Earth Month is a good time to put some thought into what we buy and from where those items originate. The carbon footprint of an item includes the manufacturing process, including importation of raw materials, the transportation to market, the expected longevity or use of the item, and then disposal. It’s a lot to consider so let’s look at one product we all use at some point, kitchen knives.
Grohmann Knives Ltd is a homegrown Nova Scotian manufacturer located in Pictou. It’s a great story of immigration, family, passion, and expertise. It begins in Czechoslovakia, before WWII, with Rudolph Grohmann. Rudolph Grohmann was the production manager of a manufacturing plant, and was regularly visited by a commercial buyer from Quebec who bought pocket knives. In 1949, the Grohmann family moved to Nova Scotia, and Rudolph and his new son-in-law Michael Babinec began to work for Pictou Cutlery.
Within three years of their immigration, Pictou Cutlery closed up shop so Rudolph and Michael went to work at Trenton Steel, and then at other jobs. But making knives was Rudolph’s trade so he set up a small garage workshop and start to producing folding knives, what we call pocket knives.
A fortuitous partnership with D.H. Russell, private secretary to Prime Minister MacKenzie King, led to the design of four truly Canadian pocket knives. By 1961, Grohmann Knives Ltd was in full production. Over the years, the Grohmann lines grew to include kitchen knives. The company is still family owned and operated with great-granddaughter Michelle at the helm.
The Grohmann kitchen knives include a choice of handles, from commercial poly styles to forged blades with Rosewood handles. Partial tang (the length of metal from the tip of the blade through the handle) knives are less expensive to produce. The Grohmann Regular line has about 3/4 tang. Full Tang knives are a bit heavier, so a good choice for a cook who chops a lot. The Forged line takes the most work to produce (there are as many as 53 steps involved in each knife production), and is the most costly, but will last indefinitely with a bit of care and regular sharpening. Rosewood handles are very comfortable and are part of the beauty of many of the kitchen knives. Knives with Rosewood handles should be hand-washed. Poly handles are a better choice for someone determined to put everything in the dishwasher.
Grohmann knives are built to last, and are easily sharpened. A good kitchen knife is meant to last a lifetime, literally. That speaks well for reducing the carbon footprint in your kitchen as Grohmann Knives are made in Nova Scotia, by Nova Scotians, with as many raw materials from this province as possible.
It’s a great story, and owning and using a Grohmann knife is a good environmental choice. sell,
Did you know? The D.H. Russell Best Knife #1 was the first Canadian sportsman knife on the market, a result of the Grohmann and Russell partnership.
Cathy