A Gibsons craftsman is taking the competitive knife-making world by storm, winning top awards at the recent Blade Show Atlanta, the world’s largest knife show.
Rhidian Gatrill won Best Slipjoint for his “Lockback Rhiddler” and Best Miniature for his “Mini Barlow with Scrimshaw,” at the prestigious event, which is produced by Blade Magazine.
“Even when I was a kid, I was making stuff and I have kind of an art background,” says Gatrill, who studied at Vancouver-based Emily Carr University of Art & Design and works as a graphic designer and illustrator. “I had been tinkering in Vancouver, then moved here and got noticed, I guess, mostly through Instagram and then it just got bigger and bigger with more followers and I got better and better. And then I decided to do a couple of shows in the past couple of years and turns out I'm pretty good.”
“Pretty good,” is something of an understatement. Spread across his family’s kitchen table, Gatrill’s collection of knives and awards is impressive. Besides his recent accolades, in 2023, Gatrill won three first-place awards, as well as the coveted “Best in Show” for his entry into the Handmade Knife Competition at the Oregon Knife Collectors Association Knife Show, and Best Custom Folder at the Blade Show West.
“I had never been to even a knife show before,” says Gatrill. “I won awards this year as well. I won miniature, hunting knife, folding knife and then best of show for the folding knife.”
Gatrill explained knives created for large shows such as the Atlanta and Oregon competitions, are largely purchased by collectors who rarely use the handcrafted pieces, which he likens to works of art.
“So basically, this is like a market for collectors, people who literally love knives and they have a hobby of collecting knives and they aren't afraid to spend a lot of money,” says Gatrill. “And the better the knife is, the more they'll pay. And so, everything is about trying to make the knife as perfect as possible.”
Gatrill’s focus is on using traditional patterns blended with his original designs to make slipjoint, lockbacks and the occasional modern, linerlock knife. He uses both stainless and carbon steel for the blades and stag, wood, bone, horn and modern materials, such as micarta and G10, for the handles. He also does his own scrimshaw work on bone and ivory.
For one of the world’s best knife makers, Gatrill’s studio (aka garage), is surprisingly modest. Surrounded by the typical items stored in a family garage, Gatrill’s equipment, including a couple of belt grinders, a milling machine, band saw and drill press, are relegated to one wall.
The equipment is obviously enough though, because Gatrill keeps winning awards, including the one for his lockback whittler design, which had been a goal.
“So, there was a legendary knifemaker who passed away about five years ago, his name was Tony Bose,” says Gatrill, showing off an article dedicated to the craftsman in Blade Magazine. “And basically, this article is about how he said that if you can make a lockback whittler, then you’ve reached the pinnacle of what one of these knife makers can make.”
Gatrill has also been featured in Blade Magazine but has yet to make the cover. As for his awards, Gatrill says they serve as validation for his efforts.
“It's almost like recognition amongst peers,” he says. “That's what it really feels like and that means a lot.”
