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Pott Picado Parme­san Cheese Knife

c. 1992

by Hugo Pott

Pott Picado Parm Knife cooksandpoets 1 f0

Ralph Krämer’s 1991 Pott Picado Parme­san Knife does more than slice through its name­sake deli­cacy: its thought­ful, almost pyra­mi­dal shape reveals the essence of the nutty, nubby cheese when its 16 cm are controlled by the ergonomic handle. Made of 18/10 stain­less steel finished in a matte brush, the knife sparked not just an appre­ci­a­tion of the Italian cheese but an entire line of knives ideal for butter, bread, and other savories. The Maestro series of knives embod­ies a process perfected over the last century, linking the classic elegance of Carl Hugo Pott’s early dama­scened steel to the 90-step process today’s arti­sans use to create legacy pieces in the Mettman factory in Germany. 

Hugo Pott

Germany

Hugo Pott coined the whimsical term "spoonery" for his flatware, the process of creating his seemingly effortless designs is however very calculated. Master craftsmen apply a century of accumulated wisdom and skill in the production process, which for those humble spoons include more than 30 steps—and more than 90 for knives, handmade of molybdenum and vanadium steel alloy, with handles of quartz-sand for an exceptional balance.

Pott’s father, Carl Hugo Pott, founded the eponymous workshop in 1904; three decades later, Pott transformed the steel specialists into true artisans, fashioning utensils of his own conception throughout the mid-20th Century. He also commissioned collections by fellow modernists including Hermann Gretsch, Paul Voss, and Josef Hoffmann, all equally ergonomic and elegant.

Third-generation craftsman Hannspeter Pott joined the fold in 1985, keeping the spirit alive while initiating bold collaborations with Ljubisa Misic, Ralph Krämer, Stefanie Hengel and others. When the legendary Siebel family bought the company in 2006, Pott had won some 700 global awards and earned spots in the permanent collection of institutions like the Museum of Modern Art.

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