Kitchen Cutlery

[Morrow]

I'd like to ask all the fine makers here why there isn't more kitchen cutlery available for sale on this site. I know there are some makers here who do make kitchen cutlery but overall they seem few and far between.

 

[Bruce Culberson]

Good point Morrow. My kitchen knives get used more than any other I own. Anyone who hasn't used a great knife in the kitchen doesn't know what they are missing out on.

Bruce

 

[Rick Marchand]

Kichin knifes are for folks who actually use knives everyday..... booooooring... THAT'S WHY!

In all seriousness, my thoughts are that kitchen cutlery is the cutting edge(pun intended) of knifemaking from a performance standpoint. To paint with a wide brush(please take this with a grain of salt)... When it comes to bush knives, there are good users and bad users... In the kitchen, there are good knives and bad knives.

As for the presence of kitchen knives on BF... the only connection I can make is the fact that the average user does not even consider the knives in his kitchen drawer when taking head count of his collection. I am a KNIFEMAKER and I use crappy Ginsu/NoName brand knives in the kitchen. THAT IS TRULY SAD AND EMBARASSING to admit.

I have the utmost respect for makers in that genre because it seems like it could be a thankless job at times.

 

[Shaggy8675]

I wish there were more kitchen knives here. Would love to see them, an would be interested in buying if the model suits my taste ( and the wife's )

I mean, knives like these models are mouthwatering:

 

[crimsonfalcon07]

I've made a few kitchen knives. I'm not sure that the performance of mine are quite as good as they should be, but then they cut about as well as the Cutco blades I usually use (and those hold up surprisingly well in comparison to the Henckels Twin Select and Wusthof knives I've got), although since I made them from carbon steel, they rust if I don't take care of them. It's going to be a while, if ever, before I try to sell any on here, because they get claimed immediately by friends and family. Plus, I'm a hobbyist maker, so I make what I want to. And I don't like making kitchen knives as much as I like making other designs.

 

[Bill Burke]

I don't know about the other makers but there seems to be very little interest in kitchen cutlery on this site. I personnely have posted several and gotten very little interest especially in the kitchen knife subforum. no intrests = no posting. here is a couple picture of a set.

Sorry no seperate pictures of the fork

 

[crimsonfalcon07]

I don't know about the other makers but there seems to be very little interest in kitchen cutlery on this site. I personnely have posted several and gotten very little interest especially in the kitchen knife subforum. no intrests = no posting. here is a couple picture of a set.

Sorry no seperate pictures of the fork

I remember seeing that one in the custom knives forum and being blown away by how awesome that dragon's breath damascus is. I actually still show that one to friends and family who want to know what a gorgeous kitchen knife can look like.

I wonder if part of it might be that people think nothing of spending 200-400-1000's on a folder, but many people feel that a 100-200 dollar kitchen knife is really expensive. I'll buy the above knife in a heartbeat if it's that inexpensive, but I'd venture to say that kitchen knives are for use, not display or safe queening. So it probably doesn't pay to use really expensive materials and display items. I mean, the average kitchen knife used in most kitchens costs less than $5, often. And more people tend to make freezer meals or go out to eat than actually cook, these days. A really good kitchen knife in my household will be a user, which means durable (and potentially dishwasher safe) handle materials, stainless steel, and relatively budget priced.

Damascus, for instance, seems like a waste. Kitchen knives are almost always tossed in a drawer, or are in a block otherwise. So there's no point in a display material like damascus because unless you have a block made from fiberglass or something, you won't get to enjoy it, especially if you don't cook a lot.

 

[Don Nguyen]

So it probably doesn't pay to use really expensive materials and display items. I mean, the average kitchen knife used in most kitchens costs less than $5, often. And more people tend to make freezer meals or go out to eat than actually cook, these days. A really good kitchen knife in my household will be a user, which means durable (and potentially dishwasher safe) handle materials, stainless steel, and relatively budget priced.

Damascus, for instance, seems like a waste. Kitchen knives are almost always tossed in a drawer, or are in a block otherwise. So there's no point in a display material like damascus because unless you have a block made from fiberglass or something, you won't get to enjoy it, especially if you don't cook a lot.

But in this sense, there's no use to having damascus for any knife, right (generally speaking)? It's the same idea for any knife.

 

[Bill Burke]

I remember seeing that one in the custom knives forum and being blown away by how awesome that dragon's breath damascus is. I actually still show that one to friends and family who want to know what a gorgeous kitchen knife can look like.

I wonder if part of it might be that people think nothing of spending 200-400-1000's on a folder, but many people feel that a 100-200 dollar kitchen knife is really expensive. I'll buy the above knife in a heartbeat if it's that inexpensive, but I'd venture to say that kitchen knives are for use, not display or safe queening. So it probably doesn't pay to use really expensive materials and display items. I mean, the average kitchen knife used in most kitchens costs less than $5, often. And more people tend to make freezer meals or go out to eat than actually cook, these days. A really good kitchen knife in my household will be a user, which means durable (and potentially dishwasher safe) handle materials, stainless steel, and relatively budget priced.

