...So I'm going to Bulgaria on June 1 to meet my future parent in-laws and I wanted to bring them something from America... so I'm buying her mom an iphone, made in China, and her dad (who is a cook on a container frieghter) a knife from Japan:)
But since he's a cook, I wanted to get him a really nice knife - something better than what he has - so that'd he'd actually use it in place of what hes using now. Since he's a chef, I figured an 8" Chef knife was the one that mattered most, so I ordered him one of these:
(https://th3core.com/chat/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fimages.knifecenter.com%2Fknifecenter%2Fshun%2Fimages%2FKSND0706.jpg&hash=d4734c1305b5327c13b7183214c78862f6868a10)
...it is hand made by a company named Shun ('Reserve' series) and it is one of the top knives of the world, as far as I can tell. Basically the shape is European but the steel is Japanese. This knife has a 33 layer construction; 32 layers of nickel/stainless Damascus surround a Ultra-premium SG2 "micro carbide" steel cutting core so sharp that if you even look at this knife wrong, it will cut off one of your fingernails.
Anyway, it's the best I can find. I'm sure he will like it. I don't even cook and I wanted one so bad I ordered myself this pocket knife a week later...
(https://th3core.com/chat/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fimg693.imageshack.us%2Fimg693%2F2091%2F1000614f.jpg&hash=1d80622b9cd10658d4c24431ef07fdfb8f90b062)
...that one isn't actually mine, it's used, and he paid more... but that's what it will look like, pretty much. I like it because it has a clip on it that can be flipped to the other side for lefties, so you just reach into your pocket and you can flip it out with one hand, as you draw it out, without adjusting the orientation of the knife. You can't see it in this pic but it attaches at the butt end of the knife, so it hangs low in your pocket.
It was between this an an Emerson with 'the wave' feature (which I admit is the coolest thing going) and I decided this one just had more style. I also wondered what it might take to modify the thumb actuator into a quick draw (wave) feature so I have the best of both worlds.
(https://th3core.com/chat/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.epicedge.com%2Fpics%2F90030_1_b.jpg&hash=bbe53d083cbf68b5e1b4081da4aa436a4611255f)
...and look how thin...
(https://th3core.com/chat/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.epicedge.com%2Fpics%2F90030_3_b.jpg&hash=a30728f8a35764e35382e04e576e1cc913b88349)
(https://th3core.com/chat/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.warriorsandwonders.com%2Fimages%2FMCU124D.jpg&hash=9423ec351b0ef32c233a86bc8601f03b13fb2e13)
(https://th3core.com/chat/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.noze-nuz.com%2Fmcusta%2Fmcu124d%2F4.jpg&hash=c16f49fab59a1d437db73f3f276a6219d0f4135d)
very nice looking knifes. I recently bought a nice torch, knife is next on the list.
I love cooking! I am not a chef, but I use it as an outlet which I could never ever learn fully, therefore it will always take my mind off of things.
I'd love some of these knives, so I thin you are well on the right track there! Let us know how they go down.
Cooking/kitchen gardening thread on Th3Core anyone?
I have a pepperpot stew on at the moment (http://www.bbc.co.uk/food/recipes/pepperpotstewwithspi_91703) thyme from the garden ;)
Yes cooking! Very satisfying and I think appeals to the test, measure, improve SEO mentality :D
>I recently bought a nice torch
Funny, a little Surefire Defender is on my list of things too.
This little knife is actually on the same list of stuff I never buy myself, even though I always say I'm going to. This time is my birthday at the end of the month and I splurged.
That is one crazy looking torch!
This is the one I bought - http://www.amazon.co.uk/Lenser-8407-Torch-Gift-Black/dp/B0018O7UAA - its very bright and can light up around 200 meters away just about. Perfect for finding my way around a dark hotel room :D
always happy to talk cooking :)
DB - surprised you haven't made your own - I bought a two day blacksmithing course for Rob for his birthday from a guy we've had make us a couple of kitchen knives in the past. He really enjoyed it and ended up with a knife to his exact design, ok - not quite as perfectly balanced as the pro ones, so not sure I'd want to make my own kitchen knife, but for a general purpose outdoorsy stuff knife its awesome.
