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Text Box: Nico, who was born in Pretoria, South Africa in 1970, made his first knife as a school project at the age of 14. These humble beginnings were the start of a lifelong passion for knifes, pocket knives and art. He started creating knives as a hobby in 1998, whilst he was a poultry farmer in Northern Kwa Zulu Natal, an area steeped in history. In actual fact, his poultry farm was situated not far from the royal kraal of the legendary Zulu Chief Dingaan whose warriors were defeated at the battle of Blood River by the Boers. Shaka, half brother to Dingaan, was the "Zulu Napoleon", who had developed the short stabbing spear called the assegaai, which he used in cold efficiency to build up his empire. Previously, a long throwing spear had been used in battle, but shaka revolutionized tribal warfare by developing the assegaai with which they charged the enemy. It was this same assegaai, which was used at the battle of Isandlawana, where the British lost over a 1000 men in a bloody confrontation. Northern Natal is the site of many old battlefields, and the area is rich in history and culture. This is partly the reason why so many of Nico's knives bear Zulu names. one of his popular designs, the Impi for example, is the Zulu name for regiment. Nico's love for the art of Knife making has resulted in him progressing from ordinary fixed blade knives to pocket knives and linear locks to making his own Damascus steel. Most of his knives are made with his own Damascus steel, into which he incorporated African images. Nico creates his knives according to his own designs, but will also manufacture knives according to customers specifications. Nico takes enormous pride in the manufacture of each knife, and will not allow any knife to leave his workshop if he is not 100 percent satisfied with it. Currently Nico mostly makes folders using exotic materials. but also enjoys making daggers and fixed blade knives. Regardless of what type of knife he purchase form Nico, the customers can rest assured that each knife is a master piece crafted by a master craftsman. Nico is currently the President of the Knife making Guild of Southern Africa and has won numerous awards for his knives. He is married with three children. He regularly visits the USA to attend three knife shows in America, namely Las Vegas, Atlanta and New York. He looks forward to meeting you at one of these shows.