This special pocket knife was created as a rustic working knife, presumably in the 18th century, in Belgium in the City of Lier. An early outdoor knife, and ahead of its time, it was used to cut all manner of things, both on the field and in the forest. This started with the farmer's bread or tree branches, the scraping of barks for making fires or for cleaning the hooves of horses when they had stepped into something that had to be removed.

It has a very idiosyncratic form. The handle is rather angular, occasionally slightly coarse, and is made of untreated beech wood. The fixing spring, made of iron, which keeps the blade in place with the help of a snap-in hole. It is a simple, yet exceptional mechanism.

About Robert Herder Knives:
For over a century, Robert Herder Windmühlenmesser (or “Windmill”) knives have been handmade in Solingen, Germany, and have maintained their celebrated techniques. Their finely hand-ground and glazed blades are extremely light and thin, while also very hard and maintain a long-lasting sharp edge… altogether creating an exceptional cutting experience.

• Blade: Carbon

• Handle: Copper beech wood. FSC certified, sustainably forested

• Rivets: Brass

• Surface: fine-glazed

• Blade length: ca. 92 mm / 3.5 inches

• Overall length: 205 mm

Note: Carbon steel, beloved by chefs and bladesmiths, remains sharp without intervention for a long time. Opposed to stainless steel, carbon blades may rust over time without proper care. Robert Herder uses a special “blue-glazing” polishing technique to help temper this, but we recommend using their maintenance kit through the life of the knife. Discoloration of the blade over time, but not rusting, is perfectly normal. The darkening of the metal is typical of well-used carbon steel products. Wipe after use. Not dishwasher safe.