Press

It is a far cry from clearing land mines in Mozambique. But for two friends who formed a bond while working in Africa and Asia (running power stations in Kenya; searching for gold in Liberia), sanding spalted beech for their bespoke knives in the depths of Wiltshire is where their hearts lie.

Unlike several kitchen tasks, cutting, chopping, slicing and dicing is still mostly done by hand. While many of us have modernised our kitchens with high-tech toasters, smoothie machines and slow cookers, possibly the most ancient device of all, the knife, remains.

All I want for Christmas… Crummbs' favourite foodies reveal what’s on their wish lists.

Muddy says: Never thought you’d see a bespoke knife company on Muddy? Me neither, but it turns out I was wrong. Check out the best, the smartest and the very coolest personalised knives for Father’s Day, Christmas, or just for summer BBQs

German and Japanese-made products dominate the UK knife market, but British artisans are fighting back with beautiful blades that have now become status symbols for top chefs