Spousal Placation Project???

Howard Wallace

Howard Wallace

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Feb 23, 1999
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The HI crew is pretty busy right now rebuilding the smithy, and not in a position to take on special projects. That doesn’t stop us from cogitating about them though. Who knows, something may develop in the future.

Recently pictures have appeared of irate looking spouses holding recently arrived triangular boxes. This appears to be a situation that could have serious mental and physical health consequences for various forumites. It is said an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure, so how many would be willing to buy kitchen knives for their beautiful and long-suffering spouses, if such were available from HI?

If some 100+ year old drop-forged kitchen knife blanks with integral bolsters could be finished off by the kamis, would that help placate the incipient furies? Finishing would appear to involve final forging/heat treat/grinding. My guess is the 100-year old steel would be something not too complex that they would have no trouble working in traditional manners. I could be wrong though. What are your thoughts?

What kind of price point could HI expect to get for a finished heavy duty chef knife with a 10” blade, capable of doing cleaver work, opening coconuts, etc., as well as the standard veggie cutting.

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How about an 8” blade?

6”?

4”?
 
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Hmmm, I would probably be able to "placate" hubby with a great 8-10" chef's knife :) But then I don't have quite the same problem most of the folks here do. Mine will make do with my favorite CAK if I let him.
 
Sounds like a fine idea to me Mr. Wallace. I prefer not to be around when my spouse is wielding a knife especially a good one which we don't have, least ways in the kitchen.

I think they would sell like hot cakes. No idea on a suggestion for a price point but I'd try to get one or two if I could pull it off.

Be nice to have an HI thing in the kitchen.
 
Man I can just picture that placated spouse now. Got that pic in my head already. What a brilliant ideer Howard!

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Sh&%%t! Musta been dreamin that!

I certainly think they could differentially harden these blades in the traditional manner. Probably much faster than Khuks due to the lack of mass. Not sure what the steel type would be but I bet they could adjust to make it happen. Maybe some of these pro knifemakers could expound on this? As far as the complexity of the preformed bolster i would think the scales would be a breeze for them. Id buy a full set of them especially if a certain amount of the proceeds were donated to earthquake victims and you know they would. Id pay minimum about $6-$10/inch. Maybe much more depending on everything:rolleyes:
 
I am suprised Shavru did not simply point out the truth....that men are in an advanced state of delusion if they think they will EVER be the one to set the price on trying to buy their way out of trouble....it will cost them far more than they could ever dream and is doomed to failure in any case....BUT the womenfolk will allow the men to try....it is what keeps the world's economy afloat.
 
LOL mtngunr I can't give away secrets like that. I am already on the hit list for feminists who don't believe my views fit their goals. Still, the way I see it, if we keep letting you try to figure out the "right" price, you always seem to try to one up yourselves. That way seems to be more effective than if I set a "price", I generally get twice as good a present if I don't provide suggestions :D
 
HI will take care special order as soon as we reopen the shop and running.
Thank you all for your patience
 
Ok guys and gals....green light from dear Yangdu....all we need do is make sure shop rebuilt as soon as possible....
 
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Great News! Shop will be operating again soon! That was so fast, thanks to all for the support.
 
Howard, Just read your post after our return home. My initial response was: HTF do you "placate" a spouse? Second thought was: Ain'ta gonna happen! Give my little lady a knife and she'd use it on me. No question about it. Now, if you were talking a new Jag convertible, mebbe yes, it MIGHT work......or a five year membership at some De Lux Spa & back rub joint or better yet, free Gucci bags & clutch purses. If you don't hear from me again, it'll be because She Who Must Be Obeyed read this and I was induced to go sleep with the fishes.......
 
All cuteness aside the 100yr old steel would be excellent if actually made after 1890s when true steel became suddenly cheap and plentiful and relatively clean for all industries to play with...in 1870-1880 timeframe a shotgunner shelled out hundreds of that time's money for fluid steel barrels....most other stuff would not be classified as steel today.....but old steel actually ages as it never stops completely cooling/changing and can be really good stuff...in honesty i have no desire for any more kitchen knives than i do not use already, but that is me...
 
mtngunr said:
All cuteness aside the 100yr old steel would be excellent if actually made after 1890s when true steel became suddenly cheap and plentiful and relatively clean for all industries to play with...in 1870-1880 timeframe a shotgunner shelled out hundreds of that time's money for fluid steel barrels....most other stuff would not be classified as steel today.....but old steel actually ages as it never stops completely cooling/changing and can be really good stuff...in honesty i have no desire for any more kitchen knives than i do not use already, but that is me...
Click to expand...

The story is that these were hidden away to avoid the metal confiscations/appropriations around WWI.
 
Mr. Howard...now seriously speaking ..do you really think that would work? :D

Don't you fear a: "You're sending me a subliminal message - to go back to kitchen - while you buy more knives!!"? That would be VERY dangerous!
 
I think i might manage to buy one if not outrageous...but am no fan of $100 kitchen knives when i have other $500 knives i use there anyhow as well as elsewhere.....but they should be excellent....martensitic transformation continues as steel "cools" over time and even microscopy of old razors have astounded researchers.....an old Marbles knife is better than new...and not due to anything but age (excluding newest made in China).....so an old kitchen knife could be very good...probably plain high carbon steel near 1085-1095 class....
 
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