I am an American knife maker. I have 50 years experience. I watched your video all set to "let you have it!" However I have to agree with everything you said. We are artists, even if i set out to make the EXACT same knife, there WILL be differences. Those differences make that knife one of a kind. I am not a machine, I can not reproduce one after the other and have them come out exactly the same. I personally guarentee my knives for life, so if there is a problem I will fix it or replace it. The biggest thing you pay for is my time, the second biggest thing is my skill. If you don't understand what your paying for, educate yourself or, you probably should buy a knife at Walmart.
@@grantofat6438 that doesn't mean you have to have a POS for a tool. As an artist I certainly do try to make a work of ar6, but as a knife maker I want it to be a very functional piece of art. Why not have a great tool that happens to be a work of art? I can make you the best knife you have ever used and I can make it the most beautiful knife you have. A lot of people store their knives on the wall of the kitchen on a bar magnet. So when your not using the knife it is a decorative piece of the kitchen. So it is useful in more ways than you may think. If you use a cheap POS from Walmart that you paid $20.00 for o will never be able to convince you mine are worth the extra $. If you ever used one with an open mind I am sure you would change your mind. They are worth the extra and than some. Add in the fact that I am not a super famous maker so I can not get the super high prices those guys get, so in a since, mine are ecmven better. You get the benefit of years of experience and creativity, but will pay a lowered price that a famous maker. No it still won't be cheap, it's OK I can mot make knives for every living soul. Just don't be too quick to brush off all of the handmade knives out there.
In Germany, we have a saying: "You can tell the handicraft from the imperfection." (Am Fehler erkennt man die Handarbeit.) If I want consistent perfection, I don't buy a manufactured knife, I take a mass produced one. If I want a perfect picture, I print out a stock photo. If I want a work of Art, I buy from a painter. If I want the knowledge, the experience and the talent of a skilled knife maker, I go for the handicraft.
Ill add to your list vicarious fulfillment. It feels good using something that someone enjoyed and wanted to make, rather than someone churning things out for a paycheck.
Actually, that seems to translate more along the lines of: Through failure, you learn craftsmanship. erkennen is to learn. handarbeit is more along the lines of craftsmanship... this saying seems to fall more along the lines of how someone becomes a master; through failure... through learning experiences. With German engineering, you expect perfection, tight tolerances and things which will last forever.
@@Acecool As a native speaker, I can tell you: No, it doesn't. "Erkennen" translates to "recognize" or to "finding out". If I wanted to say, that you learn from your mistakes, I use "Aus Fehlern lernt man." I would use "aus", which describes a direction and not "am (an dem)", which describes a location.
mass produced things are never perfect, they are standard, which is okay, but not so interesting as hand made, which inherited# things from the individual character, maker
Agreed if you're talking about collections, antiques and uniqueness. However, if we're talking kitchen cutlery, uniformity is key. You don't want to sharpen your knife, go to cut, but because of the imperfection is not the same, and it will probably mess you up. Especially if you aren't use to it. Uniformity is important to repetition.
You expect imperfections but not to the extent that grinds are uneven or cladding has patches were it is missing etc, Maybe if you’re buying the cheapest of knives but not if your paying many hundreds or thousands of dollars.
bingo. There are CNC machines for customers who have never made anything by hand or appreciated it (or the whole industry of rikizai knives, those are very good, but...). For everyone else, the humanity in making is relatable.
Am I the only one who read the title as, "Top Reasons Why You Might Avoid Handmade Kitchen Knives : (hint) NONE of [the Handmade Kitchen Knives] Are Good"?
I think some people are mistaking “consistency” with “perfection”. Firstly, perfection is all in the eye of the beholder! But more importantly I think people are conditioned to think that 1000 knives coming off a line exactly identical (think a mid priced Shun knife) are all “perfect” because they are free from defect when really that is just “consistency”. At the end of the day, when buying an artisan, hand made/one of a kind product you really should try to see it in person or ask for pictures of the exact product/knife you will buy. An imperfection to one person is “soul/character and charm” to another :) Good video with a slightly confusing title! Peace :)
In The Mix totally agree. It really depends on what one considers a ‘defect’ or ‘flaw’. I own a lot of high-end makeup brushes and none is identical to another. Same goes with knives. Unless a knife is obviously damaged or otherwise impaired I don’t consider it a defect (like those felt fibers).
@@Burrfection Because that brotha makes some of the best mixing tutorials out there! Funny to meet someone like him here^^ Nice to see that we don't only share our passion for music but also for knives!
as a maker, this is invaluable information. almost all my interactions are face to face and very few people will actually stand in front of you and critically evaluate your work despite begging for feedback. videos like this let us see behind the curtain and hear what buyers will say when the maker isn't listening.
I am a maker. The fact that the majority of my customers are repeat customers tells me that even though I am expensive, they still consider my knives a good deal they want to repeat.
i can't imagine someone returning a knife because has felt on it, specially when it comes with that material in the case; when you buy a katana it comes with a heavy coat of shipping grease on the blade , just wipe it off and apply camellia oil again to maintain, people, clean your knives when they arrive your home.
@@cd1615 thejapanesesword for instance, but most of people can't or doesn't want to spend thousands ofdollar on something to hang on the wall, so china is the closest place to buy something "close" to a nihonto but for a fraction of the price, you just have to look for them.
I can only speculate, but I imagine someone who wants to return because their financial situation is worse than they budgeted for. I can easily understand how it happens and it sucks but traces of felt is just creating issues for the sake of needing a problem.
@@cd1615 Many places if they are legal in your area. Prices will depend on your definition of legit. Artisian handmade stuff we are talking in the thousands which is why I don't own one.
As a certified knife nerd and someone who has worked for a knife retailer with a large e-presence I’d like to chime in here. 20-25 years ago, the only people interested in Japanese knives in North America slowly grew into the understanding that artisan knives generally required some work before use. It was a different scene as I’m sure you’re aware. In recent years interest in Japanese knives has exploded and many people make the purchase with a set of expectations that is out of context. Regarding some of the items in your video there are some very good sellers of Japanese knives that perform a pre-ship inspection and maintenance that includes everything from cleaning to a straightening if needed. Many sellers now go as far as contacting the buyer immediately after they receive the order to ascertain if the buyer is aware of care and maintenance requirements of the knife including the need for an initial sharpening when required. We are nowhere near the point where a seller of Japanese knives can assume that a North American consumer is aware of the differences between Japanese knife and those that they are likely more familiar with. A little client education can go a long way here. If that email or phone call results in a lost sale it is a tad better than dealing with the overhead of a return.
@@lenzielenski3276 depending on the metal of the knife, you should avoid dishwashing your knives. Most high quality knives say to hand wash and dry immediately. Some may require oiling to avoid rust as well.
@@lenzielenski3276 if you don't get the point here, then you definitely need to delete your other comments calling this video "bullshit" as you clearly know nothing about any of this.
"That one customer" be like: $1000 knife ✅ Reputable artisan ✅ Design and finish ✅ "Cosmetic imperfection!? Left over residue!? I will not settle for this!" 😁😂
Sir , i make knives have done for 40+ years , i'm a one man shop most of the time but had a couple apprentices over the years , i make 3-4 quality knives a week OR 10-15 general grade knives per week they retail for $100 AUD - $600 AUD they all have a life time guarentee ( my life time i'm now in my 60's ) i've had 3 return , all dishwasher casulties , and though i always state the warrenty is voided by dishwashers , i have always replaced or repaired the knife at no cost ( custer pays postage back to me i pay back to them ) mixed metal blade can never be perfect ( damascus san mai etc ) yes some blades should never be finished if inclusions or bad folds show themselves , its sometimes possible to make that larger blade into a smaller blade and remove the flaw , but no flawed blade should be allowed out your door , as one real flawed blade can destroy your business there is one of my knives in seki city knife display at the guild offices and museum the biggest issue with hand made knives are all the experts that tell people what and how they should think , and that only this person or company can make a quality knife they cant make a quality blade , but they'll tell everyone how it should be done ( while getting a percentage or commision) the best knife i have ever seen was made in africa from a grader blade ( D2 tool steel ) by a untrained but life long steel worker tool maker , on the outskirts of a city (Kenchasa) i still have this knife 30 year later and its still magnificent , so please keep a open mind , know each maker and blade is different and to look at both through a open mind but one with a set idea of finding a quality tool
Great video and talk Ryky. Sometimes i think those that can afford an artisan knife don’t understand them and those that can’t afford do understand and fully appreciate the craftsmanship and knowing that someone is spending their entire life working to perfect their art.
Watching these videos by Ryky has brought me to a much higher level of sharpening, I have learned why I was not previously getting my knives razor sharp. and; I have spent a few bucks upgrading my whet stones, that has also really helped. Thanks Ryky, I have learned so much from you.
I'm right there with you. I would love to have a hand made knife from a small shop. Those little imperfections are what I would cherish about that one of a kind knife.
A legit complaint would be a de-lamination of a forge weld or epoxy on the blade, not having felt on there. (or cracked handles) Every little hammer mark tells a story, and really it's hand made, what do some people expect?
