Artist Profile :: David Brodziak

I was born in Chatswood, N.S.W. in 1948 and moved to Perth, Western Australia with my family in 1957 where I grew up and married Gail in 1972. In 1975, we moved to picturesque Albany on the south coast of Western Australia. My interests have always included art, woodwork and metalwork, so when I began making knives in 1989, the transition was very compatible with my previous interests. Knifemaking quickly became a passion so it was no surprise to anyone when I left my position as Dyer and Colorist at Albany Woolen Mills and began Knifemaking full-time in the beginning of 1993.

Since then, I have enjoyed making a diverse range of knives including practical working knives and very unique art knives with Carol Ann O'Connor. I work with various types of blade steel and a large variety of handle materials including unique timbers from the Goldfields of Western Australia and beyond.

My knives have won many awards over the years. The most recent include: Best Art Knife at both the 2000 & 2001 Adelaide Custom Knife Show. I have also received: Best Art Knife, Best Kitchen Knife, Best Hunter and Best Small Game Knife at the Australian Knifemakers Guild Show held in Melbourne, May 2000 and Best show knife at the National Custom Knife Show held in Perth, November 1999. Click here to see a full list of those awards.

When I'm not making knives, my other interests include: camping, fishing, and gardening. I also don't mind a good drop of red wine or a beer at a summer barbecue with my family and friends. I find fishing very relaxing whether I am on a boat or at the beach; there is something about the ocean that is good for the soul. We try to have a holiday each year either camping down the coast from Albany or fishing further up north in Kalbarri.

I enjoy regularly inventing new designs and styles of knife and am proud to sell and have my knives displayed both nationally and internationally.