Arno Benard Knives Catalog

K N I V E S
2015
KNIFEMAKERS
“There is no greater pleasure than seeing
our knives being used!”
-Arno Bernard
Arno Bernard Sr. has been married to his
wife, Antjie, since 1979, and was a teacher and
a school psychologist before he started making
knives for extra income 35 years ago. When the
school he worked for started making cutbacks
in the mid-90s, he took early retirement and
started making knives full-time. Arno has been
a member of the Knifemakers Guild of Southern Africa (KGSA) for 20 years, but his real
achievement has been passing his incredible
talent down to his sons. He has mentored them
in the art of making knives and created a lasting
legacy of functional and beautiful custom
knives.
Arno Bernard Jr. was an accountant and
has helped his dad make knives as long as he
can remember. Now he not only makes knives,
but also runs the production and planning for
the family business; his wife, Zine, does the
accounting. They have three children: a
6-year-old daughter Like, a 3-year-old son
Arno III, and a daughter Mia, born in May 2013.
Franco Bernard went to school to be a
graphic designer and is truly the artist behind
the current look of Arno Bernard knives. His
work is the wonderful result of having a master
artisan as his father and the dedication and
hard work of a young man. The knife-making
world is the benefactor of great talent at such a
young age. He married his wife, Alta, in April
2013, and she helps with the administration
aspects of the business.
Juan Bernard makes all of the sheaths for
each knife. With 24 different models, it takes
skill to make a quality sheath to match each
blade. He and his wife Eleanor have two
children: 6-year-old Juandro, and 3-year-old
Lucian. Juan also helps with procuring the
handle materials; he also operates a business
selling abrasives, adhesives, and knife-making
materials to help support other South African
knifemakers: http://www.theknifeshop.co.za/.
Ruan Bernard joined the family business in
June 2013. The increased demand for AB
knives in the USA has helped make his transition from college relatively easy. At present, he
helps procure and install the handle materials,
and polishes finished blades. Arno expects that
his role will increase as business grows. Ruan
was married to Nicolene in October 2013
Arno Bernard Knives makes quality knives from premium materials at
affordable prices. Their workshop is located outside of Bethlehem, a beautiful
town in the Eastern Free State of South Africa. The rolling hills, green grasslands
and beautiful water are ample inspiration for an artist perfecting his craft.
Arno Bernard Sr. made his first knife out of a saw blade in 1979. Currently, each
blade is hollow ground freehand and hand-polished from world-class Bohler N690
stainless steel from Austria. Then it is heat treated and tempered to insure absolute quality. After going through the liquid nitrogen process, the blade is 59-60 on
the Rockwell hardness scale.
The variety of unique African animals inspire each knife design. All of the 24
different models are suitable for both collecting and everyday use, and each knife
is fitted with a custom sheath. There are 14 different materials that they use for
their handles. Some of the most popular are the exotic handle materials found only
in Africa - Warthog Ivory Tusk, Giraffe Bone, and Crocodile Hide.
2015 FEATURED KNIFE
The 2015 Featured Knife was created with the serious hunter in mind. Everyone
from the professional hunter to the weekend sportsmen will want to carry this
perfectly balanced new model. This model is made to be used.
The S35VN steel is made in the USA and is known for its superior edge retention
and toughness. This high quality performance steel has incredible stain
resistance in corrosive environments.
A slightly different approach was taken during the final metal finishing of the 2015
Featured Knife. Each one is hand polished and then finished with a ceramic
bead tumbler to give it a high polish that is more resistant to scratching and
wear.
The exotic warthog ivory and durable sheep horn
were chosen as handles because of their ability
to hold up to heavy use and still maintain
the beautiful luster that is indicative of
an Arno Bernard knife. As an
extra touch, each knife has a
lanyard hole and comes
with a Cape Buffalo
horizontal side
sheath.
2015 Featured Knife
MODEL #: 2015FK
Knife Type: Fixed Blade
Handle: Warthog Ivory Tusk
(pictured) or Sheep Horn
Steel: S35VN
Blade Hardness: RC 59-60
OAL: 7.5”
BLADE: 3.75”
Sheath: Horizontal Cape
Buffalo Sheath with Belt
loop
GIANT
SERIES
Named after the beasts at the top of the food chain in Africa.
They are large and worthy to be carried with honor.
Elephant
OAL: 9.875”
MODEL #: 11xx
BLADE: 5.5”
Buffalo
OAL: 9.625”
BLADE: 5”
MODEL #: 12xx
Hippo
OAL: 9.25”
BLADE: 4.875”
MODEL #: 13xx
Rhino
OAL: 8.875”
BLADE: 4.75”
MODEL #: 14xx
How to determine the model number of your knife:
- The first number indicates the Series of each knife. (ex. 1xxx = Giant Series, 2xxx =
Predator Series)
- The second number indicates the Model of the knife in that Series. (ex. 11xx = Giant
Series-Elephant Model, 21xx = Predator Series-Cheetah model)
- The last two numbers indicate the type of handle material. (ex. 1102 = Giant SeriesElephant Model-Giraffe Bone Handle, 2112 = Predator Series-Cheetah Model-Crocodile
Hide Handle)
PREDATOR
SERIES
Named after the predators that you would find hunting their prey in Africa.
They are deadly and ready for action.
Cheetah
OAL: 8.25”
BLADE: 4.125”
MODEL #: 21xx
Lion
OAL: 8.5”
BLADE: 4.375”
MODEL #: 23xx
Croc
OAL: 8.75”
BLADE: 4.25”
MODEL #: 24xx
Sailfish
OAL: 8.25”
BLADE: 4.125”
MODEL #: 25xx
Great White
OAL: 8”
BLADE: 3.625”
MODEL #: 26xx
GRAZER
SERIES
Named to reflect the graceful animals that roam the African plains.