Yeah i recieved a limited first run bark river dark timber grizzly. And the stabilized burl handles were cracked and separating from the blade. That is an actual defect and a legitimate problem.
@@mikeboyce21 if its SPLIT that's a real issue. If the wood or material is "cracked" but held together in some way that is secure then it shouldn't be a problem. some knives might use epoxy, the crack will be visible still but there's no way it would split wider, or something similar to that
You will never get a knife from me with a de-lamination. Have had people say "what are you going to do with that?!?" I tell them "throw it away." Then they almost always ask "can i have it then?" I always say "NO!" some time they will offer me a few dollars for the piece, I still say no. They then always say "but why not if your going to throw it away?" I answer as follows "I am an artist, this is my art, I do NOT want ANYTHING that is made by me that us not 100% perfect going out into the public."
artisan knives - especially from the OLDER craftsmen who might retire soon. I own several Saji, knives by Anryu, the older Kato, and Sato. It feels like history in my hand. Some are in the kitchen, some are mainly part of the collection. In all fairness though, the customer should be comfortable with their purchase, so if they return, it didn't work for them.
Well said and always fair as usual. Buyer’s remorse is fine and i expect that, and give refunds with question. Just sharing some of the complaints i get most.
Great video. I bought Japanese knives when visiting Japan, and they are perfection; size/maneuverability/sharpness. Your video reminds me of people who buy copper pots/pans, and complain that they tarnish and do not ‘look pretty’ after just one use. Well, copper tarnishes... enjoy the imperfections. Let the copper tarnish that allows resistance to rust, and enjoy the beauty of a pan that looks like it has been used. Japan embraces imperfections with the words, ‘Wabi Sabi’; the perfect imperfections.
I went to the Echizen Takefu workshop, and I didn't imagine that it would be so hot, loud and cramped, but that's the reality of working with hot steel. They really work hard for what they make.
When ever you get something hand made it has probably some imperfections. You want something being perfect buy a factory made mass produced stainless steel with plastic handel. At least you can be shure those who complained are genuine idiots.
I just want to say that I appreciate people like you who open doors for others into the hobby of collecting works of art. This channel is excellent and the community is also great. Thanks for the video.
I'm brand new to the channel, and seeing the work and craftsmanship these knife makers put into these knives is amazing. It elevates it from tool to functional art.
I understand that these might be VERY minor issues and you made some great points. I think what's happening is you're getting some people who are "splurging" on a knife that's much more expensive than they'd usually spend because they're fans of your channel and their expectations are unbelievably high. At times I've been this picky with other (non-knife) products because I knew someone out there was getting the "ideal" quality and I wanted it too for the price I was paying. If you look at high quality straight razors, it's well known they don't come razor sharp from the factory so the top-tier shops will hand sharpen them before sending them out so they know you're getting the best experience with the product right out of the box.
Hi, Last Friday I bought a Fujiwara Denka Gyoto knife and a Denka Petty knife. Your story just proved my consideration.... I bought the knives for the art and for the metallurgical miracle. The personal contact with the company was very nice and very professional. Your story was perfectly timed!
Imperfections are the physical representation of the artisan's heart, soul, and passion. Whoever it was that bought the $700 knife has DEFINITELY never purchased a single artisan creation in his/her life. Corporate manufacturers are where you go when you want aesthetic perfection. Artisans are where you go when you want craftsmanship perfection. I don't yet own any Japanese artisan knives, but I do own a ton of American made artisan knives. And they are, by far, the best knives I own. They are not only the best knives I own in the kitchen. They are also the best EDC knives that I carry for utility and protection every single day. Ryky, feel free to send me any of the artisan knives that those people snub their nose at. Those knives will be much more appreciated in my collection anyway. 😄
Lucky enough to pick up an Anryu Gyuto earlier in the year in Japan pre COVID. I researched about Japanese knives and smiths for about half a year in preparation. For better or worse that knife took some beginner mistakes, like unintentionally fading the kurouchi, or my first carbon steel that I sharpened, after working with stainless before. But it's a beautiful knife, and knowing how old Anryu san is, and how I may never get another Anryu knife, it definitely holds a special place with me.
When I first saw the title I thought you were going to talk down on handmade knives but these are all good points. As a custom knife maker I face these. At least when you go with a small knife maker you are getting a unique, one-of-a-kind work of art which is also a knife!
The functionality on those knives returned wasn't affected in any way. I don't understand a person that buys a chef knife just to look at it, it's made for many years of hard use. Little "blemishes" on the blade or handle shouldn't be an excuse or "valid reason" to return that particular knife. Anyways, thanks for everything you do RuKy, keep up the good work!
I'm sorry, every single one of those blades are beautiful, the so called defects give it depth and character in my opinion, and needing a wipe down after shipping (or use/prep) would seem to be a normal thing to me. Then again I collect things that require similar understanding and care.
It's awesome that you're defending the blacksmiths with transparency and with the intention to educate the public. I can say with confidence that all my current knives that have performed in professional kitchens and at home are handmade and simply the best ones to use. Currently using Konosuke, Masakage, and Kato. Yes, they require more regular maintenance and yes, they require more sharpening But once you use it, you can never go back.
One of the things to look for in a handmade knife is how it feels and how is performs. Looks don't make it perform well. Every knife I make is unique and has imperfections but they all perform well based on geometry.
Question: I've been working with wet stones and I am interested in repairing knives as a hobby. Do you know of a place that sells chipped/damaged knives for repairs (outside of ebay)?
I just went to my friends, family and church members if you are looking for practice. Of course the knives weren't handmade Japanese works of art, but they were plenty beat up and I learned to correct chips and dings fairly quick, lol.
1st thanks for replying it means alot. I'm a dining service Manager at an assistant living community. I have two great cooks under me and I would like to get them some nice knives. I dont have a couple hundred dollars to drop on each of them unfortunately; but I dont mind putting in the work to fix something so they can have something nice. I've watched your videos for a couple years now and I'm confident I could repair some. I reached out to cutlery & more and they said they send all damaged or defective knives back to their vender. I thought you might have some insight. I really do appreciate the response.
@@nathanroberts358 I don't know how to research this exactly but I've bought some nice knives used from a neighbor who does yard sales regularly and is interested in knives. So look into local yard sales, and Ebay is another option. Lots of people simply never sharpen their knives and eventually get rid of them. If you put in a little time I'm confident you could find some great but neglected knives you can sharpen and present to your cooks that they'd be thrilled with.
yeah. there are also guys that mistake midtech as true artisan knives. when i point out it's impossible for a guy to have 300 knife orders done in a week.
Honestly, it’s an honor to own such a beautiful knife 🔪 with characteristics and divine physique. It’s an extension of the artisans' craftsmanship! No one 🔪 knife is the same, all are unique created with years of blacksmith and Japanese knife inspiration and knowledge. The extra time and energy the craftsman has to put, money can’t buy!! He’s selling you his time and creation. I have so much respect for the creators of such beauty!!
I was at a jewellery making class in Lapland making stuff out of reindeer antler/leather and the lady there said "don't worry about making a mistake, if you make something by hand it will always be good because it came from you and is part of your story" It always stuck with me and encouraged me to try creative stuff. 😉
Don’t get me wrong, I could buy some artisan knives but I feel it would take away from my kids. As long as they count on me I don’t want to let them down.
Burrfection if the economy wasn’t so distressed I wouldn’t hesitate to buy that black Damascus 240mm gyuto from your web store. But at this current moment I cannot and most people can understand it’s not because I don’t want to it’s because I have other responsibilities that take precedence over my wants. I’ve stayed working through this weird economy but I the instability means I need to be mindful of my decisions at work and at home. I truly respect what you’re doing and I do agree with all your points for owning an artisan knife. I’m not trying to convince you otherwise, I’m just saying that some people don’t buy artisan knives for other reasons.
I'm so in love with my Nakiri made by Hiroshi Kato. It's an unbelievable thing of beauty! I don't understand people who complain about little scratches and other cosmetical mistakes.. Every knife is an unique piece of art with the soul of the artisan.
I love handmade culinary knives, mainly for the reasons that people have complained to you about. I like that the knives are made in very small batches with each knife being slightly different. The imperfections gives the knives character. I also like the idea of directly supporting the individual knife maker. And the fact that many fine knife makers may not be producing knives anymore makes the knives all the more valuable, in my opinion. Another great video, Ryky. Congratulations on your success.
Your video was moving. So much respect for the Artists how make this amazing knifes. If I kne how to take care of a handmade knife, I would buy one today, but I still have so much to learn. I am changing my entire kitchen to more traditional well made thungs like cast iron skalets and le cruset pots. I am slowly learning how to use and take care of it. now it's knife time. not yet ready, still at the german manifacture knife stage.
The reason the term "hand made" is used so often by sellers is because people expect that hand made would mean that they get better quality than factory made products, because the person making it carefully checks it for defects and inconsistencies. Of course, there is some leeway that should be given to handmade knives but if they have an imperfection that could have been fixed by the maker then its just carelessness on the part of the maker. I wouldn't spend money on something like that.
