Oku Butter Knife and Board
DETAILS
Dezeen Award Winner – Homeware Design of the Year
Most butter knives end up in a drawer, this one belongs on your table. Meet Oku, a knife set inspired by traditional Japanese table settings, featuring a folded handle that lifts the blade off the surface when at rest, keeping it clean while also allowing it to sit securely without slipping. Paired with a wooden board just the right size for a small cheese and cracker spread, a few slices of sourdough, or a simple dessert for one, it’s light, practical, and easy to take along on a picnic.
The board is crafted by Karimoku Furniture from sustainably sourced Japanese wood. Each one is unique, with beautiful natural wood grain patterns that will slowly develop a warm patina over time.
The knife is made from high-quality, corrosion-resistant Japanese stainless steel. Knife and board come together with a removable strap, and the set includes a small postcard with a poem inspired by the design, adding a little art and thoughtfulness to your everyday meals.
Japanese Sakura (Cherry Blossom) Hardwood (No. 1 in comparison image)
Hard, smooth, and moderately weighted, Sakura wood gradually develops a natural patina over time. Loved in Japan for its beauty and fleeting nature, it has long been used for handcrafted items.
Hinoki Cypress Softwood (No. 2 in comparison image)
Light yet strong, with a pleasant natural aroma. Naturally water-resistant and antibacterial, Hinoki has been widely used in Japan for everything from bathtubs to temples.
SHIPPING
We deliver small goods across New Zealand (excluding PO Boxes) at a flat rate of $8. For orders totalling $100 or more, delivery is free.
Oku Butter Knife and Board
$85.00
Inspired by the Chopstick Rest
Oku draws inspiration from the Japanese chopstick rest, which lifts the tips of chopsticks off the table to keep them clean. This idea is reimagined in the knife’s folded form, allowing the handle to rest on the table while the blade stays elevated or hooks onto the edge of a plate.
East Meets West: A New Perspective
“Oku,” meaning “to place” in Japanese, reflects the relationship between the knife and tableware. The design reinterprets the familiar Western table knife through an Eastern perspective, balancing function with a sculptural presence on the dining table.
Tsubame-Sanjo
Oku knives are carefully crafted by artisans in Tsubame-Sanjo, Niigata, Japan, a region renowned for its precision metalwork and centuries-old craftsmanship. The workshops here combine innovative design with generations of skill to produce high-quality cutlery and kitchenware.