Our Story

At Urchin, our mission is simple: to revolutionize the culinary world with truly innovative tools. Whether you're a seasoned chef pushing the limits of your craft or a home cook eager to conquer your next recipe, we’ve got you covered. Since 2020, we've been tirelessly working to create the finest kitchen tools, starting with the most essential of them all—a knife.

Our Founder

Hi,

My name is Josiah Polhemus, I’m an inventor, craftsman, engineer, health enthusiast and a “professional home cook”. From a young age, I’ve always been driven to create and build, and that curiosity found its way into the kitchen. For me, cooking is a blend of creativity and precision, a way to stimulate both sides of the brain.

During my time as an engineering student, I developed a passion for cooking that went beyond just making meals. I took full advantage of my industrial kitchen in my cooperative living situation and even made enough food sometimes that I would sell meals to housemates. I soon wanted to invest in tools to elevate my cooking experience but instead of buying a cutting board I thought “heck, why not make it, and why not a knife too!”.  Knife-making began as my pandemic hobby but quickly turned into an obsession. I converted my garage into a knife shop and crafted knife after knife, discovering the unmatched quality of handmade tools.

But there was one problem—dull knives. Even as a knife maker, I found sharpening a chore. I wanted a knife that would stay sharp, without the hassle of all the sharpening solutions on the market.

With my background in engineering and design, I started exploring ways to solve this problem. After countless prototypes and iterations, I landed on an idea that would forever change how we approach kitchen tools. The result is the Urchin: K1, a knife that combines cutting-edge design with the craftsmanship of handmade blades. It’s versatile, perfectly balanced, and always sharp—a knife that truly performs.

The Name: Urchin

Why Urchin? For centuries, the Japanese have cherished sea urchin, or 'uni,' as a delicacy and have honed their craft in knife-making for just as long. Japanese knives have been revered for their simplistic beauty and unmatched cutting performance. At Urchin, we honor this legacy, infusing it into each knife we make.

But there’s more: sea urchins have self-sharpening teeth! They have five teeth that continuously chip on one side as they grow, maintaining a razor-sharp edge for chewing the hard coral. The Urchin: K1 embodies the same idea—a self-sufficient knife that sharpens itself, delivering razor-sharp performance with every use.

The Urchin: K1

Years of passion, prototyping, and perfecting have led us here—the Urchin: K1. This knife isn’t just a tool; it’s an experience. Blending modern machining with timeless craftsmanship, the K1 delivers on everything you need: versatile blade shape, lightweight yet sturdy build, and best of all, it stays sharp without the hassle. It’s a knife that challenges the status quo, offering you the best of both worlds—precision and durability.

Of course, no single knife can handle every task perfectly, but this one will.