They are all swift and sharp.
Nyala
OAL: 7.25”
BLADE: 3.625”
MODEL #: 31xx
Warthog
OAL: 7.625”
BLADE: 4”
MODEL #: 33xx
Kudu
OAL: 8”
BLADE: 3.875”
MODEL #: 34xx
Springbok
OAL: 7.75”
BLADE: 3.875”
MODEL #: 35xx
Zebra
OAL: 7.875”
BLADE: 3.75”
MODEL #: 36xx
SCAVENGER
SERIES
Named after the animals that do the dirty work in the circle of life in Africa.
They are purposeful and necessary.
Jackal
OAL: 6.5”
BLADE: 3”
MODEL #: 42xx
Vulture
OAL: 7.125”
BLADE: 3.75”
MODEL #: 43xx
Wild Dog
OAL: 7.25”
BLADE: 3.625”
MODEL #: 44xx
Wasp
OAL: 7.25”
BLADE: 3.875”
MODEL #: 45xx
Wolverine
OAL: 7.125”
BLADE: 3.25”
MODEL #: 46xx
BUSH BABY
SERIES
Named after the smallest beasts of Africa.
They are survivors and deceptively cunning.
Meerkat
OAL: 5.125”
BLADE: 2.375”
MODEL #: 52xx
Gecko
OAL: 5.375”
BLADE: 2.75”
MODEL #: 53xx
Squirrel
OAL: 5.5”
BLADE: 2.625”
MODEL #: 54xx
Porcupine
OAL: 5.75”
BLADE: 3”
MODEL #: 55xx
Galago
OAL: 5.875”
BLADE: 2.75”
MODEL #: 56xx
HANDLE MATERIAL
DESCRIPTIONS
Warthog Ivory Tusk (xx01)
Warthog ivory tusk can be polished to a
terrific shine and is one of our most exotic
handle materials. Available in limited
quantities, it is the only ivory tusk that can
be imported from South Africa. Due to the size
of the large majority of tusk, it is unavailable on our Giant and Predator Series models.
Giraffe Bone (xx02)
The shinbone is one of the most dense
and strongest bones in the giraffe. It has a
lot of character because of the differences in
the quantity of fat inside the bone, which
causes the unique patterns. All of the handles are
stabilized and dyed with natural color shades.
Desert Ironwood (xx03)
Arizona desert ironwood has a wood grain
flowing from straight lines to burls, giving it
a unique characteristic. It is one of the most
dense woods available and is very stable. It
was recently added to the protected woods list
and can no longer be harvested.
Sheep Horn (xx04)
Premium grade sheep horn scales are
naturally aged and dried, and one of the
most strong natural handle materials. The
grooves in the material help with extra grip
when used for skinning.
G10 (xx05)
G10 is a composite material, glass reinforced
epoxy laminate. It is one of the most
durable of all the handles used on our knives.
It is lightweight, waterproof and easy to clean.
This makes it an excellent companion to carry
with you everywhere you go.
Snakewood (xx06)
Snakewood is one of the most expensive
woods available from South America. When
it is polished, it takes on a scale-like pattern
that is reminiscent of snakeskin.
Ebony (xx07)
Ebony is a dark and very hard African wood.
It has an intricate wood grain pattern once
it is polished. Due to the fact that it ages
well, it will give you years of service.
The following handle materials are available on most designs. All of the handle materials are
handpicked for premium quality. While every attempt is made to utilize handle material with
relative consistency in appearance, all of the raw materials reflect a one-of-a-kind character
and can vary greatly in its finished form – thus making each knife individually unique.
Maple Burl (xx08)
The North American maple burl is highly
figured with very unpredictable grain
patterns. After stabilization, it is dyed in
various colors to highlight the peculiar
swirls and strengthen the natural beauty of
the wood.
Sambar Stag (xx09)
Indian Sambar Stag is a very rare and
sought after material. The raised grooves
of the horn present a familiar look with
an exotic flair. You will feel like you have a
real trophy in your hand with these scales
on your Arno Bernard knife.
Mammoth Ivory Tusk (xx10)
There are knives with ivory handles…and
then there are knives with prehistoric
Mammoth Ivory Tusk handles. Imported
from Russia, this handle is highly sought
after and available in very limited quantities.
Paua Abalone (xx11)
Made from a beautiful shell found off the
coast of New Zealand, this laminated
abalone shell is an exotic choice. The
vibrant blue and green reflections in this
uniquely beautiful handle make it our most
colorful handle.
Crocodile Hide (xx12)
Unlike any other knife handle you have
ever seen, this genuine Nile Crocodile
Hornback hide handle is made from the
ridged back armor of the crocodile. The
bone inside the scale of the hide gives it a
great texture and makes it easy to grip in slippery situations.
Mammoth Molar (xx13)
A fossilized mammoth tooth is hard to
find, and to have a molar from a prehis
toric woolly mammoth made into a knife
handle is exceptionally rare. Stabilized
and polished into an amazing piece of art
history, these handles are definitely one-of-a-kind.
Spalted Maple (xx14)
The coloration patterns in Spalted Maple are
highly sought after for their ability to stand
out next to other woods. The winding
black lines give each handle made
from this wood an extra boost of uniqueness.
Arno Bernard Knives
www.arnobernard.com
USA Distributor:
RGS Imports, LLC
10044 Hooper Road
Suite A
Baton Rouge, LA 70818
(225) 308-9301
Online Sales:
websales@arnobernard.com
Dealer Sales Orders / Inquiries:
orders@arnobernard.com
Catalog Design:
www.brandonbagbyart.com