Peckham has reputation for style, a glossy magazine behind the Edwardian and Victorian facades, Farrow and Ball walls, kitchen ranges. So it is less surprising to find this railway arch converted to making London blades in the Japanese style, using Japanese Blue Paper steel (aogami) but English hardwood from the handles from windfall. They are not cheap but they are unique – Gyuto £320, the Petty £190. The classic range are carbon steel which may change colour but develops a protective patina against rust over time. The stainless steel clad options are “simpler” but will rust less easily. It was backyard hobby for James Ross-Harris and Jon Warshawsky now joined by machinist Richard Warner. Now they also release special editions with three layer constructs – soft iron, nickel and Blenheim Black core, an alloy made specifically for them designed like “an Aogami super” known as the hardest of Japanese steels. The full repertoire is here.
