In a Room is a conversation series where we ask our friends to share their favourite domestic spaces. For this edition we’re joined by Jason Thomson, founder of Thomson Knife.
Jason Thomson handcrafts kitchen and outdoor utility knives, using the possible steel and reclaimed timber to create knives that will last forever. With a background in restaurants, cooking, and a love of the outdoors, making knifes was a natural progression for Jason. As a kid growing up in the country, he loved collecting knives, of all kinds for fishing, hunting, and wilderness skills. According to Jason, a handmade knife takes time and effort, as well as a balance of creativity and performance. He seeks to make knives for people that understand the value in owning a one-off handcrafted tool that is built for purpose and made with individual attention. .
Here Jason takes us through his workshop — the place where he spends most of his working days — and shares a few favourite travel destinations.
Jason Thomson, founder of Thomson Knife
Which room are you in today?
I’m at the workshop — an industrial unit in Noosaville, Queensland. I’m here most days at the moment, finishing off a busy period in the lead up to Christmas, which will be closely followed by a couple of days deep cleaning the mess I've created.
Which room is the most active in your house?
The kitchen is definitely the most active room of the house. We love cooking, although living in Noosa there’s no shortage of great places to eat, so sometimes the motivation to cook at home is a little on the light side.
Which room gets the least amount of use?
For me it’s probably the home office. My partner Belinda would say it’s the room where the vacuum cleaner lives. I'm not exactly sure where it lives to be honest.
Which is your work-from-home room of choice?
I don’t do any real work from home, but usually respond to emails over breakfast, which is always outside in the garden. Almost everything we do happens in the workshop. There it’s a mix of making knives, running knifemaking workshop, and a fair chunk of time on the laptop managing the website, orders, and business side of things.
A Room at Ace Hotel Kyoto
Pepperoni Pizza at Mr Maurice's
What defines a great room?
A great room is somewhere I can switch off and relax.
What is your favourite type of room?
I like a room with a view. We lived for a long time on a golf course with views out over the fairway. I don’t play golf but it was super peaceful.
What is your all time favourite room?
We love to travel and we love a good hotel room, especially ones in places like Ace Hotel or The Standard. I know that sounds a little bougie, but i assure you, we’re bogans at heart.
The Ace Kyoto is a fairly recent one. I’d go back tomorrow just to stay there and eat pizza at Mr Maurice’s. Seriously the best pepperoni pizza I've eaten, and i’ve had a few.
