Global is a Japanese brand of Kitchen Knives owned and manufactured by the Yoshikin factory of Japan (also known as the Yoshida Metal Industry Co. Ltd). Global knives were famous for their iconic design, new manufacturing methods and their cutting performance. The Yoshikin Factory, is owned by the Watanabe family and located in Tsubame, Japan.
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History
Yoshida Metal Industry Co. Ltd. was established in 1954 as a western tableware manufacturer in Niigata prefecture, famous for producing hollow handled table knives for Western markets. In 1960 Yoshikin introduced the Bunmei series of knives, traditional Japanese looking knives, that used a new alloy of steel, able to be sharpened like carbon steel, but with a mixture of molybdenum and vanadium that made the steel more resistant to rust (now known colloquially as Japanese steel). In 1983, Yoshikin hired a Japanese industrial designer, Komin Yamada, to create a modern designed knife that combined these two manufacturing techniques. With an almost unlimited budget he was able to fashion a series of kitchen knives which would appeal to the professional and amateur chef alike, be comfortable and easy to handle, and meet their most demanding requirements. In 1985 Global knives were then launched onto the international market, starting with Germany.
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Features
Compared to conventional European knives such as J. A. Henckels or Wusthof, Global knives are made from a significantly harder alloy of steel, use a thinner blade, and are ground to a narrower angle. The angle that is achieved is a steep 15°, which produces a sharper knife that keeps its edge longer and allows for more accurate work, but also takes longer to sharpen when it becomes dull. Because of this, the manufacturer recommends using whetstones and ceramic sharpening rods as opposed to the European sharpening steel. In addition, Global knives are renowned for their light weight and even balance, a trait achieved by hollowing out the handle during production.
Global knives have a distinctive appearance with black dimples present on the handle and on one model of their storage block. Contrary to popular belief, Global Knives are made out of 2 pieces of metal and TIG welded together at the handle. With the handle being hollow and filled with sand.
Over the past decade the Global line has rapidly introduced many new highly specialized knife designs, including a tomato knife and a crab/lobster knife. They also make eating utensils.
Global knives are used by such well known chefs as Geordie Glumac, Giada De Laurentiis and a number of the Iron Chefs on the original Iron Chef television series. Chef Anthony Bourdain, writing in Kitchen Confidential, recommends Global knives as a lightweight, easy to sharpen, and an inexpensive alternative to German-made knives. Chef Michel Roux Junior is an avid promoter of Global knives, and has his own signature series.
In 2006, the G Series knives were placed #46 on the Japanesque Modern Committee listing.
Steel
Global knives are made from a steel specially designed for Global knives called "CROMOVA 18". CROMOVA 18 is a steel, with a special mixture of molybdenum, vanadium and chromium. The exact combination is a trade secret, but the steel is made to be hard enough so that the knives retain their sharpness, yet soft enough to sharpen with a whetstone. The high chromium content gives the knives excellent resistance to rust and staining.
Care of Global Knives
Global Knives should be washed by hand using mild soapy water. Global knives are not dishwasher safe.
News
Global was founded by Yuzo Watanabe in Japan in 1985.
In 2006, the G Series knives were placed #46 on the Japanesque Modern Committee listing.
In 2012 Global launched its second series of knives, Global Sai
In 2015 Global launched its third series of knives, Global Ni, and celebrated its 30th anniversary.
References
External links
- Official website
Source of the article : Wikipedia
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