Japanese Knives

[Mad Cook]

Fascinating edition of BBC Radio 4's "The Food Programme" about (kitchen) knives. It include a piece about specialist Japanese traditional knife makers who have and apprenticeship of many years and produce knives costing, in one case, £1400 (approx. $2100 if my maths are correct) each and are fine enough and sharp enough to not only peel a tomato very finely but also split the resulting peel into skin and flesh!!

And did you know that high end (VERY high end) bespoke knives are made right- or left-handed?

Someone hand me a millionaire, please.

It also mentioned research which has shown the effect of the development of knives on the development of teeth positions in various cultures including ours.

Worth listening to it on-line if you have time.

 

[Andy M.]

Fascinating edition of BBC Radio 4's "The Food Programme" about (kitchen) knives. It include a piece about specialist Japanese traditional knife makers who have and apprenticeship of many years and produce knives costing, in one case, £1400 (approx. $2100 if my maths are correct) each and are fine enough and sharp enough to not only peel a tomato very finely but also split the resulting peel into skin and flesh!!

And did you know that high end (VERY high end) bespoke knives are made right- or left-handed?

Someone hand me a millionaire, please.

It also mentioned research which has shown the effect of the development of knives on the development of teeth positions in various cultures including ours.

Worth listening to it on-line if you have time.

Custom made Japanese knives can cost as much as $10,000. SOME very high end knives are made left- or right-handed.

 

[Mad Cook]

Custom made Japanese knives can cost as much as $10,000. SOME very high end knives are made left- or right-handed.

Certainly knocks my Ikea specials out of the frame.

 

[Andy M.]

I don't know one person who owns a $10,000. knife.

 

[CraigC]

I don't know one person who owns a $10,000. knife.

True, but we bought some Le Creuset and All Clad yesterday, so it feels like we own a $10,000.00 knife!

 

[Andy M.]

True, but we bought some Le Creuset and All Clad yesterday, so it feels like we own a $10,000.00 knife!

Big spenders! What did you get?

 

[RPCookin]

Custom made Japanese knives can cost as much as $10,000. SOME very high end knives are made left- or right-handed.

Yet, I'd bet they don't chop an onion any better than my Wusthof.

 

[Andy M.]

Yet, I'd bet they don't chop an onion any better than my Wusthof.

And if they did, who cares?

 

[CraigC]

Big spenders! What did you get?

A Le Creuset 5 qt. casserole/braiser and a 12" All Clad ss, deep side, covered skillet. I wanted a large Le Creuset oval roaster/ Dutch oven, but they only had ones that were the same size as the round one we already have.

 

[FrankZ]

A Le Creuset 5 qt. casserole/braiser and a 12" All Clad ss, deep side, covered skillet. I wanted a large Le Creuset oval roaster/ Dutch oven, but they only had ones that were the same size as the round one we already have.

There's always next time...

 

[Mad Cook]

Custom made Japanese knives can cost as much as $10,000. SOME very high end knives are made left- or right-handed.

You can have one embellished with diamonds for $60,000 (yes , sixty thousand dollars!!!). Not that I can understand why anyone would want one. Rather vulgar, dah-ling.

 

[Mad Cook]

A Le Creuset 5 qt. casserole/braiser and a 12" All Clad ss, deep side, covered skillet. I wanted a large Le Creuset oval roaster/ Dutch oven, but they only had ones that were the same size as the round one we already have.

I lusted for many years for the largest size of oval Le C cocotte/dutch oven. I was eventually able to afford one. I went to the store picked one up....or tried to and realised that when I got it full of coq au vin I wouldn't be able to lift it in or out of the oven or off the stove top! Very sadly, I walked away.

I've just noticed they do one with a proper "dished" lid for putting hot coals for above and below cooking. Great for the bbq, I would think.

Damn, tried to insert a picture but got the wrong one and it won't go away.

 

[CharlieD]

I have a Japanese Sushi knife, not anywhere close to such crazy numbers, but I have to say it is really nice knife. I have one that is American made and it is not anywhere close, though they were both the same price, about $100 each and they are both 10" inches long or so.
NPR had a program, couple-few years ago about knife making and knife competition. If I remember right, the guy who won, he made the knife, of some secret material composition, had to cut thru one inch diameter rope, chop some sort of broom handle and then cop the tomato, no sharpening in between was allowed. After the competition the knife sold, if I remember correctly for $25,000.
Personally I would love to see one of those supper fancy knives.
I used to make knives, but there is no way one of mine knives could do something like that.

 

[Rob Babcock]

I can't imagine spending $10,000 for one knife, but I have blown a fair amount. My most expensive knife costs about $800.

 

[Mad Cook]

I have a Japanese Sushi knife, not anywhere close to such crazy numbers, but I have to say it is really nice knife. I have one that is American made and it is not anywhere close, though they were both the same price, about $100 each and they are both 10" inches long or so.
NPR had a program, couple-few years ago about knife making and knife competition. If I remember right, the guy who won, he made the knife, of some secret material composition, had to cut thru one inch diameter rope, chop some sort of broom handle and then cop the tomato, no sharpening in between was allowed. After the competition the knife sold, if I remember correctly for $25,000.
Personally I would love to see one of those supper fancy knives.
I used to make knives, but there is no way one of mine knives could do something like that.

The description of the training undergone by the master knife makers in Japan was fascinating. One apprentice was 65 and had been training under a "National Treasure" (very high Japanese award) of knife making for 30 years!

 

[CharlieD]

I can't imagine spending $10,000 for one knife, but I have blown a fair amount. My most expensive knife costs about $800.

Good for you. What kind of knife is it? Tell us more. Do you have a picture? Post please.

 

[Rob Babcock]

Good for you. What kind of knife is it? Tell us more. Do you have a picture? Post please.

It's a Nubatama. I posted some pictures here at DC a while back, I'll try to dig up the thread.

 

[Desmond]

That's interesting. I am left handed. Never seen a left handed tin opener or potato peeler. Have to look into this.

 

[TATTRAT]

NPR had a program, couple-few years ago about knife making and knife competition. If I remember right, the guy who won, he made the knife, of some secret material composition, had to cut thru one inch diameter rope, chop some sort of broom handle and then cop the tomato, no sharpening in between was allowed. After the competition the knife sold, if I remember correctly for $25,000.

Bob Kramer, an amazing craftsman.

Bob Kramer's incredible knives.

 

[CharlieD]

Bob Kramer, an amazing craftsman.

Bob Kramer's incredible knives.