife, the blade offers excellent control for game preparation, camp tasks, and general outdoor ...

New Maker's Mark for Skol Knives: A Milestone in My Knife Making Journey Every knife maker reaches a point where their work needs a signature. For me, that moment arrived with the arrival of my new electro-etching machine and the first application of the official Skol Knives maker's mark. The mark combines the Sowilo rune with the Skol name, creating a simple, clean design that reflects the heritage and values behind every knife I make. The Sowilo rune, associated with strength and success, perfectly suits a brand focused on producing reliable, hardworking knives. Applying the maker's mark for the first time was a proud moment. It transforms a finished knife from a handmade tool into a true Skol Knives creation. From now on, every blade leaving my workshop will carry this mark as a symbol of quality craftsmanship, carefully selected materials, and attention to detail. Whether it's a bushcraft knife, hunting knife, or everyday carry blade, the maker's mark represents...

From the Ice Age to the Game Fair One of the most exciting parts of being a knifemaker is working with materials that have a story to tell, and few materials can match the history of mammoth tusk. As preparations continue for this year's Game Fair, I've been setting aside two stabilised mammoth tusk scales that will become the handles for a pair of very special hunting knives. These aren't materials that come along every day. Preserved for thousands of years in the frozen ground of the Arctic, mammoth tusk offers a unique combination of history, beauty and rarity. What makes mammoth tusk so appealing is that no two pieces are ever the same. The natural colours, grain patterns and ancient cracks create stunning character that simply cannot be replicated. Every handle tells its own story, making each finished knife completely unique. These two knives are intended to be showcase pieces, pairing premium blade steels with one of the most remarkable handle materials available to ...

A New Chapter for Skol Knives Every workshop reaches a point where an investment isn't just about buying new equipment—it's about improving quality, consistency, and the future of the craft. This week, that investment arrived in the form of a dedicated heat-treating kiln. For years I've been making knives with a focus on creating practical tools that are built to be used. While design, grinding, and handle work are all important, heat treatment is what truly brings a blade to life. It's the stage that determines how well a knife holds an edge, resists wear, and performs in the field. The new kiln gives me precise temperature control and repeatable heat-treatment cycles, allowing me to get the very best from the steels I use. It will also allow me to work more confidently with premium steels and continue improving the quality of every knife that leaves the Skol Knives workshop. As with any new piece of equipment, there will be plenty of testing, note-taking, and refining...

A Day at the Forge with Anvil & Yew One of the things I enjoy most about knife making is that there's always something new to learn. This week I had the opportunity to spend some time at the forge with Dr Zech Jinks of anvilandyew.co.uk⁠�, and it was a fantastic experience. Although I make knives regularly, most of my work starts with bar stock rather than forging. Spending time at the anvil and learning some traditional blacksmithing techniques gave me a whole new appreciation for the skill, patience and precision involved in shaping hot steel with nothing more than hammer, anvil and fire. Under Zech's guidance, I forged a knife from start to finish, learning how to move steel efficiently, control the shape of the blade and work with the material rather than against it. The knife produced may not be perfect, but every hammer blow taught me something new. As makers, it's easy to stay within our comfort zones, but days like this remind me of the value of learning from ot...

 The Bushcraft Show may now be behind us, but the workshop certainly isn’t slowing down. Now the focus shifts towards the The National Game Fair and I’ve already started sketching out a new line of hunting and field blades for the show. On the bench at the moment is a beautiful raindrop Damascus billet that’s going to become something very special, alongside fresh billets of AEB-L stainless and SF100 stainless ready for the next batch of working knives. The aim is simple — practical hunting blades built to be used, with steels chosen for real field performance, edge stability and reliability. Plenty more to come over the next few weeks as these designs start turning into finished knives. #skolknives #knifemaking #customknives #damascussteel #aebl #sf100 #handmadeknife #huntingknife #fieldknife #bushcraftknife #ukknifemaker #builttobeused #thenationalgamefair #gamefair #knifecommunity #knifeaddict #knifelife #bladesmith #madeintheuk