Some artists work with knives…Drew Hash–Knife Maker

Each time someone asks me what I plan to do with my new retirement status I feel a rush of energy.  Well, if I’m honest, at times I also feel a little anxious. I have so many interests that I have concern that for a while I’ll walk around in circles deciding what I want to do next. Does that count as exercise?

I’m not interested in immediately jumping into NEW pursuits, but I’m absolutely gleeful at the prospect of having more focused time for the many activities and areas of enjoyment that have been waiting for me. I’d like more time for yoga, gardening, photography, practicing the piano, reading at a time of day when my eyes can actually stay open for more than 15 minutes, and my family hopes I’ll renew dedication to baking bread. My favorite is sourdough.

Generally, I don’t enjoy shopping very much, but I’m passionate about cooking with spices, fresh and local ingredients and there are many little hideaways that offer cooking classes and lectures that I’ve never had the time to pursue.

In small stores and farmer’s markets I’ve noticed an increase in artisan foods–– small batches of cheese or handmade chocolates, fresh pastas and home-brewed wine and beers–lovingly produced by people devoted to the art of creating something special and often unexpected in the level of craftsmanship.

But I also pay attention to the beauty and quality of cooking tools and implements.

Because so many of my blogging friends are dedicated and talented home chefs, I didn’t want to miss the opportunity to introduce one of my cousins, Drew, and his wife Amy, a talented James Beard Award winner herself, who live in San Francisco with their two young sons.

Friends have heard me tell the stories of camping with Amy, Drew,  and their larger, extended family, all very good cooks, resulting in meals over a campfire that I would not have believed possible without the conveniences of a home kitchen.

But beyond his skill as a chef,  Drew is also an artisan craftsman hand forging and making beautiful knives that are all the more exciting to me because they are true works of art.

Drew Hash Knives is featured as one episode in a video series, Edible Landscapes, edited by Josh Harding. When I saw the video for the first time just a few days ago, I knew I wanted to share it.

Cheers to Drew and other artists who work with their imagination and their own hands to create products with function and design that sets them apart from the ordinary.

I haven’t yet made a purchase. As you can see, like most one-of-a-kind custom works of art, the cost doesn’t inspire capricious spending, but i know there’s one in my future. I think I really need a quality functional knife for all the vegetable chopping I do, but it’s tempting to purchase a beautiful knife to compliment the bread baking. I do have my eye on one with California Redwood handles.

I hope you’ll take a look at his work and let me know which knives you admire and how you’d use them in your kitchen.

I  want to give credit to Joshua Harding of Joshua Harding Photography, and Ted Thomas of Zero Cool Studios, the two photographers responsible for this quality video.  Check out their work, also.

I just love seeing what others do with their talents and abilities! I hope you do, too!

I’d love to her your thoughts!