Wooden Chef's Knife: the Alternative to Conventional Knife

A German company has developed a chef's knife made of 97% hardwood as a sustainable alternative to the conventional chef's knife.

The //SKID from German company Lignum has a high alloyed carbon steel blade, while the oil and wax treated (to close the pores) wood (robinia for example) contains high levels of anti-bacterial tannins, meaning the knife is essentially self-cleaning and only needs to be washed with warm water, the makers claim.

This isn't the world’s first wooden chef's knife – you may remember we reported on this wooden chef knife and cleaver back in 2013 – but the makers boast: “With the same energy you need for one steel chef knife, we can create 32 //SKIDs ... Furthermore we are planting trees for our knives and even use the off cut for packaging and holding systems,” say Lignum.

The knife comes in five different woods, with three steel options, and starts at approximately €369 (£339/$439). In terms of durability, Lignum have this to say: "We tested //SKID in different versions in several ways for over a year: at home with cooking enthusiasts, and restaurants with professional chefs, on our test stands where we could simulate unusual use under extreme conditions. If you handle your //SKID with the normal care and do not put it into a dishwasher it is durable like a traditional knife."

Is it any sharper than a conventional chef's knife? No – this is an issue of aesthetics and sustainability, but perhaps, if you’re looking for something new, this could be an interesting addition to your knife arsenal.

Watch the knife's story below.

All images: Lignum/Facebook

This article was updated on 04/09/2017 to reflect changes in pricing and availability.