Roy Clark - Rooikat Knives

[Adventurer_900]

Hi Guys and Girls, I am looking for any information on Roy Clark. He is/was a custom knife maker from South Africa or R.S.A. to be precise. I believe his brand name is Rooikat Knives. Rooikat being the Afrikaans translation of Caracal which is an image on his blades. I cannot seem to find any reference to Rooikat Knives or Roy Clark (R.S.A.) any where. Your help would be appreciated.

 

[Steven65]

All I can tell you is that he is not in the Knifemakers Guild of SA or the Cape Knifemakers Guild. I'll ask around but you would probably do better looking on some of the South African Knifemakers Facebook sites. Sorry I can't help more.

 

[Adventurer_900]

Thanks Steven, I knew that he is not in the Knifemakers Guild of SA. I will try and look at the sites you mentioned. Thanks again.
Stephen

 

[Steven65]

Thanks Steven, I knew that he is not in the Knifemakers Guild of SA. I will try and look at the sites you mentioned. Thanks again.
Stephen

We have a closed group of SA collectors and between us we pretty much know everyone. I asked on the group and did not receive a single reply. In the past 5 years knife making here has grown exponentially. There are so many makers in smaller rural areas that hardly get any exposure. It would not surprise me if he is one of those. Sorry I could not be of more help.

 

[Adventurer_900]

We have a closed group of SA collectors and between us we pretty much know everyone. I asked on the group and did not receive a single reply. In the past 5 years knife making here has grown exponentially. There are so many makers in smaller rural areas that hardly get any exposure. It would not surprise me if he is one of those. Sorry I could not be of more help.

Hi Steven, thanks again. I have found out about an Ian van Reenen, a Custom Knifemaker from Amarillo, Texas, United States. Ian van Reenen left South Africa in the year 2001 to go to Texas. Mentors who had a influence on his work in South Africa were, Roy Clark, Billy Burger and Andre Thorburn. So it seems as though he was established by 2001. I have tried to contact Ian van Reenen but have yet to receive a reply. May be this extra information will help.

 

[Peter Harris]

Hi Guys and Girls, I am looking for any information on Roy Clark. He is/was a custom knife maker from South Africa or R.S.A. to be precise. I believe his brand name is Rooikat Knives. Rooikat being the Afrikaans translation of Caracal which is an image on his blades. I cannot seem to find any reference to Rooikat Knives or Roy Clark (R.S.A.) any where. Your help would be appreciated.

Hi - as I recall he was based in Clarens , South Africa. I purchased some knives and knife sets from him. Lynx was the name e engraved on his blades - still have a few.I speak very much under correction but he may have passed on.I do have some contacts in Clarens still and can find out.

 

[Adventurer_900]

Hi - as I recall he was based in Clarens , South Africa. I purchased some knives and knife sets from him. Lynx was the name e engraved on his blades - still have a few.I speak very much under correction but he may have passed on.I do have some contacts in Clarens still and can find out.

Peter, Thank you for the information. If you can find any more information about him, it would be appreciated. I picked up a knife that was made by him and am trying to get some information for my collection. It seems a very well made knife, with a nice shape and feel to it. I'd share a photograph but cannot seem to add one at all

 

[Dawkind]

Hi Steven, thanks again. I have found out about an Ian van Reenen, a Custom Knifemaker from Amarillo, Texas, United States. Ian van Reenen left South Africa in the year 2001 to go to Texas. Mentors who had a influence on his work in South Africa were, Roy Clark, Billy Burger and Andre Thorburn. So it seems as though he was established by 2001. I have tried to contact Ian van Reenen but have yet to receive a reply. May be this extra information will help.

I’m sad to inform that Mr. van Reenen passed away July 14th from a very aggressive form of cancer that was discovered only in April….God Bless and God Speed….RIP.

 

[Peter Harris]

Peter, Thank you for the information. If you can find any more information about him, it would be appreciated. I picked up a knife that was made by him and am trying to get some information for my collection. It seems a very well made knife, with a nice shape and feel to it. I'd share a photograph but cannot seem to add one at all

Only a pleasure - I think that Bossie Knives in Clarens will be able to shed more light on Roy. A buddy of mine from the area who also dealt with Roy will have more info but I do not want to bother him at this moment - his dad just passed on but I will speak to him over the coming weekend.
I have a few of his knives including a steak knife and fork set - very fine work.Will keep you updated. Regards, Peter

 

[Steven65]

I’m sad to inform that Mr. van Reenen passed away July 14th from a very aggressive form of cancer that was discovered only in April….God Bless and God Speed….RIP.

Dudley thanks for letting me know. I met him at Blade in 2010 in Tony Bose's room. As a South African we had an instant connection. He was a nice chap. My condolences to his family and friends.

 

[chrisahana]

Hi Guys and Girls, I am looking for any information on Roy Clark. He is/was a custom knife maker from South Africa or R.S.A. to be precise. I believe his brand name is Rooikat Knives. Rooikat being the Afrikaans translation of Caracal which is an image on his blades. I cannot seem to find any reference to Rooikat Knives or Roy Clark (R.S.A.) any where. Your help would be appreciated.

I see this is an old post but I inherited a knife collection when my father passed and it includes a Roy Clark knife. I am trying to research and learn more about each knife and found your post. My father hunted in south Africa a few times and I'm guessing that is where he purchased it and I'm curious if you ever found any more information about Roy Clark. Thank you