"Testimonials"

Dear Mr. Kramer,

I write as a woman indebted to your skills as a master bladesmith and matchmaker. My former boyfriend, and now FIANCÉ Steve had the good sense to forgo a ring and purchase me the best kitchen tool a girl could ever hope for, and you had the kind heart and the skills to make that happen. He is a smart kid, and you are a wonderful man for make such amazing knives and putting in extra hours to make me my own little treasure.

My knife not only slices carrots like they are butter, but it is also drop dead gorgeous. The words "unparalleled craftsmanship" come to mind. I am especially fond of the piece of wood you chose for the handle, especially because I feel like you chose it just for me.

Steve may have told you that he proposed at my aunt and uncle's property. My aunt and uncle are both artists, and I could hardly sleep the night we got engaged, due in large part to the anticipation of showing them the art that you produce. Unsurprisingly, they were favorably impressed.

Several people have encouraged us not to use the knife until we cut our wedding cake. The idea is quaint, I suppose, but I simply could not tolerate shelving a knife meant for endless kitchen use for a full year. Thus, the knife has been hard at work. I still get weak in the knees every time I cut an onion. I get the giggles when I glide through a tomato. I had no idea it could be this way! I am a girl in a constant swoon whenever I'm in the kitchen, and it's because of your knife!

Utility and aesthetics aside, I would be remiss if I did not tell you that I am really touched by your willingness to go above and beyond to make me something that is really special to me, even though you simply did not have the time. Rings and jewelry really don't do much for me, but I look forward to the day when I can tell my grandkids the story behind my sixty year old knife, and have them secretly wonder when the heck I'm going to kick the bucket so that coveted piece of cutlery can finally be theirs.

I guess what I'm trying to say is thank you, although that hardly seems sufficient. I now have the best guy and the best knife in the world, and I owe it to you. I am ever grateful, and look forward to meeting you at the wedding.

Emma O.
Bride to be and proud owner of a real deal Kramer knife.

Bob,
I wanted to drop you a little note to tell you about my fantastic experience I have had using your knives. I received an 8" chef blade for my 30th birthday in 2000 and have to this day made it my only piece of cutlery in the kitchen; I cook routinely so the knife gets plenty of use. I use a steel on the edge about twice a week and have only had it sharpened by you once about 4 years ago. I will say due the sharpness I have had a couple miss-haps to my fingers, with one resulting in an ER visit. I rave to all my family and friends about Kramer knives and actually make them cut with it when they come over for dinner. Its hard to think that a knife could be too sharp, but I have had people say that it scares them and they are afraid to use it, CRAZY! Thanks for the quality knife!!

Dan Marten

Bob, I received your piece of artistry, and want to thank you for the
expedient shipping and excellent craftsmanship. Rarely does the quality
meet the value like it does with this purchase, and although this is the
most I have ever spent on a knife, I feel like I completely got my
moneys worth.
Thanks again,

JP Pfister

Mr. Kramer,

Our Kramer knives arrived in fine condition and are absolutely stunning. The evaluations we have seen do not overstate these handsome tools. Many thanks.

R. Miller

Cooks Illustrated

What do you get when you spend $475 on a chef's knife? You get handmade custom work by Master Bladesmith Bob Kramer of Olympia, Wash. Is this knife markedly better than the competition? According to our testers, yes. The Kramer knife outperformed every knife we've ever rated. Testers found it exceptionally comfortable, sharp, and agile.

Kramer, a former professional chef, is one of only 97 Master Bladesmiths in America, having passed the American Bladesmith Society's rigorous series of tests. Unlike most bladesmiths, Kramer makes only kitchen cutlery. He uses a carbon steel that is harder than most kitchen knives. It will rust and discolor if you don't keep it clean and dry, but the blade is especially sharp and proved durable in our tests.

So why do his knives cost so much? Kramer heat-treats the blades, one at a time, in a seven-step process that takes six hours. He also makes the handles, polishing equatorial burl wood. As for the manufactured knives made by the competition, Kramer says, "It's like comparing Twinkies to a Grand Marnier soufflé." We agree, but that's one expensive soufflé.

Cooks Illustrated March 2007

Hi Bob,
I love the 10" chefs knife and Veggie you sent me last year. It took me a long time before I decided to use them... but I finally broke down and have been using them now for several months. I have many custom kitchen knives made by some of the best makers around but nothing comes close to the balance, beauty and performance of your knives. For one knife to have the best of ALL three attributes is highly unusual... but you knew that didn't you?
Your knives are truly exceptional, no BS, The Damascus Veggie cleaver is however in my knife case.
D. Evans

hHey Bob,
Just a note to express my joy in owning/using my custom Damascus 9" chef's knife. The construction is superb... beautiful, super sharp, perfect balance. As a surgeon, I'm very sensitive to fine cutting instruments. My custom knife from you is far and away the finest of any I own. Superior balance, amazing sharpness and cutting ability, magnificent craftsmanship, beautiful design and materials. Let's not mince words, this knife ROCKS. I'm looking forward to purchasing a second knife from you soon. Thanks for your good work,

P. Kaplan, MD

I think it was four or five years ago that your 8" chef's knife was given to me as a gift. This was just after the Saveur article so there was quite a wait. At any rate, I have been using your knife everyday in a production environment, and it has been FLAWLESS!! The edge never goes away ( with proper steeling and only occasional sharpening) and it still feels like a dream in my hands, everyday :).

