Patrick Pevernagie

iPKnives

Knife maker

©iPKnives

The beauty of imperfection

Patrick’s functional art brightens up kitchens
As a child, he wanted to become a chef
He experiments with all kinds of materials

Factory robots can in a relatively short time make hundreds of perfect knives, but these products won’t have a true personality. Artisanal knife maker Patrick Pevernagie on the other hand is proud to underline that his own creations are imperfect, but that he gives them a soul as he slowly turns the steel into a knife. He even named his studio near Antwerp iPKnives, short for ‘imperfectly Perfect Knives’. Imperfect though they are, Patrick's knives are efficient kitchen tools that look great and are made to last. “As a passionate hobby cook, I know very well how a knife should perform. Design-wise, I love to think out of the box. My creations are functional pieces of art, which perfectly fit in with all the trendy and colourful appliances in modern kitchens.”

Interview

©iPKnives

©iPKnives

Why did you choose this craft?: I have always had a great passion for cooking and for knives in particular. As a child, I wanted to become a chef and already assembled a large collection of pocket knives. I still cook every day, but I no longer collect knives, I now make and sell them.
When and how did you start making knives?: I already made my first knives 22 years ago, as a student, during tool making classes. But I started creating knives in a professional way about 6 years ago. It was my best friend who rekindled the flame as it were, by showing me certain YouTube videos.
How do you express tradition and innovation in your work?: I create the oldest tool known to mankind, so that’s quite some tradition. Everything else is innovation. I really enjoy experimenting with all kinds of materials: steel, wood, plastics, leather and so on.
Could your craft be considered in danger?: No, quite the opposite, making knives as a hobby has never been so popular. I run workshops for amateur knife makers and have an apprentice. Still, it is a big challenge to make it your profession.

Patrick Pevernagie is an expert artisan: he began his career in 2015 and he started teaching in 2021