#075 ✰ Who here loves cooking? We've got something for ya
SoaO: cooking knives • introducing Spaces!
Hope you had a great summer. We definitely had. Inspiring location, inspiring discussions, we’re back with a new version of the app and we can’t wait to share it with you.
… oh and yep, I’m Mathilde btw. If you’re new here, welcome 👋 ! We are Objet. Every object has a story. We’re building a social network for object lovers.
Objet is the french word for 'object' and should be pronounced 'ob-jeh‘. In this journal, we explore the intersection of desire, taste, joy, meaning and culture.
In today’s Objet journal:
Soul of an Objet 👉 cooking knives | special, cross interview
What’s up in the app 👉 spaces
Cool reads, cause it’s always cool to read cool stuff
Soul of an Objet | cooking knives 🔪
Sublime possessions have soul and meaning. Meet 3 different cooking knives with their respective chef: Julio with his Sabatier; Virgile with his japanese knife; and our own Max with his Takamura Santoku.
I wish I was a good cook. Cooking wasn't a thing we truly valued at home when I grew up so I didn't get into it. Later on in my life, I moved with some people who really enjoyed cooking, and did it extremely well [and yep, I'm looking at you Mathilde 👀]. From that point on, I always entertained the idea of learning how to cook. I love books so I started to buy some nice ones. And then I understood that the first most important tool for a chef was a good knife.
We moved so much for many years that I decided to wait before buying a good knife. Once we landed in Lyon and took the decision to settle there for a little while, we thought 'this is time'. So we went to a nice store and told them our story. They have a whole section dedicated to knives only. It looked like another world to me. They started asking me questions, plenty of them; about my cooking style, what I like to eat and so on. Then they started to show me specific knives, giving me many details, technical ones of course but the part I enjoyed the most [obviously] was the stories. What about this brand? Where does it come from? What's their philosophy? They made us do weird things like: holding the knife itself with only the tip of my finger, right in the middle between the blade and the handle of the knife; in order to check out its 'balance'. I obviously enjoyed the whole experience. And, not surprisingly, it reinforced my desire to learn to cook. Today, everytime I'm using one of our knives [and the smaller version here], I remember this visit and feel good.
I'm obviously still a complete beginner so I hit up a few people to talk about their own knives and understand a bit more why and how this object could be very special.
-kev
Julio's Objet profile | his newsletter:
What's the backstory of this object?
Whether it's coincidence or not, as well as being a treasured possession, it's also I think the object I've owned the longest. It's one of the two objects I can remember from when I still lived as a teenager with my mother.
Gifted it to me as a moving-out present, or maybe I just took it with me. I can't remember explicitly being given it, nor can I think of a time when I didn't have it.
There's obvious sentimental value, connecting directly to my upbringing, and to my mother distilling in me my great passion for food. If you are a young man, the only way to continue experiencing great food once you've left home, is to learn to cook; and the first tool you need to cook is a knife.
I am a great believer in the verisimilitude of an object. Its universal truth, its essence in the simplest form, its archetype. If you ask someone to draw a tap, they will most likely produce something with a curved spout, four handles, and a letter C or H on the top. But look at the tap in their home, and it's likely to resemble nothing like the tap they drew. The Sabatier knife however, is exactly how I would sketch one.
It is quintessential. Form follows function. Its faults — compared to say a welded, seemingly one-piece stainless steel Japanese knife — are what makes it loved, as if it's a living thing. It has a wooden handle, so can't be placed in a dishwasher. It has a steel blade which is prone to rust if you don't dry it after washing.
It requires care, but it is loyal. I've had it for over forty years. It sharpens to a razor-like edge. The wooden handle never slips in my hand when wet. It has a beautiful patina, it says "I have hung in the kitchen, keeping company with steaming stockpots, spitting grills, rubbing shoulders with the oiled, the dried, the salted, and the pickled. Friend to all". Like a modest but highly skilled tailor, dressing each ingredient perfectly, ready for the pot.
It's also forgiving. I have to confess that the photo is not of my beloved Sabatier. Mine has a small notch in the blade. It's such a trusted tool that I even use it to strip the plastic shielding when wiring up lamps and plugs. Or did. Until I cut through a live cable, caused a lot of sparks and melted the small notch in it. I don't trim wires with it anymore. Sharpening over the years has removed most of the roughness from the indent, but there's enough irregularity left that it can also function as a bread knife, with its single serration.
Francis Ponge in his delightful mediation on "The Voice of Things" talks of the candle, the crate, the plate. I am certain that if he had included The Knife amongst the inventory, he would have described a Sabatier kitchen knife. Should he have dined at my house, the knife may even have been eulogised having a small notch midway in its subtly bowed blade, the curve rendered from years of honing.
Now I must ask about your favorite recipe…
Here you go: preserved lemon and olive stew vegetable stew!
What object’s been your best investment?
