Global Chefs Knives - The Origins and History of a Design Classic

The first Global Chefs knives were designed inprofessional kitchens and in the home.
1985 by Komin Yamada in Japan. Yamada wasAlthough the materials and processes Yamada
commissioned to produce a new and revolutionaryused to manufacture Global Chefs Knives was
set of Japanese chefs knives, using the latesttechnologically advanced, the knife range has
manufacturing technologies and materials. Theclearly taken inspiration from Japan's long history
range of knives that he produced have proven toof knife blade manufacturing. Over 1000 years
be popular with both professional chefs andago, Japanese blacksmiths and swordsmiths
amateur home cooks, as they are comfortable todeveloped and improved the process of making
hold and use and easy to maintain. Introducedsharp yet strong knife and sword blades for the
from Japan to Europe in 1988, Global chefs knivesSamurai warriors. Although the Samurai tradition is
were the first one piece stainless steel knife to benowceremonial, those skills are still being used to
offered to the European market.manufacture high quality chefs knives. Japanese
The design that Yamada produced was simpleknives are famous over the world for this quality
yet clever, and took inspiration from both- Global chefs knives are now manufactured by
Japanese chefs knives and cooks knives usedYoshikin, in the city of Niigata, Japan.
throughout Asia. European knives such as SabatierThe material that Yamada chose to produce his
are usually made with a tang and bolster whichknife range is not just stainless steel, but is one
the knife handle attaches to - Asian and Japaneseof the finest stainless steels available - Cromova
knives do not have these as they are seen as a18. This is a proprietary stainless steel designed
hindrance to both sharpening and cutting, and toand used by Yoshikin exclusively for the
the overall balance of the knife. For the Globalmanufacture of Global chefs knives. Cromova 18
chefs knife range, Yamada introduced a hollowhas a chromium content of 18 per cent - which
handle which is filled with sand to get a correctkeeps the knife blades free of rust or stains, and
balance.means that although the steel is hard it is not too
To complete his design, Yamada included severalhard to sharpen. The MO and VA elements of the
further features unique to Global knives such as aCromova 18 name stand for the metallic
smooth contour and a seamless all stainless steelelements molybdenum and vanadium.
construction. This design eliminates dirt and foodThese ensure that the knife retains the world
traps and helps in the cleaning process - this givesfamous Global chefs knife sharp edge.
the best result in safety and hygiene, essential in