Are American made kitchen knives a thing of the past?

[Russ Jackson]

I own a lot of Kitchen Knives old and new. I only use two when I cook. One is a Japanese Knife called Mac the ones I use are from the 80's and can be bought for about $20 to $40 each. Here is an example. http://www.ebay.com/itm/Used-MAC-KN...157?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item564f76a97d

These old ones are no longer made and are considered the best kept secret in knives by many chefs. You can find great examples on ebay if you watch. Easy to sharpen and really hold an edge. You might think they have an odd shape but feel great in hand. I have tried just about every knife available and these are the best.

The other one I use can be bought at Sam's club. Its a 10 inch Santoku Knife sold in a two pack for under $20 bucks. They are indestructible and hold an edge very well. I know you are not supposed to put knives in a dish washer but in the real world I do and these ones work great.

 

[jason41987]

cutco is US made.. kabar too, i have relatives that work at the factory.. though, i wouldnt be suprised if our countries current economic problems changes that too

i guess the best way to get made in america, is to make it yourself.. though the steel you find will probably be made in china too

 

[Fat_46]

Thanks for all of the suggestions. I've got a few bids out based on this thread. I also just picked up a HF belt sander and believe I will try making a blade from D2. I'll be scouring the thrift shops this weekend for a small oven to heat treat the finished blade. I really wish to buy an American carbon blade, but in all honesty the pride of my kitchen in a Shun Santoku. Maybe I'll re-evaluate and see what happens.

 

[kBob]

So yesterday while getting my wood stand read for a load of oak firewood I found buried under one of the concrete blocks what appears to be an old Hickory big old butcher knife blade that was quite corroded and missing not only its scales but the cuttler rivets.

My elementary aged daughter wants to bring it back to life and though it seems more trouble than it could be worth I think we will. I would post tonight but I just discovered her older brother had set the camera resolution way to high for the size files normally allowed on here but I may as well try.

Neither my wife nor I can recall having or loosing such a knife so it may have been out there 18 years or more....... or maybe I forgot it last year.... or someone working on the well or roof or barn over the past decade dropped it.

I am thinking sandpaper, files, and elbow grease from little elbows as well as my own.

-kBob

edit: yep, too big maybe next time.

 

[Fat_46]

kBob - I brought back a Cutco Girl Scout knife that was very rusty by starting with a wekened solution of Brownells steel White blueing remover. It worked out pretty well. After a short soak and rinse I used wet towels and table salt to remove the rest of the rust from the few small pits.