Since the Sabatier was given to me, it can't be included. Ironically, I am choosing something the opposite of a knife in its simplicity. In terms of sheer enjoyment versus price point, it has to be Philips Hue lights. I have three in my shower, and using an app on my phone I can have them cycle through pink, red, dark and mid blue, rendering my shower into a shimmering disco heaven (Ikea does cheaper ones but I haven't tried them using the app).
Is there any other type of things you truly like to dig into?
I am infuriating to go shopping with. I spent an hour choosing a pan. I make shop assistants look up the decibel ratings of fridges. I spent days researching sheets — 400 percale thread count white Egyptian cotton, never sateen weave — if you're asking. Oxford pillows ideally. I've always adhered to buying the very best one can afford, and buying just enough. One set of top quality bedding (and a super cheap one for wash day only), rather than two or three good ones.
What's the next purchase you're currently contemplating?
A new shorts and jacket linen suit, once I've found a tailor on my island. Mine are all rather shabby from their time battling the steam bath that is Hong Kong. Duck egg blue this time. Or maybe pistachio.
Vir's Objet profile | his own website
What's the backstory of this object?
Bought this one in Osaka. I had been entering in various shops looking to buy a Japanese knife. I almost bought a traditional one from an old lady but felt I wouldn’t take enough care of it. I went for an inox version, industrial made and at a 50% discount. The thing is sharp as hell and doesn’t need much maintenance. A kitchen without a good knife is basically hell.
Why are you saying that a kitchen without a good knife is hell?
Most people don’t realize what’s a good knife until they own one. They underestimate how important a sharp and high-quality knife is for cooking. It's like saying that having the right tool can make cooking much easier, efficient, and safer. Just like how a well-equipped kitchen is a joy to work in, a lack of a good knife can make cooking feel frustrating and difficult.
What's a good knife to you?
It has to be multi-purpose (I like the chef’s knifes), sharp as hell, made with good metal, require minimum maintenance, a good handle and nice looking :)
Why were you looking for a japanese knife specifically? any backstory behind this desire?
It’s a desire that surfaced from time to time, as a kid I would always look at knifes in markets or shops. They don’t really let you own one or use them when you’re little. I always regarded the Japanese ones as the best in class, there is all the katana vibe that’s surounds it, the craftmanship is visible. So when I went to visit Japan I knew I wanted to bring one back. I knew I wouldn’t take care enough of a traditional one so I opted for a less fancy one.
Onto your favorite recipe, now?
Probably the blanquette de veau aux girolles fraîches et à la crème…
What object’s been your best investment?
As much as I hate saying It, the AirPods Pro. They let me have conversation while I’m on my skateboard or riding my bike. I hate being on the phone so being able to multi-task even when I’m facing the wind is magic.
Is there any other type of things you truly like to dig into?
I can’t say I’m the digger type. I’m more of an opportunity buyer with a big price sensibility. And when I’m happy with something I tend to buy back.
What's the next purchase you're currently contemplating?
The dark Green Louie Lopez CONS shoe ^^
What's the backstory of this object?
My dad loves to cook and is a great amateur of Japan’s food culture. During one of his trip to Tokyo, he went to Kappabashi, which is a street mostly filled by restaurant supplies shops. He bought some knives then brought them back home. This one would later become mine! I enjoy using it a lot! So much so that I bring it with me if I know I’m going to cook a lot. I’m currently in Colorado, I did bring it and boy I’m glad I did. Also, I succeeded to cut a good chunk of my thumb’s nail with it, no slowing down, it went right through it, highly recommend.
Was this gift random or you specifically asked for a good knife?
Kinda both, I enjoy cooking a lot for people, and I was thinking about buying a good chef knife. I think few but great tools is far better than a bunch of gadgets. And I feel that in cooking it starts with a good knife. While talking to my dad about that he got the idea of gifting me for my birthday this one he had brought from Japan.
What's a good knife to you?
In a few words, stays sharp for a while and fit great in my hand. And for this one specifically, that I can use for a lot of things.
Were you looking for a japanese knife specifically?
Not necessarily a Japanese one, I like a good German chef knife as well, but after using my dad’s ones, I really enjoy the lightness of them and how long they can hold their edge.
What do you do exactly to take care of it?
I clean it as soon as I am done, that helps not having to scratch food out of it. Also need to be careful with sponges when cleaning, it cuts them easily. Then regarding the edge, I have been playing with whetstone, I like the process but I might not have the best one, then I discover the Horl and this things sharp really well more easily than a whetstone. So now that’s my go to sharpening tool.
What object’s been your best investment?
A bunch of things come to mind, but if I had to choose, I would vote for my Arkiv R6 from Mission Workshop. I’ve had it for the past 5 years, using it all the time for any purpose (biking, traveling, snowboarding etc) and it still feels almost new. It’s just so well made.
Is there any other type of things you truly like to dig into?
I would say cooking tools and ustensils, not a lot, but really good ones. For example, I dug for a bit on cutting boards, and I landed on a big John Boos and it’s so good, so much space, love cooking on it! And of course as an engineer you’ll always find me nerding on computers. Here's my current workspace btw.
What's the next purchase you're currently contemplating?