Damascus, for instance, seems like a waste. Kitchen knives are almost always tossed in a drawer, or are in a block otherwise. So there's no point in a display material like damascus because unless you have a block made from fiberglass or something, you won't get to enjoy it, especially if you don't cook a lot.

you are probably right in your assesment for most but there are many people who pay 1000+ for a good kitchen knife and then use the hell out of it. Most of these people are far better informed on proper knife care than the average sportsman and are willing to buy multiple knives for specialty uses.

 

[Don Hanson III]

I love custom kitchen knives. But I can make a kitchen, or a bowie/fighter and spend the same amount of time.

The bowie/fighter will sell 10 times faster and for 2-3 times the money.

I'm full time and have bills to pay.

Two makers that come to mind and make kitchen knives I like are Bill Burke (nice one, Bill!).
And Devin Thomas. Y'all need to check out Devin's knives!

 

[Don Hanson III]

you are probably right in your assesment for most but there are many people who pay 1000+ for a good kitchen knife and then use the hell out of it. Most of these people are far better informed on proper knife care than the average sportsman and are willing to buy multiple knives for specialty uses.

You are right, Bill. I've been following the high end kitchen cutlery for a while now and there is a larger market than most are aware of. These users know what they are doin and know how to take care of their knives.

 

[Bill Burke]

I love custom kitchen knives. But I can make a kitchen, or a bowie/fighter and spend the same amount of time.

The bowie/fighter will sell 10 times faster and for 2-3 times the money.

I'm full time and have bills to pay.

Two makers that come to mind and make kitchen knives I like are Bill Burke (nice one, Bill!).
And Devin Thomas. Y'all need to check out Devin's knives!

Thanks Don, It is funny and just the oppisite for me. I have a fantastic stag bowie up at blade gallery and it has just sat there while kitchen knive that cost the same or more sale like hot cakes

 

[jawilder]

I don't know about the other makers but there seems to be very little interest in kitchen cutlery on this site. I personnely have posted several and gotten very little interest especially in the kitchen knife subforum. no intrests = no posting.

My knives are not nearly at Bill's quality but I've noticed the same thing. The people around here just aren't as interested in kitchen cutlery. They might say Ooo Ahh, but most can't stand the thought of using a knife they actually have to pay a chunk of change for.

 

[JGarrison Knives]

I did a search for Santokus yesterday on the knifemaker for sale area and was suprise by how few hits came up.

 

[swonut]

My two cents from my perspective of being deployed for a year and returning to a kitchen full of knives that were so dull I felt like the best way to cut up an onion was to use a batonning technique.

1. Sharpness, or better yet maintaining sharpness is the first priority.
2. Maintenance in cleaning must also be a close second.
3. I think there is a social impact of having a nice knife in the pocket when you pull it out to solve a problem. This is hard to duplicate in the kitchen setting where one would expect to have a knife available.

So, what I would think would be niche in the custom segment is a "Thanksgiving turkey carver set" where you can proudly display your carving skills, have a nice conversation piece, and then pass it on to future generations. Right now, I'm envisioning a collaboration set with a knife made by Andy Roy and a fork make by Rick Marchand. Hopefully Andy and Rick see this... I think it would be an interesting challenge for them and a neat piece of kit that could become a cherished piece of my family history.

Bottom line: I think there is a niche market in the kitchen, but it's not chopping celery and onions.

 

[Don Hanson III]

Thanks Don, It is funny and just the oppisite for me. I have a fantastic stag bowie up at blade gallery and it has just sat there while kitchen knive that cost the same or more sale like hot cakes

Bill, it's just that you have taped into the 'right' market. And it's not an easy market!

That's a fine looking bowie too!

 

[Don Hanson III]

The high end kitchen cutlery market is evolving and growing.

Cooking and food prep is becoming a hobby or passion for many. And these folks don't want cheap cutlery.

Bob Kramer was one of the first to get the high end cutlery ball rollin...

 

[Michael Rader]

Great display box, Bill!!!
Same with me - not much interest here on BF.
Business has been good elsewhere and I absolutely love people that want to spend $1K+ on damascus kitchen knives, and there are a lot of them.
I sincerely thank Bob Kramer for showing the world that custom kitchen knives are awesome. Murray Carter, Burke, Devin Thomas and Dan O'Malley are also to thank.
-M

 

[Morrow]

For me, I don't want damascus or fancy and expensive handle material. Almost every single piece of custom kitchen cutlery I've purchased has a micarta handle. The exceptions are the 2 pieces I have from J. Neilson with Cocobolo handles. I don't care about how the knife looks so much as how it performs. My kitchen is chaotic and stuff gets dropped and beat up.

EDIT: Here I go lying to you all....I also have a yanagiba from Philip Dobson with an ironwood handle that sits in a nice wooden display stand.

 

[mgysgthath]

Bill that knife is exquisite. I would love a knife like that.. but for using it every day and the abuse it would surely see, for me would be G10 and stainless, no frills.. just good edge holding and geometry. Still, something that pretty deserves a home.