FAQ

Every smoker and bread knife is cut, engraved, and finished by hand in our Wisconsin wood shop. We do not import any products — everything is handmade in small batches.

We do not have a retail storefront — we sell online and in person at farmers markets and craft shows around Wisconsin and the Upper Midwest. Follow us on Instagram @loreto_studio_woodworking to see where we will be next.

Yes. Every piece is finished with food-grade mineral oil — completely non-toxic and safe for direct contact with food and drink. Nothing we use will ever leach into your bread or your glass.

No. Every Loreto Studio piece is an original design, handmade by the same people who designed it. When you order from us, you are getting the genuine article — made by hand in our Wisconsin shop, finished with care, and backed by our guarantee. That is something a look-alike simply cannot match.

We offer free, no-questions-asked returns within 30 days on all non-custom items — if it is not right for you, send it back for a full refund, and return shipping is on us. Because personalized and custom-engraved pieces are made just for you, they are final sale and cannot be returned.

Yes — every Loreto Studio piece is backed by our Lifetime Craftsmanship Guarantee. If anything ever fails due to a defect in materials or workmanship, we will repair or replace it free of charge. We stand behind everything that leaves our shop.

We pack every order carefully, but if something arrives damaged, contact us within 7 days with a photo and we will send a free replacement right away.

We process and ship every order within 24 hours, via USPS or UPS — and personalized or custom-engraved orders ship just as fast.

• Economy shipping: arrives in 3–5 business days
• Express shipping: arrives in 1–2 business days

Free shipping on orders over $70.

Hold the loaf steady with one hand and the knife in the other, and cut with a smooth back-and-forth motion — push forward, then pull back, letting the serrated blade saw through the crust. There is no need to press down; long, relaxed strokes and almost no downward pressure are all it takes — let the serrations do the work. As you reach the bottom of the loaf, lightly continue the same motion to finish the slice. You can also lift the loaf slightly to cut cleanly through the bottom.

Built for crusty artisan loaves, but it handles just about any bread:

• Sourdough boules and rustic country loaves
• Baguettes and ciabatta
• Soft sandwich bread and brioche
• Bagels and rolls

• Overall length: 17 inches
• Blade length: 10.75 inches
• Maximum slice width: 1 inch
• Thickness: 0.75 inches

Both shapes use the same blade — the difference is the bow above it, and it comes down to both looks and feel:

• Busy Baker — a straight bow whose flat edge acts as a guide while you cut, helping you cut clean, even slices every time.
• Cozy Curve — a curved bow that lets you cut slightly thicker slices, and lends itself well to bagels, buns, and rolls.

A large part of the choice is simply aesthetic — pick the shape you love.

Yes — the knife comes in both a right-handed and a left-handed version, and the difference is real. The two are mirror images of each other: the blade-mounting holes are drilled on opposite sides of the wood handle, so the entire knife is reversed. Because the blade is thinner than the wood handle, a knife built for one hand will not cut cleanly through the loaf when used in the other — you cannot simply flip it around. Choose the version that matches your dominant hand when you order. Your choice also determines which side the design sits on, and the engraving always faces up on the top side either way.

The blade is serrated stainless steel, which holds its edge for years of regular use. There is no routine sharpening to keep up with, and you should never run it through a pull-through sharpener meant for straight edges. If you ever have an issue with the blade, please reach out to Loreto Studio — it is secured to the handle with two screws, and we will make sure you receive the correct replacement blade for your knife.

Hand wash only. Wipe the blade with warm water and a little mild soap, then dry it immediately with a towel. Never put it in the dishwasher and never let it soak in water. The handle is natural bamboo, and prolonged moisture or dishwasher heat will damage the wood.

Your knife arrives finished with food-grade mineral oil and is ready to use. To keep the bamboo rich and protected, re-oil the handle with food-grade mineral oil about once a year, or any time the wood begins to look dry or pale. Wipe on, let it soak in, and buff off the excess.

The handle is premium three-layer bamboo, finished entirely with food-grade mineral oil. The blade is stainless steel. Every material that touches your bread is food safe.

Yes. We CNC-carve your text directly into the handle in our signature Cottage style — warm, relaxed lettering. Personalization allows up to 50 characters and makes the knife an unforgettable wedding, housewarming, or holiday gift.

The smoker rests on top of your glass like a lid. To use it:

• Set the smoker over the glass.
• Add a small pinch of the included maple wood chips to the screen on top.
• Torch the chips for 10 to 15 seconds, until they smolder and release smoke.
• Let the smoke pool and settle into the glass for 1 to 2 minutes — this is what lets the flavor truly infuse.
• Lift the smoker and serve.

The result is a warm, aromatic smoke that transforms an ordinary pour into a ritual.

• One engraved white oak whiskey smoker
• A bag of maple wood chips to get you started
• An instructions card
• A Loreto Studio card with a link to our website for reordering chips or any questions

A torch is not included — see below.

Yes, you need a torch — and a regular lighter will not work. A butane kitchen or crème brûlée torch produces a focused flame that pushes the smoke down into the glass and infuses your drink; a lighter simply cannot do that. In our experience, most people already have a butane torch at home — but if you need one, here is a decent one on Amazon (we are not affiliated): this butane torch.

Your smoker comes with maple chips — a smooth, sweet, even flavor that pairs well with any drink. You can also use any food-grade smoking wood to change the character of the pour:

• Hickory — bold, traditional BBQ smoke
• Cherry — sweet and delicate
• Walnut — rich and nutty
• Apple — subtly sweet and fruity
• Mesquite — strong and earthy

It fits most glassware — any glass up to 3.5 inches across at the rim. It rests on top like a lid rather than sitting inside the glass, so a standard rocks or old fashioned glass is a perfect match.

It is made for the classics:

• Whiskey
• Bourbon
• Old Fashioneds
• Manhattans

It elevates smoked cocktails of every kind, and you can also use it to smoke garnishes and foods like cheese or a cocktail cherry.

Caring for your smoker is simple. After each use, clean the screen with a wire brush to clear away the spent chips and residue. Do not wash it with water or put it in the dishwasher — it is solid white oak, and moisture will damage the wood. That is all it needs.

Each smoker is cut from solid white oak and finished with food-grade mineral oil — safe to use over any drink.

Our whiskey smoker gift set is The Heritage Smoker, available in two collections — and every design can be customized.

The Heritage Smoker — American Edition: all 50 states. The words "The Whiskey Smoker" are engraved across the top, and your chosen state is engraved on the bottom.

The Heritage Smoker — Classic Collection:

• Call Me Old Fashioned
• Classic Flame
• Deer Head
• USA Outline