Fixed Blade. Giving credit where it is due.

[Mr. Whippy]

I don't know if these infomercials were seen in other countries, but in the US, in the late '70s, a cultural icon was made.

The Ginsu knife commercials.  "It cuts through this can, saws through this brick and STILL is razor sharp and slices through this tomato without a drop!"

"NEVER needs sharpening!"

"How much would YOU pay?"

"BUT WAIT!! THERE'S MORE!!!"



Ok.  My mom gave me one of these Ginsu knives as a gag gift just before I headed to college--30 years ago!



I have to hand it to them, this knife has been outstanding.  It is used daily and has sawn through frozen meat (and its paper/plastic/styrofoam packaging), cut vegetables, and sliced bread flawlessly---and has never been sharpened!

It is a serrated blade which is sharpened (? beveled grind?) on both sides.



Going to wikipedia, here's a little blurb about this miracle blade:

Ed Valenti and Barry Becher, founders of the Rhode Island based direct marketing agency Dial Media, found a set of knives made in Fremont, Ohio by the Douglas Quikut Division of Scott Fetzer. Originally called Eversharp, Valenti and Becher decided that they had to come up with a more alluring name before the product could become a true success and catch on in mainstream media.

The original commercial:



For those who care, this original Ginsu knife was made in America, (Ohio), and was made of "surgical stainless steel"

Kudos! to the Original Ginsu! 

[Sazabi]

From what tv infomercials I can still remember, these Ginsu-style knives are still advertised.

[Mike, Lord of the Spammers!]

The handle's look really ergonomic

[Magnus]

well, never needing sharpening is impossible, it is probably a combination of a obtuse angle grind, and being serrated stopping the cutting area blunting itself on the chopping board, means it blunts really slowly.  most wear on kitchen knives is from hitting the chopping board.

[zepla]

Love those "wait there is more!" comments