Fascinating video! I'm not at a point in my life where having great knives is a priority yet, but someday I'm going to learn proper sharpening technique and have some wonderful handmade knives. I'm a big fan of tools as artwork and knives are one of my favorite examples of that.
Much respect for your skill as a craftsman! An expensive "factory" produced knife may perform well, but always turns a profit for the manufacturer. An expensive reputable "hand made" knife will always exceed the makers intentions to perform well, regardless the margin of profit. I regard and cherish a makers mark to a higher standard. A manufacturers mark is for Identification and perhaps packaging. While each has a place in commerce and both have attained recognition, one has a soul. :) Jim M.
I've spent the last few weeks training my sharpening on my and some of my friends knives. Just did my first session on my new rika 5k and finishing on my new strop. Thanks to you and the training, I was able to get my first hair whittling edge. Feels awesome! Thanks^^
I agree with almost every point you make save one....sharpness. A knife is fundamentally a tool and while appreciation of the craftsmanship that went into it's creation is important, there is absolutely no excuse for any tool being unable to perform it's function when you pick it up.
So essentially, someone says "I want something special, not some mass-produced item that everyone else has", buys something hand-made, and then complains that what they bought is different than a mass-produced item? Seems legit.
As a knife maker myself, I am glad that you point to these reasons. I do my best to make each knife as perfect as possible, but in the end it is a handmade item. The allure to my knives is that I draw up a design for each customer and make a unique knife each time. Sometimes the blade profiles or handle profiles may blend a little, but they are all unique. I like to make the knives specific to the customer, so I take hand size into consideration as well.
9 years ago I bought a Yaxel chef knife. It's served me well in many kitchens. I left cooking behind to become a teacher. Now I often find myself wanting a slightly smaller blade for cooking only in my house. I've considered getting another Yaxel. But after seeing this video, I'm very interested in supporting a custom knife maker.
Just make sure you do your research first. Many people just decided to up and become an "artisan knife maker" and employ simple process to make knife (no forging, no knowledge of material...) but charges exorbitant price because they are "artisan" and (due to lack of skills, knowledge, and dedication) can only make a couple of knives a day.
Just my 2cents on the subject as a full time knife maker and love your channel Generally at best I might make 10-12 knives a month, typically its much less like 6-8 and to save time, materials its usually a production run and I keep templates of those designs which work well, so I can reproduce them again if needed and in different types of steels. Which brings me to the next pertinent point if you're in the market from a knife from a cutler- look at what they offer instead of buying a mass produced item. Better quality steels, Stainless steels, Semi-stainless, Exotic handle materials You're going to pay a premium for those because they are just that, in limited amounts and generally cost quite a bit more, if you're like me and resource natural materials which aren't ripped out of nature without an ethics in their sustainability, then you're also paying more for the amount of time and effort it goes into doing so. Keep in mind, my 'minimum wage' so to speak in terms of per hour is extremely low and for someone living in a 1st world country I'm never going to compete with mass produced knives, knives made by people with a lower monthly cost or random junk churned out by newbies getting into the business. I make things which cost more, because they are literally 'the best' that I can make at this point of time as skills take time to develop as well. When it costs 5-600 for a knife, it should be something which lasts you a long time, this isn't like your mobile phone when you spend 400-1000 and replace it in 5 years, a knife that's around the upper 100's and 1000 mark should potentially last you your lifetime and probably well into the next generation as well if well looked after. If your completely happy with a plastic handle and $50 on a mass produced knife, that's cool too. There's plenty of room for all levels of the market to source something in range of your budget, but for the life of me in a country where the minimum wage is $17-18 an hour for a salesperson with no skills, I'm just not your guy who's going to be able to deliver a $50 knife made of premium materials and neither is anyone else if we're being honest about it. But seriously, look at what is on the market, what you need, what will net you the best value for your money and its not about supporting the guys. If what they make is good enough, it will sell, if it isn't then you need to look elsewhere. Be a discerning, educated customer, don't believe the smoke and BS about some grotty 1075 or 1095 carbon steel being 'the best'. its a crappy axle steel. Find your guy who makes stuff out of 26C3 razor steel, stainless, ultra high carbon tool steels, super wear resistant, high chromium steels and other wonderful elements of modern metallurgy- don't feel obliged to linger in the past for more money spent on archaic materials if you don't feel they deserve your dollar.
I love artisan knives. Mind, I'm not all that experienced with Japanese Artisan Knives, but American Artisan Knives to me are well worth the price. I own a Ruana skinner knife which is a company that still hand forged every blade they sell. that particular knife came razor sharp out of the box but had a little bit of rust on the blade because it is a high carbon steel and was shipped in its leather sheathe from Montana. My grandfather owns a knife made by Tom Oar from the History Channel Show Mountain Man. He got it back when he first met Tom back in the mid-80s looking to buy a hunting dog. He still uses that knife to this day and it has only lost a small amount of the blade from 3 decades of sharpening and use and will probably find it's way to me after he passes. To me, little spots of rust or deviations from the design is what makes such knives so beautiful to me. It let's me know that while other people may own similar knives to the one I do, noone will ever have the exact same knife I do.
I am a blacksmith and I spend 7-10 hours on each knife and nitpicking every possible spot where it could be imperfect. The fact that it is handmade has nothing to do with how strait, square, or exact it comes out. The quality of the final result is about the dedication to doing your best.
thanks for sharing, heated discussions but so long as they are kept respectful heated conversations can be good. I learnt a few things for this video and comments thanks.
This ‘handmade’ variability between each knife ‘hand-crafted’ makes it ‘absolutely’ UNIQUE! Even the knife craftsman can’t make an ‘absolute’ copy of an existing knife. Only something ‘similar’ which probably wouldn’t stand up to scrutiny if necessary. Most folk don’t mind owning a really high quality handmade piece of kitchen cutlery, INCLUDING the naturally attendant variations and uniqueness between each ‘hand’ crafted piece! These ‘complainers’ have either unknowingly emphasized that which is a ‘natural’ feature of Artisan craft, NOT necessarily a ‘defect’, or they’re simply obsessively ‘anal retentive’ and expect a MASS ‘manufactured’ and ‘identical’ knives without the ‘infused’ SOUL common within ALL hand-crafted Artisan knives no matter where they’re made! These knives are in every real sense ‘perfect’ within all their ‘imperfections’ as is to be expected! They’ve seemed to have completely missed the point! Besides, an absolutely ‘unique’ knife may be easier to identify as ‘yours’ if you ever need to reclaim it from law enforcement after a recovered theft! (Especially if you photograph each side of the blade in detailed ‘hi-res’ for your insurance records!) These knives are beautiful and what I’d expect from the new generation of 21st century artisans of the blade! Imho . . .
I also make knives myself (but only sell to friends or family /sometimes give them to them as present... And one of them is a Professionalität Cook - he always tells me to not sharpen them that much because He want's to do that himself... (by now All the knives He uses are made by me 😂) But i never had anyone complain (i guess i am lucky 🤷♂️😂)
I use IKEA's 8$ kitchen knife and sharpen it with 8$ diamond sharpener. I can do with it all my cooking stuffs that i need. I call this Japanese handcrafted kitchen knife-hysteria a psychosis. A beautifull one.
Having only become enthusiastic and diving into cooking recently, I can say that I do not look for cosmetic perfection in my tools. Cast iron does not look perfect. It's a porous metal that requires extra attention and care to reach its potential. And i have friends that complained about high carbon blades and cast iron pans due to the fact that they rust etc, not understanding that these things require extra care and attention, especially when new. I'm hoping one day to be able to afford to invest in some hand crafted artisan blades. I certainly do not look for perfection, I look for character and utility. Character in gaining a patina over time, the metals used and the handle materials look and feel. Utility in being sharp (Which I sharpen myself), shape (It needs to be comfortable in hand) and shift (being able to shift and manoeuvre the knife to where I require). Very good video. Some beautiful knifes there. Subscribed!
So I have an Anryu hand hammered 270 B2 and I love. It is a beast of a knife! Super light for its size and beautifully balanced. I am also a pro chef and the Anryu is not the best in a pro kitchen. At home its great no worries someone will use it to pry anything open or chip the fine edge. The Anryu feels like a dance partner! At work I use a Jikko 210 R2. Aggresive edge, mostly stainless and the perfcet size on a prep table. A perfect prep monster! Like weilding a light saber. Both fantastic knives!
as a chef i brought a hand made knife from a well known local down here in victoria australia, and its my absolute favorite knife. as you have mentioned there were some slight imperfections, it was a san-mai petty, and the cladding came quite close to the cutting edge, and the tip was far too fine for the steel used so it chipped off (just 1mm or so off the tip, it was an overly flexible material) and i simply ground it back myself on my stones. since then and with very little effort it has been the sharpest knife i own, and has remained an absolute joy to use, i use it as often as i can and will reccomend supporting the maker to anyone who asks about it
Ooh, who is the maker? I have a Metal Monkey which I love - he's in Torquay. Looking for another handmade and I'd like to buy local if you have a recommendation.
