Looking sharp – jeweller Stephen Webster’s new Beasts Knives

Beasts of Beauty

The sculptural new cutlery collection from jeweller Stephen Webster was inspired by his Beasts of London collection and a commission by a Scottish client for a sgian-dubh (a traditional Highland dress knife) with a carved handle in the shape of a ram’s skull over a Damascus blade. The bronze handles of the Beasts Knives (US$30,000, RM120,000 for the set) depict a few of the creatures we eat.

The six knife hafts are a rooster, bull, ram, boar, salmon and courgette for the vegetable paring knife. Webster worked with London chef Mark Hix to test each blade on its culinary quarry, then engaged a forge in south London specialising in the Japanese Damascus technique, which yields a wavelike pattern. Webster also created a Cock & Bull carving knife and fork (US$7,500/RM30,000) to complete the collection. The set is available by commission through Stephen Webster stores and Harrods.

Stephen Webster