Sharp tradition: a visit to the knife deifi from Finsing

Actually, Alexander Hoffmann just wanted to make a knife to match his old lederhosen.

The first attempts five years ago resulted in a successful part-time pillar.

A visit to the “Messerdeifi” in his workshop in Neufinsing.

Neufinsing - A stylish hunting knife, also known as a nicker, belongs to traditional lederhosen, according to Alexander Hoffmann five years ago.

But when looking for the dream knife, the native of Munich quickly became frustrated.

"The traditional knives on offer were either too expensive for me or it was a glump," says the 39-year-old.

For him, “glump” means that the knife has a punched blade, the handle consists only of remains of deer antlers - if at all - or even plastic from the Far East.

“Then I'll just make a knife myself,” Hoffmann decided at the time.

The skilled design and prototype builder was well equipped for the project, as he had learned to work with wood, metal and plastic during his training.

Researching the right materials was more difficult, because tips from advanced knife makers were not available.

"Nobody gets out of their sources of supply," the all-rounder knows today.

"Da Messerdeifi - Handmade in Bavaria" as a tattoo on the forearm

So he also had to pay a lot of money, as he says with a smile.

From the wrong steel, which bends during processing, to the chipped handle, the father of two suffered a few setbacks.

"There was also no YouTube video explaining the individual steps, I had to work it all out myself," reports the hobbyist.

In the meantime he runs a flourishing one-man business under the name “Da Messerdeifi” in addition to his main job as deputy workshop manager in the vending machine area.

"Da Messerdeifi - Handmade in Bavaria" is the name of his company's logo, which also adorns the knife devil's forearm as a tattoo.

While the first buyers of his custom-made traditional knives came from friends and acquaintances, today half of his customers can find him online.

“I've also had orders from Bochum or even Las Vegas,” he proudly reports.

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In his workshop, the hobbyist cuts knife handles from antlers with a band saw.

© Peter Gebel

Hoffmann's clientele is mainly made up of enthusiastic fans of traditional costumes, plus hunters, fishermen and bikers, but also “normal people” are there, says the tradition-conscious Finsinger.

A large part of his knife orders are designed as gifts, the personalization with name and date of birth is important.

"Even a large wedding knife with a name, wedding date and wedding rings has been requested," says Hoffmann.

The delivery time for the individually designed knives is two to three weeks.

If you are in a hurry, you can choose from the models that have already been completed.

Alexander Hoffmann invests between eight hours of work for the cheapest knives up to one week of work for a premium piece, the prices are between 100 and 600 euros.

“I also have a lifelong guarantee for this”, explains the knife professional and is pleased with the positive feedback from his buyers.

There are spoons instead of knives for the Munich Oktoberfest

In addition to traditional costume knives, Hoffmann now also offers Charivari, snuff boxes, key rings and much more so that his customers can wear the right equipment to their Ledawix at their next traditional costume wedding.

Care should be taken when using parts from protected species such as springbok horn, raptor claws or feathers from rare birds, says Hoffmann.

“I only buy if I have the required proof of origin,” assures the 39-year-old.

Although he often has to work night shifts at the beginning of the beer garden or before Christmas to complete the orders, Alexander Hoffmann is enthusiastic about his craft.

“I have always been fascinated by knives since I got a pocket knife when I was a little boy.” He also enjoyed the manual work and dealing with customers.

Messerdeifi also made a small traditional costume knife for his wife Susanne.

"She is my quality assurance and often has good ideas," he says.

In his free time, the hobbyist is drawn to the go-kart arena or the beer garden.

If Hoffmann's knives are also represented at many traditional costume festivals, they are missing at the Munich Oktoberfest.

“There is a ban on knives there,” he explains, and as a substitute he presents a hearty spoon with an artistically decorated handle.

All information: www.damesserdeifi.de

Each piece is unique

Alexander Hoffmann's traditional knives are not mass-produced, each piece is

personalized according to customer requirements

.

That means numerous decisions, for example the question of the blade.

The

blade blanks

which it forged and polished relates from Solingen, grinds Hoffmann itself into the desired shape at a length of six to eleven centimeters.

Motif blades

with hunting scenes or the Bavarian coat of

arms

are popular

, but also patterned Damascus steel.

The handles are made from the antlers of deer, roebuck, billy goat, chamois or springbok.

"

I only take the most beautiful pieces from the antlers,

" says Hoffmann.

Pearl and color have to be right.

If a pearly white handle is desired, a horse or camel shin bone is required.

The next decision concerns the end cap.

There are

variations made of cast pewter or silver-plated

to choose from, from the ibex to the Wolperdinger.

Hoffmann manufactures the leather sheath by hand to match the knife.

The

part is cut

from

split cowhide

, pressed into shape

when

wet, glued, sewn, dyed and provided with leather varnish.

Gerda and Peter Gebel