(( CRAFT ))
Forged by Hand. Designed for Life
Welcome to Hooter Design. My name is Tim Cave and I’m located in Guildford, Victoria, Australia. Here, I create bespoke knives, jewelry, and leather goods that celebrate the quiet beauty found within nature’s raw textures. Each piece is unmistakably hand-made and one-of-a-kind. My style blends a rustic bush charm with technical expertise and grounded artistry.
My heart goes into creating meaningful, sturdy treasures based on raw materials - metals, woods and leather - that have a purpose and feel personal. Please enjoy my latest collection of hand-forged knives and talismans—items made with patience, care, and a quiet sense of place.
ARTISTS STATEMENT: My fascination with knife-making stems from its first purpose: a simple tool in human hands. In each piece I am drawn to that original role - something made to work as intended, feel right in the hand, and quietly carry our stories with us.
Image: Hooter Design Bush Knife - 25cm forged 1084 high-carbon steel, brass pins and Yellow Stringybark handle in custom Leather Sheath
Images shown are customised Hooter Design artefacts, each one forged, shaped, and finished by hand. To purchase a displayed Product or commission your own bespoke piece, please proceed through the Product Specifications Page. I find the custom‑designing experience every bit as fulfilling as crafting the final product itself.
Hooter Design Collection
A curated selection of examples of Hooter Design artisan pieces. Each item is handcrafted in my Guildford workshop.
Artisan Knives - forged, heat-treated high-carbon steel with natural timber handles. Sheathes are hand-stitched, wet-formed cowhide.
Further details are available on the Product Specifications pages.
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Utility Knife - #UK1 - Refined Everyday Carry
Utility Knife - #UK2- Rugged Everyday Carry
A compact EDC utility knife for plain‑sight, smart‑casual carry — an elegant personal accessory with serious cutting performance.
Hand‑forged from 3.5mm 1084 high‑carbon steel, the 20cm #UK1 carries a drop‑point blade with ridged spine for secure thumb purchase and confident control in fine tasks.
Features:
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8cm blade length, with full‑width bevel and mirror‑finish
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Thumb ridge for enhanced grip
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Lanyard hole with beads for quick draw
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Stained American White Oak handle, copper‑pinned
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Bespoke wet‑formed, hand‑stitched leather sheath
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Magnetic knife restrainer for secure, silent carry
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Hooter Design hot‑stamped brand
Quiet elegance, expressed through high‑functioning blade craft.
A compact utility knife built for reliability in the workshop, on the trail, and around camp - a dependable companion for daily use.
Hand‑forged from 3.5mm thick, 1084 high‑carbon steel, the 20cm #UK2 carries a stout working profile with a drop-point blade, partial bevel with retained forge marks. The blade’s geometry is tuned for confident slicing, controlled carving, and general utility tasks.
Features:
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20cm knife with 8cm blade length, 3.5mm thick spine,
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Half‑width bevel and polished finish
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Australian Yellow Stringybark handle, copper‑pinned
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Lanyard hole with beads for quick draw
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Bespoke wet‑formed, hand‑stitched leather sheath
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Magnetic knife restrainer or strap for secure, silent carry
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Hooter Design hot‑stamped brand
A highly functional knife - a personal heirloom carried with intention.
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Bush Knife - #BK3
A large‑format bush knife designed and built for outback work and field travel. Forged as a rugged campcraft companion, its shaped with purposeful, hard‑use geometry and durable materials.
Hand‑forged from 1084 high‑carbon steel, the #BK3 carries a stout working profile with a spear-point blade, and a partial bevel with retained forge marks. The blade’s broad width and pointed profile are tuned for confident slicing, thrusting and general utility tasks — a dependable all‑rounder for demanding environments.
Features:
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25cm knife with 8cm blade length, 3.5mm thick spine with hand-forge marks
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Half‑width bevel, and polished finish
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Over-sized Australian Yellow Stringybark handle, copper‑pinned
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Bespoke wet‑formed, hand‑stitched leather sheath with optional belt-loop
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Magnetic knife restrainer or strap for secure, silent carry
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Hooter Design hot‑stamped brand
A durable companion for active field and outback use, where reliability and versatility matter most.
