Tried the unthinkable

[Barmoley]

So I decided to try something I usually don't do. I went on vacation with friends and family for 9 days and took 2 nice, expensive knives with me. I let all use them to make dinners and other food stuff. I also didn't take any sharpenning supplies, none. These are the victims....

I am glad to say the knives survived and were still mostly sharp at the end of the ordeal. They were used on cutting boards, mostly cheap plastic, we stayed at AirBnB houses. The knives were brought back to normal sharpness in a minute for each on 6k diamond. No chipping or anything drastic. The edges were somewhat blunt in most used sections, but still sharp enough to continue with normal cutting and food prep. Most of the edge was fully intact. I guess rwl @64 HRC and Zwear @63 HRC can handle some abuse.

 

[Qapla']

Which knives are these?

How did your friends view the knives (any especial reaction to their initial sharpness)?

 

[Jville]

I feel like there is more to the story. How did the F&F react to using them?

 

[tchan001]

I thought it was going to be another Shig gyuto DIY mod when I first read the title. LOL

 

[ma_sha1]

Speaking of taking some abuse, my very first Japanese knife was a Almar VG10, it went for 15 years of hone use without sharpening.

 

[juice]

Speaking of taking some abuse

An expert speaks!

 

[Barmoley]

Which knives are these?

How did your friends view the knives (any especial reaction to their initial sharpness)?

These are HSCIII and NewHam. Friends were very surprised how sharp the knives were. Said these were the sharpest knives they ever used. They held them in very weird ways, at first I corrected them, but then left the kitchen because I couldn’t handle the way they held and used them. Miraculously, no one got hurt.

I feel like there is more to the story. How did the F&F react to using them?

This is the whole story.

 

[Matt Jacobs]

I now keep a Yaxell BDN-1 blade in my trailer just so I can finally have a decent knife when camping. I think if you can bring knives with you on vacation it makes a world of difference.

 

[Barmoley]

I agree the HSCIII above was specifically meant and designed as a "camping/vacation" chef knife. Shorter than my usual knives with curvier profile and western handle. The idea was that never know if I'll have a board or counter, so shorter and curvier might work better. Also needs to be less delicate and will be used by more people so western handle and dimensions less scary for normal people.

 

[Inosuke Hashibira]

I thought it was going to be another Shig gyuto DIY mod when I first read the title. LOL

I had the exact same thoughts

 

[panda]

based on thread title this could have gone in so many different hilarious directions

 

[Jville]

These are HSCIII and NewHam. Friends were very surprised how sharp the knives were. Said these were the sharpest knives they ever used. They held them in very weird ways, at first I corrected them, but then left the kitchen because I couldn’t handle the way they held and used them. Miraculously, no one got hurt.

This is the whole story.

Thanks for giving me closure.

 

[tchan001]

based on thread title this could have gone in so many different hilarious directions

He could have bought a Chelsea Miller trying to get a date with her. LOL

 

[Barmoley]

He could have bought a Chelsea Miller trying to get a date with her. LOL

Not interested. Happily married and have good taste in knives. It is interesting that this is what you thought of. I think you should get one of her knives and report back.

 

[tchan001]

Not interested in trying the unthinkable.

 

[M1k3]

based on thread title this could have gone in so many different hilarious directions

That's what sea said

 

[Gregmega]

I’m embarking on a similar voyage out to the desert on Sunday. Was just thinking of what to bring when I saw your thread . So, any ideas? This could get ugly fast.

 

[Barmoley]

Not interested in trying the unthinkable.

I’m embarking on a similar voyage out to the desert on Sunday. Was just thinking of what to bring when I saw your thread . So, any ideas? This could get ugly fast.

Well, not knowing what knives you have these days I can't be of much help. Here's my thinking. Simple carbon won't work if normal people use the knives. It is absolutely unreasonable to expect normal people to wipe and wash the knives right away. Knives cannot be too scary so very long or tall knives don't work. If quality cutting boards are not available then very fragile or super optimized knives are not the best choice either. This leaves stainless or semi-stainless knives of reasonable length 180-230 mm which incompasses your preferred length anyway so you must have a few. Midweight or heavier grinds are better, since they are usually more robust. I didn't want to sharpen as I wanted to see if the knives could survive without. You might feel differently. You will not cut as much as at your job, you will also not cut as many varied things so your dulling will come from crappy cutting surfaces and poor technique of normal people. Unless you are the only one using the knives. This means you need the toughest, most wear resistant knife you have that is not too large. I would not bring ashi honyaki for example

 

[tchan001]

I hope you didn't take it personally. I was just trying to think of hilarious situations that fit the title of the thread. I apologize if you think otherwise.

 

[McMan]

If in-laws were involved, I commend you.

 

[Barmoley]

If in-laws were involved, I commend you.

Absolutely not, I am not crazy.....well that is a matter of opinion I suppose... No in-laws, beside friends are replaceable, relatives not so much.

 

[daddy yo yo]

Honestly, I was expecting this story to turn ugly... I really admired your courage to bring those 2 knives to that occasion, and expected the knives to have enemy(=dishwasher) contact!

 

[Gregmega]

Ya know I just did a quick inventory in my mind palace and I’m drawing a blank on if I even have any stainless knives right now. I’m gonna have to actually open the vault and see what may work. Only upshot here- absolutely no one going cooks. Except the wife of course, but they’re all petrified to cook for us (so I thought ahead and did loads of meal prep, one pot recipes like pork fennel ragout and chicken tinga, cryovac’d and ready to rock). But there’s always a rogue agent who likes shiny things.

 

[tchan001]

If I were in such a situation, I'd lend them my CCK SS cleaver.

 

[stringer]

So I decided to try something I usually don't do. I went on vacation with friends and family for 9 days and took 2 nice, expensive knives with me. I let all use them to make dinners and other food stuff. I also didn't take any sharpenning supplies, none. These are the victims....

View attachment 90105

I am glad to say the knives survived and were still mostly sharp at the end of the ordeal. They were used on cutting boards, mostly cheap plastic, we stayed at AirBnB houses. The knives were brought back to normal sharpness in a minute for each on 6k diamond. No chipping or anything drastic. The edges were somewhat blunt in most used sections, but still sharp enough to continue with normal cutting and food prep. Most of the edge was fully intact. I guess rwl @64 HRC and Zwear @63 HRC can handle some abuse.

I was not so lucky. It will buff out pretty easy. Nothing fancy either, just vg10. I think it sustained the damage in a drying rack with some dishes piled on it.

 

[Barmoley]

I was not so lucky. It will buff out pretty easy. Nothing fancy either, just vg10. I think it sustained the damage in a drying rack with some dishes piled on it.
View attachment 90433

Yeah, my knives were not subjected to dishwasher or dish rack. In that sense my family and friends know better. I haven't had luck with vg10 though, it seems to always chip for me one way or another.

 

[Gregmega]

Yeah so guess what I brought.

 

[M1k3]

Yeah so guess what I brought.

Flap disc grinder?

 

[HSC /// Knives]

Glad that all worked out. How did the handle feel? It’s simple and unsophisticated, but I think comfortable

did you Chop any wood with it?

 

[Barmoley]

Glad that all worked out. How did the handle feel? It’s simple and unsophisticated, but I think comfortable

did you Chop any wood with it?

The handle worked very well. Simple or not it is very comfortable and noone complained. Didn't chop any wood just food prep this time around. Next time might chop some pennynails....nah probably not.