Thank you very informative. It's funny how we forget that these custom knives are art. I just wish I had the dollars to buy more. Not necessarily to use but to show off. Just like a beautiful painting
Anyone who purchases an artisan knife should be honoured to own such a special tool. I myself feel little imperfections add character and make it that one knife that no-one else has. Can't wait till the day I have one of those hanging on my wall. As usual, great explanations Ryky. Stay safe.
Ryky, Didn't know which video to ask about this. Suehiro Knives has a forum. There's a thread about stones drying out completely as if they will be ruined if they don't spend enough time dry... I have 2 King stones I have had in water since the late 1960's. Is this drying thing for newer stones? A video on this topic would be appreciated.
Ricky 1 congratulation on your new place. 2 great vids thats why I’m trying to help though you patreon. 3 the whole point of a hand crafted artisanal knife is that its imperfect. Thanks for all your content
Totally agree man. Bout to head into your history to catch up on that factory tour in Japan. I love factory tours... Most people can use a dirt cheap Chinese made garbage steel knife and be completely content with it for what they are using it for. People buying these knives as a status symbol or because they can show off how much they spent but get upset when there is a flaw are gross. It's art homies. It has never been, and will never be cheap. Thanks for the time and effort you put into producing and uploading these videos man.
I had a carbon knife that was bought as a wedding present 16 years ago (Masamoto Sohonten), I have sharpened it myself on a whetstone for years and thought the blade was OK, sharp, but not razor sharp. Then this year for the first time, I had it professionally sharpened and re-edged, OMG, it was razor sharp AND holds the edge. I cannot believe its the same knife. Some of the far more expensive knives I have bought since are not as sharp as the old one. So in short, yes, many knives are generally not as sharp out of the box (although Shun are very sharp OOTB), and don't blame the knife, it could be your sharpening skills. I bought an artisan carbon petty (another) yesterday in Tokyo, beautiful, a little flawed in areas, but that's OK, its hand designed and maker by the maker.
This is so educational. I would love to buy an artisan knife. I am new to Japanese knives and just cook for my family. But as my skills in the kitchen grow, I’m interested in better equipment. If you have any idea or can recommend an artist and knife, I would love to have one. For Christmas, I just got 3 Miyabi knives
You make incredible knives, beautiful work. I'm a carpenter it's the something everyone says they want quality the best I price out a custom piece of furniture. Some beautiful not common hard wood, that alone is $$$$$ for example. Then it takes another 50 hours to build and finish. Then they say all you did was cut some squares and nail legs onto it or whatever why does it cost that much...materials cost x amount of dollars so you should assume if just the material Is that expensive hand crafting a one of a kind piece is going to not be cheap...very irritating for everyone to act like your time and products aren't worth the price tag..ie it's just a knife I can get a good one for 100 dollars. Keep up what you're doing and keep up the videos and tips. They have really helped me learn to get the most from my hand tools
For those with complaints about the price, sometimes blacksmiths will only churn out 1 blade a day. On top of that there's the propane/coal they use to heat the metal, the anvil upkeep, tool maintenance, whatever material they use for tempering the metal (be it oil or water) they have to take their time to grind the blade and depending on the design grind all the other sides to make it shiny, some make their own handles from scratch so there's cost for materials there, and if it's damascus they're probably letting it sit for a good bit in ferric chloride to make that pattern look nice and purdy
Thank you for this insightful presentation. I have had similar experience when presenting and dealing with hand made instruments. I no longer deal with instruments. I came across too much ignorance and lack of appreciation when dealing with non-professionals (I am a professional classical musician.) At some point I was convinced that the issues I was experiencing were confined to the music world in which we deal with inexperienced, but often well-meaning, amateurs, who are unable to evaluate the information they are given. For them there is a huge commercial market, geared to cater to this kind of customer. Anyway, I am keen to buy a hand made Japanese knife (would love to buy one through you), and I appreciate the information, your good nature and patience. I will soon be embarking on a venture that will bring my amateur love of cooking into the professional realm. I would like to have a good tool to help me do the best I can do.
Ryky, I agree with everything you have said in this video. In my opinion none of the reason these were returned are valid and the people returning them would be better with factory built knives. That being said by sharing these and laughing about them you are going to piss the buyers off and lose customers. I would suggest sharing this information in a more respectful way going forward.
I would like to say that your videos are really awesome. I like knifes but mine are more on hunting and skinning side until I came across one of your videos.I have been watching about six of them
All my main knives at this point are artisan knives. I've two from Katsushige Anryu-san, a bunka and 210mm gyuto (the bunka is insanely good), a nakiri from the Itto-Ryu guys, and a 240mm gyuto which is my favorite made by Makoto (Yu Kurasaki's brother as you probably know - I don't want to knock Yu's knives, but I think his brother's knives are better. I've several others as well but one of my *most* used is a small, very very stout petty with the most basic of finishes that was made by a blacksmith whose name I cannot remember, who as I've been told, works alone in an out-of-the-way shack of a shop, making mostly yard-work tools but he makes a few smaller knives. It's truly one of the best in my kitchen. I *rarely* need to sharpen it, the heat-treat on it was insane, and it's just an amazing little thing... and it cost me $25 USD. It isn't "pretty" on the outside, but it can perform better than knives that cost 10x or more without thinking about it. Point being... there are so many good knives worth seeking out made by so many smiths for *all* the reasons you talk about here. Cheers and hats off man.
I also make custom Western style knives. Bowie type knives and hunting knives and others. Not one will be the same. That's why you want handmade. It's unique . Quality materials. Just learning more about the Japanese style and steels. Love my right hand, Nakiri.
latest updates and content burrfection.com/
my trusted knife store bur.re
That link doesn’t seem to work
I am an American knife maker. I have 50 years experience. I watched your video all set to "let you have it!" However I have to agree with everything you said. We are artists, even if i set out to make the EXACT same knife, there WILL be differences. Those differences make that knife one of a kind. I am not a machine, I can not reproduce one after the other and have them come out exactly the same. I personally guarentee my knives for life, so if there is a problem I will fix it or replace it. The biggest thing you pay for is my time, the second biggest thing is my skill. If you don't understand what your paying for, educate yourself or, you probably should buy a knife at Walmart.
Thank you! Love hearing from knife makers
For me a knife is a tool I use in the kitchen. I do not need a piece of art. Same as all other tools I have in my home are not pieces of art either.
@@grantofat6438 that doesn't mean you have to have a POS for a tool. As an artist I certainly do try to make a work of ar6, but as a knife maker I want it to be a very functional piece of art. Why not have a great tool that happens to be a work of art? I can make you the best knife you have ever used and I can make it the most beautiful knife you have. A lot of people store their knives on the wall of the kitchen on a bar magnet. So when your not using the knife it is a decorative piece of the kitchen. So it is useful in more ways than you may think. If you use a cheap POS from Walmart that you paid $20.00 for o will never be able to convince you mine are worth the extra $. If you ever used one with an open mind I am sure you would change your mind. They are worth the extra and than some. Add in the fact that I am not a super famous maker so I can not get the super high prices those guys get, so in a since, mine are ecmven better. You get the benefit of years of experience and creativity, but will pay a lowered price that a famous maker. No it still won't be cheap, it's OK I can mot make knives for every living soul. Just don't be too quick to brush off all of the handmade knives out there.
So you sell on Etsy?
@@grantofat6438walmart knife it is, you're just not mentally set to own this more special one then.
In Germany, we have a saying: "You can tell the handicraft from the imperfection." (Am Fehler erkennt man die Handarbeit.) If I want consistent perfection, I don't buy a manufactured knife, I take a mass produced one. If I want a perfect picture, I print out a stock photo. If I want a work of Art, I buy from a painter. If I want the knowledge, the experience and the talent of a skilled knife maker, I go for the handicraft.
Ill add to your list vicarious fulfillment. It feels good using something that someone enjoyed and wanted to make, rather than someone churning things out for a paycheck.
Welch wahre Worte...
Actually, that seems to translate more along the lines of: Through failure, you learn craftsmanship. erkennen is to learn. handarbeit is more along the lines of craftsmanship... this saying seems to fall more along the lines of how someone becomes a master; through failure... through learning experiences. With German engineering, you expect perfection, tight tolerances and things which will last forever.
@@Acecool As a native speaker, I can tell you: No, it doesn't. "Erkennen" translates to "recognize" or to "finding out". If I wanted to say, that you learn from your mistakes, I use "Aus Fehlern lernt man." I would use "aus", which describes a direction and not "am (an dem)", which describes a location.
mass produced things are never perfect, they are standard, which is okay, but not so interesting as hand made, which inherited# things from the individual character, maker
Personally, imperfection is what makes handmade a work of art and defines its character.
It’s like a birthmark
Agreed if you're talking about collections, antiques and uniqueness. However, if we're talking kitchen cutlery, uniformity is key. You don't want to sharpen your knife, go to cut, but because of the imperfection is not the same, and it will probably mess you up. Especially if you aren't use to it. Uniformity is important to repetition.
You expect imperfections but not to the extent that grinds are uneven or cladding has patches were it is missing etc,
Maybe if you’re buying the cheapest of knives but not if your paying many hundreds or thousands of dollars.
