About Black Dragon Forge and Neels van den Berg

At Black Dragon Forge, we are dedicated to creating high-quality, practical and reliable products for blacksmiths and knife makers. Our founder and owner, Neels van den Berg, has spent over a decade honing his skills as a bladesmith and is proud to be a member of both the American Bladesmith Society, where he attained his Master Smith stamp in June 2022, and the Knifemakers' Guild of Southern Africa, where he became a member as a bladesmith in July 2017.

Since October 2009, Black Dragon Forge has been supplying the South African market with our handcrafted, durable and unique forges. Our goal is to produce products that consistently deliver the goods and bring a smile to the face of our clients every time they use them. We believe that each of our forges truly embodies our motto: "PRACTICAL - PERFORMANCE - QUALITY".

For us, Black Dragon Forge is not just about making sales, it's about building relationships with blacksmiths and knife makers, providing them with a superior product and guidance on how to fully utilize it. We have spent countless hours over the past 12 years perfecting our forges through daily use and listening to feedback from the smithing community.

We are proud to put our name on a product that will be used to shape your future and help you achieve your craftsmanship goals. If you have any questions, concerns, or just want to chat about knife making in general, please do not hesitate to contact Neels directly on his cell, +27(0)83 451 3105.

Neels van den Berg Black Dragon Forge

  • Forged Knife Course - Stuart Smith - June 2009
  • Damascus Course - Bertie Rietveld - 2010
  • Cable Damascus Course - Tiaan Burger - 2010
  • Designing Folding Knives - Tiaan Burger - 2010
  • Slip-Lock Folding Knife Course - Herbst - 2011
  • American Bladesmith Society's Intro to Bladesmithing - Heavin Forge - December 2014
  • American Bladesmith Society Journeyman Certification - June 2016
  • Voting Member of The Knifemakers' Guild Of Southern Africa - July 2017
  • American Bladesmith Society Master Smith Certification - June 2022
  • Pass SABA Performance Test, 13 October 2012, Southern African Bladesmiths Association
  • APPRENTICE Classification, October 17 2012, American Bladesmith Society
  • Best Art Fixed Blade 2013, Durban Easter Knife Show
  • Best Forged Blade 2013, Durban Easter Knife Show
  • Pass ABS JS Performance Test, 8 Feb 2014, American Bladesmith Society
  • Best Dagger (Novice) 2014, Durban Easter Knife Show
  • Best Forged Blade (Novice) 2014, Durban Easter Knife Show
  • Best Bowie 2014, SABA (Southern African Bladesmiths Association)
  • Best Forged Blade 2015, Durban Easter Knife Show
  • Best Art Fixed Blade 2015, Baobab Custom Knife Show
  • JOURNEYMAN Classification, 3 June 2016, American Bladesmith Society (Atlanta USA)
  • Best Art Fixed Blade 2016, Baobab Custom Knife Show
  • Best Art Fixed Blade - Point of Interest 2016, Baobab Custom Knife Show
  • Best Art Fixed Blade 2017, Durban Easter Knife Show
  • Member of the Knifemakers' Guild of Southern Africa as a Bladesmith - July 2017
  • 2018 ABS International Journeyman Smith Knife Of The Year By Neels Van Den Berg
  • Best New Knifemaker 2017, Knifemakers' Guild of SA Guild Show - 18 August 2017
  • Best Art Fixed Blade 2018, Durban Easter Knife Show
  • Best Dagger 2019, Durban Easter Knife Show
  • Member of the Cape Knifemakers Guild - July 2020
  • Best Art Fixed Blade 2021, Durban Easter Knife Show
  • Best Dagger 2021, Durban Easter Knife Show
  • Best Art Fixed Blade 2021, Baobab Custom Knife Show
  • Best Dagger, Knifemakers' Guild of SA Guild Show - 23 October 2021
  • Best Knife on Show, Knifemakers' Guild of SA Guild Show - 23 October 2021
  • Best Art Knife, The Cape Knifemakers Guild Show - 26 November 2021
  • Best of Show, The Cape Knifemakers Guild Show - 26 November 2021
  • American Bladesmith Society Master Smith Certification - June 2022
  • B.R. Hughes Award for the knife judged to be the best sumitted for review by a new Master Smith - Blade Show Atlanta, June 2022

I am proud to be associate with:

  • Journeyman Smith with the American Bladesmith Society - June 2016
  • Member of the Knifemakers' Guild of Southern Africa as a Bladesmith - July 2017
  • American Bladesmith Society Master Smith Certification - June 2022