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Wood on a knife edge

Canadian design house Maison Milan has produced a multi-functional wooden kitchen knife. The implement consists of a solid walnut blade attached to a stumpy cast-iron handle that enables it to stand upright without any support. Sources: FWPA, Maison Milan, Timberbiz

Conceived by Maison Milan together with Taiwanese-born designer Chifen Cheng, the knife won an award in the ‘objects and accessories, kitchen products’ category at Grands Prix du Design earlier in the year.

Despite its unconventional, comparably dull blade, its creators claim the knife can cut through vegetables with ease.

Conveniently, the butt of the hefty cast-iron handle can also be used as a pestle to grind salt, pepper, spices and nuts.

The designers say they have also optimised the width of the wooden blade to most efficiently scoop ingredients into the pan after chopping and dicing.

Simply called Knife, the stylish kitchen tool is likely to be a bit safer for children than your run-of-the-mill steel blade. It is priced at just under US$100.