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Steak Knife - #SK4
A Steak Knife crafted as a dedicated carnivore’s hand piece — refined yet rugged, forged to the same standards as Hooter Design’s field and kitchen blades.
Forged from 3.5mm thick 1084 high‑carbon steel, the #SK4 blade profile sports a polished, curved working bevel for sharpness and a tapered arrow‑point profile for clean, confident slicing. Each blade retains hand-forge marks along the spine, giving every knife its own one‑of‑a‑kind character.
Features:
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24cm knife with 12cm blade, 3.5mm thick spine, half‑width bevel and polished finish
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Hardened forged edge aligned and balanced with the handle, purpose-designed for meat slicing
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Australian Red Gum handle-shaped and copper‑pinned
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Optional lanyard hole
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Hooter Design hot‑stamped brand
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Available as a single knife or matching pair or full set
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A drawer sheath can be added for safe storage and presentation.
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A stand-out dining or barbeque tool designed and built for exceptional stability when cutting through meat, reducing tear and preserving the integrity of the cut.
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#KK5 Cooks Knife, #KK6 Chopper and #KK7 Utility Knife - a Hooter Design trio for everyday cooking and serious prep: a cooks knife, chopper and utility, each forged from 3.5mm thick 1084 high‑carbon steel with sculpted timber handles. Blades are shaped for confident slicing, chopping and fine work, with profiles tuned to hold a keen edge and move cleanly through meat, vegetables and herbs.
Built to balance comfort, control and edge retention, these knives are made to work hard, age beautifully and bring a sense of crafted ritual to daily kitchen life. Ergonomic, sealed timber handles protect and showcase the wood while offering a sure, comfortable grip in busy kitchens. Each knife will develop a working patina over time, recording its life in your hands.
Made to order as a set or individually, and available in Hooter Design gift boxes or with optional drawer sheaths.
Kitchen Knives
#KK5 Cooks Knife
#KK6 Chopper
#KK7 Utility Knife
#KK5 - Cooks Knife - a distinctive kitchen tool with serious cutting performance.
Hand‑forged from 3.5mm 1084 high‑carbon steel, the #KK5 is a versatile cook's knife built for daily prep and precise, confident cuts. A drop‑point blade with visible hand‑forge markings along the spine gives each knife its own character while delivering reliable, repeatable performance on the board.
Features:
• 25cm knife with 14cm blade length in drop‑point profile
• 3.5 mm spine with partial‑width bevel and polished finish
• Australian Red Gum handle, shaped for a secure grip
• Brass pins for strength and long‑term durability
• Optional drawer sheath for safe storage and presentation
• Hooter Design hot‑stamped brand on the blade
High‑functioning blade craft for cooks who value both performance and story.
#KK6 - Chopper - a heavyweight kitchen tool with serious cutting performance.
Hand‑forged from 3.5mm 1084 high‑carbon steel, the #KK6 is a robust chopper built for substantial kitchen use and high-impact cutting. An arched deep-bellied blade with visible forge marks along the spine delivers momentum and leverage for breaking down large vegetables or protein.
Features:
• 30cm knife with 16cm blade length with arched profile
• 3.5 mm spine with graduated bevel and polished finish
• Over-sized Australian Red Gum handle for grip security
• Optional brass/Red Gum bolster (as shown in image)
• Brass pins for structural longevity and strength
• Optional drawer sheath for safe storage and presentation
• Hooter Design hot‑stamped brand mark on the blade
A commanding instrument for the dedicated cook who demands uncompromising control and a knife with a story.
#KK7 – Utility Knife – a nimble kitchen tool for precise, everyday performance.
Hand‑forged from 2.7mm 1084 high‑carbon steel, the #KK7 is a compact utility knife designed for fine, controlled work on the board. A slimmer, arched drop-point blade with visible forge marks along the spine supports quick, accurate cuts for trimming, slicing and detailed prep.
