I looked at her website, her product, and watched a video series that Quickbooks did with her. Seems like she managed to really understand and capture the essence of the affluent Brooklyn hipster and make a product which people want, even if it's not an objectively good tool. She's pretty up front herself about the idea that her knives are selling a piece of art that captures an idea of simpler times and rustic enjoyment, more so than the end result itself. There's definitely a market for that as a lot of affluent young people in major urban centers have some level of self-awareness of how disconnected from reality they are in their daily life, and they wish to adopt the kitsch of hard-scrabble but wholesome rural environs. It's the same reason why people who live in the heart of major cities in Texas (expensive and urban) still decorate their homes like it's going to be featured on the cover of Southern Living, even though they aren't rural ranch homes with strong roots of Americana.
Finding a product/market fit is about more than just creating something which is technically brilliant, it's also about understanding that people buy through their emotions. Even here, even myself, I bought the knives I bought partly because I wanted quality tools, but partly because the tools I already had didn't evoke the sensation and emotional feeling I wanted in the kitchen while cooking as cooking has grown to be a more important part of my daily life. There's a desire in all of us, especially if we cook, especially as we become more disconnected from where our food comes from, to have a feeling of authenticity in our lives. Artisan crafts which are also useful can help to lend us that feeling of authenticity, even if a more utilitarian and soullessly made corporate product could do the job just as well.
There's a deep and abiding insecurity within all of us about the moral quality of the world we exist in and whether we're truly doing better just by finding new ways to increase the speed at which we exploit natural resources and each other. There's a reason that hipsters have also lead the way in the urban gardening, urban chicken, and urban farming movements. There's a connection which is undeniable between humanity and the things which sustain our life, food, water, sunlight, air.
One funny thing about CM's knives I just noticed is that the finish on the blade road is also.... rustic. There are still grind marks, and also sandpaper scratches in all different directions. I assume this was a choice? I guess her other artistic choices are so bizarre to me that it very well may be...
http://www.chelseamillerknives.com/shop-kitchen-knives/chef-knife-1
Yes, very rough and rustic—but my TF denka also has some very rough and wonky areas. Not the type of knife I'd ever imagine having a place in a serious kitchen—but that's not her clientele. I can see how her knives appeal to collectors of artisan made objects—fun conversation pieces used in a home kitchen. Main selling hook is authorship, a knife made by Chelsea Miller. Which I understand, in that I often value knowing the person who made my knife—digging when there's a real engagement, seeing process shots of the knife being made.
Like a fine dining plate!Or maybe she is operating at a level way above us, and every individual scratch mark on the blade road is put there with great meaning and purpose.
Like a fine dining plate!
Yea, it's just that TF has performance going for it, so you can say "oh, they didn't concentrate so much on appearance, just on making a great tool". Her knives don't seem to be made to be tools, so I immediately think there'd be a lot of thought and care put into the f&f, since that is basically all there is. But I guess `rustic’ is a particular look, and maybe she thinks that a mirror polished blade road would look weird up against the cheese grater. Or maybe she is operating at a level way above us, and every individual scratch mark on the blade road is put there with great meaning and purpose.
Are the Kemadi knives any good? Russian but unknown right? Are they handmade?There’s absolutely nothing inherently wrong with the business model of crowd funding a knife project; or using social media marketing savvy for audience building, with an aim to sell—it’s not in itself an indicator of poor quality knives. KeMaDi is an example of a company selling good knives direct, that relies mainly on IG and word of mouth for audience building. Kickstarter can be a wonderful platform for ambitious individuals to get their projects funded—it’s sad that some here don’t see the value of it, stuck in antiquated pre-2009 marketing thinking, times have changed, important for any knife maker to keep up, which many do. For individual craftsman, who might not be able to secure a business loan to get started—Kickstarter offers a great egalitarian path. True that many of the current Kickstarter knives aren’t my cup of tea—but I’m hopeful more quality knives come through the Kickstarter ranks. A good number of great knives In my collection were brought to my attention through IG, by individual makers or vendors. The platforms utilized by ‘social brands’ are just tools.
Can you imagine what it would do to a knife block as that rasp drags when inserted? Probably need a rubber lined magnet strip, or better yet, frame it and hang it in the kitchen.The serrated spine could be useful. Make it a little more dramatic and you have a gyuto and a breadknife in one.
Does it come with a friction fit saya?Can you imagine what it would do to a knife block as that rasp drags when inserted? Probably need a rubber lined magnet strip, or better yet, frame it and hang it in the kitchen.
Are those the same as the Bulat Knives?Are the Kemadi knives any good? Russian but unknown right? Are they handmade?
I believe so? Ke(kevin-murdersharp)Ma(matteo/preizzo)Di(dirch)Are those the same as the Bulat Knives?
After a full shift; not at all.dumb question: How would a pinch grip feel with a CM knife?
dumb question: How would a pinch grip feel with a CM knife?
Are the Kemadi knives any good? Russian but unknown right? Are they handmade?
surely shes not the actual knife maker? just a lady who poses in nice clothes with clean hands at an anvil. or perhaps this has been discussed, if so, my bad.I find her knives unpleasant to look at. However, kudos to her for her success, being smart with marketing, finding her audience of willing buyers—thus allowing her to make a living as a knife maker (not an easy task)! True there're probably many 'better' makers out there that have achieved far less financial success—but making/creating a knife is only a part of the equation, the maker needs to have good business sensibilities.
I believe so? Ke(kevin-murdersharp)Ma(matteo/preizzo)Di(dirch)
surely shes not the actual knife maker? just a lady who poses in nice clothes with clean hands at an anvil. or perhaps this has been discussed, if so, my bad.
i mean as tools, the blade shapes make no sense.
I can see the work of art approach but $800? Good that she has a fan base so you have to give her credit for carving out that market.
Are the Kemadi knives any good? Russian but unknown right? Are they handmade?
Robin any info you need just ask me , Don't be shyAre the Kemadi knives any good? Russian but unknown right? Are they handmade?
The short answer is yes and they are fantastic knives.Are the Kemadi knives any good? Russian but unknown right? Are they handmade?
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