How to Reserve
How a piece travels from the Reserves to your table — and back. Every step is by hand; nothing is automated.
The maker's hand
Every piece is forged by a smith we honour — held for one Patron at a time.
The deposit comes back
The security deposit is fully refundable — returned after the piece comes home and passes inspection.
Handled by hand
Insured courier or personal collection, condition photos before and after — every step done by a person, not a machine.
The short version
Choose
Pick a piece from the Reserves.
Request
Set your dates — minimum three days, priced per day.
Verify & sign
A quick identity check, then the agreement.
One transfer
Rental fee + refundable security deposit, in a single transfer.
Command, then return
The piece arrives insured. After your Reserve period it returns — and your deposit does too.
The full journey
- 1
Browse the Reserves
Choose your piece. Each is made by a smith we honour and held for one Patron at a time.
- 2
Request a Reservation
Pick your dates — a minimum of three days, priced per day — and share your contact details.
- 3
Verification
We verify your identity. The level depends on the piece you've chosen.
- 4
Sign the agreement
We send the bailment agreement to sign — the terms that let a singular blade leave our hands.
- 5
Rental fee + security deposit
Transfer the rental fee and the refundable security deposit. We share the bank details on your tracker; the deposit is returned in full after the piece is back and inspected.
Read: how the deposit comes back - 6
Confirmed and on its way
Once we confirm your transfers, we dispatch by insured courier — same-day or next-day delivery only. The courier fee is confirmed with you beforehand and added to your account, and we add the tracking to your page.
- 7
Your Reserve period
Command the table. The piece is yours for the days you reserved.
- 8
Return and inspection
Return the piece by the agreed date. We inspect it on arrival.
- 9
Security deposit refunded
Your security deposit is returned in full, less only any deductions agreed for damage beyond fair wear.
Caring for the piece
Every piece is a thin, hard, hand-forged blade — and it arrives from the Reserves keenly sharp. Treat it with the respect the maker put into it, and it goes back exactly as it came. A few simple habits, and a few firm nevers:
Do
Cut on wood — ideally an end-grain board — or soft poly. Nothing else.
Let the edge do the work: smooth push or pull slices, no force.
Hand-wash with warm water and mild soap, then dry it immediately with a soft cloth.
Rest it in its saya, or on a rack — never loose in a drawer.
Carbon steel: wipe a thin film of camellia oil before it rests. A little patina is normal — that's the steel living, not damage.
Never
No hard surfaces — glass, stone, marble, ceramic, or steel will chip the edge in one cut.
No bones, frozen food, hard squash or pumpkin, nutshells, or anything that resists — these blades are for clean cuts, not brute force.
Don't bang, hammer, pry, or twist; scrape food with the spine, never the edge.
Never the dishwasher. Never soak it or leave it wet in the sink.
Don't test the edge on your thumb — it is sharper than you expect.
Honest, careful use is fair wear — it's on us, and your refundable security deposit returns in full. A care card travels with every Reservation, and a short care video is on the way.