Custom knife for Mum.
Last time Mum visited, she mentioned that she was having trouble using the kitchen knives she had at home. Her arthritis made the slim handles difficult to grasp comfortably, and it was becoming harder for her to use them the way she wanted in the kitchen.
So we decided to work together to create a knife that truly suited her hand and the way she likes to cook.
As we talked through the problem and watched how she naturally held a knife, one of the key issues quickly became clear. Because of the width of the blade, combined with the way arthritis affected the movement of her fingers and knuckles, her hand would often hit the chopping board as she cut. To compensate, she found herself changing the angle of the knife awkwardly, or even placing the chopping board over the edge of the bench just to create enough room for her hand.
Like many people of her generation, she had simply been putting up with the discomfort and inconvenience, getting on with things without complaint.
Sometimes it only takes a small change to make a remarkable difference.
For this knife, we settled on a slightly thicker handle, making it easier and more comfortable for her to grip, along with a slightly deeper blade to provide better knuckle clearance over the chopping board.
The difference it made for her was amazing.
What had become a daily frustration was suddenly comfortable again. It was lovely to see how such a small adjustment in the design could make life noticeably easier and help restore some enjoyment and confidence in the kitchen.
The blade is made from stainless steel, chosen for its practicality and ease of care in everyday use. The handle is crafted from richly coloured Huon pine, one of Tasmania’s most beautiful timbers, with a small splash of red in the pin detail to give it just a little extra warmth and character.
This knife may not have been made for a grand occasion, but in many ways it feels just as important.
Sometimes the most meaningful pieces are the ones that quietly make everyday life a little better.