I just bought 2 very cool Japanese knives...

[dogboy]

...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:



...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...



...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.

[dogboy]

...and look how thin...

[dogboy]

[hungrygoose]

very nice looking knifes.  I recently bought a nice torch, knife is next on the list.

[thesaintv12]

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 

[hungrygoose]

Yes cooking! Very satisfying and I think appeals to the test, measure, improve SEO mentality

[dogboy]

>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.

[hungrygoose]

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

[Gurtie]

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......

[dogboy]

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.

[dogboy]

oh Gurtie, that sounds great!

[hungrygoose]

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

[dogboy]

>Why do you need a light on your gun?

So I can temporarily blind them right before I bayonet them in total darkness?

#dontsneakintohishouse

[dogboy]

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

[dogboy]

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.