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taking orders yet?

As of right now, I am not taking orders just yet, but I haven't forgotten you. We still have over a solid year of orders in front of us, and that is working at full capacity. I'm trying to get a little further through the current orders before taking any more.

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what about the auction?

In my spare time, I enjoy making new creations with steel and designs. Due to the fact that many people are waiting to have a Kramer original, I think the auction is a great way to occasionally offer my experimental work for immediate purchase.

In July, we were fortunate enough sell one of these creations on eBay. As a way to give back, I took a chunk of change and donated to Kiva. This is a nonprofit organization providing loans, training, and other assistance to entrepreneurs worldwide. The recipients are making strides toward economic independence, while improving life for themselves, their family, and their community.

For more information on Kiva: http://www.kiva.org/about

Check out Kodjo a furniture upholster in Togo

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exchange student from Japan

While working with Shun, on a trip to Tokyo a few years ago, I visited a traditional Japanese jewelry studio where I met Naoya. He is now here as an exchange student, and staying with my family, as a guest in my home. In our spare time, we are discussing Japanese jewelry techniques, and American-style knife making. Hopefully, during his stay, we will collaborate on several projects, blending the two art forms.

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hammer up and running

What a stroke of luck it has been to find the 500lb Little Giant Hammer. It was originally built in the late sixties, for steel work on Navy ships, and was never used. In 1983, Hanford Miller, one of the founding members of the American Bladesmith Society, acquired it. This hammer is so big and hard to move, that Hanford built his shop around the foundation for the hammer, and then dropped it in, using a crane. Again, it was never used. Upon purchasing it from Hanford last winter, I had to wait for the snows to melt in late spring to get it off Hanford's property and over the Rocky Mountains. All along, I was wondering if the dang thing would work after all of these years.

Getting the hammer into our shop took a 30,000 pound capacity forklift, which barely fit through the door. Then, to set the hammer on the bolt holes was just short of a miracle. Thanks to his forklift skills and amazing ability to work in perfect harmony with his brother, Mark was the star of this show.

The next step, to refurbish the machine, was challenging. We broke down the entire hammer and rebuilt parts. Then, we had to get the 500 pound strokes into an even rhythm. Once all of this was ready to go, the big question, constantly in our minds, was how would this effect our neighbors? and Chris in the office? Luckily, the cement foundation we built worked wonders, and there has been no complaints - only excitement to see what we are doing. And, wow... the Little Giant Hammer works beautifully. I'm looking forward to creating some Damascus patterns that have not been possible with my smaller hammer. Stay tuned...

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partnership with Shun

In efforts to continue offering readily-available knives with my design specifications, Shun and I have expanded upon our successful partnership. We have introduced the Meiji Line, available exclusively through Williams-Sonoma. In addition, the European Line, available exclusively through Sur La Table, has recently expanded to include the 10" Chef, the 10" Slicer, and Steak Knives.

For more information on the Kramer/Shun Meiji Line
http://www.williams-sonoma.com/search/results.html?words=bob+kramer

For more information on the Kramer/Shun European Line
http://www.surlatable.com/category/id/103112.do

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touring the country

I am fortunate to have the opportunity to visit various Sur La Table and Williams-Sonoma retail stores to talk about my partnership with Shun. At some of the events, I will be offering classes on the use and maintenance of knives. It would be great to see you there.

I have made efforts to schedule most of the events on the weekends, during my spare time, so we can keep our regular shop hours. The tour begins this Saturday, October 3, and ends on Sunday, December 6. Locations include Arizona, California, Illinois, New York, Oregon, Texas, and Washington State.

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dates/locations of tour

Below are details of each event. For more information, please contact the location of the event, provided below.

Sur La Table Scottsdale
Sat, Nov 14
Knife Skills/Maintenance Class
Kierland Commons
7122 E. Greenway Parkway
Suite 100
Scottsdale, AZ 85254
(480) 998-0118

California

Williams-Sonoma San Francisco
Thurs, Oct 8
Union Square
340 Post Street
San Francisco, CA 94108
(415) 362-9450

Sur La Table San Francisco
Sat, Oct 31
One Ferry Building
Market Shop #37
San Francisco, CA 94111
(415) 262-9970

Sur La Table San Francisco
Sun, Nov 1
Knife Skills/Maintenance Class
77 Maiden Lane
San Francisco, CA 94108
(415) 732-7900

Sur La Table Newport Beach
Sat, Nov 7
Knife Skills/Maintenance Class
Corona del Mar Plaza
832 Avocado Avenue
Newport Beach, CA 92660
(949) 640-0200

Sur La Table Costa Mesa
Sat, Nov 7
South Coast Plaza
3333 Bear Street
Suite 110
Costa Mesa, CA 92626
(714) 241-0118

Sur La Table Los Angeles
Sun, Nov 8
Knife Skills/Maintenance Class
Farmer's Market
6333 W. Third Street
Los Angeles, CA 90036
(323) 954-9190

Illinois

Williams-Sonoma Chicago
Sat, Oct 3
900 N. Michigan Ave
Chicago, IL 60611
(312) 587-8080

Sur La Table Chicago
Sun, Dec 6
Knife Skills/Maintenance Class
52-54 East Walton Street
Chicago, IL 60611
(312) 337-0600

New York

Williams-Sonoma New York
Sun, Oct 4
Shops at Columbus Circle
Time Warner Center
10 Columbus Circle
New York, NY 10019
(212) 823-9750

Oregon

Williams-Sonoma Portland
Wed, Oct 7
Kress Building
638 SW 5th Avenue
Portland, OR 97204
(503) 827-8383

Texas

Sur La Table Houston
Sat, Nov 21
Knife Skills/Maintenance Class
River Oaks Shopping Center
1996 West Gray
Houston, TX 77019
(713) 533-0400

Sur La Table Dallas
Sun, Nov 22
Knife Skills/Maintenance Class
4527 Travis Street
Suite A
Dallas, TX 75205
(214) 219-4404

Washington

Sur La Table Kirkland
Sat, Oct 24
Knife Skills/Maintenance Class
90 Central Way
Kirkland, WA 98033
(425) 827-1311

Sur La Table Bellevue
Sun, Oct 25
The Bravern
11111 NE 8th Street
Suite 30
Bellevue, WA 98004
(425) 450-4010

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Thank you for your interest in my work, and your patience.

Bob Kramer, Master Bladesmith, ABS

www.kramerknives.com
(360) 455-4357
kramerknives@earthlink.net