Oh and he obviously then ordered another hugely expensive knife from the guy ::) And I suspect has plans to go back next year and make some type of axe......
yeah, that light looks bright.
I'm actually looking for something that I can attach to my shotgun. Most cant handle the blast so it limits your choices. But I always wanted something better than my mini-mag, and my dog sledding headlamp is too much.
oh Gurtie, that sounds great!
Quote from: dogboy on May 16, 2012, 08:33:24 PM
yeah, that light looks bright.
I'm actually looking for something that I can attach to my shotgun. Most cant handle the blast so it limits your choices. But I always wanted something better than my mini-mag, and my dog sledding headlamp is too much.
.... Why do you need a light on your gun? Lol
>Why do you need a light on your gun?
So I can temporarily blind them right before I bayonet them in total darkness? ;D
#dontsneakintohishouse
The chef knife just came in... it's a beauty, I'm excited to give it to him:) It looks just like the other pics, so theres no need to take any more, but it's crazy sharp, as promised.
I think the pocket knife got shipped today. All the reviews on it are awesome. Found this 20 min one on it a bit earlier by NutN Fancy (a YouTube legend wannabe, geeky but likeable type).
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ycbiv0NRams&feature=youtube_gdata_player
...he loved it.
This guy has the handle I ordered. To my good fortune it happened to be the most expensive one:) But hey, when you need a left handed folding 33 layered Japanese Damascus steel tactical knife, you get the one with the nicest looking wood:)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4f3S_d1vmk4&feature=youtube_gdata_player
If you haven't heard about a 'Wave', you should check this video out...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o4mtyJ757ZM&feature=youtube_gdata_player
... it is the worlds fastest way to draw a folded, pocketed knife. Faster than a switchblade. I'm going to weld a wave hook on mine so I end up with best of both worlds. Another benefit of a 'tip up' carry clip.
I live in a good area for Japanese knives. The best and most widely used knives in Japan are apparently from the city of Sakai, near Osaka. A few months ago I did a bit of study as I needed a few gifts for family in the US. I went to this store in Namba for all of my knives: http://www.ichimonji.co.jp/ (Sorry, mostly Japanese)
Pocket knives are largely illegal to carry in Japan, so I don't know much about them. However, I did look into the kitchen knives and picked up a few (and even had my family name engraved in the blade in Japanese). I believe the kitchen knives you got are usually just for vegetables. They supposedly aren't good for meat or fish. There are different shaped blades for those tasks.
I'm always amazed when I walk into these knife stores. They have thousands of knives, some of which can go for 10s of thousands of dollars. These guys are all from a line of sword smiths and they still pound out and fold the metal by hand. There is precious little automation used in the manufacturing process. I'm saving up for some more kitchen knives now...
ah, there you are, Bill!
> the city of Sakai
Yes, thats what I heard: Japanese cutlery originates from Sakai, the capital of the samurai sword and traditional forging. These are from Seki City, which is now considered the home of modern Japanese kitchen cutlery, using state of the art technology. (The butcher knife is all handmade, but the pocket knife is cut by lasers then assembled by hand.)
>the kitchen knives you got are usually just for vegetables
The knife I got really isn't a Japanese shape, it's an all purpose European/German shape... so its not like a chiseled edge Nakiri bōchō, but more shaped like a general-purpose utility knife, like a santoku. That that is what makes this knife cool if you are used to European knives, which I assume my future and father in law is, because you get a shape you like but with better steel:)
>I'm saving up for some more kitchen knives now...
Tell me about it. Just that one knife cost me $300 and it was 'on sale'. The pocket knife was $167 ($100 off retail) but you can find the same knife with different handles for less. I don't know, I think they are outrageously cool.
ok, check out my photoshop mockup...
