I’ve been talking to this blacksmith...

[ChefKnivesToGo]

I got an email pitch from this blacksmith in Vietnam the other day. Unlike most come ons, when any blacksmith contacts me I never simply blow them off. So I decided to ask him about his business and how he’s making his knives. They’re pretty crude but he said he would be willing to make whatever I wanted. I’ll have to think about that.

Anyhow I asked him for shop pictures. I’ll post them when I get to work.

[Kalaeb]

Sometimes you can get a real winner with those. Crude does not equal poor cutter. I always love trying different styles.

[ChefKnivesToGo]

I have more shots but this one was striking for a number of reasons.

[ChefKnivesToGo]

[Kalaeb]

Any pics of his knives?

[nakneker]

Interesting pics. Probabaly humid as heck, that big fan probabaly gets a work out around that old tooling. He’s keeps it well greased and oiled, that’s for sure.

[ButlerHoosierChef]

I too am wondering his products that he has and has sold.

[Jeff B]

What kind of steels does he use and can you get a prototype for a pass around?

[cooknola]

I’d definitely try something from this Smith. It looks like everything is well maintained. A utility knife would be awesome to try.

[Ourorboros]

Honestly, when you say his knives are crude I probably wouldn't buy a knife on strength of pics alone.
When I see his shop, I'm interested in his full range - for cooking and carry. A good story does sell.

[Eutectic]

Very interested in knife pics, especially if he makes any kind of regional specialty or traditional knife.

[ChefKnivesToGo]

[ChefKnivesToGo]

[Grandprix]

Leaf springs?..

[ChefKnivesToGo]

Leaf springs?..

Yep

[Kalaeb]

Leaf springs?..

Certainly looks like it. Leaf springs can make great knives. The Bloodroot guys make some nice stuff with leaf springs, heck Devin Thomas made one out of a vintage wagon wheel at one point.

Looking at Vietnamese/laotion knives they all appear either like a nakiri or the cck pig sticker.

[Lepus]

Definitely interesting. I would like to know what he usually makes, too, and what they're called. I would imagine given how heavily related Vietnamese cuisine is to Chinese the pictured knives would be analogues to the various Chinese cleavers. I would like one.

[milkbaby]

Are you looking to offer traditional Vietnamese style knives to collectors and/or expand the breadth of your offerings? Or is this more a way to offer another lower cost line to value-conscious customers? Or a little of both?

[ChefKnivesToGo]

Are you looking to offer traditional Vietnamese style knives to collectors and/or expand the breadth of your offerings? Or is this more a way to offer another lower cost line to value-conscious customers? Or a little of both?

There’s no master plan but here is my general thinking. I got an email from this guy and thought I would ask for some pics and it looked interesting. As a buyer I’m very attracted to the very very small blacksmiths that are working and producing tools for their local community. I know it’s not for everyone, and some of us like the “best of the best”, but for me personally a guy like this making knives out of freaking leaf springs really speaks to me. He had the smell of authenticity when I looked at his indoor/outdoor blacksmith shop so I figured I would share it and see if any of you guys thought it would be cool to try them.

I sent him the dimensions for a tall nakiri and I’ll see what the price is for them. Maybe I should do this as a group buy so you guys can buy them from me at cost. I’m guessing they’ll be about $25 without handles.

[Bensbites]

At $25, without handles I will take atleast two, maybe 5.