Derry chef’s handmade knives a cut above
A Derry chef is cutting his own path through the culinary world with his own range of handmade knives.
Joe became interested in the art of handcrafting a knife, known as bladesmithing, after learning how to sharpen his own blades using a whetstone.
He explained: “Knives are obviously a vital part of a chef’s kit and we have to look after them to make them last. It’s a long-term investment and having worked with so many other chefs, I knew the demand would be there for a top quality, handmade knife that looks good too.”
Before launching the business in 2021, Joe completed a bladesmithing course in Antrim’s Hot Milk Forge and reached out to fellow knifemakers via Instagram for advice and tips.
In the restaurant industry, chefs can be guarded about sharing recipes and knowledge, but I’ve had great help from other bladesmiths,” he said.
“I wouldn’t be an expert on paperwork and putting together a business plan,” he admits. “Being able to get information and advice on topics like accounting, website support and social media marketing has been great.”
Each knife is a labour of love. Once Joe has sourced the wood for the handle, it takes up to 75 hours to get it ready, or ‘stabilised’, in his unit in Derry’s Springtown industrial estate. The wood is milled down, dried out in an oven, placed in a vacuum chamber then cured.
He then gives each knife character with unique patterns on the blade and brightly coloured handles in shades such as hot pink and teal (how he achieves this, however, remains top secret!).
“The knives are a dream to work with, they have a fine cut edge which glides through the food,” continued Joe.
“I’ve had orders from friends in the local restaurant business, and chefs and home cooks everywhere from New York and New Jersey to Australia.”
Joe, who welcomed a baby boy with wife Melissa last month, is currently working on a Derry edition knife, and gearing up for Christmas gift orders. He also offers a knife sharpening service.
