
Founded by master craftsman Patrick Joseph, the brand is celebrated for its exceptional quality, innovative designs, and meticulous craftsmanship. Each piece combines traditional techniques with modern artistry, ensuring both functionality and aesthetic appeal. From high-performance chef knives to unique jewellery, Patrick Joseph creates items that inspire and endure. Based in Kilkenny, Patrick Joseph sources premium materials ethically and sustainably, often using local resources. The brand’s commitment to excellence has earned international recognition, including invitations to prestigious events like the Seki Zenkoji Invitational Knife Show in Japan. With a passion for storytelling through craftsmanship, Patrick Joseph continues to push design boundaries, delivering products cherished by collectors and professionals worldwide.
A typical day in the workshop of Patrick Joseph starts early, focusing on maintaining an organized and efficient workspace. The day begins with checking and prepping tools and materials to ensure everything is in optimal condition.The morning is dedicated to forging and shaping blades. This involves heating the metal to the correct temperature and hammering it into the desired shape. Precision is key during this stage to achieve the right balance and strength for each knife.Once the blades are forged, the focus shifts to creating and fitting the handles. Using locally sourced, ethically harvested wood, each handle is carefully cut, shaped, and sanded to match the blade perfectly. Attention to detail during this phase ensures a comfortable grip and aesthetic appeal.Afternoons are spent refining and assembling the knives. This includes polishing the blades to a fine finish, attaching the handles securely, and performing a series of quality checks. Each knife is inspected for balance, sharpness, and overall craftsmanship to meet the high standards of the Patrick Joseph brand.The day concludes with documentation and preparation for the next day’s tasks, ensuring a consistent workflow and continued excellence in knife making.


If you're considering a career in knife making, my first piece of advice is to fully embrace the journey with dedication and focus. This craft demands a deep commitment to mastering techniques, an eye for detail, and a passion for continuous improvement.
Patrick Joseph
What I most enjoy about my work is the process of transforming raw materials into functional pieces of art. There’s a profound satisfaction in taking a simple piece of steel and a block of wood and crafting them into a high-quality knife that is both beautiful and practical. Each step, from forging the blade to shaping the handle, allows me to blend traditional techniques with modern innovation, resulting in unique and durable tools. Moreover, I love the opportunity to continually learn and improve my craft. Every project presents new challenges and pushes me to refine my skills further. The feedback from customers who appreciate the craftsmanship and functionality of my knives is incredibly rewarding. Knowing that my creations will be used, cherished, and possibly passed down through generations gives my work a meaningful purpose.
My favourite craft item at home is my first San Mai Santoku Japanese blade, which I made while training with the renowned Japanese knife maker Murray Carter. This knife holds a special place in my heart, not only because it marks a significant milestone in my journey as a craftsman but also because of its exceptional quality and performance.Using this Santoku knife every day brings a sense of joy and satisfaction to food preparation. The precision and sharpness of the blade make slicing, dicing, and chopping effortless, turning everyday cooking tasks into a pleasurable experience. The craftsmanship involved in creating a San Mai blade, with its layered steel construction, provides a perfect balance of durability and sharpness, ensuring that the knife remains effective and reliable over time. Moreover, the knife’s ergonomic design and balance make it comfortable to handle, reducing fatigue during extended use. There’s a certain beauty in having a finely crafted knife in the kitchen—it’s not just a tool, but a piece of functional art that enhances the entire cooking process. Every meal prepared with this knife is a reminder of the skills and dedication that went into its creation, making it an irreplaceable part of my daily routine.
What do you like least about your work?
The aspect I least enjoy about my work is the administrative tasks that come with running a business. Managing paperwork, keeping track of inventory, handling finances, and dealing with logistical challenges can be time-consuming and take away from the creative and hands-on aspects of knife making. While these tasks are necessary for maintaining a successful business, they often feel tedious compared to the rewarding process of crafting knives.Additionally, the physical demands of the job can be challenging. Long hours standing at the workbench, the repetitive motions of hammering and shaping metal, and the exposure to high temperatures in the forge can take a toll on the body. Ensuring proper safety measures and taking care of my physical well-being are essential, but the physical strain is an inevitable part of the craft that can sometimes be taxing.
Well, apart from checking that nothing is on fire or smouldering and ensuring all power is cut, the first thing I do when I leave the studio is to mentally review the day’s progress. I think about what I accomplished and what needs to be tackled the next day. This reflection helps me plan and prioritise for the future.After that, I hug my wife and give my kids a kiss and a hug, asking them how their day went. My family is of huge importance to me; after all, I do it all for them. Spending this time with my family helps me unwind and reconnect, reminding me of the reasons behind my hard work and dedication. This brief downtime is essential to recharge before diving back into the creative process the next day.
Favourite meal?
My favourite meal is a steak cooked to perfection by John Whelan of The Devil’s Menu in Graiguenamanagh. It’s unbeatable and unbelievable, truly a culinary masterpiece that stands out above all others.
What’s your favourite time of the day?
My favourite time of the day is the evening. During this time, the workshop is quiet, and I can focus on my work without interruptions. The evening light provides a steady and soft illumination, which is ideal for detailed tasks.Evenings allow me to review the progress made throughout the day and plan the next steps for ongoing projects. This period is also productive for organising tools, cleaning up the workspace, and setting up for the next day’s tasks. The calm environment helps me concentrate and work efficiently, making evenings the most productive and focused part of my day.
What other maker in your discipline do you most look up to?
In the knife-making discipline, I hold Gil Hibben in the highest regard. Gil Hibben is an iconic figure known for his masterful craftsmanship and innovative designs. With a career spanning over six decades, Mr Hibben has made significant contributions to the knife-making world, including designing the famous Rambo knife and creating custom pieces for movies and celebrities.Being trained by Gil Hibben was a monumental honour in my life. His dedication to precision, creativity, and quality is unparalleled. Under his guidance, I learned the intricate details of knife making and the importance of blending traditional techniques with modern innovations. His influence profoundly shaped my approach to craftsmanship, instilling in me a commitment to excellence and continuous improvement.Gil Hibben’s ability to create functional art pieces that are both beautiful and durable continues to inspire me. His legacy in the knife-making community is a testament to his skill and passion, and I aspire to uphold the high standards he set in every knife I create.
How do you start your day?
I start my day early to maximize productivity and focus. My routine begins with a quick inspection of the workshop, ensuring that all tools and materials are in place and ready for the tasks ahead. I then review my plans and priorities for the day, setting clear goals to stay on track.
Next, I take some time to enjoy a cup of coffee while mentally mapping out the steps needed to advance my current projects. This quiet moment allows me to center my thoughts and prepare for a productive day. Once I’m in the workshop, I dive straight into the hands-on work, whether it’s forging a new blade, shaping handles, or refining a finished piece. During these times, I don’t like to be distracted from my mission. Starting the day with clear intentions and a focused mindset helps me maintain the high standards of quality and craftsmanship that define my work.
What do you listen to?
I listen to audiobooks. I need something that inspires me and feeds my hunger for growth. Audiobooks provide a wealth of knowledge and motivation, helping me continually learn and improve, both personally and professionally.
