Everyone knows a good knife is a kitchen essential; no one more so than Katie Messer, co-founder of popular restaurant Skua and its sister knife and artisanal tool shop, aptly named after her (Messer translates to ‘knife’ in German). ‘It wasn’t going to be the name for a long time but then we thought, “you know what, we should just stop avoiding the obvious!”’

Along with partner James Aikman, Messer has operated out of St Stephen Street since May last year selling kitchen knives, tools, pots and pans. ‘We’ve worked in restaurants for a very long time and whenever we need anything, we have to order it online. You just don’t get that same shopping experience and for something that you’re going to use all day, every day, it’s really important that you know exactly what you’re getting.’

The answer was a physical store in which conversations could be had and products handled. ‘The beautiful thing about a bricks-and-mortar store is you get to see it, and you get to hold it,’ Messer adds. ‘I wanted it to be an experience where people can come in and feel comfortable to find the things that are really right for them.’ 

Japanese knives are the most well-stocked in the store due to their top-tier craftsmanship. ‘But I’m hoping to get some really nice artisanal Scottish and European-made knives over the next few months too,’ says Messer. Their range of cookware, chef-wear and cookbooks will also be expanded, thanks to a larger space opening up down the street later this month. ‘We’re keeping the small shop and launching a new pop-up space called Studio School which will have a constant rotation of small, independent brands, makers and experiences from around the UK.’

Messer, 72 St Stephen Street & 66a St Stephen Street, Edinburgh (opening late September).