Product news: Japanese design studio Nendo has launched a range of cutlery that looks as though it's been carved from flint like prehistoric tools.

Called Sekki, the set was created by Nendo in collaboration with metalwork firm Kobayashi Kogyo.

"Kobayashi Kogyo is a metalwork firm located in the cradle of modern Japan's metal cutlery industry, the city of Tsubame in Niigata Prefecture," said Nendo.

"The firm was founded in 1868, the first year of Japan's modern era, and enjoys a strong reputation for its command of metal production techniques, including polishing."

The three-piece set was designed to show off the firm's expertise and its crooked shapes recall implements carved from flint.

"It's difficult to make the pieces' rough, nonstandard forms by machine, so the firm had to rely on its artisans' sensibility, skill and handwork," explained the designers.

The concave surfaces were sandblasted to a matte finish while the other surfaces have been polished to a mirror finish, heightening the impression of sections being carved away.

"The pieces' thickness and weight recalls stone, too," the designers added.

"We flattened the pieces' backs to further make the connection with cutlery carved from lumps of stone, pressing the metal sheets seven times, rather than the usual one."

The range will be available from Seibu department stores in Japan from 22 October.

Other primitive kitcheware designs on Dezeen include a pair of ceramic cooking knives inspired by Stone Age tools and a stainless steel cooking knife that takes inspiration from tools used by early humans.

See Dezeen's top ten primitive designs »
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See more design by Nendo »

Photos are by Hiroshi Iwasaki.