Sometimes you find the most incredible things in the most unexpected places on the Otago Central Rail Trail. In Omakau, you’ll find the workshop of Peter Lorimer, artisan knife maker. But what exactly does “artisan knife maker” mean?
Peter makes Damascus knives by forging and folding Damascus steel repeatedly until there are hundreds of layers, and once the finished knife is etched with some acid, the patterning of the folding is revealed. Due to the steel and the method used, the knives are very strong and very sharp. The other Chef’s knives that he creates are made from steel imported from Bola Mills in Austria, the composition of this steel results in a knife that keeps it’s edge longer. All of the handles are made from recycled native New Zealand timbers or bone.
His knives are used and coveted by professional Chef’s, notably, Peter Gordon, Donna Hay, Richard Till and Julie Le Clerc.
You’ll find Peter’s workshop on the main street of Omakau, north of shebikeshebikes.
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- First the steel is heated
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- Then beaten by hand
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- Preparing for the mechanical hammer
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- Beaten by mechanical hammer
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- Polishing