Variation in a knife's damascus pattern defines its character. Imperfection should not be the result of cutting corners to increase production.
bingo. There are CNC machines for customers who have never made anything by hand or appreciated it (or the whole industry of rikizai knives, those are very good, but...). For everyone else, the humanity in making is relatable.
Am I the only one who read the title as, "Top Reasons Why You Might Avoid Handmade Kitchen Knives : (hint) NONE of [the Handmade Kitchen Knives] Are Good"?
Yeh I thought it was saying hand made knives are bad
yeah me too
I thought the exact same thing.
i read it that way as well until i thought about his respect and admiration for Kramer knives which are handmade
You did not seriously think I would say such a thing......
I think some people are mistaking “consistency” with “perfection”.
Firstly, perfection is all in the eye of the beholder! But more importantly I think people are conditioned to think that 1000 knives coming off a line exactly identical (think a mid priced Shun knife) are all “perfect” because they are free from defect when really that is just “consistency”. At the end of the day, when buying an artisan, hand made/one of a kind product you really should try to see it in person or ask for pictures of the exact product/knife you will buy. An imperfection to one person is “soul/character and charm” to another :) Good video with a slightly confusing title! Peace :)
perfectly said. perfect.
In The Mix totally agree. It really depends on what one considers a ‘defect’ or ‘flaw’. I own a lot of high-end makeup brushes and none is identical to another. Same goes with knives. Unless a knife is obviously damaged or otherwise impaired I don’t consider it a defect (like those felt fibers).
Damn we got some producers
over 600K subs..... this brotha is on fire.
@@Burrfection Because that brotha makes some of the best mixing tutorials out there! Funny to meet someone like him here^^ Nice to see that we don't only share our passion for music but also for knives!
as a maker, this is invaluable information. almost all my interactions are face to face and very few people will actually stand in front of you and critically evaluate your work despite begging for feedback. videos like this let us see behind the curtain and hear what buyers will say when the maker isn't listening.
Read the comments, most people love artisans. It is just a few that make the loudest noise. Keep doing what you are doing!
I am a maker. The fact that the majority of my customers are repeat customers tells me that even though I am expensive, they still consider my knives a good deal they want to repeat.
i can't imagine someone returning a knife because has felt on it, specially when it comes with that material in the case; when you buy a katana it comes with a heavy coat of shipping grease on the blade , just wipe it off and apply camellia oil again to maintain, people, clean your knives when they arrive your home.
Wholeheartedly agree.
Where can you buy a legit katana?
@@cd1615 thejapanesesword for instance, but most of people can't or doesn't want to spend thousands ofdollar on something to hang on the wall, so china is the closest place to buy something "close" to a nihonto but for a fraction of the price, you just have to look for them.
I can only speculate, but I imagine someone who wants to return because their financial situation is worse than they budgeted for. I can easily understand how it happens and it sucks but traces of felt is just creating issues for the sake of needing a problem.
@@cd1615 Many places if they are legal in your area. Prices will depend on your definition of legit. Artisian handmade stuff we are talking in the thousands which is why I don't own one.
As a certified knife nerd and someone who has worked for a knife retailer with a large e-presence I’d like to chime in here. 20-25 years ago, the only people interested in Japanese knives in North America slowly grew into the understanding that artisan knives generally required some work before use. It was a different scene as I’m sure you’re aware. In recent years interest in Japanese knives has exploded and many people make the purchase with a set of expectations that is out of context. Regarding some of the items in your video there are some very good sellers of Japanese knives that perform a pre-ship inspection and maintenance that includes everything from cleaning to a straightening if needed. Many sellers now go as far as contacting the buyer immediately after they receive the order to ascertain if the buyer is aware of care and maintenance requirements of the knife including the need for an initial sharpening when required. We are nowhere near the point where a seller of Japanese knives can assume that a North American consumer is aware of the differences between Japanese knife and those that they are likely more familiar with. A little client education can go a long way here. If that email or phone call results in a lost sale it is a tad better than dealing with the overhead of a return.
The people complaining probably put their knives in their dishwasher.
haha....
So? What's your point?
@@lenzielenski3276 depending on the metal of the knife, you should avoid dishwashing your knives. Most high quality knives say to hand wash and dry immediately. Some may require oiling to avoid rust as well.
@@lenzielenski3276 if you don't get the point here, then you definitely need to delete your other comments calling this video "bullshit" as you clearly know nothing about any of this.
David Ostertag oh god that hurts
"That one customer" be like:
$1000 knife ✅
Reputable artisan ✅
Design and finish ✅
"Cosmetic imperfection!? Left over residue!? I will not settle for this!" 😁😂
so true!
Sir , i make knives have done for 40+ years , i'm a one man shop most of the time but had a couple apprentices over the years , i make 3-4 quality knives a week OR 10-15 general grade knives per week they retail for $100 AUD - $600 AUD
they all have a life time guarentee ( my life time i'm now in my 60's ) i've had 3 return , all dishwasher casulties , and though i always state the warrenty is voided by dishwashers , i have always replaced or repaired the knife at no cost ( custer pays postage back to me i pay back to them ) mixed metal blade can never be perfect ( damascus san mai etc ) yes some blades should never be finished if inclusions or bad folds show themselves , its sometimes possible to make that larger blade into a smaller blade and remove the flaw , but no flawed blade should be allowed out your door , as one real flawed blade can destroy your business
there is one of my knives in seki city knife display at the guild offices and museum
the biggest issue with hand made knives are all the experts that tell people what and how they should think , and that only this person or company can make a quality knife
they cant make a quality blade , but they'll tell everyone how it should be done ( while getting a percentage or commision)
the best knife i have ever seen was made in africa from a grader blade ( D2 tool steel ) by a untrained but life long steel worker tool maker , on the outskirts of a city (Kenchasa) i still have this knife 30 year later and its still magnificent , so please keep a open mind , know each maker and blade is different and to look at both through a open mind but one with a set idea of finding a quality tool
wow, friend, i'd love to check your knives out. you make only 10-15 a week, but charge as little as $100?
@@Burrfection He may not be doing full time, or is retired.
Craftsmanship
@@ottokiehl5413 dont bet on it , someones gotta work ..
Great video and talk Ryky. Sometimes i think those that can afford an artisan knife don’t understand them and those that can’t afford do understand and fully appreciate the craftsmanship and knowing that someone is spending their entire life working to perfect their art.
Yup, great points
I agree, and; I am one of those who cannot yet afford an artisan knife,. soon though. I hope
one day! we all have something to look forward to
Thanks Ryky, you provide the best knife education on CZcams. I have learned more from you in 2 years than anywhere else in a life time.
You are too kind
Watching these videos by Ryky has brought me to a much higher level of sharpening, I have learned why I was not previously getting my knives razor sharp. and;
I have spent a few bucks upgrading my whet stones, that has also really helped. Thanks Ryky, I have learned so much from you.
Puke, the excuses are .... Send me as a chef anytime a small shop made knife.. i will worship them. The knifes you showed are extremely beautiful.
I'm right there with you. I would love to have a hand made knife from a small shop.
Those little imperfections are what I would cherish about that one of a kind knife.
My name dot calm guys. Fb for pix too.
A legit complaint would be a de-lamination of a forge weld or epoxy on the blade, not having felt on there. (or cracked handles) Every little hammer mark tells a story, and really it's hand made, what do some people expect?
So true
Yeah i recieved a limited first run bark river dark timber grizzly. And the stabilized burl handles were cracked and separating from the blade. That is an actual defect and a legitimate problem.
@@mikeboyce21 Holy crap. I like BRKT. Did they fix the issue?
@@mikeboyce21 if its SPLIT that's a real issue. If the wood or material is "cracked" but held together in some way that is secure then it shouldn't be a problem. some knives might use epoxy, the crack will be visible still but there's no way it would split wider, or something similar to that
You will never get a knife from me with a de-lamination. Have had people say "what are you going to do with that?!?" I tell them "throw it away." Then they almost always ask "can i have it then?" I always say "NO!" some time they will offer me a few dollars for the piece, I still say no. They then always say "but why not if your going to throw it away?" I answer as follows "I am an artist, this is my art, I do NOT want ANYTHING that is made by me that us not 100% perfect going out into the public."
I can NOT believe you have to explain some of this stuff, shows you the level of brain power or the lack of it in our world
It is life
Never under estimate the power of stupid people in large numbers. You will be rapidly over run.
Solid points. I will expand my set one day but there’s so much to choose from!
That little blemish makes the knife looks more unique. I actually prefer that look.
artisan knives - especially from the OLDER craftsmen who might retire soon. I own several Saji, knives by Anryu, the older Kato, and Sato. It feels like history in my hand. Some are in the kitchen, some are mainly part of the collection. In all fairness though, the customer should be comfortable with their purchase, so if they return, it didn't work for them.
Well said and always fair as usual. Buyer’s remorse is fine and i expect that, and give refunds with question. Just sharing some of the complaints i get most.
Great video. I bought Japanese knives when visiting Japan, and they are perfection; size/maneuverability/sharpness.
