My search for a good picnic knife is what first led me to New West KnifeWorks. I imagined something sharp, well-made, not precious, and unique in a way I couldn't quite describe. My answer came in an unexpected package from an unexpected place.
New West KnifeWorks makes Japanese-inspired cutlery in the last place you might expect to find high-end Japanese knives: Jackson Hole, Wyoming.
Turns out, the indescribable thing I was looking for in my picnic knife were the marbled wood handles on New West KnifeWorks's Fusionwood line. To be honest, when I first saw them I didn't take to the design. Too western? Who knows. But they have grown on this city girl and I now leap at the chance to cut hunks of cheese or slices of apple with the New West paring knife. I go cowboy style like my grandpa used to do on our outings to his backyard; something halfway between chopping and whittling.
New West carries two collections: Fusionwood and Phoenix. The Fusionwood Knives have crazy swirly colored handles with high-carbon stainless steel blades. The Phoenix Knives have delicate Damascus blades with curly etchings (think Samurai sword) and handles made from Nobel-Lite, a Corian-like material often used in premium counter-top design.
Fusionwood knives start at $49 for the Paring Knife (right and lead image, in Tahoe Shoreline). I love the size of the Chopper (middle, in Peacock, $99) which would make a great chef's knife for a small-handed sassy chef. Perhaps the most unusual knife is the Super Bread (left, in Flamenco, $179) with a very wavy blade which allows for sharpening. The dimpled edge makes it a great knife for chopping onions and other sticky things.
The Phoenix line starts at $59 for the Gentleman Rancher Steak Knife (right, in Granite). The Petty is another good multi-tasking option for small hands (middle, in Hot, $99). The 9 (left, in Cocobolo, $199) is New West's answer to the perfect Chef's knife: it's not eight inches and it's not ten, giving it a little heft, but still rendering it light enough for fast-movers on the cutting board.
The thing to know about these knives is that they are a bit smaller and lighter than other high-end knives you may be used to. But it doesn't mean they don't perform. It just means if you like a big, heavy knife, these might be better for your daintier friends.
I put the high-carbon stainless steel blades (the come from Seki, Japan) through the ringer and was able to sharpen them back to perfection with what felt like more ease compared to other knives. In case you aren't keen on doing your own sharpening, know that the knives come wrapped in a leather sheath with a lifetime guarantee; New West will tune up your knives forever. Just send them in the mail.
(Images: lead image by Sara Kate Gillingham-Ryan; Fusionwood and Phoneix group images compiled from New West KnifeWorks)
Apartment Therapy Media makes every effort to test and review products fairly and transparently. This particular product review was not sponsored or paid for in any way by the manufacturer or an agent working on their behalf. The manufacturer did provide product for testing and review purposes. The views expressed in this review are, to the best extent possible, the personal views of the reviewer.
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Comments (9)
These are gorgeous! But what is a picnic knife? A paring knife with enough personality to take along with you and make an everday even feel more festive? I know I'd feel happier slicing and dicing with these beauties.
For New Yorkers out there (or those visiting the city), Bryant Park's holiday market has a New West Knifeworks booth. It's great to see how beautiful these knives are in person, plus it's great excuse to go over to the park to see the holiday festivities.
Here's a link to the market: www.theholidayshopsatbryantpark.com
Very interesting melding of East and West.
P.S. My "picnic" knife is a Shun "pocket" knife I got for a song.
How do you know if you have small hands? My hands are smaller than that of people I've compared hands with, but I can't get a representative sample because it is really awkward to walk up to a stranger and say "Could you hold your hand up so I can see if mine is smaller?"
these are really pretty AND bonus - useful :)
Wowowowow. Lust. I've never found a person over the age of 12 with hands smaller than mine and find an 8" chef's knife unwieldy. I bought a fairly cheap 6" last year but I'm ready to replace it now. I covet that gorgeous chopper in a bad way.
minamina - take a look at gloves/mittens at the store. Both ladies' and men's gloves come in S-M-L. I know I have large hands because I barely fit into the XL ladies' gloves I recently purchased. Quick, easy, and much more comfortable than walking up to strangers. :)
Personally, I've been looking for knife case/holder for our camping knives, and the one in the first picture is close to what I'd like.
I just bought the FusionWood paring, and chopper knives. There's been a mistake with the shipping delaying their arrival, but New West Knifeworks cleared up the problem right away. They were awesome and friendly. I can't wait to get them!