It’s been a while since my last blog post so I apologize for that! We’re going to go on a slight tangent today (but don’t worry! Knives are still the focus). While I definitely want to focus on the education of Japanese chef knives, I also want to take some time to share a bit more of myself in the hopes that I can build some community.
At my core, I am at my best when I am around people. Upon reflection, 6 years later, I still feel like I haven’t recovered completely from the effects of 2020 on several levels. The reverberations of all the things that happened during that year and the years immediately following it will be interesting to revisit in 20-30 years. On a personal note, I feel like a big part of me was stripped away and it’s never quite been restored. I hear and read all the time about social dynamics being forever changed, not only by technology and the rise of AI, but also because of the scars left by a worldwide shut down. I’m not here to argue who was at fault or what should have been done or not done, but I am just stating that I think all of us were affected regardless of what our beliefs are/were.
Ever since then, I feel like I have been struggling to rebuild the sense of community I have always needed. But it’s harder to do the older you get. People get busier. Time becomes more of a commodity. Relationships are harder to find and nurture. This is where I will bring it back to Japanese knives - falling down this rabbit hole was the first time in a long time where I would genuinely be excited to learn about a new topic and interact with other people (virtually). For me, I still value the ability to have a cup of coffee or share a meal with people so that has always been the goal for me once I identified some “friends” in the knife community. It is a bit harder to do since we live in all different parts of the world but that hasn’t stopped me from trying!
I really wanted to meet and connect with my friend Julien last year because we were both in Japan at the time but we kept missing each other by a day or two (and in some cases, just a couple hours!). We couldn’t make it happen but I think we will get there one day. Another opportunity to meet with another knife nerd presented itself when I had a trip to Denver planned and I was able to meet TJ. We had a wonderful time visiting Carbon Knife Co., followed by an amazing meal at Rougarou. I mention these two individuals because they have greatly influenced my perspective and understanding of the Japanese knives. I am reminded every day how much more I have to learn and grow in this niche space.
So why did I ramble on about my oddly specific desire for community? I like to think that my “business model” isn’t just selling knives. I have enjoyed my time selling and sharpening knives at the farmers market pop ups I do twice a month because of the conversations I get to have as well as the time I get to spend educating people on knife care and maintenance and why they should add a Japanese knife to their arsenal of kitchen tools. As of right now, I offer free lifetime knife sharpening for any knives purchased from me as a way to stay connected and as a thank you for trusting me.
I have had more than a few inquiries about this magnetic knife holder that I use at my pop ups, so I will be linking to that below. This block is a little different in that it is slightly tilted to the back instead of standing straight up. The magnets are strong and the surface finish seems to be holding well after 3 months so far.