Shilin Cutter, chinese slipjoint, pics

[oregon]

Eggplant handle with bamboo leaf blade (available with ATS-34 blade or Cowry-X damascus, both blade steels from Japan).

See it made here: http://kuoheji.spaces.live.com/

See the retail shop here: http://asianimages.wordpress.com/2007/0 ... in-taipei/

See the maker's online site, google translation, here (skills taught father to son for generations he is the last in a long line): http://translate.google.com/translate?h ... rmd%3Divns

Looks good and feels right in my hand.

This one is older/used, bot from the auction site: Clad 4" blade, horn (I think) scales, brass bolster and liner, steel pivot pin, steel backspring (hidden), 4.5" handle, 4.6oz, blade stop @ 90 degrees, brass handle pins, missing the small bail, horn has some cracks but is tight, some blade wobble open, functioning blade kick and blistering sharp.





















Thank you for looking.

[O,just,O]

I like that.
The shop is a veritable Alladins cave.
O.

[oregon]

I like that.
The shop is a veritable Alladins cave.
O.

British Blade had a terrific thread, with pics, on a newer version of this knife: http://www.britishblades.com/forums/sho ... nese-knife

My knife could have been made by the father of the current maker. The chinese stampings on the blade are slightly different than that on the current issue knives. I believe it is the name and address of the maker. "271" is the address in the Shilin Night Market in Taipei. For the Shilin Cutter you put 1/2 down and then the remainder when the knife is finished. A relative is going in early April and she will stay with friends in Taiwan. Perhaps she can wrangle a couple black ones. A 4" ATS-34 and a 4" Damascus.

I am not entirely convince about the substance of the handle material on the one I just bot on the auction site. I've never seen the white handles before. Couldn't be ivory could it.

I received this contact info, for the maker, from Taipei Travel: To buy shilin cutters (SLN 025 & 026), you can contact with Shilin Cutter Limited Company. For more details, please call +886-9-72138082 or email: shilin.cutter@msa.hinet.net.
(Contact person: Yahuei Chen. Office number: 886-2-27258519)

[oregon]

Link to short youtube video of maker @ work: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BRjx0FvJlzc

Link to some history of this knife made by and sold from Kuo Ho Chi cutlery shop since 1869: http://www.vikingsword.com/vb/showthrea ... ge=1&pp=30 See Post #20

Older name for this knife: Pachihlan knife.

Other names for this knife (helpful for key-word searches): Eight Orchid knife, Orchid Shihlin knife, Orchid knife and Scholastic knife.

[ChrisR]

Very interesting ... I just love the blade shapes. I think I found a Shilin-Cutter web-shop online somewhere so it is in theory possibly to place orders online but I wasn't sure what the different steels were at the time so I didn't :)

[oregon]

Very interesting ... I just love the blade shapes. I think I found a Shilin-Cutter web-shop online somewhere so it is in theory possibly to place orders online but I wasn't sure what the different steels were at the time so I didn't :)

I'm enchanted with the story: Made by the same family in Taiwan since 1869.

Here is a link to the shop: http://store.pchome.com.tw/shilin-cutter/

I don't trust the online chinese-to english-translators. So I'm trying to relay this info (above link) to a friend of the family in Taiwan. I'm trying to find out some basic facts from this enthusiast about actual costs in US dollars, options, practicality of purchasing and shipping.

It is my understanding that Cowry-X is a multi-layer stainless damascus blade metal, from Japan, in the 60-62 Rockwell Hardness range is available.

Let me know if you find out anything useful.

[ChrisR]

Would be very interesting to know the practicalities, as you say - I'd love one of the simple ones - sub 3-inch non-locking suits my needs very nicely :)

[jzmtl]

Expensive though, $270 or $330 depends on size, and I would assume plus shipping (unless you live in taiwan then it's included) and custom charge.

The PChrome site is like a taiwan amazon, there are probably other sources for the knives.

Edit: manufacturer's website, same price. http://shilin-cutter.com.tw/

[oregon]

Expensive though, $270 or $330 depends on size

I use this converter, New Taiwan Dollar converts to US dollar: http://coinmill.com/TWD_USD.html#TWD=2600

I read prices in NTD, for Shilin Cutters at the maker's store, ranging from 1600 to 10000.

Converting from NTD to US dollars I get a price range, in US dollars: $55 to $340.

