HANDMADE IN
VIETNAM
Between 1965 and 1975 the United States and its allies dropped more than 7.5 million tons of bombs on Vietnam, Laos, and Cambodia-double the amount dropped on Europe and Asia during World War II.
After the war, and with raw materials in short supply, the remnants began to be recycled. Local blacksmiths took decommissioned munitions and other leftover metal and reforged them into farm tools, shovels and other useful items.
Vietnam Knife Co works with these village blacksmiths to forge kitchen knives from the same metal. Our hand-forged knives are a unique slice of history.
This is your knife. There are not many like it, and this one is yours.
MATERIALS
The metal used for our blades come from reclaimed war era scrap. We only use high carbon steel for our knives, this holds a very sharp edge and is easy to sharpen.
Our handles are made of Vietnamese hardwood reclaimed and sourced from furniture workshops and lumber yards in Central Vietnam. Each handle is turned and then oiled before assembly.
Handmade leather cases are the finishing touch. Cases are made by skilled local leather workers from premium buffalo leather.
KNIFE CARE
Hand beaten by barefoot blacksmiths in rural Vietnam, a VKC knife is not your everyday kitchenware. It is a piece of history. The rustic production process results in a unique finish for each knife. Expect slight imperfections and forging marks (take a look at our photos to see how the knives are made).
Due to the steel used, knives must be properly maintained to keep away rust and corrosion. Casings were made from high carbon steel, which is great for holding a super sharp edge, but does rust if left wet.
Here are some simple steps to make sure your knife lasts a lifetime.
1 - Wipe it down while cooking. Have a damp washcloth on hand and give your Dao Bom blade a quick wipe down after you finish cutting something.
2 - Clean with soap and water and wipe it dry after use. Do not let your carbon steel knife sit in a sink of dirty dishes. It will rust, and rust fast.
3 - Do not toss your knife into a drawer with other utensils. It is likely to scratch the blade and possibly chip the edge. Keep it stored in the leather pouch it was delivered in.
4 - If rust does appear, a light abrasive like high grit sandpaper will remove it with ease.
CONTACT
Get in touch with the team with any questions about ordering, knife care or our project
