Looking for a unique gift for someone special? Have you considered a paring knife, forged by hand? It doesn’t sound very sexy, I’ll admit, but think about it. The humble paring knife is one of the most frequently used and handiest tools we can have in the kitchen. Everyone who likes to cook needs one, and even people who don’t like to cook will still need one sometimes. What better gift for that cook in your life than a custom, one-of-a-kind paring knife that’s been forged from steel by a local artisan?
Forged from an automotive leaf spring
For today’s blog I thought I’d share some photo’s of one of my favorite projects – a paring knife I forged from an automotive leaf spring. I found a chunk of leaf spring on the side of the road one morning. Automotive leaf springs are typically made from 5160 steel, which is an excellent high carbon forging steel. Once heat treated, they make for extremely tough knives that will hold a sharp edge.
I think the leaf spring may have come from a pickup truck, since it is very close in size with leaf spring I have in my shop that came from a Ford F150 pickup. But I can’t be certain.
I took it home and forged this paring knife from it, and finished the blade with a mustard patina. The drops of mustard is what gave the steel blade its interesting pattern, and will protect if from rust. For the handle, I used a beautiful hardwood with shades of red in the grain. The pins are solid brass.
A handmade knife makes a wonderful gift because it’s beautiful, artistic and practical. The perfect combination of function and art that will last a lifetime, and they will think of you every time they pick it up to use!
This paring knife is still available, but like many of my knives there is only one. So contact me soon if you’re interested.
All of my knives are handmade in Ontario, using Canadian and U.S. steel. You can see all my kitchen knives on my kitchen gallery here. If any happen to catch your eye, it can be ordered online here.
Ready to buy while it’s still available? Order now.
Got questions? Contact me for inquiries…!
Like to cook? This wonderful recipe website by Jenn Segal is packed with practical, yet delicious, recipes ideal for the busy working mom and dad.
Thanks for visiting. Have a beauty day!
