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Makers & Craftspeople
Meet the duo behind the cutting-edge knife brand beloved by chefs
Elizabeth Metcalfe visits the Wiltshire-based artisan knifemakers to find out how they combine cutting-edge technology with traditional techniques to create exquisitely crafted bespoke kitchen knives
By Elizabeth Metcalfe
Andrew Montgomery
In a workshop on the edge of Savernake Forest in Wiltshire, 10 knife handles are being cut out by a CNC router machine. It is an unpleasantly loud but precise process, which uses a simple data file to transform rectangular blocks of material – wood, Corian or other composites – into handles. Pre-programmed cutting tools automatically switch in and out until, by the final stage, the machine is moving in increments of a quarter of a millimetre to fine tune the shape. It is one of 20 such pieces of equipment in this former sawmill that is home to Savernake Knives. These particular handles consist of 30 layers of coloured paper, set in epoxy resin to create a robust material. 'They are the result of a collaboration with paper brand GF Smith,' says Laurie Timpson, who co-founded the knife company with Philip Shaw in 2016.
Opposite, a CNC mill is cutting out nine blades from a sheet of Swedish steel. 'It comes out like an Airfix model,' says Laurie. Once the blades have been tidied up with a light sanding, they undergo a hardening treatment: they are heated to 1,080°C in a small furnace, removed, quickly clamped in aluminium moulds, then plunged into a -81°C deep freeze. 'We only put six knives in the furnace at a time to ensure they reach the correct temperature,' says Laurie.
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He and Philip, who met 10 years ago when working in consultancy, both took circuitous routes to knifemaking, having led peripatetic lives around the globe. When Laurie returned to England in 2014, he had an itch to make something and set about forging an axe. 'It was too much like hard work so I decided to try a knife,' he jokes. He got the bug, rented a room on a farm and bought a drill, a saw, sandpaper, a hammer and an anvil. Philip, looking for a reason to come back from Pakistan at the time, soon joined him. They then spent three days learning how to use a CNC mill, router and the accompanying software. 'It took us six months of trial and error to make a knife we were happy with that resembles those we produce today,' says Philip.
Their first customer was 'a chap who lived in the village' and, over the last three years, they have gone on to produce exquisitely crafted bespoke knives for both home cooks and professional chefs, including Margot Henderson and Tom Aikens. They provide some off-the-peg options – Selfridges sells a selection – but the focus is bespoke knives, which often take over two months to come to fruition. 'We want to offer people as much choice as possible, whether it's recreating an existing knife or producing one with a leopard-print plastic handle,' says Laurie.
Joanna Simon
Savernake upgraded to its present larger space, a mile down the road, last year, and now has eight staff. 'Many of the team are specialists, but all can do at least two parts of the process,' says Laurie. The company's approach to knifemaking is refreshingly modern: it's been named one of the Brands of Tomorrow by British luxury goods promoter Walpole. Not only does it combine cutting-edge technology with traditional techniques (each knife is hand-sanded and finished), it experiments with materials, making handles from Richlite, a resin and recycled paper composite commonly used for guitar necks and skatepark ramps.
The knives are noticeably light. 'We make the blade as fine as possible,' says Laurie. The blades are then thinned by hand to just a tenth of a millimetre. 'It's not a very quick way of making a blade,' he admits. But this, of course, is all part of Savernake's appeal.
savernakeknives.co.uk
Laurie Timpson (left) and Philip Shaw outside the Savernake Knives workshop.
Blades are heated to 1,080°C in a small furnace, then quickly clamped in aluminium moulds and plunged into a -80°C deep freeze to harden.
Laurie Timpson of Savernake Knives.
After each blade has been cut out, its faces are sanded to neaten them.
The firm's designs include (from left) the 'Savernake Knife', the 'Stout Yeoman' and the 'Raven's Claw'.
Nine knife blades at a time are cut from a sheet of Swedish steel by the CNC router.
Some of the handles are made from 30 layers of coloured paper set in epoxy resin.
Laurie sharpening knives.
The blade is placed in a vice so the handle can be finished. Each knife goes through 42 processes in total.
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