Give Your Favourite Knife A New Lease Of Life
Before you throw it out, why not give Gemini a shout?
At Gemini Bespoke Knives Ltd, my aim is to produce beautiful hand made knives but to also offer the ability to update your favourite knife.
Whether it be a new handle based on your specifications, a full on restoration of a knife you’ve had lying in the attic for the past 30 years or a change of design on a knife you regularly use - if you can think of the idea I will make it happen. With lots of different species of woods and raw materials in stock, and easy access to some of the most exotic and rare woods and materials obtainable, your dream knife handle will be able to come to life.
From minor fix-ups or major refurbishments on a knife, sword, axe or other tool, there is no job too big to undertake.
Re-handling axes with new shafts
Refurbishing swords or daggers
Sharpening knives
Polishing knives, swords and other tools
Renewing the handles using your preffered materials
Servicing folding knives or other tools
Converting knives into display pieces
Changing bevel angles
If you have an idea or a request, or want some ideas put your way on how to upgrade your existing knife or queries on a refurbishment, please enquire below.
Restored Axes, Hammers and General Tooling
Previous Restoration Work
Averaging between 3-5 knife restorations a week, here’s a couple examples:
Kabar restoration and modification with new Damascus blade and Ironwood scales
Custom handle with angelite stone spacer and pommel, aviation grade aluminium spacers and pommel cup
Before
This stunning 1800’s Coachmans pocket knife came in to get a freshen up and new scales
After
With new stag antler scales, a full strip down restoration and polished metalwork, this beauty is ready to be passed down the generations
Beore
This Sheffield made folding knife came in for a restoration and modification
After
With a whole new, custom made 1080/15N20 damascus steel blade, carbon fiber scales and brass pins - this folder is a true one of a kind now!
Before
This 1830’s Edinburgh made coachmans knife came in for restoration and alterations
After
With new custom Camel bone scales, a new custom made blade to replace the broken one and a full re-finish of all the other metalwork, this knife is back to its former glory!
Before
This triple bladed Northfield folding knife was sent up to be modified into a single blade folder with custom scales
After
After a full strip down and modification, the Northfield folder was kitted out with new custom Mammoth tusk scales, Nickel silver pins and a full polish up
Before
This tiny little keyring folder came up with its Mother of pearl scales in a sorry state
After
With a full strip down, repolish and repair the spring mechanism - this folder got a new set of custom Mother of pearl scales and nickel silver pins
Before
This beautiful old Sabatier was sent up with a coating of rust and broken handles
After
With an extensive refurbishment, the Sabatier was reground, refinished then fitted with a set of custom Faux Ebony resin handle scales with stainless steel corby pins
Before
This set of Wusthof knives were sent up to gain a new lease of life after many years of daily use
After
With a full refinish, sharpen and clean up of the blades, the handles were replaced with bespoke stabilised Poplar burl, stainless steel pins and polished bolsters and pommels
Before
This beautiful hallmarked silver handled multi tool came in for a well deserved clean up
After
After a full strip down restoration, regrind of the blades and a polish of the silver scales, this knife is back to its former glory
Before
With very deep rust pitting on the blade, this family heirloom needed a new lease of life
after
With only minor signs of the deeper pitting remaining, this bowie got a regrind and refinish then a handle polish to get it ready to be passed down and used by the next generation of the family
Before
These three heirloom antique miniature scout knives came in for a full refurbishment and new custom handles
After
With new custom Ebony and stabilised Walnut handles, G10 and brass spacers and custom aluminium pommels, these knives are ready to be proudly displayed
Before
This antique bowie knife and fighting knife were sent up for a full restoration
After
With fully reground and sharpened blades, polished handles and refurbished sheaths - these knives are back to their former glory
before
This heirloom bowie was sent in for a full refurbishment
after
With a reground and refinished blade, polished handle and a sharpen up, this knife was given a new lease of life
Before
This Sabatier cleaver got sent up to the workshop in need of a make over!
After
With its new Stabilised dark Chestnut handle with brass pins and spacer, this cleaver got a blade refurbishment and sharpen up to give it full new lease of life
before
These kitchen knives were sent up for a full refurbishment after serving the customer during her whole career, and now ready to be passed down to the next generation to begin their new career
After
With a new set of custom made Stabilised Spalted Beech handles, stainless corby bolts, full refurbishment, regrind and polished bolsters - these knives are ready for another lifetime of work!
