SpuffMonkey Posted June 14, 2017 Posted June 14, 2017 My lad is training to be a chef and has decided to flash out and buy a "proper" chef's knife from https://www.blok-knives.co.uk/. As I'm a gentleman of leisure these days, I offered to drive him to Derby so he could have a chat with them. They turned out to be very nice chaps and were extremely helpful - you could choose the type of wood and colour of the handle, have bespoke pins inserted to hold it together and have your own designs laser etched onto the blade - must admit I almost wanted one myself (but not at that price!) - they showed us all round the workshop and explained how everything was made Interesting day out and such a pretty setting beside the Derwent - we popped into Darleys for some lunch too - which was yum! Beats working 3
Arreks Posted June 15, 2017 Posted June 15, 2017 There's nothing better than getting your own high-end knives, I got a damascus steel Japanese Chef's knife last year and it's amazing, obviously you need to take care of them though! I have a double-sided whetstone with different grits and sharpen it every few months.
unixman_again Posted June 15, 2017 Posted June 15, 2017 Tucked away on the far end of Freeview (and probably those paid for TV services) is Blaze. On Sunday nights is Forged In Fire a knife making competition. It's a great watch (IMO). Only one person made a chef's knife and she didn't make the final.
SpuffMonkey Posted June 15, 2017 Author Posted June 15, 2017 Tucked away on the far end of Freeview (and probably those paid for TV services) is Blaze. On Sunday nights is Forged In Fire a knife making competition. It's a great watch (IMO). Only one person made a chef's knife and she didn't make the final. Sounds interesting - I'll keep an eye out for that! - - - Updated - - - There's nothing better than getting your own high-end knives, I got a damascus steel Japanese Chef's knife last year and it's amazing, obviously you need to take care of them though! I have a double-sided whetstone with different grits and sharpen it every few months. Yeah - that's what they recommend for theirs
Duranis Posted June 15, 2017 Posted June 15, 2017 Tucked away on the far end of Freeview (and probably those paid for TV services) is Blaze. On Sunday nights is Forged In Fire a knife making competition. It's a great watch (IMO). Only one person made a chef's knife and she didn't make the final. One of my favourite shows. These are nice looking knives but I have to say they are a little overpriced considering it appears that they are not hand forged and ground out from pre-cut blanks. I'm getting into Blacksmithing and knife making myself and there are a lot of really amazing craftsmen around that are making really awesome knives if you have a little poke around on facebook for Blacksmithing groups. Don't get me wrong, even making a knife from a blank takes a lot of knowledge and skill, how to grind a good edge, heat treating, finish, etc are all an artform in themselves. However I have seen hand forged, patterned steal custom chefs knives done for a similar price.
SpuffMonkey Posted June 15, 2017 Author Posted June 15, 2017 Don't get me wrong, even making a knife from a blank takes a lot of knowledge and skill, how to grind a good edge, heat treating, finish, etc are all an artform in themselves. However I have seen hand forged, patterned steal custom chefs knives done for a similar price. Got any links to them? I'll pass them on!
PotNoodleTech Posted June 16, 2017 Posted June 16, 2017 Best investment he could make is in a really good sharpening tool such as a Wicked Edge, or the pro version if he really wants to get into it. https://uk.knivesandtools.eu/en/pt/-wicked-edge-precision-sharpening-system.htm It doesn't matter so much what the actual knife is, if it aint sharp it aint much use. The Wicked Edge will get anything razor sharp from a £1000 custom to a £10 Tesco knife. It's the best £200 you can spend if you like knives. It's also 100% reliable and repeatable. If you don't know what your doing with a whetstone and you try sharpening an expensive knife you will simply ruin it. 1
HarryMonkey Posted June 16, 2017 Posted June 16, 2017 My lad is training to be a chef and has decided to flash out and buy a "proper" chef's knife from https://www.blok-knives.co.uk/. As I'm a gentleman of leisure these days, I offered to drive him to Derby so he could have a chat with them. They turned out to be very nice chaps and were extremely helpful - you could choose the type of wood and colour of the handle, have bespoke pins inserted to hold it together and have your own designs laser etched onto the blade - must admit I almost wanted one myself (but not at that price!) - they showed us all round the workshop and explained how everything was made Interesting day out and such a pretty setting beside the Derwent - we popped into Darleys for some lunch too - which was yum! Beats working Just watched the video on that link. There's something truly satisfying about watching a skilled craftsman at work.
Andrew_C Posted June 16, 2017 Posted June 16, 2017 If it gets quite around here later, I'm replacing the handles on our kitchen knives. Nice walnut instead of the (now cracked) plastic Sabatier used. Mrs_C has accepted that we don't wash knives in the dishwasher any more...
Duranis Posted June 16, 2017 Posted June 16, 2017 Got any links to them? I'll pass them on! Will dig them out if I get chance over the weekend. If you are on Facebook do a search for UK blacksmithing and knifemaking groups. Loads of super talented folks on there that will do custom builds. If you take a look back over previous posts it's normally pretty easy to find the guys with a good rep that are consistently putting out quality stuff. My dream is to get good enough myself to do this kind of thing for a living (probably unlikely). Spent my whole life working with or on computers or electronics though and want to do something physical and creative for a change.
Dos_Box Posted June 16, 2017 Posted June 16, 2017 Nice knives, but HOW MUCH?!!! I thought I was pushing the boat out by getting a few Kitchen Devils recently!
SpuffMonkey Posted August 30, 2017 Author Posted August 30, 2017 By the way - this is how the knife turned out 3
pcstru Posted August 31, 2017 Posted August 31, 2017 Best investment he could make is in a really good sharpening tool such as a Wicked Edge, or the pro version if he really wants to get into it. https://uk.knivesandtools.eu/en/pt/-wicked-edge-precision-sharpening-system.htm It doesn't matter so much what the actual knife is, if it aint sharp it aint much use. The Wicked Edge will get anything razor sharp from a £1000 custom to a £10 Tesco knife. It's the best £200 you can spend if you like knives. It's also 100% reliable and repeatable. If you don't know what your doing with a whetstone and you try sharpening an expensive knife you will simply ruin it. TIL I could have spent £500 to chop stuff in the kitchen. I'm in deep shock at the stock in the chop shop.
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