This week’s maker Narin Phe is from Thailand, and to say he brings color to his work is an understatement. With bold but tasteful use of color, especially by integrating copper, his work is definitely an attention grabber. I am very pleased to be able to share his story.
What sparked your interest in knives?
I grew up in the countryside where people use knives and axes daily and sharpen them. My grandfather taught me how to use knives and sharpen them, so I have a basic knowledge of knife sharpening and am good at it.
In 2018, I opened an online knife sharpening service. Most of the knives I received for sharpening were Spyderco folding knives and Japanese kitchen knives. That’s where I got interested in Japanese kitchen knives.
What inspired you to do this and how did you learn?
After I started collecting Japanese kitchen knives. I became fond of Sanmai, Kasumi knives, and one of my favorites is the Saji Rainbow Takeda Hamono & Tank from Shibata-san.
These Japanese kitchen knives inspired me, and I started studying knife making with a master in Thailand (Jo Knife). He taught me the basics and taught me how to make knives with monosteel. He then introduced me to many others who were knowledgeable in various fields, including laminate and knife metallurgy.
When did you start making knives?
I started in 2022.
What did you make your first knife with?
I used 26c3 Mono steel.
Do you have a favorite knife you made, tell me about it?
When the first batch of Apex Ultra was produced and sold. Steel Republic Thailand gave me some steel to make the Gyuto Apex Ultra core Stainless clad Kurouchi finish. I really liked its edge characteristics.
What is the most important aspect of a well-made knife?
A good knife should be able to perform the functions it is intended to perform.
What keeps you going?
I love what I am doing now.
Biggest struggle?
I don’t think I have one. But if I had to answer, it would probably be time. The time of my life, the time I have left for the work I want to do, I think there is too little time left compared to what I want to do.
What kinds of knives do you make?
Kitchen knives.
Who helped you early on?
-Jo Knife – My first knife making teacher
-NumFly – Teaching how to make San Mai style laminate
-Wana Knife – Thailand Knives’s scripture
-Rudchapin Kumpu – Hardening metallurgy
-Morpoom studio – Help making of Cumai
Who are your influences/inspirations?
-Takayuki Shibata
-Shosui Takeda
-Saji Rainbow(knife)
How do you think those inspirations translates into your work?
I have collected and used their knives before, and of course, I incorporated my favorites points into my knives.
What is the perfect knife?
I think there is no perfect knife for everyone. But there are knives that are perfect for some people, or for some jobs.
How do you approach knife testing?
Sharpen with a sharpening stone, you can detect any irregularities such as chipping on the fineness stone.
– Cut the ingredients on a chopping board.
– Give it to my wife to use.
How do you develop a design, select a steel, and fine-tune a heat treatment?
Some designs are based on customer requests, but many are based on my own personal preferences.
I choose steel that I can handle, which can be found in Thailand or imported from abroad. There are several steels that I choose to use, Apex Ultra,26c3,1545SIHARD(W1AISI), K460 Bohler, 52100.
To keep up with what Narin is working on follow him on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/narin_phe/
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