Before
This William Rodgers Sheffield bowie came up for a full restoration and custom handle
after
This William Rodgers bowie got a new lease of life with a full blade regrind and sharpen, custom stabilised Walnut handle with brass and G10 guard, spacers and pommel
Before
This nice old Bowie knife came in for a full restoration and custom handle
after
With a new custom made stabilised Poplar burl handle, new guard and pommel and brass & G10 spacers, this fully refurbished blade is ready to serve another lifetime
before
This antique bolo machete came in for a change of use after serving its former life as an outdoor tool
after
After a blade refurbishment and regrind, new custom Indian Rosewood handle and pins - this bolo machete is ready to start its new life as a butchering knife in the kitchen
Before
This Sabatier paring knife came in for a full refurbishment and new handle
After
With a new Bolivian Rosewood handle, this knife is ready for another lifetime of use
Before
This old Kukri knife was sent up for a full refurbishment and handle modification
After
With a full blade and sheath refurbishment and a new custom Lilac resin handle - this Kukri is truly a one of a kind!
Before
This pair of kitchen knives were sent up in need of some handle repairs
After
With a stunning new set of Faux Ebony resin handles made up, these kitchen knives are back in working order
Before
This WW2 Camillus folding machete was sent in for a full refurbishment
After
After a full refurbishment, this incredible piece of history is back to its former glory
After
An example of two fully refurbished kukri knives
Before
This antique French made Mezzaluna herb chopper was sent in with burnt handles and tarnished blades
After
With some new hand made Bolivian Rosewood handles, hot oiled components and fully refurbished blades, this Mezzaluna was given a new life
Before
This Japanese Gyuto was sent in for repair after the owners dog chewed up the original handle!
After
With a custom made GPS agencies Faux Ebony resin handle, aluminium spacer and pin - this Gyuto is ready to be put back to use
Before
This heirloom bowie knife was sent up in desperate need of some TLC
After
This bowie knife has been given a new lease of life after a full regrind and refinish of the blade, a polished handle and refurbished sheath
before
This beautiful old Victorinox chefs knife came in for a refurbishment
after
With a new Pau Rosa handle and brass pins, full blade refurbishment and sharpen - this Victorinox knife is ready to get back to use
Before
This beautiful Sterling silver handled carving set was sent to the workshop after an attempted repair with wood filler
After
With fully repaired and polished handles, this carving set is ready to be put to use again
After
An example of a fully refurbished bread knife with custom stabilised wood handle
After
An example of a fully refurbished bowie knife with stacked leather handle
After
An example of custom resin scales on an antique Solingen straight razor
After
An example of a custom handle on a refurbished chefs knife
before
This beautiful Slater Brothers pocket knife served its time during the war and had seen some damage over the years including being bent and snapping the Mother of Pearl scales in two!
After
After managing to finally source some new mother of pearl slabs- I made some new custom scales and gave this incredible piece of history a full strip down restoration to bring it back to life
Before
After 60 years of use, this little Sabatier paring knife had a worn out and tarnished blade and a severely broken handle
After
Whilst retaining the wear and shape of the blade, this little paring knife got a blade refinish and a custom Massacar Ebony handle to keep it in working order for another 60 years!
Before
As you can see in the photos - this big bowie was send over in need of some drastic repair!
After
This big bowie got a full strip down refurbishment including reground and refinished blade, polished bolster and pommel and a full handle repair
Before
This William Rodgers dagger was sent up for a full strip down refurbishment. A bent tip, tarnished blade and worn out handle were all in need of repair
After
This stunning dagger is back to its original finish!