(https://fbcdn-sphotos-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-prn1/545612_10151738140855252_587880251_24504204_1398929232_n.jpg)
Tell me that won't be the coolest thing...
I went with the santoku style knives, which as you know are more general purpose...
(https://th3core.com/chat/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ichimonji.co.jp%2Fshopping%2Fphp%2Fimage%2Fgoods%2F554%2F1.jpg&hash=1eae3c8eb471224fe3dd2fe4f9dadee8105e9b27)
If you get into the Japanese knife markets there are just a ton of super-specialized blades that will never be of use to someone who isn't running a sushi shop. When was the last time you needed an eel knife? (Don't ask me whether it's a fresh water or salt water eel...)
Although they look cool, I'm not sure I would go with laser cut steel knives. I know a guy who is in tight with the knife makers in Sakai who runs his own shop and he has convinced me that the hand forged stuff is the only way to go.
You've got to come to Osaka and give me an excuse to do the knife factory tour!
>I went with the santoku style knives
That looks awesome:) I would too for exactly the reason you mentioned - they have specialized knives for EVERYTHING, so unless you are a chef or a ninja, you might as well get a basic all purpose kitchen knife. But since the guy I'm getting this for is a cook from Bulgaria, I'm going to have to guess that he is used to (and prefers) European shaped knives.
>laser cut steel knives.
The Shun is handmade but the Mcusta is definitely production... but its the only Japanese folding knife I can find that has a 'tip up' left handed clip, and a Damascus blade.
If you want a fixed blade, that's a different story...
(https://th3core.com/chat/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.japaneseknifedirect.com%2FHD-700a.jpg&hash=6eb7c7ede38f39c204de855904b2ffc067e8c8b9)
...I think once you go folding, it is no longer 'traditional', so high tech is ok. Plus, I'm going to further bastardize it by welding a hook on it. But when it's done, it'll be exactly what I want and I'll never need another one.
>You've got to come to Osaka
I'd love to.
I wonder if any of the stores around me would make a custom folding knife. I know they will make made-to-order kitchen cutlery and fixed blades. The problem then is the cost.
What are you going to do with a $2000 kitchen knife?
(https://th3core.com/chat/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi1217.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fdd381%2Fantlum621%2FJapan%2520Knife%2520Tour%2FOsaka%2520Knife%2520Shops%2FIchimonji_13.jpg&hash=1bb107190cd23673ed56f2ca04745db1b3e36bcf)
...wow those are spectacular.
>I wonder if any of the stores around me would make a custom folding knife.
I have to admit that I was really surprised when it came to folding knives... they do have some crazy old fashioned folders...
(https://th3core.com/chat/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.japaneseknifedirect.com%2FIT-695A.jpg&hash=aca94b8b28b9e4f59107376979ef74c4cc06060b)
(https://th3core.com/chat/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.japaneseknifedirect.com%2Fimages%2FImg1220.jpg&hash=3946abea7c6db163a1a5b692903803bf18c42b40)
...and they definitely have ultra high tech commando...
(https://th3core.com/chat/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.japaneseknifedirect.com%2FKM-925.jpg&hash=39f2fb3d3641d278dc486e658ad77494746cc4df)
(https://th3core.com/chat/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.japaneseknifedirect.com%2FSC-116.jpg&hash=322139c9ec12eec7c71c3ebfb26d524bbb528c51)
...but they didn't have much in the way of hybrids. I also hit a huge barrier with left handed (tip up) knives right off the bat. Even the one I ordered has a right handed release, but other that that, it's everything I want, minus that beer opener/quick draw hook thing. In fact, I really can't imagine anything better. Folded Japanese steel over a VG-10 core, burled wood handled, left handed, soon to be customized with a one handed quick draw feature. All for under the bargain price of $250(?)
ok, the second of the two knives finally came in and was waiting for me upon my arrival. In anticipation of getting that opener welded on it, I temporarily ghetto-rigged it with a zip tie, and while it may not look too nice, it's working.
