About Me
Hi there! I'm Stefan de Wild, the proud knifemaker and owner behind Wild Knives.
My journey into the world of knifemaking began in 2019 when I crafted my first knife using a simple belt grinder and basic hand tools. It didn’t take long to realize that I had outgrown my initial setup. The belt grinder—arguably the most critical tool in a knifemaker's arsenal—was holding me back. So, I decided to invest in a more advanced machine, which significantly improved both my production speed and the quality of my knives. As my passion deepened, I also acquired a heat-treating oven, allowing me to perform the heat treatment process in-house, ensuring that every blade I produce meets my high standards. Over the years, I’ve learned a multitude of techniques, from the craft of knifemaking to the equally important skills of brand-building and customer communication. Balancing it all as a one-man operation has been challenging but incredibly rewarding!
When I’m not in the workshop, you’ll find me working evening shifts in the aviation and logistics sector, with one of the best courier companies out there. My knifemaking mostly happens in the mornings and afternoons, and this works great with my “day-job” Besides making knives and moving parcels worldwide I am also the father of a beautiful and smart daughter who supports me greatly in my business ventures. I try teaching her the value of hard work, dedication, and the unique rewards that come from building something with your own hands and owning your own business.
At Wildknives, I specialize in crafting knives and tools for defensive, tactical, and outdoor use. But I also enjoy the occasional shift to kitchen and BBQ knives—a different kind of challenge that sparks my creativity and allows me to work with a variety of materials beyond the tactical black steel and composites I typically use.
Running every aspect of Wildknives by myself, i.e production, marketing, sales, inventory, customer service—can be demanding. But it’s a responsibility I cherish, as it allows me to maintain complete control over every knife and tool that leaves my shop. I take customer satisfaction seriously, especially since some of my knives are designed for life-saving situations. This dedication sometimes means that delivery times can be longer than I’d like, but I promise it’s worth the wait. Hearing from happy clients who finally get their hands on a custom-made Wildknife is all the motivation I need.
I’m incredibly grateful to be part of the knifemaking community—a group of dedicated, supportive craftsmen who all share the same passion and keeping the craft alive.
If you’d like to learn more about my journey, feel free to reach out via the contact section of this website or connect with me on social media. And for a deeper dive, check out an interview I recently did with a good friend of mine here.
As always, Stay Wild.
~ Steef