Before
This Bowie knife was sent in to undergo some major modifications
After
New custom green and black Kirinite resin handles, brushed satin finish on the blade and guard and a sharpen up, this bowie knife is a real one of a kind
Before
After years of use, this beautiful old kitchen knife had a destroyed handle
After
With a new Stabilised Dark Chestnut handle and blade left original as per customers request - this old kitchen knife can now be used again
Before
This family heirloom bowie knife was sent in with a heavily scratched blade and loose handle
After
Fully refurbished blade to a brushed satin finish and handle repaired and polished - this old bowie knife is back to its former glory
Before
In desperate need of a clean up - this carving knife had a pitted and scratched blade and a tarnished handle
After
With a fully refurbished blade and polished Rosewood handle this carving knife was given a new lease of life
Before
This beatuiful bushcraft knife was sent in with shrunken scales, making it uncomfy to properly use
After
With new Stabilised bog oak scales, this bushcraft knife is ready for the forest
Before
This stunning old boning knife came in with a tarnished and scratched blade and a worn out handle
After
With its blade refurbished and a new custom Tiger Oak handle, this boning knife is ready for kitchen use
Sheffield Butter Knives
These two Sheffield made butter knives came in without handles. After a blade refurbishment and two glitter resin handles were manufactured and fitted - these knives are back in working order
Before
This beautiful old butter knife came in for blade refurbishment and a new modernised handle
After
With a fully refurbished blade and a new Kirinite resin handle, this butter knife has been given a new lease of life
before
With broken handle scales and a dated look, the customer wanted a new lease of life for this beastly big Bowie knife
after
With a whole new look, this newly modified Bowie knife is sporting some Bolivian Rosewood scales, polished brass pommel and bolster and three brass pins
before
These Sabatier kitchen knives got sent over in need of a refurbishment with faded and scratched plastic handles and marked blades
after
With both blades refinished to a satin brushed finish and new Bolivian Rosewood scales on each - these Sabatier kitchen knives are ready for work
before
This Masamoto kitchen knife was sent in for a new set of scales and a blade clean up
after
With a new set of custom Marblewood scales, a blade refinish and a deep oiling of the Saya sheath, this Masamoto kitchen knife has been given a new lease of life
before
This Brades butchers cleaver came in for a full restoration after being sat for years untouched
after
With the original handle salvaged and reshaped, finished to a half charred and oiled finish and a regrind of the blade with polished bevels - this kitchen monster is ready for work
before
This old paring knife came in for a full regrind and new handle. After 50 years of ownership and a snapped blade it needed some TLC
after
With a new Rosewood handle and blade regrind into a kiridashi style knife - this knife is ready to serve another lifetime
before
This boning knife came in for a new handle and a blade refinish
After
With its new finish and Rosewood handle, this boning knife is ready to get back to business
Before
Two Wusthof kitchen knives with cracked handles and scratched blades were sent up by a customer who wanted them refurbished and fitted with custom scales
After
These two Wusthof kitchen knives were clad in Bocote scales and refinished to a satin brushed finish. Sharp, sleek and ready to start slicing
Before
This Puma white hunter came in for a full refurbishment with gouges and grind marks all over the blade. A beautiful old German made knife which deserved to be back to its former glory
After
A fully refinished blade with polished antler handle scales, aluminium bolster and razor sharp edge and this Puma white hunter is ready to get back to work.
Before
Not a standard job at Gemini, but this antique sign came in to be stripped down back to bare metal for refurbishment, coated in years of paint!
After
The finished piece back to its former glory!
Custom Ebony handle
This beautiful kitchen knife came in with a broken plastic handle. With a bit of work a new custom Ebony handle emerged!
Before
This German K55 antique knife had been sat in the customers shed for 25 years. With deep rust pitting and handle material expansion, a full strip down restoration was needed
after
From a rust coated blade to a near factory finish, polished pommel and guard, deep oiled handle and waxed sheath - this K55 knife is now back to its former glory
William Rodgers Sheffield bowie
One from my personal collection which I refurbished prior to selling. This stunning Sheffield made William Rodgers bowie knife is back to its former glory
before
This cherished heirloom was sent in by a customer who wanted it brought back to life for use while camping. Tarnished blade and frayed leather handle, a refurbishment was needed
after;
This Boone hunting knife was restored back to its former glory. Brushed satin finish on the bevels, high polished aluminium pommel and handle accents - ready to get back to the woods
before;
This beautiful antique cake serving knife was sent in by a customer who has had it for many years - unfortunatly the original handle had dissapeared over the years
After;
This cake serving knife has been restored to its former glory. With stag antler handle and matching polished brass bolster and pommel - its ready to go back to its rightful home
Before;
A customer sent this putty knife in for modification and refurbishment. With leather scaled riveted on the side - it was a sight for sore eyes
After;
This putty knife recieved a Rosewood handle with brass tang extension to balance the weight, Brass pins and a sharpen up
Sabatier handles
These Sabatier kitchen knives got kitted out with new custom made stabilised spalted Beech handles. Polished bolsters and satin brushed blades contrast beautifully
Before;
This original Coldsteel bowie was in need of a refurbishment, with its destroyed rubber handle and tarnished blade
After;
With a new custom made polished brass pommel and stacked leather handle, this big workhorse is ready to get back to business
Before;
One of my customers sent in a very old and worn out scout knife. After some much needed TLC it was ready for another lifetime of working.