Eye of beholder issue here IMHO. $55-$340 for a unique, custom made to your order by a 5th generation master taught father to son for generations how to make a knife invented by your ancestor seems like quite an opportunity me.

Interesting to me, if for no other reason, to handle the basis (first made by this family in 1859) for Spyderco's Chinese folder series.

[oregon]

Pics of the above knife, for your amusement, with a white paper background and 100% natural light:

[jzmtl]

I use this converter, New Taiwan Dollar converts to US dollar: http://coinmill.com/TWD_USD.html#TWD=2600

I read prices in NTD, for Shilin Cutters at the maker's store, ranging from 1600 to 10000.

Converting from NTD to US dollars I get a price range, in US dollars: $55 to $340.

The cheap ones are 1.5" big with plastic handle and no name steel (tungsten steel, or super hard steel). If you want CowryX then it starts at $270 for the 3" model. Also don't know about u.s. customs, but canadian customs definitely will take their share once it gets here.

They are definitely very beautiful knives, just out of my price range lol.

[AKWolf]

Cowry-X is in use on a line of Henckles kitchen knives . Tell you the truth I believe it is the same steel, 3%carbon as ZDP-189 ..

Henckles brings the hardness of CowryX up to 66 or 67.

Anyways those are nice classic looking slippys

[oregon]

That is a high Rockwell. Approaches the hardness of ceramic I believe.

I like the look of the Shilin Cutters. Organic. Like they were grown and harvested instead of hammered out. It is unclear how the first maker in the family came up with the design/look.

theapanwoodworker.com has contact within Taiwan and perhaps they can be of aid in importing a few of these knives. I asked. They will try. We will see.

I like the black plastic handle, damascus blade combination. The 4" blade appeals to me but I would be happy with a 3" blade of folded steel. I wonder how available Japanese specialty steel is right now.

[girlyMANN]

most exceptional !
desirable, to say the least.

[jzmtl]

Ceramic is still harder, high 70 low 80 (theoretical, HRC doesn't go that high I believe and you can't indent a ceramic blade).

I have a Henckels Cermax chef knife at hrc 66, good stuff, and I can actually sharpen it unlike the ceramic knife I have.

[buddy54ck]

:spyder: :spyder:
Hi All,
Another Copy of a Lum Chinese! LOL!!!
Great Blades, I will be looking for a deal on one!
Have a Great Day!
Charlie
P.S. Thanks for posting pic's.
:spyder: :spyder:

[oregon]

140 years of father-to-son evolution/devotion to making a leaf blade folder one at a time makes holding one in your hand compelling. I wonder if we will see the demise of this familie's work in our lifetime? The clear trend is away from traditional hand work and toward factory production methodology. I would like to see everyone have an opportunity, those off shore of Taiwan in particular, have an opportunity to buy this knife. Quite a challenge to own one. More like a quest. Knives. Like time machines.

[oregon]

Foiled at all turns, I've been unable to clear a path to purchasing Shilin Cutters from offshore of Taiwan.

In order to buy from the maker you need: 1. a shipping address within Taiwan 2. chinese language skills.

My relative, who was visiting Taipei, has been re-routed, in order to avoid Tokyo, and won't be in Taiwan this trip, unfortunately. The friend of the family, outside Taipei, hasn't been available to discuss straw purchasing.

I've talked with former residents of Taiwan, Shilin Cutter owners, the Parisian author of the British Blades re-print article and anyone who would hold still long enough to listen and no joy. I've tried to contact the maker numerous time. The largest knife vendor on Taiwan, http://rghknives.com.tw/, hasn't returned my English emails.

Hurrumph!

What to do, what to do. What comes next...

[jzmtl]

On the bright side, when you finally have it in your hands, it'll be extra sweet.

Your best bet is probably the guy near taipei, Chinese language is easy, getting a physical address is hard.

Edit I looked at the website you just posted, seems they do take credit card and ship oversea. But they don't carry any knives from that company.

[oregon]

On the bright side, when you finally have it in your hands, it'll be extra sweet.

Your best bet is probably the guy near taipei, Chinese language is easy, getting a physical address is hard.

Edit I looked at the website you just posted, seems they do take credit card and ship oversea. But they don't carry any knives from that company.

You couldn't be more right jzmtl. The chase makes the catch more rewarding.

No response from RGH, unfortunately.

If I can put my hands on these I am leaning toward the damascus, black plastic handles, in the 3-4 inch range. What would you pick?