Introducing myself

[Willem O'Kelly]

Good day Everyone,

I actually joined here some time ago and popped in from time to time to read and have a look around, as time allowed. After some (thankfully) favorable reaction to a couple of my knives bought by members here, I decided to take the big step and register as KnifeMaker.
My name is Willem and I live in the Great Karoo region of the Eastern Cape in South Africa, not too far from Nelson Mandela's traditional home. Because of me living in the Karoo, my makers mark is "K'roo", as that is how the locals pronounce it - and the smokepole "handle" is from me shooting muzzle loaders, a lot!! I might well change my username just to K'roo in the near future.
Apart from making knives I do some free lance professional hunting although lately the knives have been keeping me too busy to do more than about 3 or 4 weeks in a year.

Anyway, I have lots of catching up to do here - lots and lots of great knives and makers here, great designs, great ideas and from what I have seen, a great community too. I hope and trust that I will be able to make a meaningful contribution here.
Thank you.

Here's a few pics of where I live:

 

[singularity35]

Welcome to the forums. Awesome scenery dude!

 

[Doug C]

Welcome, smoke pole ! :thumbup:
Where's the elephants ?

DC

 

[Mossyhorn]

Beautiful photos. Thanks form sharing and welcome aboard.

 

[Willem O'Kelly]

Thanks gentlemen! No elephants DC, at least not right here - the Addo Elephant Reserve is not too far though - about a 100 miles, and so is the Knysna forest, where there are still some left. Plenty other animals though - the dogs got tied into a skunk just out the back door last night and had to sleep outside.......With a little help and interference from yours truly the skunk got clean away too. And the Kudu came in to eat the aloe in front of the house last night. Even some leopard around, but no lion, elephant, rhino or hippo - least ways, not right close by.