After;
After a full strip down, re-polish, handle rebuild, brass polish and sharpen - this knife was back to its original style.
The sheath also underwent a full beeswax restoration to bring it back to life.
Before;
This small folding knife was also sent in to undergo a full stripdown restoration.
The wood was dried out, brass dulled and the blade needed some serious attention.
after;
After many hours of sanding and polishing, this knife is back to its original shine, nicely sharpened up and locking back smoothly once again.
Ready to get back to work!
Before;
This family heirloom Kukri knife was in need of a refurbishment after being passed down generations of family members.
After;
With a full strip down restoration complete, the satin finished bevels, polished brass hardware and smaller knives were all back to their original beauty!
Butchers hog splitter
This antique behemoth of a cleaver arrived at the workshop rusty and without a handle. After a full refurbishment, mirror polished bevels and a new charred Oak handle its ready to get back to business.
Bushcraft knife
With tarnished brass fittings and a worn out blade, this knife got re finished with a satin brushed blade and highly polished brass. Ready to get back to the wild!
Before';
This antique ham knife had seen better days, with a swolen handle and tarnished high carbon blade it was in need of some TLC
after;
After a full strip down and re finish and sharpen of the blade, this flexible ham knife was given a nice new Walnut handle and brass pins.
Before;
These kitchen knives unfortunately met an untimely death in a deep fat fryer. The plastic handles were all melted away and in need of a full refurbishment.
after;
After a full refurbishment the set of kitchen knives received a brushed satin blade finish, complimented by a custom set of Ebony scales with stainless steel pins.
a closer look
With quality and fitment in mind, any job undertaken is finished to a high standard with the customer in mind. This simple yet effective upgrade from moulded plastic handles to custom Ebony scales will get these knives back to work for another lifetime.
Before;
This K.Sabatier chefs knife had been in my customers possession for over 20 years and was in need of a new handle.
The original plastic moulded scales were broken and falling to pieces.
after;
With the addition of new custom made Bocote scales and peened brass pins, this K.Sabatier chefs knife is ready to get back to work.
The handle was modified to have a comfier pinch grip in the original bolster position, making it more manouverable and easier to work.
Before;
A customer sent in his Grandfathers antique Ka-Bar knife in desperate need of of some TLC. Very loose fittings, covered in paint and dull blade.
After;
After a full strip down, sand back of the blade, bolster and guard - the blade was etched in acid and guard re - blued.
All the original fittings and materials were re used and a Gemini display box completed the heirloom piece
Before;
This beautiful kitchen knife was sent over from a customer in Germany
After;
With the addition of a new custom made Stabilised maple burl handle and new pins - this kitchen knife is ready to get back to work
Antique axe
One of many antique axe restorations - this beautiful old 7lb head required a full refurbishment, sharpen and polish and a charred shaft.
Complimented with leather cordage and a deep oiled hickory shaft - this beautiful axe is ready to serve again!
F.Dick meat cleaver
This beautiful knife arrived at my workshop in a sorry state with a mashed up spine and old pine handles. After some refurbishment I changed the blade to a satin brushed finish and made a new set of handles using Marble wood and copper with three copper pins.
Jack Pyke dagger
This knife recieved a full refurbishment removing chips from the bevels, polishing the blade and brass work, reworking the handle and oiling.
Got some old tools you can no longer use?
If you have a broken axe in the shed, a hammer head with no shaft in the workshop or any other old tools you can no longer use - get in touch. Cash prices offered for old tools, or if you want to get a restored tool as a part exchange for your broken one you can choose from the available selection!
To find out more about what tools are currently available or to sell me one of your old tools, follow the link below.