Okay, I’m feeling old. For my Works For Me Wednesday I was going to post The Knife.
When I need a knife, this is the one I always reach for. I shun that drawer full of bread knives, steak knives, carving knives, and even that fancy set on the counter. This one fits nicely in my hand and cuts everything from tomatoes to chicken (10 1/2" long, with a 6" blade). When you need it, you don't even have to describe it. Just say, "Hand me The Knife," and everyone knows what you are talking about.
My mother gave me The Knife when I got married back in 1985, because she had her own Knife that I used to cut my very first carrot sticks. It is made by EKCO and is marked “Flint Stainless Vanadium USA.”
So I went to browse the internet for anyone else who doesn’t want to bother with that drawer full of useless knives and wants to just have their own The Knife.
They don’t make it anymore!
Even more depressing: the only one I could find even similar to it on Ebay was under Utensils:Vintage. I know the wood handle is starting to fade from years of use, but have I really had it that long?
And...does that make me vintage, too??
Well, I'm heading off to oil that handle. Looks like it's going to have to last longer than I thought.
If anyone can find one similar to this, can you let me know? I'm going to need four of them, to give one to each of my daughters when they get married.
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Works For Me Wednesday,Homemaking
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31 comments:
What a fun tradition! Unfortunately, I have never heard or seen THE KNIFE before, so I cannot help you. (But, I did enjoy reading your entire blog anyway!)
I have a set of tramontina steak knives, w/ the other different knives too, but I use two - mostly a steak knife for cutting stuff, and then the paring knife. I tossed all my other useless knives (even *gasp* my pampered chef white paring knives that my mom swears by, but they are too flimsy for my ogre hands)
I like that idea. I have a couple of knives that I always use, but they have to be repalced every so often. My mom has some knives that I can remember using when I was a teen many years ago and I still see them in her kitchen to this day. I really enjoy your blog.
Vintage - LOL! That sounds like some knife! I have one from Cutco - you know that overpriced direct marketing/door to door company. WHen my hubbby was 19 he sold them for like two months and we still have the knifes. They are incredible - so if you can't find these ones that may be the way to go. They aren't cheap though - but they las tforver - and they have a lifetime guarantee. One of ours broke - so they just sent us a new one. You could search online to find out how to buy them.
Hope that helps a bit...
Thanks for visiting my blog!
I have a "knife" too. It's different than yours but I am attached to it. I can't imagine having it wear out. I would be so sad. Isn't it funny how we find something like that and there is NO way we could live without it.
I will keep my eyes posted. I am going garage selling this weekend. I will look VERY closely at your picture and write the name down. If I find any, I'll let you know!
Rachael Ray has a knife that she uses that looks similar to yours on her show "30 minute Meals" on the Food Network. You might want to check it out.
Cutco rocks! Those are the ONLY knives I use anymore. I get 50% off from a friend, but I wouldn't blink an eye at paying full price - totally worth it.
My mother-in-law says there's nothing more essential in a kitchen than a good knife. Yours looks great. Sorry they're not making them anymore.
I have a "the knife" too, but not that one. Mine comes from some Mennonites in Hutchinson Kansas and I just bought another one.
hey maybe you could help me find an ekco flint spatula black handle short spatula part is jut shy of 4 inches long and 2 and 3/4 inches wide the whole spatula is only 10 inches long it is ss vanadium I love it . I'm short and it fits my hands just right . . . jsk49r@aol.com
Oh my god! I was just googling for some Ekco Vanadium knives and came across your blog. My mother has some that have the exact same wood handle and writing on the blade (shorter than yours). She said she got them in 1975! I grew up with these knives and feel the exact same way. I've looked at all kinds of new knives for my own place and can't find any I like.
I have three Ekco flint stainless vanadium knives. They have the vintage art deco handles, but they are not serrated.
Drop me a line if you're interested... ravenswrath / at / hotmail / dot / com
Hi, my name is Aubrey and I am looking for some of those knives for my mom. Just like you, she has one and the handle is really starting to fade. I you find yourself some, could you let me know where you found them. Please.
I have the 4 piece, 5 piece with box, Carving set. I am trying to find out how much it is so I can go sell it. Any suggestions? There is only one I found like mine on ebay.
Thanks,
eclark10@tampabay.rr.com
and you are too much fun, I hope you find your knives for your daughters.
