Newby

bhyde said:
There is also the realization that the members of BF come from all walks of life..different levels of education as well as socioeconomic status. I'm merely pointing out that there was a bit different way to handle your post that doesn't come off as being harsh to new members.
You can take it anyway you like, but lets tone it down on the newbs was my point.

Before this jumps off topic too much more..let's get back to the topic and please be nice because..we were all new once too.
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I accept. I will do better using that precise point of view of yours. I am simply blunt in nature as a person, getting to the heart of the matters. :D

I really want to know his point of view because the point of view of his being a chef to me is a new one. I just wanted to see him structure it out more so I can give it better amount of due respect.
 
Makes perfect sense to me. The OP buys old knives and refurbishes them / re-purposes them into functional tools for professional cooks. He believes he does a pretty good job of it. He comes to BF and sees the beautiful works of functional art that some of the professional knife-makers here create, which are way beyond what he has been doing and he is both impressed and somewhat puzzled.

So his question is targeted to knife-makers: Where do you draw the line between beautiful design and pure basic functionality?

At least, that's my take on it. I am not a professional cook, nor a professional knife-maker. My own personal preferences are for functionality and economy first.
 
I like functional knives that look good although everyone should have at least 1 pretty knife. You need something knice to take out for special occasions. Welcome Marci, I see the therapy has been a big help.:)
 
T. Erdelyi said:
I like functional knives that look good although everyone should have at least 1 pretty knife. You need something knice to take out for special occasions. Welcome Marci, I see the therapy has been a big help.:)
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Yeah, my shoulder was killing me! Feels better.

I certainly would like to hear our new friend's take on their subject, being that he or she, as a chef, probably uses their knife much more in a day than the average member here. No doubt more than me!

Hopefully the demands made and "welcome" given haven't driven him or her off! :thumbsup:
 
LadyEarth said:
I really want to know his point of view because the point of view of his being a chef to me is a new one. I just wanted to see him structure it out more so I can give it better amount of due respect.
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As do I. I just happen to feel that respect is due to new folks just because of their newness.

So, I take it you are a knife user....would you prefer to use an ugly ergonomically correct knife, or a pretty knife that isn't ergonomically correct?
 
Danke42 said:
For a kitchen knife form always follows function.

For other knives that line will start to blur.
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Excellent point. :thumbsup: Exactly what the OP was asking about. Maybe he is only acquainted with "culinary knives" as a chef.
 
I asume new members' opinions can be debated over or even disgreed upon, correct?

Maybe it is just me but the way I read the original post, it seems to imply that the form/beautifulness and the functionality of a knife are hard to co-exist and even more so it seems to imply that nowodays knife makers put the form before the functionality, both of which I disagree to.

In fact, checking my knife collection I find those good looking knives also perform their intended tasks very well.

I am sure there are knives with good form but performing poorly, but again, I fail to see a correlation between these two aspects.
 
marcinek said:
As do I. I just happen to feel that respect is due to new folks just because of their newness.

So, I take it you are a knife user....would you prefer to use an ugly ergonomically correct knife, or a pretty knife that isn't ergonomically correct?
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I’m sorry but I am, as I said a fair bit recently, simply a person that habitually skips the nicey nicey and just jump to the heart of the manner. In person I would’ve smiled, grabbed the person’s arm and either sit him down for long conversation or go out on a mini adventure. That doesn’t convert quite that well in here. :(

And in answer to your question, I tend to use any sharp metal objects such as last minute created sheet metal with tape on handle. That being said, knives are a tool for me with any forms of beauty that comes with it merely a bonus that once the task is done, I could look down and admire before I move on.

However, if one is to be of artistic minded when viewing knives, I reckon beauty will Trump function and ends up sitting on a pedestal of the owners expectations and admiration. Are they a tool any more, let alone a knife since there is more beauty in design instead of practical functions?
 
Welcome to Blade forums, C chipshopman . :)

I think it's awesome that you're refurbishing older knives. I've done a bit of that for my own collection and always found it quite rewarding to bring an old, unloved knife back to life as a useful tool again.