Features:
• 22cm knife with 12cm blade length
• Arched drop-point spine with straight-edge bevel
• 2.7mm thick spine with half-bevel and polished finish
• Australian Red Gum handle shaped for secure, agile grip
• Brass pins for strength and long‑term durability
• Optional drawer sheath for safe storage and presentation
• Hooter Design hot‑stamped maker’s mark on the blade
A responsive, go‑to knife for cooks who want precise control, daily versatility and a tool with a story.
#CK9 - Soft Cheese Knife
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Cheese Knives
Hard Cheese Knife - #CK8 and Soft Cheese Knife - #CK9 - Bespoke Cheese Knives, branded and combining metals and woods. Forged 1084 high-carbon steel referencing contemporary Oriental styles. Edge profiles are matched to cheese types and designed for clean, confident cuts through cheeses. Each knife is balanced for long, comfortable use during tastings and service.
#CK8 - Hard Cheese Knife
#CK9 - Soft Cheese Knife
Hard Cheese Knife – #CK8. A one-off Hooter Design piece for serious cheese lovers, forged in our Contemporary Oriental style.
Each 2.5mm thick 1084 high‑carbon steel blade is forged in a single piece with polished bevels, raw forge marks and an accentuated edge profile for clean, confident cuts through firm and aged cheeses.
Features:
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16cm knife with 8cm blade length in polished orb point profile
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Partial‑width accentuated bevel to prise hard cheese
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Brass pinned with lanyard hole
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Wooden handle - choice of Australian or speciality timbers
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Optional wet‑formed, hand‑stitched leather storage sheath
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Hooter Design hot‑stamped brand
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Epoxy‑coated timber protects and showcases the handle
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Blade develops a rich patina over time
Made to order for the perfect cheese board pairing, and available in Hooter Design gift boxes or with optional leather sheaths.
Hard Cheese Knife – #CK9. A one-off Hooter Design piece for serious cheese lovers, forged in our Contemporary Oriental style.
Each 2.5mm thick 1084 high‑carbon steel blade is forged in a single piece with mirror finished full-width bevels on a butter knife profile for sharp, easy slicing and spreading of softer cheeses.
Features:
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16cm knife with 8cm blade length, hand-sanded to mirror-finish
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Full‑width bevel, butter knife profile for slicing and spreading
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Wooden handle - choice of Australian or speciality timbers
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Brass pinned and epoxy-coated handle for durability
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Hooter Design hot‑stamped brand
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Blade develops a rich patina over time
Made to order for the perfect cheese board pairing, and available in Hooter Design gift boxes or with optional leather sheaths.
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Letter Openers -#LO10 - Kaiken Letter Opener and #LO11 - Stiletto Letter Opener - A Hooter Design letter opener is a small, purposeful artefact shaped and made with the same discipline and care as every larger blade. Each piece begins with a simple idea — a daily tool that brings a moment of craft into an ordinary task. And while physical correspondence may be less common today, a letter opener still offers tactile satisfaction to a daily ritual and a quiet point of elegance on the desk.
These openers are modelled as miniatures of historically significant weapons - the Japanese Haiken Dagger and the Italian Stiletto - both stealth weapons - carrying cultural references in a refined, compact form. Their design and forging are executed to a higher technical standard to honour those origins and to bring a sense of considered beauty to the personal or corporate workspace.
Letter Openers
Kaiken Letter Opener – #LO10
Stiletto Letter Opener – #LO11
The Hooter Design Stiletto Letter Opener is a miniature artefact shaped by the heritage of the Italian stiletto — a dagger historically defined by its slender geometry, stealth, and unmistakable presence.
The Hooter Design Kaiken Letter Opener is a miniature artefact shaped by the deep heritage of the Japanese kaiken — a dagger historically carried as a symbol of readiness, personal protection, and quiet resolve.
