Gear

On test: James Penny knives

James Penny has come from a 25-year career in the manufacturing industry, making parts for motor racing and aerospace. He has been a keen hunter from an early age, so to make the most of both of these passions he has now struck out on his own to forge a new career as a bladesmith

Would you like to appear on our site? We offer sponsored articles and advertising to put you in front of our readers. Find out more

James Penny has come from a 25-year career in the manufacturing industry, making parts for motor racing and aerospace. He has been a keen hunter from an early age, so to make the most of both of these passions he has now struck out on his own to forge a new career as a bladesmith mainly producing hunting knives as well as some fantastic kitchen knives. James uses a range of wood and synthetic material for handle scales, and the types of wood used includes:

Thuya
Snakewood
Ironwood
Dyed maple burr
Circassian walnut burr
Masur birch
Old grown redwood burr

All knives are supplied with a Kydex or full leather sheath, in which you can have a say in the design and finish.

Within the standard range, there are three sizes of the Drop Point Hunter Knives available, 3″ 4″ and 5″ blade lengths and also a slimmed down version that has a 4.5″ blade length. This was originally a prototype for wild boar but it has proven to be perfect for gralloching medium to large-sized deer.

James uses mainly AEB-L stainless steel on the hunting Drop Point Hunters, but carbon steel is also available. When making chef or kitchen knives, he uses a British stainless steel called SF100, originally used for razor blades.

Our conclusion? Some of the best handmade knives on the market.