As to the question of where the line is between knives being pleasing to the eye vs being a practical tool, that's a highly individual thing so there's no real answer other than what YOU like in your blade. Some like utter simplicity and some like a fine work of art. I'd say most here fall somewhere in between the two. It should also be mentioned that many of the fine makers here are able to create works that are both absolutely superb for their purpose and stunningly beautiful with fine materials. It all depends on what an individual is looking for, but there's a knife for every taste being either offered or discussed here.

I look forward to reading your future posts on the forum. The combination of being a professional chef, hobbyist refurbisher and having an interest in the older tools of the trade is an interesting one. I think you'll be able to offer a valuable perspective in a lot of discussions.
 
LadyEarth said:
I’m sorry but I am, as I said a fair bit recently, simply a person that habitually skips the nicey nicey and just jump to the heart of the manner. In person I would’ve smiled, grabbed the person’s arm and either sit him down for long conversation or go out on a mini adventure. That doesn’t convert quite that well in here. :(

And in answer to your question, I tend to use any sharp metal objects such as last minute created sheet metal with tape on handle. That being said, knives are a tool for me with any forms of beauty that comes with it merely a bonus that once the task is done, I could look down and admire before I move on.

However, if one is to be of artistic minded when viewing knives, I reckon beauty will Trump function and ends up sitting on a pedestal of the owners expectations and admiration. Are they a tool any more, let alone a knife since there is more beauty in design instead of practical functions?
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LadyEarth said:
What a wall of text that was...

And what was the point?
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:rolleyes:
 
Welcome, I'd love to see some pics of the knives you've refurbished.

To answer your question, beauty is subjective. I love the look of a patina formed over time while someone else might look at the same blade and think it looks dirty.
I used to think spydies were ugly as hell until I gave them a try, now I find the designs very aesthetically pleasing because I know how functional and comfortable they are.

When I'm buying a knife beauty isn't a separate factor from functionality. There are certain materials, grinds, etc. that I prefer in a knife and a knife with those features automatically becomes more visually appealing to me.
 
Welcome!!!

For me form always follows function, particularly with fixed blades. Like others have said this is probably especially true of kitchen knives, especially in regards to the grinds. That said, a good looking knife can still be very functional and a utilitarian design can also be very attractive.
 
I'm with you, Lady Earth. I might have asked the question in a less abrupt way, since I have been slapped upside the head a few times on here for not protecting a posters feelings, but, IMHO, your questions and comments are valid.
Tim
 
chipshopman said:
As a professional chef I've taken a healthy interest in antique knives and have set up a budget (think harbor freight) workshop. I see all these wonderful knives being made and my thinking going from "i'm doing ok" to "I know nothing".
I'm not doing the knives for myself...well the odd one I might keep but mainly to put old tools back into the hands of professionals. If you choose to make a beautiful knife and treasure it that's a family heirloom, the ones I do are tools. Maybe I'm an elitist but I would not sell a knife I've spent hours on to someone who is going to use it as a status symbol. I didn't start off with the intention of selling but now I have over 80 (not including my knives) the time has come to start putting the best knife at the best possible price into the hands of chefs just starting off. I actually let them use knives for free for a week to see if they work for them. I am in awe of the beautiful designs I see but as a chef I wonder how they feel as that is a very personal thing. I buy knives all over the place and the guys who need to learn their trade should have the best knives possible. I guess my question at what point does the need for the perfect form outweigh the functionality or as I imagine having never made a knife I just don't understand.
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The need for perfect form never outweighs functionality in your line of work. I’ve been in the industry for almost 30 years. For a great Chef knife, I landed on a Kohetsu HAP40 Western Gyuto 210mm. It is not the most striking chef knife I have used. It is very functional though, which I greatly enjoy. Your passion for passing on your art is very admirable and appreciated, cheers to you!
 
welcome! I like knives that's enough reason for me to spend insane amounts of money on cutlery :D However I don't have expensive tastes considering I find the Srk to be a work of art :confused:
 
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