"Testimonials "

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

Mr. Kramer,
My name is Michael Gardner Jr, You made a 8 inch Damascus chefs knife for me about a year ago and I wanted to first of all say WOW. This knife is sick, I mean every time I pull it out it cuts like the product is not even there. I am simply amazed at how well this knife has worked out for me. When I first got it I was a little discouraged because it would not glide on the board well and I didn't like it for Oh about two seconds, I realized that this knife was so damn sharp that it was actually cutting into the board and that was the reason that it wouldn't glide. I haven't had to sharpen it in over a year (well I use it about 3 days out of my 5 day week) which is awesome and all I have to do is Steel on a diamond Steel and it comes back every single time. If I can share a brief story with you. I work with a man who is crazy over his knives, which he should be. He owns 4 misono knives which are very nice, he lets no one use them and I can understand. When I first got your knife he came over with his knife and felt how sharp it was and then felt yours, he paused looked at me and right there I could tell he was jealous, he said there is no comparison, his knife he thought was better (misono) I laughed at him for I don't know how long as well as did everyone else in the kitchen, you could tell that he was clearly disturbed that he no longer had the best knife in the kitchen and tried to find some way to trump your knife. But there is none. Mr. Kramer, you make the most bad ass knife in the world. No where in the world can you find a better knife than yours. I almost feel like it is not my knife, that I am some how not worthy of it, I fell like the keeper of the knife, not the owner. For a knife like this is so awesome that it has no owner. I let everyone use it, even my interns ( I keep a close eye on them) because I fell that everyone should be able to experience this knife. I just wanted to say thank you for doing what you do, it is a piece of art that hopefully I can pass down to the next person who is ready to take the journey of culinary arts and who I know will treasure it as much as I do. (hopefully I wont have to give it up too soon) And just so you know, I have named it, its name is Excalibur.


Thanks
Michael P. Gardner Jr.

Bob

Received the chef's knife and it is excellent...great look, balance and
extremely easy to use! Now I know what it is like to cut with a sharp
knife. I spent 30 minutes this weekend sharpening my other knives to see
if I could match the edge you put on your knife and I think I'm close to
it but not exactly.

Thanks and it was worth the wait.

Jim Ambrose, PE

GOT THE KNIFE!!!.... Beautiful work Bob..... waited over a year for it... and I thought I wouldn't say the cliche but I am... it was worth the wait.... I bought a freakin' bunch of produce just to use it ... will be making a lot of soups in the coming weeks.... the look, balance, sharpness, the beauty..... it will be awhile before I touch my global and shun elite knives again....You've spoiled me

Thank you!
Tim

Mr. Kramer-

Tonight, my father was showing off ( for the 60 millionth time) his vast collection of your beauties. We counted them up and have 16 in all. Everyone who is new gets to touch and marvel at each knife, and I assure you no knife is left UN-presented. These knives are the first thing that any new guest is shown and almost always we get the question, "Hey were can we get some of these?" Each time we just smile and show off the knifes some more. I especially like to use my shiny, new, purple, custom made 6 1/2 inch work of art. I am actually hesitant to use it, as not to stain the blade or overwork the wood, or damage any part of my knife. I finally whipped it out, and flashed it around while slicing and dicing. Anyway, my point of this letter was not only to inform you of the fame of your celebrities AKA. top notch knives, but to let you know that the Geiger family has turned into a walking knife show. Also, my friend Kristen was wondering how long must she wait until she can handle one of these knives? I told her, just wait, your time will come. I hope that your current knives are going well, and that this new year brings you peace and more knives.( and some more of that purple wood, because in 10 years I do need a wedding present from Dad...)
Keep up the Good work, and those new swirly blades are wicked cool.

Daughter of the Knife King,
Gabi Geiger, Knife Princess

Bob - I can thank you enough for getting the knife to me before the holiday. It was spectacular and my Dad was speechless when I gave it to him for his 80th birthday. It was a combination birthday and Christmas gift. At 80 he still loves to cook and the knife will be a wonderful addition to his kitchen.

As I was giving it I was reminded of the Patek Philippe ad where they say you are taking care for the next generation. That is what he is doing with this knife for me and what I will do for one of my daughters. It is truly a work of perfection both in its function as cutlery and in its beauty.

Thank you for helping make Dad's 80th special. Take care.

Mr. Tim Sewell

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.