The handle of this small and handsome folding knife, fashioned from wood and brass, encloses a blade forged from Damascus steel. The knife is perfect for helping with work on small or unexpected tasks.
Two little boys are standing at the window of a kitchen shop smiling with amazement as their eyes follow the shape of a damask steel knife in the display. One of the boys was Anselm Littschwager and this moment was the beginning of his fascination with the art of forging knives. “I was mesmerised, and the only thing I could think of was: when I grow up, I am going to do this.” After years of training as a silversmith in Neugablonz and Vienna, the dream of starting his own forge was already in reach. “But I was lacking experience in craft as well as in life in general.” So he spent the next three years travelling from Germany to Scandinavia gathering experience and impressions along the way, all of which are reflected in his works today.
Read the full interviewPhoto: © Anselm Littschwager
The handle of this small and handsome folding knife, fashioned from wood and brass, encloses a blade forged from Damascus steel. The knife is perfect for helping with work on small or unexpected tasks.
Photo: © Anselm Littschwager
This all-purpose knife with a wide blade is modelled on Japanese kitchen knives, Santoku meaning “three virtues”. Reindeer horn is Anselm’s favourite material for handles because of its fine structure and weight that balances perfectly with large blades.
Length 33 cm
Photo: © Anselm Littschwager
A search for a modern design using an antique mosaic form of Damascus steel encouraged Anselm to experiment with geometric patterns. This vegetable knife has been finished with a straight blade, perfect for clear cuts on a chopping board and ideal for cutting thin slices, even with ripe tomatoes. The comfortable, wide blade was forged from 189 layers of wild Damascus steel while the handle combines steel, ebony, ivory and silver.
Length 32 cm
Photo: © Anselm Littschwager
Perfect for filleting fish as well as for preparing meat, this carving knife was inspired by Asian dragon myths. The narrow blade makes it ideal for fine cuts, drawing or sliding. The handle of reindeer horn, mother of pearl and silver was crafted in collaboration with glassmaker Katharina Wedow who hand-shaped the bead.