Thx again for all your hard work and passion.

Sincerely,

R. Hoover

Bob,

The cooks are all passing around the knife - mesmerized. It's so beautiful and it feels sooo good in my hand, not only the way the handle fits, but the perfect balance and the exquisite degree of polish. Left handed too! It will be prominent in the photos.
I have a feeling I will not want to give it up - if I can purchase it.

Thanks!

Jerry

Jerry Traunfeld
The Herbfarm

I've used your knives for almost six years now, and I own six of them, and, honestly, they have changed the way I approach cooking. Mundane tasks, like cutting shallots without juicing them, or mirepoix... are all raised way past mundane, I find pleasure in using the tools and creating a perfectly cut 1/16th inch shallot....or,even shaving a white truffle better that any mandoline, just with the heel of my 9" chef's knife. Some folks call it art, but I see pure craftsmanship in your work, and pure craftsmanship is honest.

Erik Desjarlais
Bandol

It's rare these days that a service exceeds expectations. You're sharpening service certainly exceeded my expectations. The knives are completely different in feel and much more beautiful.

John Michell

Bob, just wanted to let you know I love the knife! It is perfectly balanced, is the sharpest knife or equal to the sharpest knives I've ever used, not to mention it is absolutely gorgeous. Moreover, it holds its edge better than any knife I've used. I have used it everyday since receiving it, and have only to hone it. Well worth the wait and the money.

Chef Alan Narvaez- Forte

Thanks for the great knives. I have been using them. I love them! I even love simply holding them. They even feel right . Using your knives reminds me of a quote:

"A mind that has been stretched can never go back to it's original shape."

Well I can no longer go back to my other knives.
Cheers , Brian

Hi Bob, I just received the 5" Damascus utility knife today. All I can say is what a beautiful piece of workmanship, well worth the wait. I will spread the word, and I will be ordering more in the future, Thanks,

RD

I just received 12 knives back from you and I cannot believe how incredibly sharp and beautiful you have made these blades. What an amazing job. I never thought I'd be calling someone about a sharpening job- fantastic.
John Sisti

Still completely in awe of the two knives I purchased from you, the 10" chef and the 10" slicer. They maintain an edge like no other, rarely rust or discolor, and are the only knife I know that can pass the ultimate test, cutting large rutabagas in a straight line. People who haven't seen them can rarely walk past my cutting board without picking them up, and I always send them your way, even though I know how hard it is for cooks to afford them ( I am saving for one more). Must admit, they've knocked my Masamoto's to a distant second. Will be getting lots of use out of them this coming week at the James Beard House, where I am helping my Chef Terence Feury cook.

Kibett Mengech

Bob,

Your knife is awesome. Well worth the wait. I was so worried that it wouldn't be that much better than my Wusthof! WRONG!! Compared to your knife, the Wusthof is like a plastic picnic knife. I'm finding new heights of chopping. Mincing through garlic like nobody's business, chiffonading herbs like they were nothing. Thank you so much. It was worth the wait. You're as much an artist as me.

Rex Pickett
author of "Sideways"

Mr. Kramer, the knives you sharpened for me were delivered last night and I wanted to thank you for the fantastic job! I tried them out and they felt like totally different ( vastly improved) set of knives. I would like to say a special Thank you for the repair work on the serrated bread knife, I thought that knife had been ruined, but seeing it again last night, my girlfriend and I kept rolling it around in the light, marveling at the precision with which you repaired each serration.
NS

Best quality knives on the planet! The wait was well worth it. The Kramer Chef's knife holds it's edge and does not let it go.

The knives came last night. They are truly beautiful. This set of knives exemplifies the concept of functional art. I am proud to be able to use and display your craftsmanship. Thank-you.
Mike

I received the knife and I am very impressed with it. I have been using it at work and it is the sharpest and best looking knife I've ever seen. Thank you very much!
Charles, The Inn At Little Washington

Dear Mr. Kramer:
We received the 8" knife - it is great!!
A special thank you for your promptness we love to entertain ( I am 78- my sister is 80) I will have my 3rd knee surgery in Jan.-My sister has cardiac problems. We will have a great carving ceremony at Christmas thanks to your promptness.
The knife is everything you promised. Happy Holidays!

Hi Bob- yesterday I received the 8" cooks knife you made for me. Had I known what was in store for me I would not waited so patiently. This knife is not only a work of art but it is in a different world as far as balance, comfort and sharpness. I think the rest of my knives are going to live out their lives in loneliness. Anyway I'm very pleased.

Dear Bob
The knife arrived today as you said it would. It is even more beautiful than I expected. As it is 7:30 pm, I will not be cooking tonight, but I have two planned food events this weekend. Thanks again, you do beautiful work.

Mr. Kramer My sister gave me one of your knives as a very special 50th birthday present and WOW do I love it. There are few items one can buy anymore which reflect the pride, craftsmanship, and devotion to the profession of the person who made it. Your knife is fabulous.

Dear Bob: I have dual congratulations, first to me for having the wisdom to order my knives from you and secondly to you for having exceeded my most optimistic expectations for the knives I ordered.
My wife Meredith got to cut the first onion and you would have enjoyed her squeal of delight as the knife cut a perfect slice with virtually no pressure.