My knife New Year's resolution

This is assuming I have money again, in 2014, otherwise it's moot.

Anyway, my New Year's resolution is to be a knife user, not a knife buyer. I have never owned as many knives as many here (I think 12 or maybe 15 is the most gyutos I've ever owned at one time, and this number has whittled down over the years as I've consolidated into more and more expensive knives), and I'm down to three, now: a 240 Aoko Kagekiyo, a 240 Heiji carbon and a 240 Gesshin Heiji SS. These are all knives I reach for, everyday I cook, which is almost every day. When I've had other gyutos, including Gyutos I like, including two 240 Shigefusas in 2013, I've still reached for these (well, I reached for a different 240 semi-stainless Heiji, admittedly, as I was keeping this one pristine, but that felt silly, in the end). I have thought about it, and convinced myself that having knives that sit on a rack and don't get used except when I remember to use them is a waste of money and space. That's not to say that I won't buy more knives, in 2104, but only knives I know I'll use. Having many duplicates does not fit in this schema. I have a good bread knife, a good Yanagi, a good western-Deba-ish knife, a good ko-Deba, a nice 150mm petty, and nice parers, and a nice Chinese cleaver. These, combined with three very fine Gyutos, each well maintained, should be enough for a home cook, right?

It's interesting that you bring this up, as just this morning I was reflecting on Murray Carter's thoughts on knives, and realized that I have far too few in the first category and far too many in the third category.

Is That Blade an Asset or a Liability?

All of us buy and acquire things for various reasons. Sometimes we genuinely need something for our day-to-day activities, such as a toothbrush to brush our teeth, and other times we purchase items simply because we desire to have them. I think that either motivation to purchase is legitimate if the buyer stops to consider the Asset/Liability concept.



Considering the following questions will help you determine the value of each knife you have:

1. Is this for day-to-day use?

2. Is this for an investment?

3. Do I just have to have it regardless of the cost to me?

If you spend X amount of money on a knife purchase and you use the knife several times a week, or even daily, then the cost-per-use of that knife is less and less the more you use it. For example, if you buy a $100 knife, and use it 100 times per year for ten years, then your cost is 10 cents (or $0.10) each time you use it. On the other hand, if you use that same knife just a couple of times during ownership, it could cost you upwards of $50 per use.



Keep in mind that a knife which is used even just once is no longer in mint condition, thus subtracting greatly from its value on the second-hand market. This brings us to the second question:



2. Is the knife purchased for an investment?



Some knives, especially those made by prolific and highly sought-after custom knife makers, can be sold on the second-hand market for more than the knives were bought for. Usually the price difference corresponds to the passage of time. Wouldn't it be great to receive 20% interest on a knife investment over a couple of years!



Let's say that your $100 knife, never used, is sold for $120. You made $20 profit...or did you? You see, every time you moved that knife around your home from one storage spot to the next, every time you took it out and cleaned, it cost you time and effort. Surely your time and effort are worth something in terms of dollars and cents. I'd argue that your profit in this case was much less than the $20 you thought you made.



So where does that leave us? Is your knife working for you, or are you working for it?



Knives that are constantly being used, pay for themselves, and are an asset to you. Knives that are carefully chosen for investment purposes might prove to be an asset over time. But the knife that is bought on impulse and then rarely used, it is clearly a liability to you... unless you are able to positively answer the following question in the affirmative.



And finally:



3. Do I just have to have the knife regardless of the cost to me?

If you answered "yes" to that question, that's OK, too, so long as you realize you are paying to pursue your hobby.

I'm starting to realize this as well. Just after buying your knives. Lol. I'm gonna start cutting down my knives significantly.

Something to think about. Hopefully getting a 225 gyuto from Marko (6-8 gyutos is perfectly reasonable, right???). Consolidating my slicers, i.e. trying to sell a few good ones for one very good one. Finishing the started rehandlings of my personal knives. On another note: Getting my behind into the shop more often and finally trying my first Western rehandling on one of my knives.

Stefan

:chin:Hmmmmm, something to think about. Ok, I've thought about it, and my answer is......MORE KNIVES! MORE KNIVES! MORE KNIVES! :viking:

Be well,
Mikey
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Edipis, if you aren't going to buy new knives… then you'll save funds for custom handles!

i have one gyuto, and it could tell you a lot of stories.

icanhaschzbrgr said:

Edipis, if you aren't going to buy new knives… then you'll save funds for custom handles!

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well, lenses is really what it would go towards, if possible. I've had many custom handles, and I like plain, honestly.

It's been more about progressing though different stages. I got into German cutlery, because I wanted something better then department store knifes. While the German knives were a huge step forward, I felt they were awkward in cutting up vegetables, especially onions. The first time using a Santoku patterned knife was an eye opener. Using a Japanese knife for the first time was mind blowing. Finding the forum and learning that there was more to Japanese cutlery then Global or Shun, was a revelation, all the different steels and makers! It was easy to find excuses to buy knives, I don't have a knife in Blue Steel, or a knife from that maker.

After getting six or eight knives in the same pattern, there were differences, but not to that great of a degree. That's when I slowed down and took a closer look at the knifes, trying to identify what I liked or disliked about the knife.

As my sharpening skills improved, it changed my opinions on particular knives. A knife that when I first got it, the profile and grind, looked great, but the knife was an okay cutter at best. I sharpened it a few times, while there was some improvement, it wasn't enough to change my opinion. I sent the knife out to be rehandled. It also got a spa treatment, and the person sharpened it. Now the knife performs better then I imagined.

Trying out a variety of knives, with different types of steel and makers, really helped me identify what I value in a knife. I've been pleasantly surprised how much a good handle and a spa treat can improve the performance of a knife.

Jay

My New Year's resolution for 2014? Using my knives more often than buying them... :angel2:

My NY resolution is to try my hand at making a knife, there are a few local knife smiths who can hopefully show me a thing or two

I'm gonna cut down on my knives and get better ones. Lol.

Gonna have to fit all my knives in one bag and limit it to just that.

franzb69 said:

Gonna have to fit all my knives in one bag and limit it to just that.

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Haha, good one! I once had a knife block custom made for my blades plus a few extra slots, thinking I would never have more knives than I can fit in one block. Guess what?

Stefan

mine is to only have carbon knives in my kit. mission complete, except my parer is stainless clad which is acceptable. who am i kidding, i'll probably replace that too with full carbon.

most gyutos ive had at one time was 5 only because i was trying to figure out what i wanted in a knife. now i only want 2 total that i am content with, but we all know that's a never ending cycle. no more off the shelf knives that interest me so next step is full customs, yikes.