Barossa unearthed
Barry Gardner
The Knife Maker
A hobby that turned into a passion that turned into a business and way of life, Barossa’s Barry Gardner or ‘Baz’ has been making knives for enthusiasts, commercial and hospitality clients and lovers of outstanding craftsmanship for some 32 years. Fourteen of those have been as a tenant at Seppeltsfield’s ‘Jam Factory’.
Alongside his knife production, Baz has shared his passion and skills with about 4,000 people through knife-making workshops. Sharing the steps to crafting a beautiful knife – it’s this avenue that has seen Barry rub shoulders with all comers of society and he’s seen how the noble art of “making’ something can be meditative, therapeutic, good for the soul and a great leveller.
Baz is making a bit of a change and is moving to a smaller space at Seppeltsfield, where he can continue to make and sell his beautiful creations to the many who appreciate his craft. He’s also swapping in-person workshops with online tutorials, where customers can learn the craft and create in their own space.
WORDS & PHOTOGRAPHY
PETE THORNTON what pete shot
A ‘mostly’ portrait and ‘brief’ interview series by professional photographer Pete Thornton exploring the idea that one image has the power to tell the whole story.
Each ‘sitter’ suggests the next person to be photographed in this series, and thus ensues an interesting and unknown trail of Barossa identities to come.
Stay tuned… Pete