My mother in law willed us some Ekco Vanadium thin blade serated, plastic handled knives. I like the narrow blade and want to buy more of them. I too couldn't find any by Googling except to confirm my suspician that they're no longer made. Ebay's offerings are seemingly not the same thin blade design.
my mom has the 9 1/4"blade breadknife style, also the best knife in the house since any one can remember,I'm 50 and shes 81.Iv'e never seen another and it sounds like I'm unlikely to. It has the tiny teeth type of serrations- good luck , joni
I have a set of 6 Flint Vanadium steak knives. They are short blades and are half serrated and half normal blade. It came with a wooden wall hanger storage box. Also has a vintage metal plate with branding on the front. Really nice.
hey,i was doing research on those knives becuase today i found a set of four knives (chefs,bread,meat&carving)of flint stainless vanadium) I dont know the value towardsthem but if someone needs them,why not? im a chef and i use Wusthof
I am having the same problem, but mine is a paring knife. It fits my hand just right. I have tried a large number of other knives, but none of them fit like this one. If anyone has one or knows where I can get one, let me know. I will be sanding and oiling my handle until I can find a replacement. Thanks
I found one of these at a secondhand store today and LOVE it! I found it easier to carve a chicken than I can with my expensive Sabatier carving knife. I went onto the Internet to learn about the knife. Thank you for the history! I also went to eBay. Looks like one is for sale right now (and if you miss this one, keep looking; I've found several rare items on Ebay that way): http://cgi.ebay.com/ECKO-FLINT-10-INCH-STAINLESS-VANADIUM-KNIFE-HTF_W0QQitemZ230217436207QQihZ013QQcategoryZ20639QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem
Heath Lynn
Hi! Me and my husband went to the trift stores around my area, and he found all of the knives that everybody had been mention here, in 2 days so I suggest you to go to your thrift stores, and keep an eye for yard sales. Unfortunately, my husband is so stubborn and will not sell those knives, LOL! He is oiling those handles with olive oil now. Good luck on your search!
This is too weird! I was in the kitchen drawer looking for my measuring spoons and came across an old knife my mom used to use and gave to me when I moved out. The handle says "Ecko Vanadium" stainless. I googled it and found this blog!! How bizarre is that? I've had this knife for 20 years and only just noticed the wording on the blade tonight! It must be an Ecko Vanadium night!!
Hi
My husband brought to the household these ekco vanadium set of steak knives when we got married. I love them. When my mom came to America to visit me last year she loved them too, we looked for them in stores but are discontinued. My husband told me that he had them for more than 20 years.
I have a set of Ecko Vanadium carving Knives that I'm trying to price for a garage sale this weekend. If anyone is interested, make me an offer quickly.
I just posted that I had a set for sale. There is a sharpening steal, 2 carving knives and a bread knife(?). They belonged to my father and date back to the late 40's or early 50's. The Ecko carving set is set to go in a garage sale on Friday, however, I will hold them if someone wants to buy online. I'm working on the price and haven't set it yet.
Interesting. I was trying to add to my set that I received as an engagement gift in 1964. You are so correct. They are cut everything and I've never sharpen them. I wish I kept the container they came in. It was made of wood and each knife slipped into the board.
Hi - I just came across your blog while looking at referrals to mine (yours is listed in the google search for "flint stainless ecko"). I love my Ecko tools. I don't have any of the knives yet, though I'm sure my mom did. I have 2 complete sets of the black bakelite handled utensils; one for me to use now (and I use them every day) and one for my son to take with him when he leaves home many years from now. I posted about it here (http://lorenceskitchen.blogspot.com/2007/03/re-runs-and-updates.html).
Knives are definitely next.
I just went on the internet to look for that exact knife. Been looking for one at a lotta stores, so thought I'd try the internet. You are absolutely right - that is "The Knife" in my house, too. The only one I use for almost everything. I still works but looks a bit old and thought I'd get a new one. Now I know why I couldn't find one - you say they don't make it anymore. I might starve without it. Who ever has one to sell, let me know. Please, Please, Please.....Jim_write at jd(dot)yoder(at)sbcglobal
at dot net to last message
I found your blog when I went looking for "The Knife". Mine is closing in on 40 years old. We got it as a shower gift from an old aunt in England. Mine is imprinted Flint Stainless Vanadium UK. The blade is wonderful but the wooden handle is starting to disintegrate. We've tried other knives with no luck but I guess the hunt is now on because we really won't be able to use this for much longer.
Hi. I just acquired 1 "EKCO VANADIUM" Stainless Stell Knife.
I do not think it is the "FLINT" series.
If anyone is interested, you are welcome to email me and i can send you a picture of it.
It appears to be about the same size length as that pictured but it has a smooth fine edge and the handle is shaped slightly different.
I happened upon this site by doing a GOOGLE of the stamp on the blade to see if i can find out if it's worth anything.
Thanks
terster31@hotmail.com
Thanks!
I can't believe i saw your blog just now as i was trying to find this exact same knife that my mom gave me when i got married. i cannot do any thing in the kitchen without it. i even thought about going to a custom manufacturer to make a set just like the one you and i are looking for. What can we do. i'm getting desparate? i will check Cutco and some of the other leads talked about on your blog. However, i'm really excited about finding you as i was beginning to think i was Obsessive Compulsive for wanting a knife so badly. I guess it is really important to know what works for you and to try and get the tools you need. Je
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