Make Custom Chef Knives in a Weekend

Hock Chef Knife Set from Infinity Cutting Tools (00-611)

A lot of folks don't realize that we carry Hock Chef's Knife Kits in 5" (101-610) and 8" (101-611) lengths. The 8" chef's knife is a recent addition to our lineup. You can get both knives in a set. If you, or someone you know, enjoys cooking, they're probably pretty particular about the knives they use and how sharp they are.

With these kits, you get to add custom scales for the handle to create a unique, one-of-a-kind knife. Andrew wrote a really nice blog post about how he made a set of custom knives.

Custom Hock Chef Knives made from kits sold by Infinity Cutting Tools

The Hock knives are made of O1 high-carbon tool steel. This makes them easier to sharpen and they can be sharpened to a finer edge than you'll get with most stainless steel knives. That being said, since they are made of tool steel, they'll have a tendency to rust more so than stainless steel blades. But with a little care, you're knife should last for generations.

Here are some tips for taking care of your Hock Chef's Knife. First, don't immerse the knife in water, and especially don't put it in the dishwasher. Simply wipe it clean with a damp cloth and dry it thoroughly before storing it. We recommend storing you knives in a knife block to protect the cutting edges.

If you want to give the blade a little polish, you can use a mild abrasive cleaner, very fine steel wool, or a non-woven abrasive pad like a Scotch-Brite pad.

As for sharpening, you have a lot of options. First, we're not a big fan of the sharpening steel rod that comes with most knife sets. It doesn't really "sharpen" the edge. All it does is roll over the existing edge until it breaks off. This only gives the illusion of sharpness and the blade will eventually need touched up with an abrasive sharpener at some point.

Infinity Tools Work Sharp Ken Onion Edition Sharpening Systems

We offer the Work Sharp Ken Onion Edition Knife Sharpening accessories. If you've never heard of Ken Onion and wonder why he has a line of sharpening accessories named after him, check out this Wikipedia page. These products provide a full-proof method for getting an edge so sharp it will slice a tomato into paper-thin slices with no effort. No kidding.

Other options for sharpening include our line of diamond stones or waterstones. The product you choose will depend on your comfort level with sharpening, your budget, and sharpening experience.

Order your knife kits today and get out in the shop this weekend to create a unique tool you or someone you love will appreciate for many years.