TEA KNIFE HUGO is a tea cake pick from Yangjiang, Guangdong, China (the traditional home of tea knife production). The blade is 18/8 stainless steel, containing 18% chromium and 8% nickel. It's strength is immediately noticeable on handling; compared to straight nail picks, its sturdiness makes breaking into compressed teas a breeze. The handle is made from dark rosewood imported from southeast Africa; a rarity in tea pick production. Its use is simple: insert into compressed tea slowly with flattened side up about an inch, then gently lift to pry off a chunk about the size of a half dollar (USD) or 1.5" circumference. This should be the equivalent of 5-7 grams, the standard amount of small-format tea steeping. Use caution with tea knives—always dig into compressed tea away from the hand holding the tea cake, and maintain control through the process. The knives are relatively sharp.