Your video reminds me of people who buy copper pots/pans, and complain that they tarnish and do not ‘look pretty’ after just one use. Well, copper tarnishes... enjoy the imperfections. Let the copper tarnish that allows resistance to rust, and enjoy the beauty of a pan that looks like it has been used. Japan embraces imperfections with the words, ‘Wabi Sabi’; the perfect imperfections.
Haha. Well said
I’m guessing your not referring to the branded copper pan. Instead copper in general.
All those knives are beautiful. But the black handle one is jaw dropping to me.
It must be one of the most hard, tiring jobs ever. Must respect those people. What a craftsmanship.
It is a lot of work. So true
I went to the Echizen Takefu workshop, and I didn't imagine that it would be so hot, loud and cramped, but that's the reality of working with hot steel. They really work hard for what they make.
When ever you get something hand made it has probably some imperfections. You want something being perfect buy a factory made mass produced stainless steel with plastic handel. At least you can be shure those who complained are genuine idiots.
Yes.....
True 👍🏻
Even a disinterested artisan puts in more care and love in their product than a thirty man factory.
I just want to say that I appreciate people like you who open doors for others into the hobby of collecting works of art. This channel is excellent and the community is also great. Thanks for the video.
I like the imperfections. Gives it character and makes mine different
Yes.....
sounds like the customer is the problem in this case...
I'm brand new to the channel, and seeing the work and craftsmanship these knife makers put into these knives is amazing. It elevates it from tool to functional art.
I understand that these might be VERY minor issues and you made some great points. I think what's happening is you're getting some people who are "splurging" on a knife that's much more expensive than they'd usually spend because they're fans of your channel and their expectations are unbelievably high. At times I've been this picky with other (non-knife) products because I knew someone out there was getting the "ideal" quality and I wanted it too for the price I was paying.
If you look at high quality straight razors, it's well known they don't come razor sharp from the factory so the top-tier shops will hand sharpen them before sending them out so they know you're getting the best experience with the product right out of the box.
Appreciate the input
I think I would look for minor imperfections so that I would feel that it's really handmade. That would be the beauty of owning one IMO.
Exactly!
Agreed, as long as it wasn't something that reduced it's quality or cutting ability what are you expecting?
Ill save you some confusion: "Top reasons amateurs return their artisan knife": (hint) All of them are valid and relevant.
Hi, Last Friday I bought a Fujiwara Denka Gyoto knife and a Denka Petty knife. Your story just proved my consideration.... I bought the knives for the art and for the metallurgical miracle.
The personal contact with the company was very nice and very professional. Your story was perfectly timed!
Imperfections are the physical representation of the artisan's heart, soul, and passion. Whoever it was that bought the $700 knife has DEFINITELY never purchased a single artisan creation in his/her life. Corporate manufacturers are where you go when you want aesthetic perfection. Artisans are where you go when you want craftsmanship perfection.
I don't yet own any Japanese artisan knives, but I do own a ton of American made artisan knives. And they are, by far, the best knives I own. They are not only the best knives I own in the kitchen. They are also the best EDC knives that I carry for utility and protection every single day.
Ryky, feel free to send me any of the artisan knives that those people snub their nose at. Those knives will be much more appreciated in my collection anyway. 😄
Nothing in this world is ever perfect
@@kijinseija0 - Art is perfect.
@@RaiderLacrosse29 That's True!
Have you ever heard of will stelter I would love to see what you thinkf of his knives
He works with Alec Steele right?
CZTachyonsVN yeah, he was well known before Alec Steele and his knives really are amazing he’s working on a chefs knife right now
Oh, a man of culture
Never head of him
The hand-made knives shown at the end are really gorgeous!
i agree they are absolutely beautiful
@@Burrfection My order arrived this morning. Really fast given the current circumstances. The photos don't do it justice.
Lucky enough to pick up an Anryu Gyuto earlier in the year in Japan pre COVID. I researched about Japanese knives and smiths for about half a year in preparation. For better or worse that knife took some beginner mistakes, like unintentionally fading the kurouchi, or my first carbon steel that I sharpened, after working with stainless before. But it's a beautiful knife, and knowing how old Anryu san is, and how I may never get another Anryu knife, it definitely holds a special place with me.
When I first saw the title I thought you were going to talk down on handmade knives but these are all good points. As a custom knife maker I face these. At least when you go with a small knife maker you are getting a unique, one-of-a-kind work of art which is also a knife!
Thanks for the input. Sorry for confusing title but glad you watched. Keep making great knives
Come by my channel and see some builds. 😉
good stuff.
The functionality on those knives returned wasn't affected in any way. I don't understand a person that buys a chef knife just to look at it, it's made for many years of hard use. Little "blemishes" on the blade or handle shouldn't be an excuse or "valid reason" to return that particular knife. Anyways, thanks for everything you do RuKy, keep up the good work!
So true!
I'm sorry, every single one of those blades are beautiful, the so called defects give it depth and character in my opinion, and needing a wipe down after shipping (or use/prep) would seem to be a normal thing to me. Then again I collect things that require similar understanding and care.
It's awesome that you're defending the blacksmiths with transparency and with the intention to educate the public. I can say with confidence that all my current knives that have performed in professional kitchens and at home are handmade and simply the best ones to use. Currently using Konosuke, Masakage, and Kato.
Yes, they require more regular maintenance and yes, they require more sharpening But once you use it, you can never go back.
thank you for the great comment and sharing your experience
One of the things to look for in a handmade knife is how it feels and how is performs. Looks don't make it perform well. Every knife I make is unique and has imperfections but they all perform well based on geometry.
Question: I've been working with wet stones and I am interested in repairing knives as a hobby. Do you know of a place that sells chipped/damaged knives for repairs (outside of ebay)?
I just went to my friends, family and church members if you are looking for practice. Of course the knives weren't handmade Japanese works of art, but they were plenty beat up and I learned to correct chips and dings fairly quick, lol.
i bet you have plenty of family/friends who will gladly give you their knives to sharpen
1st thanks for replying it means alot. I'm a dining service Manager at an assistant living community. I have two great cooks under me and I would like to get them some nice knives. I dont have a couple hundred dollars to drop on each of them unfortunately; but I dont mind putting in the work to fix something so they can have something nice. I've watched your videos for a couple years now and I'm confident I could repair some. I reached out to cutlery & more and they said they send all damaged or defective knives back to their vender. I thought you might have some insight. I really do appreciate the response.
@@nathanroberts358 I don't know how to research this exactly but I've bought some nice knives used from a neighbor who does yard sales regularly and is interested in knives. So look into local yard sales, and Ebay is another option. Lots of people simply never sharpen their knives and eventually get rid of them. If you put in a little time I'm confident you could find some great but neglected knives you can sharpen and present to your cooks that they'd be thrilled with.
yeah. there are also guys that mistake midtech as true artisan knives. when i point out it's impossible for a guy to have 300 knife orders done in a week.
Some people just do not understand
@@Burrfection btw i didn't know you have an e shop...
Welcome
Honestly, it’s an honor to own such a beautiful knife 🔪 with characteristics and divine physique. It’s an extension of the artisans' craftsmanship! No one 🔪 knife is the same, all are unique created with years of blacksmith and Japanese knife inspiration and knowledge. The extra time and energy the craftsman has to put, money can’t buy!! He’s selling you his time and creation. I have so much respect for the creators of such beauty!!
A few years ago I started buying artisan knives because I like the imperfections. Each knife is unique and I love it.
There are lunatics in the world, they seem normal in they’re everyday existence but they are disjointed.
If you want to get rid of a few of those "defective" knives I would be willing to take them off your hands ..,...............please!
Same here hahahaha would be a dream of mine
I was at a jewellery making class in Lapland making stuff out of reindeer antler/leather and the lady there said "don't worry about making a mistake, if you make something by hand it will always be good because it came from you and is part of your story"
It always stuck with me and encouraged me to try creative stuff. 😉
THANK YOU . yes. that is so true.... too many customers are used to factory made products that they forget handmade products are NOT THE SAME.
I understand what you’re saying, your points are valid for why to own an artisan knife. I personally cannot justify that purchase.
Don’t get me wrong, I could buy some artisan knives but I feel it would take away from my kids. As long as they count on me I don’t want to let them down.
nothing wrong with your opinion. use what you are comfortable with
Burrfection if the economy wasn’t so distressed I wouldn’t hesitate to buy that black Damascus 240mm gyuto from your web store. But at this current moment I cannot and most people can understand it’s not because I don’t want to it’s because I have other responsibilities that take precedence over my wants. I’ve stayed working through this weird economy but I the instability means I need to be mindful of my decisions at work and at home. I truly respect what you’re doing and I do agree with all your points for owning an artisan knife. I’m not trying to convince you otherwise, I’m just saying that some people don’t buy artisan knives for other reasons.
I love the imperfections in hand made knives, it gives them a soul and individuality.
yes!
I'm so in love with my Nakiri made by Hiroshi Kato. It's an unbelievable thing of beauty! I don't understand people who complain about little scratches and other cosmetical mistakes.. Every knife is an unique piece of art with the soul of the artisan.