I think it would be a pair of pants from Service Works, it has been sold out for some time now, waiting for it to restock haha!
What’s up in the app
Enjoy geeking about cooking ustensiles? We have a space for you in the app to dig deeper, join : Yes, Chef!
Wait, what’s a space? Imagine gathering discussions AND a feed of objects with their stories under one roof, a… space. Reddit but not reddit.
For who? For people who love digging about a particular topic and wouldn’t mind feeling a sense of community ☺️
So yeah, this summer, we have built spaces. Next time you open the app, give it a try. We’re exciting to hear about a new space you love to nerd about and isn’t here yet, so drop a comment here or hit us up from the app 😘
Cool reads & more
A taste of today
🗣 recs are broken
what happened to wirecutter, the most trusted recommendations website among Millennials?
Has Wirecutter become less reliable? Or did the world and everyone around it change?
what is to blame? Its acquisition by the New York Times in 2016: doubling in staff, doubling in output, freelances no longer paid hourly but by article? The market itself: too much stuff available, tech items getting better and harder to rank, a compelling good enough offer from Amazon, reviews all over and people now seeking truth in influencers or people they know?
“The ideal review is that you test everything and then there’s one product that works well for most people, (…) but who is ‘most people’?”
🛍 buy, impulse-buy
a paragraph on shopping behaviours
Americans love to shop. The average American household spends about $1,500 on clothing each year. Americans also spend $314 per month on impulse purchases, a dramatic increase from $276 in 2021 and $183 in 2020. (On TikTok, the “treat yourself” phenomenon has caught on; people are encouraged to pursue self-care through retail therapy.)
📈 no one likes Temu/Shein, yet…
96% of Gen Zers shop online 1x a month and 32% do it once a DAY
Pause. Then read again.
Temu is the U.S. offshoot of Chinese e-commerce giant Pinduoduo, and has been #1 on the app store since it’s launch in Sept 2022 with over 50M downloads. Temu offers steep discounts on products from 100+ categories (not just fashion!), mostly shipped directly from Chinese factories or warehouses. Unlike Amazon, it takes 8-25 business days for products to arrive, and that’s obviously not why customers love Temu. They’ve risen to fame because of their “Team Up, Price Down” social sharing strategy, encouraging users to share the app with friends in exchange for credit to buy products (for free) on Temu — like $200 in free stuff w/o ever having to share your credit card info 🤯
Shein is a Chinese-owned company that’s become the new face of fast fashion, valued at $100Bn last year** and worth more than H&M and Inditex (Zara parent co) combined at the time. Shein is beating incumbents by making items more quickly and being more digitally savvy with customers — #SheinHaul has 12.1Bn views on TikTok and has become a go-to favorite for price sensitive Gen Z consumers. Your favorite singer could be wearing a cute dress on-stage, and the next day it’ll pop up on Shein’s site and in advertisements or influencer posts on your IG or TikTok. Their strategy is online-first, but they’ve recently been doing pop ups across the U.S. (with 2-4 hour wait times to enter the store)!
Overwhelming? Come meet me in the kitchen
☕️ coffee machines
delightful dig into the history and quality of the worldwide famous Bialetti Moka Express, AeroPress, Gooseneck kettle and Burr grinder.
The First Wave marks the emergence of pre-ground, mass-produced coffee (think Folgers), while Second Wave introduces specialty coffee chains and espresso culture (like Starbucks). Third Wave delves into coffee as an artisanal craft, emphasizing bean origin and brewing methods (Blue Bottle, etc.). The emergent Fourth Wave pushes boundaries with scientific precision and sustainable practices, refining coffee’s production and enjoyment.
🐻 kitchen vibe
or at the airport / train station / you name it
🧳 two vs four-wheeled luggage
1897: a pilot for Northwest Airlines took a suitcase and attached two large wheels and a long handle so could be tilted and rolled | 2004: Samsonite introduced the four-wheeled suitcase.
If you’re going over smooth flat concrete and your 4-wheeled suitcase is empty, then it’s effortless. (…) But if you face even the slightest adversity—gravel or cracks or grass or curbs or even just have heavy stuff in your suitcase—then the four-wheeled suitcase is vastly worse.
(…) Do other people not need to move their luggage over curbs and gravel? Do they spend their whole lives floating between liminal spaces in gleaming airports and conference centers and hotels, never intersecting with the grimy shambolic reality that I inhabit?
🪶 an ode to traveling light
sharing with you our own family rule - still today with 2 young kids (they’re allowed to one very small backpack each; that they carry themselves ofc) 😎
a few days trip: only one backpack (11L type of small)
a week/ 2/ 3 weeks trip: only one carry-on luggage
a few months trip: the carry-one + a bigger (hiking version) backpack (inside which we put the smaller one mentioned above)
✈️ travel without luggage
ease your travel with this service that helps you pick up your reserved wardrobe at the destination and rent it for just the days of your stay (!)
If you got all the way here and have been seeking a better way to experience shopping & enjoy your possessions, alongside enthusiastic, not-so-serious souls, try Objet:
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Til next time,
Mathilde 🍽