Growing up watching video games, and becoming increasingly fascinated by the weapons and sharp objects often featured in it, Jane Lee spent years in the corporate world before becoming a full-time knifemaker.
Lee, 29, now crafts custom cutlery under her brand ‘The Quiet Forge’.
Learning from master artisans in Malaysia, Lee has perfected a range of knives, from petty knives to nakiri and kiritsuke.
She ensures every blade is of top quality, paying special attention to the steel as well as the handle and overall aesthetic design.
FMT Lifestyle went behind the scenes at Lee’s workshop to see her work her magic.
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Jane Lee comes into her workshop every day to work on custom knife orders.
She begins by carefully sketching the intended shape of the blade.
Every Japanese knife she crafts is made with Swedish stainless steel.
A belt grinder is used to shape a flat piece of steel into the knife’s intended form.
The blade is heated at the tang before being fitted into the wooden handle.
Every knife handle is individually designed. It is made from wood stabilised with resin in a vacuum chamber.
Lee is particular about ergonomics, making sure every knife handle fits its user’s hand like a glove.
After years in software engineering, Lee pursued her passion of knifemaking to escape burnout.
Lee started by learning keris-making from a master in Johor.
Lee began making knives in early 2024, going full-time soon after with her brand, ‘The Quiet Forge’.
From petty knives to nakiri and kiritsuke (left to right), Lee ensures every blade she crafts is of top quality.