Ground from 2.5 mm thick 1084 high‑carbon steel, the double‑edged 10 cm blade features an accentuated spear‑point tip and an integrated cross-piece bolster, giving the piece a clean, continuous profile. The geometry is deliberate: narrow, direct, and visually aligned with the lineage of traditional hand-made stilettos.
Features:
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20cm knife with 10cm blade length referencing a stiletto profile
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Forged high-carbon steel, double edge bevel with spear point
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Integrated bolster ground from the single piece of steel
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African Rosewood handle, European style
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Steel-pinned, epoxy-coated handle
As a scaled‑down homage to an iconic European dagger form, the #LO11 carries the cultural weight of the stiletto: simplicity in line, precision in purpose, and a restrained authority. Historically hidden, yet admired for its elegance, the stiletto’s character is preserved here in a form suited to modern ritual.
Forged using the traditional San Mai steel layering technique and finished with acid etching, the 10 cm blade features a hardened 2.5 mm thick 1084 core supported by softer outer stainless‑steel layers.
Features:
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20cm knife with 10cm blade length referencing a kaiken profile
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Sanmai steel, full-width bevel with edge reveal and Hamon line
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Hardened high-carbon edge sharpened for paper cutting
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Stained jet-black American White Oak handle, oriental style
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Steel pinned with steel front and rear bolsters
Modelled as a scaled‑down homage to an historically significant weapon, the facetted blade reflects the cultural weight of the kaiken: simplicity in geometry, directness in purpose, and quiet authority in presence.
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Personal Talismans - metals and natural timber handles, designed as tactile to meditation and peace of mind.
Further details are available on the Product Specifications pages.
Personal Talismans - Pocket Crucifix – PT#12 and Key Fob Talisman – PT#13 are pocket-sized crucifixes and key fobs, crafted from natural metal and wood using the same Hooter Design craftsmanship as our knives. Designed as tactile aids to meditation and peace of mind, they sit naturally in your palm or on your key ring.
Each Personal Talisman is built from the same palette of metals and hardwoods as our knives, pinned and joined using traditional knife‑making techniques. The brass, steel and timber are mechanically locked together, so the piece feels solid, grounded and reassuring in the hand, with the warmth of wood balancing the cool weight of metal, becoming both a distinctive accessory and a quiet invitation to contemplation. Each piece speaks to anyone with a spiritual calling, as a bespoke object that invites touch, reflection and conversation.
Pocket Crucifix – PT#12
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Key Fob Talisman – PT#13
Pocket Crucifix – PT#12 is a Hooter Design personal talisman: a hand or pocket-sized crucifix in a made-to-measure leather wallet, crafted and branded as a bespoke Hooter Design piece.
The crucifix combines natural metals and hardwoods, pinned and joined using the same traditional techniques as our knives, so it carries the same balance, weight and integrity in a smaller, contemplative form.
Features:
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6cm x 3.5cm cross from aged Australian Yellow Stringy
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Backing from brass (optional steel, copper or leather)
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Backing secured with 4 brass pins
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Lanyard hole with braided waxed silk and 7 wooden beads
- Copper Hooter Design stamped logo attached
- Hand-stitched leather wallet in antique finish, with press stud
A distinctive Hooter Design accessory—something that invites touch, conversation and reflection, and serves as a small anchor for the mind in the rhythm of everyday life.
Key Fob Talisman – PT#13 is a Hooter Design personal talisman made to live on your key ring.
The dense wood and metal give the key fob a clear presence on the key ring, while the materials themselves are highly durable for everyday carry.
