Palm-Sized Wonders

I am someone with somewhat high material standards: the linen must have heft, the cotton must be crisp, the fork must be weighty, the wood solid, and synthetics little to no place at all. I know life would be a little easier, and a little less expensive, were I not to have such an affliction, but I’ve come to think of it as an advantage. I love good tactile design. An object that works really well and feels right in the palm of your hand is one of life’s underrated pleasures—and a great litmus test before buying almost anything.

This edit came to me in the space between waking and sleep one night (not normal): palm-sized utilitarian tools, designed in accordance with the human hand and intended for swiftness and ease. De-hull a strawberry in one go, peel a carrot as if by magic, open a bottle, debone a fish, peel an orange. Small objects that ask very little of you other than appreciating their peculiar logic.

From top left:

Alessi Sfrido Vegetable Peeler
The tool that inspired this edit, the Sfrido Peeler is by Milanese designer Valerio Sommella for Alessi and it almost resembles an Elsa Peretti design or a piece by Georg Jensen. You work your index finger through the loop and grasp the tool between your index and thumb—more intuitive than it sounds. It’s made of mirror polished stainless steel.

Pallares Solsona Comun Folding Knife
This is one of the best folding knives—from Pallares Solsona in Spain, this one comes in stainless steel or carbon steel with a resinous handle and a just-right weight so it’s not heavy in your pocket or too light in your hand.

Alessi Apostrophe Orange Peeler
Designed by Alessandro Mendini, this orange peeler is shaped like an apostrophe and designed with a solid section welded to a hollow curve at the bottom to help it balance upright when placed on a flat table. The solid part gives it weight and it’s made in matte stainless steel. Smaller than it looks, it’s held between the index finger and thumb to drag along a citrus peel. Here’s a great video, in French, of how it’s used. Helpful to see. Can’t you imagine throwing this in you bag or glove compartment (so chic) for a quick orange snack?