Awesome knife by a legend
I love handmade culinary knives, mainly for the reasons that people have complained to you about. I like that the knives are made in very small batches with each knife being slightly different. The imperfections gives the knives character. I also like the idea of directly supporting the individual knife maker. And the fact that many fine knife makers may not be producing knives anymore makes the knives all the more valuable, in my opinion.
Another great video, Ryky. Congratulations on your success.
Your video was moving. So much respect for the Artists how make this amazing knifes. If I kne how to take care of a handmade knife, I would buy one today, but I still have so much to learn. I am changing my entire kitchen to more traditional well made thungs like cast iron skalets and le cruset pots. I am slowly learning how to use and take care of it. now it's knife time. not yet ready, still at the german manifacture knife stage.
Great video again. Hand made is a beautiful thing and i am glad you support these artist and there work.
Agreed
The reason the term "hand made" is used so often by sellers is because people expect that hand made would mean that they get better quality than factory made products, because the person making it carefully checks it for defects and inconsistencies. Of course, there is some leeway that should be given to handmade knives but if they have an imperfection that could have been fixed by the maker then its just carelessness on the part of the maker. I wouldn't spend money on something like that.
Fascinating video! I'm not at a point in my life where having great knives is a priority yet, but someday I'm going to learn proper sharpening technique and have some wonderful handmade knives. I'm a big fan of tools as artwork and knives are one of my favorite examples of that.
Much respect for your skill as a craftsman! An expensive "factory" produced knife may perform well, but always turns a profit for the manufacturer. An expensive reputable "hand made" knife will always exceed the makers intentions to perform well, regardless the margin of profit. I regard and cherish a makers mark to a higher standard. A manufacturers mark is for Identification and perhaps packaging. While each has a place in commerce and both have attained recognition, one has a soul. :) Jim M.
Exactly
I've spent the last few weeks training my sharpening on my and some of my friends knives. Just did my first session on my new rika 5k and finishing on my new strop. Thanks to you and the training, I was able to get my first hair whittling edge. Feels awesome! Thanks^^
Good stuff
If you stick with it, you will be amazed at your progression over time. Don't let yourself get frustrated.
I agree with almost every point you make save one....sharpness. A knife is fundamentally a tool and while appreciation of the craftsmanship that went into it's creation is important, there is absolutely no excuse for any tool being unable to perform it's function when you pick it up.
So essentially, someone says "I want something special, not some mass-produced item that everyone else has", buys something hand-made, and then complains that what they bought is different than a mass-produced item? Seems legit.
As a knife maker myself, I am glad that you point to these reasons. I do my best to make each knife as perfect as possible, but in the end it is a handmade item. The allure to my knives is that I draw up a design for each customer and make a unique knife each time. Sometimes the blade profiles or handle profiles may blend a little, but they are all unique. I like to make the knives specific to the customer, so I take hand size into consideration as well.
Keep doing what you are doing.
@@Burrfection if you'd like, you can check out FB page, facebook.com/customZBlades/
lovely knives
A beautiful thing to see artisans honing their trade/craft till late in age.
9 years ago I bought a Yaxel chef knife. It's served me well in many kitchens. I left cooking behind to become a teacher. Now I often find myself wanting a slightly smaller blade for cooking only in my house. I've considered getting another Yaxel. But after seeing this video, I'm very interested in supporting a custom knife maker.
Just make sure you do your research first. Many people just decided to up and become an "artisan knife maker" and employ simple process to make knife (no forging, no knowledge of material...) but charges exorbitant price because they are "artisan" and (due to lack of skills, knowledge, and dedication) can only make a couple of knives a day.
Just my 2cents on the subject as a full time knife maker and love your channel
Generally at best I might make 10-12 knives a month, typically its much less like 6-8 and to save time, materials its usually a production run and I keep templates of those designs which work well, so I can reproduce them again if needed and in different types of steels. Which brings me to the next pertinent point if you're in the market from a knife from a cutler- look at what they offer instead of buying a mass produced item.
Better quality steels, Stainless steels, Semi-stainless, Exotic handle materials
You're going to pay a premium for those because they are just that, in limited amounts and generally cost quite a bit more, if you're like me and resource natural materials which aren't ripped out of nature without an ethics in their sustainability, then you're also paying more for the amount of time and effort it goes into doing so. Keep in mind, my 'minimum wage' so to speak in terms of per hour is extremely low and for someone living in a 1st world country I'm never going to compete with mass produced knives, knives made by people with a lower monthly cost or random junk churned out by newbies getting into the business. I make things which cost more, because they are literally 'the best' that I can make at this point of time as skills take time to develop as well.
When it costs 5-600 for a knife, it should be something which lasts you a long time, this isn't like your mobile phone when you spend 400-1000 and replace it in 5 years, a knife that's around the upper 100's and 1000 mark should potentially last you your lifetime and probably well into the next generation as well if well looked after.
If your completely happy with a plastic handle and $50 on a mass produced knife, that's cool too. There's plenty of room for all levels of the market to source something in range of your budget, but for the life of me in a country where the minimum wage is $17-18 an hour for a salesperson with no skills, I'm just not your guy who's going to be able to deliver a $50 knife made of premium materials and neither is anyone else if we're being honest about it.
But seriously, look at what is on the market, what you need, what will net you the best value for your money and its not about supporting the guys. If what they make is good enough, it will sell, if it isn't then you need to look elsewhere. Be a discerning, educated customer, don't believe the smoke and BS about some grotty 1075 or 1095 carbon steel being 'the best'. its a crappy axle steel. Find your guy who makes stuff out of 26C3 razor steel, stainless, ultra high carbon tool steels, super wear resistant, high chromium steels and other wonderful elements of modern metallurgy- don't feel obliged to linger in the past for more money spent on archaic materials if you don't feel they deserve your dollar.
Read the entire comment! One for the ages....
I love artisan knives. Mind, I'm not all that experienced with Japanese Artisan Knives, but American Artisan Knives to me are well worth the price. I own a Ruana skinner knife which is a company that still hand forged every blade they sell. that particular knife came razor sharp out of the box but had a little bit of rust on the blade because it is a high carbon steel and was shipped in its leather sheathe from Montana. My grandfather owns a knife made by Tom Oar from the History Channel Show Mountain Man. He got it back when he first met Tom back in the mid-80s looking to buy a hunting dog. He still uses that knife to this day and it has only lost a small amount of the blade from 3 decades of sharpening and use and will probably find it's way to me after he passes. To me, little spots of rust or deviations from the design is what makes such knives so beautiful to me. It let's me know that while other people may own similar knives to the one I do, noone will ever have the exact same knife I do.
I am a blacksmith and I spend 7-10 hours on each knife and nitpicking every possible spot where it could be imperfect. The fact that it is handmade has nothing to do with how strait, square, or exact it comes out. The quality of the final result is about the dedication to doing your best.
yes. THANK YOU. always good to hear from working blacksmiths. it's about crafting, not about "perfecting" imperfections.
thanks for sharing, heated discussions but so long as they are kept respectful heated conversations can be good. I learnt a few things for this video and comments thanks.
Thank you for the kind response
This ‘handmade’ variability between each knife ‘hand-crafted’ makes it ‘absolutely’ UNIQUE! Even the knife craftsman can’t make an ‘absolute’ copy of an existing knife. Only something ‘similar’ which probably wouldn’t stand up to scrutiny if necessary.
Most folk don’t mind owning a really high quality handmade piece of kitchen cutlery, INCLUDING the naturally attendant variations and uniqueness between each ‘hand’ crafted piece!
These ‘complainers’ have either unknowingly emphasized that which is a ‘natural’ feature of Artisan craft, NOT necessarily a ‘defect’, or they’re simply obsessively ‘anal retentive’ and expect a MASS ‘manufactured’ and ‘identical’ knives without the ‘infused’ SOUL common within ALL hand-crafted Artisan knives no matter where they’re made!
These knives are in every real sense ‘perfect’ within all their ‘imperfections’ as is to be expected!
They’ve seemed to have completely missed the point!
Besides, an absolutely ‘unique’ knife may be easier to identify as ‘yours’ if you ever need to reclaim it from law enforcement after a recovered theft! (Especially if you photograph each side of the blade in detailed ‘hi-res’ for your insurance records!)
These knives are beautiful and what I’d expect from the new generation of 21st century artisans of the blade!
Imho . . .
I also make knives myself (but only sell to friends or family /sometimes give them to them as present...
And one of them is a Professionalität Cook - he always tells me to not sharpen them that much because He want's to do that himself...
(by now All the knives He uses are made by me 😂)
But i never had anyone complain (i guess i am lucky 🤷♂️😂)
I use IKEA's 8$ kitchen knife and sharpen it with 8$ diamond sharpener. I can do with it all my cooking stuffs that i need. I call this Japanese handcrafted kitchen knife-hysteria a psychosis. A beautifull one.
I think the residue is beautiful it shows the craft in my opinion
yes! thank you !
Having only become enthusiastic and diving into cooking recently, I can say that I do not look for cosmetic perfection in my tools.
Cast iron does not look perfect. It's a porous metal that requires extra attention and care to reach its potential.
