This is 3Bits & Change, an email about building a direct to consumer business. Today’s email was written to the early morning sound of a hotel room AC.
Good day,
A forge, a museum and a handle making workshop.
Forge on, no.1
It is now more clear why some of these knives are so hard to get. First, people purchased all the other ones. Second, raw products continue to have abnormal availability. And, third, and not least, the process is full of “handmade” - with a lot of steps and it takes TIME!
A city of makers, no.2
The family traditions of making knives go back hundreds of years in the area. They’ve joined efforts to build and run a museum that also has a showroom. This is also where home cooks bring their knives for sharpening.
According to the display there are 17 steps to making a Deba - shown below. After having spent the morning in a workshop this struck me as drastically over simplified given the nuances in each step.
Check these out! Now, I’ll need to put google translate to work and see if I can find the maker online and if they’ll be willing to and have supply to sell to us. I don’t think GPT is going to help with this one. :)
Handle makers too, no.3
In a small workshop, next to a 7 Eleven, some of the the best kitchen knife handles in the world have been made for over one hundred years. Some of the equipment was used by the great grandfather of some of the people we met.
The craftsmen clearly know their machines. They move with speed and precision. They’re calm. At times, it seems they’re working with their eyes closed.
Sum
The joy that filled the forge was undeniable. It emanated from the lead and his co-workers. I had a blast. I also found myself daydreaming about a multi-month residency if and when it might make sense. :)
Change
My mind has been changed on why these Japanese knives are out of stock. My respect for the knife making process and people involved has skyrocketed.
On Your Way
Hope you have a great balance of Friday. It’s Saturday here and we’re headed to the sharpening shop today. Standby for more stories and photos.
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