At GiantMouse, we are always interested in the different relationships people have with their blades. For this installment of Knifestyles, we talk to Maxi Hänsch about her wildest adventures, tools of the trade, and lifelong connection with knives.
If you’re even remotely familiar with Knife Lounge, you’ve likely come across its unmistakable presence—beautifully curated knives and everyday carry pieces, thoughtfully showcased across its site and social channels. But beyond the gear itself lies something deeper: a passion for craftsmanship, story, and community that defines everything the brand stands for. At the center of it all is Maxi Hänsch, the driving force behind the Hamburg, Germany-based shop and a lifelong advocate for the art of the blade.
Raised by her father, a master bladesmith, Maxi’s connection to knives began early—formed in workshops filled with tools, technique, and tradition. What started in the Altonaer Silberwerkstatt, a classic silversmithing space, eventually evolved into Knife Lounge after one pivotal moment: discovering a Chris Reeve Sebenza that reshaped her perspective entirely. Since then, Maxi has made it her mission not just to sell knives, but to share their stories—bringing together premium EDC gear, heritage craftsmanship, and a growing community of enthusiasts who value quality over the ordinary.
We caught up with Maxi to talk about her journey from the workshop to running one of Europe’s most passionate knife destinations and what EDC really means to her.
What originally got you into knives?
My father is a master bladesmith, so knives were always part of my story — even if I didn’t grow up around them every day. In his workshop, knives were never just objects, but real tools, especially kitchen and chef’s knives, made to be used and trusted.
I’m a craftswoman myself, and I still remember buying my first Victorinox multitool with my very first journeyman’s salary. I still carry it today. That moment meant a lot to me — it was the first time I chose a tool for myself, something that would stay with me.
Years later, I bought my first “serious” knife, just to see if this world would really catch me. It was a Chris Reeve Small Sebenza — and it did more than that. It completely pulled me in.
I think with knives, you either feel it or you don’t. And I definitely felt it. From that point on, I was hooked — by the craftsmanship, the details, the materials, and the people behind it all.
How do knives fit into your life?
As the owner of a knife store, knives are a huge part of my everyday life. I see a lot of knives — and over time, you start to develop a feeling for what works, which designs people love, and which mechanisms really stand out. At least I think I do… but even after all these years, I still get surprised.
In my private life, I carry a knife whenever I can. It’s just part of my daily routine — opening packages, cutting things, solving small tasks throughout the day.
I also love cooking, and for me, having good tools is essential. A good knife simply makes everything better.
Honestly, I just like having a knife with me.
What is your favorite GiantMouse knife and why?
I really love the slipjoint knives from GiantMouse — all of them. But my all-time favorite has to be the GMF1. For me, it’s the perfect EDC knife. The design is so clear and simple that even after all these years, it hasn’t lost any of the fascination it had on day one.
There are some knives that become classics because of their simplicity. And if you think about it — how hard is it to design one of the oldest tools in human history in a way that still feels this perfect and inspiring?
The GMF1 carries that Scandinavian design language that GiantMouse is known for — reduced, functional, and honest. Nothing is there without a reason, and nothing feels overdesigned.
Even though the design is simple enough to appeal to many people, you can instantly recognize it as a GMF1. I think that’s one of the hardest things to achieve as a designer — creating something truly unique in a space that has existed for thousands of years. That’s what the GMF1 is for me.
It’s also incredibly versatile. It’s perfect as it is, but at the same time, you can adapt it — with a kydex sheath, a lanyard, or handle scales. It grows with you, without ever losing its core.
If you were a video game character who disappeared after losing your final life, what items would be left behind?
Right now, it would probably be my GMF1 with titanium handle scales and a Swiss Army knife.
A good pen and a notebook would be there too — I like capturing ideas before they disappear.
My phone, of course… and the book I’m currently reading.
Nothing rare or flashy. Just the things I actually use every day — the ones that quietly become part of you over time.
If you were a video game character who disappeared after losing your final life, what items would be left behind?
If you didn’t have the profession you have now, what do you think you’d be doing?
That’s actually hard to answer. I would hope I’d still be working somewhere in the knife world.
What I really love are the people. I love those moments when strangers meet for the first time — like in our shop — and instantly connect over a knife. Just because they appreciate the same design.
And then, years later, they’re friends… and suddenly you find yourself at one of their weddings.
Let’s be honest — if you start talking about Magnacut and washers in a restaurant or a supermarket, you’ll probably just get confused looks. But in our little world of knife people, it’s completely different. You can just start talking, and the person across from you knows exactly what you mean.
I love those small moments. When knives and gear bring people together. When a real community forms — one that actually supports and holds each other.
So even if I wasn’t doing what I’m doing now, I think I would still be somewhere in that world.
Because for me — and for so many people in the knife industry — it was never just about knives. It’s always been about the people behind them.
If you could plan the ultimate vacation adventure, no budget, where would you go & what would you do?
This question actually reminds me of a trip we once did.
We just got in the car and drove to Denmark, slept in the car so we wouldn’t miss the sunrise. We made coffee, watched the sun come up, and spent the whole day outside in nature.
I’m not really an outdoor adventurer — I definitely prefer sleeping indoors — but sunrises? Those always get me.
We also have this hobby of visiting filming locations around the world. It usually involves a lot of research, but that’s part of the fun.
At one point, we were in the Spanish desert, searching for filming locations from Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade. All we had was a handwritten note with coordinates — and somehow, we found the place. Completely off the grid.
I think that would be my perfect kind of trip. A bit of adventure, a bit of obsession, chasing places and stories that mean something to you.
Not about luxury — but about moments you’ll never forget.
What qualities make Maxi? What are her strengths and weaknesses?
I think my biggest strength is that I genuinely care — about what I do, the people around me, and the things I build. Once I believe in something, I put a lot of energy into it.
I love stories — telling them, but also listening to them. Especially when it comes to knives. I’m always curious, always learning, and I tend to absorb everything I can. New ideas, new designs, new materials — I’m fascinated by how much there is to discover in this world.
I also really enjoy connecting people. Bringing different personalities together and creating something that grows beyond just one person — that’s something that means a lot to me.
And I’m very lucky to have an amazing team around me. They challenge me, support me, and make everything we build so much better than anything I could do on my own.
As for weaknesses… I can overthink things sometimes. And I’m not very good at slowing down. Once I’m excited about something, I just keep going.
Also — I have a serious weakness for good food and ice cream.
So maybe as a video game character, I’d have high curiosity, strong storytelling skills, and a natural ability to bring people together — supported by a great team — but I’d still be working on unlocking the “rest and recharge” ability… and resisting the ice cream side quests.
If you could have dinner with anyone dead or alive, who would it be and why?
I would love to have dinner with my father. He was an inventor in his own way — someone who could fix anything and was always full of wild ideas.
He passed away suddenly when I was 29, and that was the moment I took over the business. What I didn’t know at the time was that he had prepared everything for exactly that unlikely situation.
I would love to sit down with him and show him what we’ve built. How we’ve kept the brick-and-mortar store and, at the same time, added an online shop — something he always dreamed about.
I’d love to hear his ideas again, to think them through together, and probably ask him how to get some old machine from the 80s running again.
And I’m pretty sure he would already have a dozen new ideas — for products, for tools, or just new things to try in the workshop. I think it would be a conversation full of ideas, laughter, and a lot of curiosity.
What’s your life motto?
Follow your curiosity — it will lead you to the right people.
Discover Maxi Hänsch's Favorites
The GiantMouse Team would like to thank Maxi Hänsch for taking a break from the Knife Lounge to talk shop with us. Keep an eye out for more Knifestyle profiles coming soon!