A knife is not just a tool. It can become a weapon. It can cut, stab, chop and scrape. It is even said to have magical powers. For there is an old superstition that forbids accepting a gift of a knife without a gift in return. Otherwise it would cut the bond of friendship. It's a good thing that Uwe Heieck's nephew is not superstitious, because the award-winning damask smith from Kindsbach near Kaiserslautern is forging a kitchen knife made of damask steel for him. It is to be a wedding gift.
Damascus steel is created by welding and folding different types of steel. This is a craft that is more than 2000 years old. What has always fascinated people are the patterns formed on the steel by the subsequent etching.
Uwe Heieck taught himself damask forging. He works as a paramedic in his main job. But after watching a damask smith at work for the first time at a medieval market, his passion for knife making was also awakened. At home in his garage and workshop, he set up a cutlery workshop and has since become one of the best cutlers in Germany. Uwe Heieck's product range extends from folding knives to hunting knives. He not only forges the blades, but also makes the handles himself. Everything is made by hand. Above all, patience is required, because forging a kitchen knife from Damascus steel requires many different work steps. Forging, pressing, grinding, etching, drilling, polishing, sharpening: Uwe Heieick works around 40 hours on his wedding gift.
Power, precision and an eye for harmony - that's what a good cutler needs. True craftsmanship.
