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Market Focus Inset: Zwilling’s SharpBlock keeps knives well maintained.
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Below left: Wüsthof’s Urban Farmer range has a commitment to sustainability and inspiring creativity in the kitchen with fresh, home-grown produce.
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thinking Good knives continue to be an essential part of any cook’s essential kit – so what’s new? Innovative thinking includes a focus on the efficient use of kitchen space and recognition of consumer habits. In addition, some knives suppliers are considering ‘safer’ knife design, as well as considering new ways to display knives in the retail setting. Clever blocks For the many fans of Signature knives, The Excellence in Housewares Awards’ Cutting Edge winner, Robert Welch Designs’ Signature Book Oak Knife Block is a welcome addition to any wellstocked kitchen. “Efficient use of space is a perennial requirement for kitchens – whatever their size,” notes Robert Welch Designs’ design director Paul deBretton Gordon. “The Signature Book Oak Knife Block was designed as an effective space saving solution.
The block is made from solid oak, has silicone feet and is ideal for placement against the wall, under a kitchen cabinet or side of kitchen workplace. The distinctive design ensures the knives sit comfortably in an upright position and can be easily accessed through the vertical apertures, sliding them out of the front.” Meanwhile, even among those that treasure their quality knives, essential maintenance is not always given the priority status it deserves! Well aware of consumer habits, Zwilling has launched its SharpBlock concept of selfsharpening knife blocks: “an ideal solution for those who do not have the time or technique to sharpen knives themselves,” notes Matthew Dennison, general manager of Zwilling UK. He explains: “Each time a knife is PROGRESSIVE
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removed from and replaced in the block it is automatically sharpened by the ceramic sharpening modules that sit within the knife slots integrated into the block.” Matthew confirms: “This ‘Keep It Sharp’ technology maintains the knife with a factory-sharp cutting edge, keeping the knives sharper for longer without the need to maintain and sharpen with steels, a pull through sharpener or whetstone.” The SharpBlock concept is available in Zwilling’s Life, Gourmet, Four Star, Professional ‘S’ and Pro series (covering entry level knives to fully forged blades).
Losing the point Prestige (from Meyer Group) and Viners (from The Rayware Group) are two brands that have considered how changing the point of knives can make them safer. Medical experts (including the Institute of Surgeons) and crime experts, as well as bishops and MPs have all called for the redesign of knives so that rounded blades