In my grasp, a knife beckons a primal urge to manifest artistry, be it through the nuanced carving of my insignia on age-old trees or achieving the pristine symmetry in slicing a fish.

My childhood was marked by a dignified introduction to the world of blades. On my maternal side, my grandfather, a skilled butcher by profession, became an inadvertent mentor. Within the confines of his shed, I would be captivated every Sunday as he meticulously honed the instruments of his vocation. Each rendezvous was incomplete without my relentless entreaties for a mere glimpse of the storied Japanese officer’s katana, a memento from the tumultuous era of World War II.

Conversely, from my paternal grandfather, I was bequeathed a modest pocket knife in my nascent years. Its primary role was to sever bailing twine during our equine feeding rituals. It was in these moments that I crafted my inaugural blade.

One fateful day, in the solitude of the tractor shed, an old slasher blade caught my eye. Drawn to the bench grinder — which I was expressly forbidden to operate — I embarked on a novice's venture of shaping metal. Despite its rudimentary design, marred by an undulating edge and a handle swathed in green bailing twine, in my youthful perception, it bore an uncanny resemblance to the iconic Rambo 3 knife.

On the occasion of my 30th birthday, a Saji Damascus Gyuto was bestowed upon me by my wife. I found myself utterly enraptured by its masterful construction, igniting a curiosity regarding its genesis. This fervour guided me to the Sydney Knife Show in 2014. Here, I was exposed to the exquisite oeuvre of Australian knife artisans. That experience was the watershed moment, and I've since delved deep into this craft, fueled and mentored by the nation's eminent smiths.

Today, I revel in the privilege of wielding an instrument forged by my own hands and imagination — a tangible manifestation of art with an innate spirit.

Such mastery elevates my culinary, carving, and hunting endeavours, infusing unparalleled gratification and nuance into my creative endeavours.

Please Enjoy.