Click here to see me recreate the dramatic tention of 'Taxi Driver'...
https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?v=10151769093760252
...unfortunately I don't have the right sized torque wrench to switch the clip yet, so I'm using my right hand so I'm a little awkward on my draw, because I'm a south paw... plus I was watching the screen, instead of paying attention to what I was doing... but, man, that quick draw feature is just badass, zip tie or not.
(https://fbcdn-sphotos-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-snc7/576571_10151769102285252_587880251_24631760_1429369391_n.jpg)
Wow, I LOVE the wood in the handle!
See? That's what I said too. I think it's the nicest one. It's called Burled Quincewood. We have expensive tastes...
(https://th3core.com/chat/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.japaneseknifedirect.com%2Fimages%2FImg118.jpg&hash=dcbcfbc70a6b24ff2f827ca075e05881b9d3112b)
Bill, you probably are in a good position to start a high-end knife export business.
Yeah. I hadn't thought of it. In Japan it's illegal to carry any of the pocket knives that dogboy is purchasing, so I don't see many of them around. I should talk to my friend who owns a knife store and see what can be setup. I didn't realize there was such a demand.
Bummer! http://www.billsblades.com/ already taken.
>I didn't realize there was such a demand.
I'm not sure what kind of demand there really is for Japanese knives in the States. But I agree if you can get access to wholesale product, you might carve out a little piece of business in this industry:)
> billsblades.com
billsblades.jp is sitll there.. ;)
Hmmm... Any kind of cutlery would be possible. There's the restaurant business to think about too. I shall investigate. This could be a fun area that apparently is SEO'd by amateurs. ;)
I think this would be a great thing.
Quotethat apparently is SEO'd by amateurs
... amateurs with very sharp knives
(just saying ;))
I am in love..
(https://th3core.com/chat/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.japaneseknifedirect.com%2FIT-695A.jpg&hash=aca94b8b28b9e4f59107376979ef74c4cc06060b)
Thanks dogboy.
Bill can th3core get mates rates?? ;D
>I am in love..
That is a Japanese Traditional Higonokami Folder (Top) 3-1/8" R2 Damascus clip point blade with thumb opening lever (slip-joint), 4-5/8" rounded Combo Handle of Orange Camelbone/Abalone shell. Nickel silver pin/Brass tubler, Stainless steel liners and Red spacers and Lanyard hole on end.
80mm blade in 2.7mm thick, 196mm in open. Weight 100g
$295.00 Only 1 pc. Available Now
http://www.japaneseknifedirect.com/Page82.html
>mates rates
They DO have a reseller program. You got to search around, but they have one if you want to test the market, etc.
Here's a video of a guy who makes cutlery knives in Brooklyn:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OtyMrFMW3Fg
Thought you would appreciate it DB. He also talks about Japanese knives a bit.
Quote from: bill on May 27, 2012, 12:42:06 PM
> billsblades.com
billsblades.jp is sitll there.. ;)
Hmmm... Any kind of cutlery would be possible. There's the restaurant business to think about too. I shall investigate. This could be a fun area that apparently is SEO'd by amateurs. ;)
This could be good. There are cooking cutlery shops that make a big deal out of the quality of German kitchen knives, but these Japanese knives with Damascus steel blades, surpass those.
>Thought you would appreciate it
I liked him:) And he answered a question I had about heat and screwing up a tempered blade... good to know. But it kinda screws up my idea for welding. Now I have to figure out something else. Maybe weld to the titanium thumb studs(?)
What's wrong with a plastic doohickey like the one you first put on there?
It looks a little too ghetto for the long haul, but it will have to do until I meet a welder w very small hands:)
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sponsored/business/sme-business-essentials/9362151/japanese-knife-company-video.html?utm_source=tmg&utm_medium=TD_JapaneseKnives&utm_campaign=hp0607pm
Pretty good interview with an owner of a knife shop, they look amazing... Still need to order one.