Chris - nice to hear about some positive events, congrats. The following obvious questions must be addressed:
Does the new crew know anything about cutting tools?
Are you willing to show them what sharp means?
Are you going to buy a knife with your first pay check?
Thank you Seth, and all great questions.
I am waaaaaayyyy more knerdy about knives than any of them. The nicest blades IMHO that some guys have are a Mac gyuto and a Yoshihiro petty. I did unearth and old dirty carbon Dexter cleaver from inside a drawer that I will eventually bring to my home spa for some rehab.
I'm reluctant to use my "nicer" or carbon or fragile blades on the line as it is quite hectic, and I don't want to lose my s-word on the guy that uses and/or breaks/damages my knife. I am the FNG after all. I'm using my Forgecraft Chef's and a stainless paring knife on the line right now.
I've already offered to sharpen and do a tip repair on my friend's Mac. They really abuse the crap out of their blades though, so it's probably a lost cause. e.g.: scraping fish off of a sizzle pan with your gyuto isn't good for anyone!
The 1st check.......unless I'm going to make $40 an hour, no. I don't think I'm going to buy a new knife for a long, long, long, long time. I am making less than half of what I made at my last job.
Anyone that wants to send me a Shig or Martell or really anything to congratulate me, PM me for my address!