And i have friends that complained about high carbon blades and cast iron pans due to the fact that they rust etc, not understanding that these things require extra care and attention, especially when new.
I'm hoping one day to be able to afford to invest in some hand crafted artisan blades.
I certainly do not look for perfection, I look for character and utility.
Character in gaining a patina over time, the metals used and the handle materials look and feel.
Utility in being sharp (Which I sharpen myself), shape (It needs to be comfortable in hand) and shift (being able to shift and manoeuvre the knife to where I require).
Very good video.
Some beautiful knifes there.
Subscribed!
These people are crazy. It’s not Walmart. It’s the imperfections that make them perfect. Also very slick looking video. Professional looking 👍🏻👍🏻
Thank you!
I bought a custom knife it takes forever to get sometimes but as a professional cook I think it’s worth it and more unique which I like
I own a Ginga Kato Bunka and it is fantastic for its versatility!
ooooh.... i'm trying to get one in here.
So I have an Anryu hand hammered 270 B2 and I love. It is a beast of a knife! Super light for its size and beautifully balanced. I am also a pro chef and the Anryu is not the best in a pro kitchen. At home its great no worries someone will use it to pry anything open or chip the fine edge. The Anryu feels like a dance partner! At work I use a Jikko 210 R2. Aggresive edge, mostly stainless and the perfcet size on a prep table. A perfect prep monster! Like weilding a light saber. Both fantastic knives!
as a chef i brought a hand made knife from a well known local down here in victoria australia, and its my absolute favorite knife. as you have mentioned there were some slight imperfections, it was a san-mai petty, and the cladding came quite close to the cutting edge, and the tip was far too fine for the steel used so it chipped off (just 1mm or so off the tip, it was an overly flexible material) and i simply ground it back myself on my stones. since then and with very little effort it has been the sharpest knife i own, and has remained an absolute joy to use, i use it as often as i can and will reccomend supporting the maker to anyone who asks about it
Yes! You gave the knife a chance and now love it. Perfect example of what i am talking about
Ooh, who is the maker? I have a Metal Monkey which I love - he's in Torquay. Looking for another handmade and I'd like to buy local if you have a recommendation.
Thank you very informative. It's funny how we forget that these custom knives are art. I just wish I had the dollars to buy more. Not necessarily to use but to show off. Just like a beautiful painting
They aren't art, they are beautifull high performance tools. Not using them is a pity, like owning a Ferrari and never driving it
Maom M Why do peoples buy hand made katana swords worth many thousands of dollars?
Hmmm. Good point.....
Recently got a Kurosaki Shizuku and it is absolutely beautiful and a joy to use!
what size?
@@Burrfection 210 gyuto. The side pattern looked cool in pictures and even cooler in person! It's also my first Wa-handle too.
I cant really afford any of these expensive knives so I'll take any an all information I can get on how to repair knives ( thank for your content)
Anyone who purchases an artisan knife should be honoured to own such a special tool. I myself feel little imperfections add character and make it that one knife that no-one else has. Can't wait till the day I have one of those hanging on my wall. As usual, great explanations Ryky. Stay safe.
So true. One day, Glenn, one day!
Ryky, Didn't know which video to ask about this. Suehiro Knives has a forum. There's a thread about stones drying out completely as if they will be ruined if they don't spend enough time dry... I have 2 King stones I have had in water since the late 1960's. Is this drying thing for newer stones? A video on this topic would be appreciated.
Ricky 1 congratulation on your new place. 2 great vids thats why I’m trying to help though you patreon. 3 the whole point of a hand crafted artisanal knife is that its imperfect. Thanks for all your content
thanks Ido! very good point on the hand crafted knife
Totally agree man. Bout to head into your history to catch up on that factory tour in Japan. I love factory tours... Most people can use a dirt cheap Chinese made garbage steel knife and be completely content with it for what they are using it for. People buying these knives as a status symbol or because they can show off how much they spent but get upset when there is a flaw are gross. It's art homies. It has never been, and will never be cheap. Thanks for the time and effort you put into producing and uploading these videos man.
I had a carbon knife that was bought as a wedding present 16 years ago (Masamoto Sohonten), I have sharpened it myself on a whetstone for years and thought the blade was OK, sharp, but not razor sharp. Then this year for the first time, I had it professionally sharpened and re-edged, OMG, it was razor sharp AND holds the edge. I cannot believe its the same knife. Some of the far more expensive knives I have bought since are not as sharp as the old one.
So in short, yes, many knives are generally not as sharp out of the box (although Shun are very sharp OOTB), and don't blame the knife, it could be your sharpening skills.
I bought an artisan carbon petty (another) yesterday in Tokyo, beautiful, a little flawed in areas, but that's OK, its hand designed and maker by the maker.
This is so educational. I would love to buy an artisan knife. I am new to Japanese knives and just cook for my family. But as my skills in the kitchen grow, I’m interested in better equipment. If you have any idea or can recommend an artist and knife, I would love to have one. For Christmas, I just got 3 Miyabi knives
You make incredible knives, beautiful work. I'm a carpenter it's the something everyone says they want quality the best I price out a custom piece of furniture. Some beautiful not common hard wood, that alone is $$$$$ for example. Then it takes another 50 hours to build and finish. Then they say all you did was cut some squares and nail legs onto it or whatever why does it cost that much...materials cost x amount of dollars so you should assume if just the material Is that expensive hand crafting a one of a kind piece is going to not be cheap...very irritating for everyone to act like your time and products aren't worth the price tag..ie it's just a knife I can get a good one for 100 dollars. Keep up what you're doing and keep up the videos and tips. They have really helped me learn to get the most from my hand tools
For those with complaints about the price, sometimes blacksmiths will only churn out 1 blade a day. On top of that there's the propane/coal they use to heat the metal, the anvil upkeep, tool maintenance, whatever material they use for tempering the metal (be it oil or water) they have to take their time to grind the blade and depending on the design grind all the other sides to make it shiny, some make their own handles from scratch so there's cost for materials there, and if it's damascus they're probably letting it sit for a good bit in ferric chloride to make that pattern look nice and purdy
So true!
Thank you for this insightful presentation. I have had similar experience when presenting and dealing with hand made instruments. I no longer deal with instruments. I came across too much ignorance and lack of appreciation when dealing with non-professionals (I am a professional classical musician.) At some point I was convinced that the issues I was experiencing were confined to the music world in which we deal with inexperienced, but often well-meaning, amateurs, who are unable to evaluate the information they are given. For them there is a huge commercial market, geared to cater to this kind of customer.
Anyway, I am keen to buy a hand made Japanese knife (would love to buy one through you), and I appreciate the information, your good nature and patience. I will soon be embarking on a venture that will bring my amateur love of cooking into the professional realm. I would like to have a good tool to help me do the best I can do.
Ryky, I agree with everything you have said in this video. In my opinion none of the reason these were returned are valid and the people returning them would be better with factory built knives. That being said by sharing these and laughing about them you are going to piss the buyers off and lose customers. I would suggest sharing this information in a more respectful way going forward.
I personally use Misono and Kiwi knives, definitely appreciate the handmade work and one day will try to support these guys.
both are functional and gets the job done!
Very well spoken and brings a lot of insight into the world of understanding the concept of purchasing knives from crafters.
thank you !
I would like to say that your videos are really awesome. I like knifes but mine are more on hunting and skinning side until I came across one of your videos.I have been watching about six of them
I purchased a set from a maker in San Francisco, its just they made them thick, difficult to keep edge too
All my main knives at this point are artisan knives. I've two from Katsushige Anryu-san, a bunka and 210mm gyuto (the bunka is insanely good), a nakiri from the Itto-Ryu guys, and a 240mm gyuto which is my favorite made by Makoto (Yu Kurasaki's brother as you probably know - I don't want to knock Yu's knives, but I think his brother's knives are better.
I've several others as well but one of my *most* used is a small, very very stout petty with the most basic of finishes that was made by a blacksmith whose name I cannot remember, who as I've been told, works alone in an out-of-the-way shack of a shop, making mostly yard-work tools but he makes a few smaller knives. It's truly one of the best in my kitchen. I *rarely* need to sharpen it, the heat-treat on it was insane, and it's just an amazing little thing... and it cost me $25 USD. It isn't "pretty" on the outside, but it can perform better than knives that cost 10x or more without thinking about it.
Point being... there are so many good knives worth seeking out made by so many smiths for *all* the reasons you talk about here. Cheers and hats off man.
Nice choices
Omg! Those knives you showed at the end are amazing and drop dead gorgeous.
Yes….
It is our imperfections that make us unique and it is in those imperfections through which the Holy comes
I also make custom Western style knives. Bowie type knives and hunting knives and others. Not one will be the same. That's why you want handmade. It's unique . Quality materials. Just learning more about the Japanese style and steels. Love my right hand, Nakiri.
I thought this was a very well thought out video and as a newer knife maker very much appreciate the points you make.
Good luck with the craft
Very good points. Loved the information and knowledge.
Thank you!
As a knife maker myself I agree with all your points! I’m just starting out but I’ve dealt with so many of these...
Keep at it! And make each knife special