Features:
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3.5cm tear-drop shaped fob from Australian Red Gum
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Embedded steel-pinned wooden beads trimmed to shape
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Central glass bead at the heart of the piece
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Backing from brass, secured with 4 steel pins
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Lanyard hole with braided waxed silk and 3 wooden beads
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Attached to key ring via durable braided waxed silk thread
- Hooter Design stamped on back of the fob
- Presented in Hooter Design gift box
A distinctive Hooter Design presence to your everyday carry -designed to be turned, thumbed and held in quiet moments, a small, elemental object that grounds your attention
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Hooter Design Collection
Hooter Design Collection
Collaboration - Soul Continuum metaphysical practitioners
Soul Continuum presents the Ourohold Talisman - a hand‑shaped fusion of copper and refined form by Hooter Design. Copper-based for its recuperative and transcendental properties, this piece is crafted to sit naturally in the palm and anchor the mind. Soft curves meet purposeful edges to create a tactile rhythm that calms the senses, deepens meditation, and channels inner and external energies. Each object is individually formed carrying its own subtle variations and soul. Designed as a companion for grounding, focus, and personal ritual — a small relic with a powerful presence
UNDER DEVELOPMENT
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Artist's Statement
Why I became a Knifemaker
I’ve carried a lifelong fascination with knives — not only as collectibles, but as mankind’s first and most honest tool. In the past decade, knife making has transformed from an interest to an occupation. I’m drawn to the physicality of the craft: the tactile satisfaction from heat, tools, and blended natural materials. A blade is metal and wood shaped with intent, a simple form that solves complex tasks. That clarity has always spoken to me.
My personality is wired for solutions and driven by tasks yet balanced by a strong artistic pull. Knife making sits precisely at that intersection. It lets me design, forge, refine, and iterate — a cycle of problem‑solving wrapped in creativity. Every project becomes a blend of technical discipline and aesthetic judgement, a piece of project management that ends in something you can hold, use, and trust.
Knives are beautiful objects because they are functional. Their lines, weight, balance, and materials can be decorative, but they’re purpose expressed through design and craft. That’s what makes the work rewarding. Each blade becomes a long‑term heirloom — a tool that will patina, age, and carry the marks of the hands that use it. Creating something that will outlast me is a privilege; making knives for others deepens the meaning.
Knife making is where my curiosity, my drive, and my need to create finally align.
Artist's Statement
Hooter Design Ethos
Artistry at Hooter Design comes from a straightforward mix of imagination, skill, and sourced raw materials. Each piece starts as a simple idea combining steel, timber and the rhythm of the Guildford workshop; a calm, focused place that brings good energy and keeps the work grounded.
My approach is straightforward: design with purpose, build with precision, and create objects in the Hooter Design Style that look good and work hard. Every piece is shaped through patience and respect for the craft.
The Hooter Design consultation process reflects the same values. I consult with clients to understand how they work, what they value, and how the knife will live in their hands. Together we refine the purpose, the feel, and the materials, ensuring the final piece is not only well‑crafted but personal.
What you end up with is a handmade piece of heritage tied to the place it was created and the point to where it is going.
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(( THE PROCESS ))
Where Raw Beauty Meets Technical Precision
The journey of every Hooter Design piece begins with an imaginative exploration of a combination of raw materials. In my Guildford workshop, I combine the rugged, natural beauty of Australian timbers—like Eucalypt and Acacia — or specialty premium woods with the technical clarity of hand-forged and polished high-carbon steel. All fixings are brass or copper.
My fascination with knife-making is hinged on their functionality reflecting a primary role as humankind's original tool. For use in the bush, the kitchen or on the desk or sideboard. Each knife has its intended purpose reflected in its design, technical development and finish. My knife range encompasses highly durable outdoor, bush and EDC blades with belt sheathes; kitchen knives with blades hardened for sharpness and precision cutting; ornamental cheese knives to match an elegant home decor and letter openers for the corporate office.
Each knife is forged through a specialised series of forging, normalising, heat-treatment and tempering processes focused upon both durability and aesthetic soul. From the shaping, forging and heat treatment of the blade to the laborious linishing and hand-polishing. Natural timber handles shaped for balance and aesthetic appeal are attached with metal pins. Blades are encased in wet-formed, hand-stitched premium leather sheaths. The result is a functional tool, built to last for generations, that carries the heart of the Australian bush into an enduring design.
