When a person looks at our knives, the first question they ask us is usually, "How do you engrave them?" The engravings are the particularity of our knives, and the engraving technique is our own. We therefore wish to keep an air of mystery at this level, but still want to explain our process to you... without revealing all our secrets to you of course.
Drawing
Without a pattern to engrave, we wouldn't get very far, so the first step is to create the pattern we want to engrave. The artist draws a pattern which will be transposed into a stencil format. Usually, this artist is Alexandra or Kéva, but we also have collections planned with other artists.
The artist therefore draws a pattern, either in computer format or directly on paper. This pattern is then vectorized and ready for the next step. The stencil is then mechanically cut and weeded by hand. This operation can take minutes on a simple pattern, and can take hours for more the complex ones. It is then applied to the blade, and the engraving can begin.
Engraving
We then use a biological corrosive solution (how mysterious) which carves into the blades and reveals, after cleaning, the very particular texture of our blades. Since the blade is thin, although it is not sharpened at this stage, it remains sharp. As a precaution, and so as not to damage the engraving, it is wrapped in adhesive tape while the handle is assembled.
Choosing the Wood
Before the handle can be mounted, the wood from which it will be made must be obtained. We do not buy wood cut specifically for this use. The idea of cutting trees to make our handles does not appeal to us, so we prefer to work with reclaimed wood. The type of salvage can vary: Carpentry scraps, construction wood, fallen trees on our land, and other unexpected finds... This way of working ensures that we always have a fairly varied collection of wood to use.
Except in the case of a special order, the choice of the wood of the handle is made once the engraving is finished. It is an artistic choice that takes into account the pattern of the blade, the natural pattern of the wood, its color... and the mood of the cutler.
The wood is cut into plates which will then be cut to the shape of the desired handle. In general, the handle consists of two plates and an insert, the latter being able to be of different wood. Here, you have an example of two Amaranth plates and an insert in Pau Amarello.
Mounting the Knife
Now it's time to mount the knife (finally!). The wooden plates are glued to the handle of the blade with a cutlery epoxy resin glue, and the insert is used to fill the space that is created at the end of the handle. Everything is held in place with cutler's clamps until the glue is dry.
Once this step is completed, the craftsman then goes to the backstand (a kind of big sander) to give the handle its shape. He planes, sands, then polishes the handle, to finally arrive at the final result.
Sharpening the Blade
During the previous steps, the blade of the knife was not sharpened, so it is time to give the knife the final touch. By using finer and finer grains, the craftsman will thin the cutting edge, in order to give it its final sharpness. The knife is now born. We write the date on its authenticity card, as well as the name of the motif that it wears.
Your knife is now ready to join your favorite kitchen tools.
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