Joseph’s Ladder by Schrum

Missouri artist Joseph Schrum’s contribution to The Art of Cutlery, a three-knife chef set named “Joseph’s Ladder,” on show during summer 2024 in Tribeca, NYC, features a chef, petty, and paring knife in timeless, homemade ladder pattern damascus. Joseph’s function-first approach and reliance on clean, classic designs is on full display in a trio of blades forged by hand from as beautiful a rendition of this damascus pattern as can be found. Curly California Redwood, African Blackwood, and bronze form wa-style, hidden-tang handles on the chef and petty, while redwood alone dresses the full-tang parer. For display and countertop storage, Joseph crafts a magnetic stand from stainless steel, mild steel, and Curly California Redwood. Each blade is hardened, razor-sharp, and ready to cook with.