Each jewellery piece has a role to play beyond the purely ornamental. A Pocket Crucifix in a leather wallet for personal prayer. An Artisan Key Fob designed to fit the palm. Personal amulets for moments of reflection. Each piece crafted to carry personal significance.
My jewellery is crafted using the same principles as the knife-making. Wood, metal, leather and other raw materials are selected, shaped, layered and pinned together into unique pieces. They are designed for functional purposes - adornment, meditative aids or decoration - with a focus on the rustic elements of regional Victoria Australia.
Care Instructions — Hooter Design Knives
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Use Conditions: Designed for normal kitchen and outdoor use as described in the Product Description.
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While epoxy‑coated and water‑resistant, these knives are not intended for sustained marine or constantly wet environments.
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Patina Development: High‑carbon steel is not Stainless (high-chromium) Steel and will naturally form a patina over time. This is normal and helps protect the blade.
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Cleaning: Wipe the blade clean after use and dry it thoroughly. Do not place in a dishwasher or sink.
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Edge & Finish Maintenance: A polished finish can be restored using 2000–3000 grit wet‑and‑dry sandpaper and water. Regular honing and occasional sharpening will keep the edge performing at its best.
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Leather Sheaths: Leatherwork is burnished, finished and preserved with wax and will soften naturally over time. Do not store a wet knife in a leather sheath.
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Warranty: In the unlikely event of a defect due to craftsmanship, Hooter Design will replace the item.
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INQUIRY PAGE - designing your piece
Hooter Design is a premium Australian maker of artisan knives, jewellery, and leatherwork, crafted with warmth and care. You are invited to browse the current collection and reach out to discuss a custom piece built just for you.
Images shown are customised Hooter Design artefacts, each one forged, shaped, and finished by hand.
To commission your own bespoke piece, please:
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Inquire through the Products Specification pages above, and
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Follow the Hooter Design Customer Guide below, to arrange a personal consultation.
I find the custom‑designing experience every bit as fulfilling as crafting the final product itself — the back‑and‑forth, the shared ideas, the moment a concept becomes real. It’s where the soul of a piece is born.
HOOTER DESIGN CUSTOMER GUIDE
KNIVES: PRODUCT OPTIONS
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Product Number - HOME PAGE or PRODUCT SPECIFICATIONS page
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Left or Right‑Handed Use — for correct handle and sheath shaping and edge bias
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Handle Timber — choose from Australian hardwoods or speciality/exotic woods
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Leather Sheath — optional handmade sheath, lanyard, and/or restrainer for secure carry and storage
KNIFE: BESPOKE PREFERNCES
Blade‑Related Options
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Primary Use — everyday prep, heavy chopping, fine slicing, camp use, display piece
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Blade Finish — forge‑marked, polished, mirror-finished
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Steel Preference — only high-carbon speciality knife steel (1084) is used
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Edge Geometry — preferred Hooter Design lade profile
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Balance Preference — handle‑heavy, blade‑heavy, or neutral
Handle & Ergonomics
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Handle Shape — hand-size, left/right‑handed Use for handle and edge bias
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Grip Texture — smooth, faceted, or lightly sculpted
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Spacers & Bolsters — brass, copper, kydex or contrasting timbers
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Handle sealant/finish - epoxy (optional oil or wax)
Aesthetic & Personalisation
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Colour Preferences — warm tones, dark tones, high contrast, or natural/raw
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Engraving or Stamping — limited to Hooter Design maker’s mark placement
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Matching Sets — a single blade or a pair or set
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Presentation Options — sheath (where offered, see below) or badged gift box
Practical Considerations
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Maintenance Expectations — care guidance for carbon steel
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Environment — humid kitchen, outdoor use, commercial kitchen, home cook
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Budget Range — a consideration for the selection of materials
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Timeline — whether it’s for a gift, event, or personal use
Sheath & Carry Options
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Sheath Style — fold‑over, stitched, belt‑carry, or kitchen‑drawer protector
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Leather Colour & Finish — can include natural, dark brown, black, antique
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Retention Style — friction fit, strap or magnetic