We've been working with Allday since 2023. As a brand founded upon similar values of making something beautiful and functional out of what others saw as waste, they were a natural partner.
We're long overdue a catch-up so it was time to sit down and hear from the Allday team on where they've been, and where they're going. Enjoy.
We know the level of care and attention that goes into your products. But give us an insight into one thing about making knives that the average punter wouldn’t appreciate?
A couple of things, firstly there are at least 17 steps involved in making one of our knives. There’s a lot more work that goes into each blade and handle than most people realise. And each detail is considered and tested more than you would imagine. For example on our handles, we changed from oval to octagonal shape. When holding the knife, we found we didn’t get as much grip from the round handle, the octagonal had a much better hand-feel.
A glimpse around the corner, what projects do you have in the pipeline?
Cutlery!
Back in 2022, we started collecting old blunt and broken table knives from car boot sales. We cleaned them up, gave them new handles, and brought them back to life. We also set up a swap scheme: if you had four damaged Sheffield knives lurking in a drawer, you could trade them for a free Allday refurbished set.
The response was brilliant - so much so that it pushed us to ask: what if we made our own cutlery? We set out to make knives designed to last a lifetime, raise awareness about plastic waste, and look incredible. That idea became our “Original” table knives, launched in July 2023.
Of course, the dream was always to add a fork and spoon. We’ve spent a long time testing different shapes and finally landed on something that matches the playful yet traditional character of our knives - inspired by classic Sheffield butter knives that inspired us in the first place. If you’ve already got one of our table knives - you’ll soon be able to complete the set with a matching fork and spoon.
Big inspiration throughout this process was the industrial designer David Mellor. He operates on the simple principle that well-designed equipment can improve your life.
Our new cutlery sets will be coming Winter 2025!
We also have something exciting in the works for bakers, and Hana (our Marketing Manager) just came back from Wales where she visited the factory of a new partner we’ll be collaborating with soon.
What's the dream plastic source that you'd love to use?
Hugo (Founder): The moquette from Transport for London seats (or the seats themselves). It’s such an iconic pattern, a symbol of London’s identity and history, each design tells a story of a different period in the city. We loved how Arsenal worked the Piccadilly Line seat pattern into one of their kits to celebrate their link with Arsenal station. We’d love to do something similar - maybe knife wraps using the overground/Mildmay line design that runs through Dalston.
James (Head of Ops and Finance): I'd love to see plastic from farms used - growing up around farms you see how much plastic waste it generates and my Dad says more or less every time I go back to Derbyshire, "when are we making something out of farmers' waste?" [Editors note: don't worry we've told James' Dad about Billy Tannery.]
If you weren’t making knives, what other product would you most love to redesign?
Workwear. Especially chef’s trousers. We’d love to reimagine something inspired by iconic, functional brands like Dickies and Stan Ray.
What’s a tool or object from your own kitchen you couldn’t live without (besides your own knives)?
Round-tipped chef’s tweezers, apron, salt pig, and a squeezy bottle for olive oil.
Hugo, do you remember the very first knife you made? What are your thoughts looking back at that now?
It took so many months to get to the first handle, made from plant pots and milk bottle lids. During lockdown, I moved in with my parents in Norfolk, England and set up a workshop in their garden shed. I got out my old toastie machine (from my restaurant days) and started melting plastic milk bottle lids to try and create handles.
For the blade, we found a blacksmith from Sakai, found after researching endlessly online. The blacksmith was called Yoshikazu and he was regarded as one of the best knife makers in Japan. After several meetings and lots of translated zoom calls they really liked the recycling element of the business and said they would be willing to work with me. This took some convincing, as typically you would not stick a plastic handle on a forged knife.
Finally, in March 2021, I received my first sample blade from Sakai and made my first prototype Santoku knife - an all-rounder chef’s knife. The handle was made out of old plastic plant pots, because in covid there was a huge rise in people buying house plants, which led to a rise in wasted plant pots. Ironically, the majority of plant pots go to landfill because of their black colour.
If you could put one of your knives in the hands of any chef, who would it be and why?
Anthony Bourdain - obvious choice, but for good reason. The OG.
Jamie Oliver - because he stands for something. He’s dedicated his platform to making healthy, sustainable food accessible, and to improving food education in schools.
What’s the soundtrack in the workshop?
Hana: NTS all day - especially Flo Dill’s morning show (or her podcast, Digging with Flo). They’re just across the square from us, we love them.
If you could reimagine another everyday object through the Allday Goods lens, what would be top of the list?
Gardening tools! [Editors note: check out The Wrap Up here.]
What’s the cooking memory that made you fall in love with the kitchen in the first place?
Hugo: My best friend Marco taught me how to cook at university. He was Italian, and we spent our Sundays drinking wine making Spaghetti Bolognese just like his grandmother used to.
What’s the smallest detail on your knives that you obsess over but most people might not notice?
The maker’s mark. Some brands laser-etch theirs, but we love the look and feel of a hand stamp. Right now, we’re exploring how to expand it into a system of traceability: when the blade was made, the year, and even where the plastic in the handle came from. That level of history excites us, we love getting into it - the idea that someone could trace a knife back to us years from now and learn all about it is cool.
Something sentimental, what’s your most cherished kitchen object that isn’t one you made?
Hugo: A wooden spoon I've had for 25 years. It goes everywhere with me. It’s worn to perfection (but probably needs replacing soon).
Hana: A chopping board my dad made for my partner. He’s a big Lord of the Rings fan, and the board was made from leftover wood from a table he built for Bernard Hill (who played King Théoden in the films). Bernard himself chose the tree.
And lastly, for people interested in what we do, give us another brand that our customers should know about that shares the philosophy of making something useful and beautiful from waste?
Greater Goods, who have a brilliant ‘Nothing into Something’ philosophy. They upcycle reclaimed, damaged, and unwanted products into outdoor goods and practical accessories.
Where to go next
Browse the Billy Tannery cooking collection
