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© All rights reserved
© All rights reserved

Clem Vanhee

  • Atelier 185
  • Knife maker
  • Wevelgem, Belgium
  • Master Artisan
Clem Vanhee Knife maker
Contact
Dutch, French, English
Hours:
By appointment only
Phone:
+32 498639065
© All rights reserved

The cutting edge of an ancient craft

  • • Damascus steel is created by welding two or more types of steel
  • • Clem makes functional tools with an artistic design twist
  • • All his knives are made to be used

“Ever since I was little, I've always been attracted to knives. The simplicity in the design and functionality of knives always fascinated me.” Clem Vanhee continues the ancient art of forge-welding Damascus steel, which has been practised by the best swordsmiths around the world since the beginning of the Iron Age. After finishing his high school studies in mechanical design and engineering, Clem Vanhee started an evening course in blacksmithing at the CVO Ghent. Under the skilled supervision of Philip Vercammen he learned how to forge, wield and weld hot steel, gradually turning to the almost lost art of Damascus steel forging and knife making.

Read the full interview

Works

  • © Clem Vanhee – atelier185
  • © Clem Vanhee – atelier185
  • © Clem Vanhee – atelier185
  • © Clem Vanhee – atelier185
  • © Clem Vanhee – atelier185
Photo: © Clem Vanhee – atelier185
Gyuto chef’s knife

This Gyuto chef’s knife is perfect for cutting meat. Clem combined the handcrafted blade of 225-layer, triple-twisted Damascus steel with a handcrafted handle of white ebony. The metal of the blade runs lengthwise through the handle, creating a perfect sense of balance.

Length 293 mm

Photo: © Clem Vanhee – atelier185
Chef’s knife

Clem worked on the creation of this knife from start to finish – from the blade of layered and twisted Damascus steel to the carefully finished handle made from water-buffalo and muskox horn. The slender blade of the knife makes it perfect for filleting fish or preparing meat.

Length 332 mm

Photo: © Clem Vanhee – atelier185
Set of chef’s knives

The blade of the slender chef’s knife was created from 135 layers of triple-twisted Damascus steel, while that of the accompanying utility knife is made from 225 layers of the same steel. For the handles, Clem sculpted light-brown juniper wood by hand. The thick blade of the chef’s knife makes it ideal for preparing various types of meat.

Length 330 mm
Length 187 mm

Photo: © Clem Vanhee – atelier185
Santoku chef’s knife

This Santoku knife is intended as an all-purpose knife, ideal for chopping, dicing and mincing. In Japanese, the word Santoku means “three virtues”. The blade of triple-twisted Damascus steel combines perfectly with the water buffalo-horn handle, resulting in a knife with a comfortable and well-balanced grip

Length 302 mm

Photo: © Clem Vanhee – atelier185
Santoku chef’s knife

This traditionally crafted Santoku demi chef’s knife forged from triple-twisted Damascus steel is ideal for preparing meat. The composition of the blade helps improve the quality of the steel, preserving the sharpness of the knife blade even during rougher work. The shape of the handcrafted handle means it fits well in the hand, thus optimising precision and dexterity.

Length 244 mm

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