About this project
Titanium Cheese-Slicer - Made To Last A Lifetime!
NZ$ 71,180
373
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If you've ever been frustrated using cheap and nasty cheese-slicers, then I think you're going to like this...
Over the last couple of years I've become infuriated by poor quality cheese-slicers. Even so-called "quality" cheese-slicers ultimately break after normal use (that's not even to mention how poor they perform when actually cutting cheese). I'd really had enough and was very frustrated.
So here's what I did... I decided to use my CNC machining and engineering skills to create the ultimate cheese-slicer.
For my 25 year career I've dedicated my life to machining and engineering parts and products for other people. From racing-car parts to aerospace parts. You name it and I've probably made it.
From the very beginning I knew the cheese-slicer had to have the following features:
#1 It must be high-performance (this meant it must produce a consistent slice with little effort)
#2 It must be practically indestructible (it had to last a lifetime).
I decided to use titanium for a few reasons - one of which was that it's 100% food-safe!And in fact it's even safer than stainless steel.
Initially I thought I'd be able to design and make it over a weekend. I was DEAD WRONG!
It turns out... slicing cheese is way more complex than I first thought. What I initially thought would be a quick "weekender" quickly turned into a marathon of a project.
It's taken hundreds of hours of designing, testing and tweaking. As well as cutting thousands of slices of cheese.
Had I known how much work it would ultimately take to produce this cheese-slicer I probably would never have even attempted it.
I'm really not kidding you when I say this. I've been an engineer and machinist for over 25 years... but I really wasn't prepared for the complexity of what I thought was going to be a simple cheese-slicer.
But it makes perfect sense... and it's probably why no one has ever produced a cheese-slicer quite like this before. When I was knee-deep in the development of the cheese-slicer I had to deal with... "pinch points"... "blade flex"... "surface suction"... "deflection"... and a whole load of other problems I won't get into here.
After many late nights and months of design, development and testing - it was finished.
Suffice to say, It's almost certainly the world's most sophisticated cheese slicer:
Now let's get more into detail...
Two Different Versions (Thin-Cut or Thick-Cut)
I've made this cheese-slicer in two different versions:
Thin-Cut and Thick-Cut
The Thin-cut version will produce consistent slices of cheese around 2mm (5/64") thick ...and the Thick-cut version around 3.5mm (9/64") thick.
Precision Machined From Solid Grade 5 Titanium
I didn't choose to use titanium just because it's the highest quality material.
Because of the design of the "blades" on this cheese-slicer - I knew something like stainless-steel just wouldn't work. And this was because the slim, high-tolerance serrated blades would likely bend and perhaps even break if anything other than titanium was used.
Yes, it's extremely difficult to machine but the end result is a high-strength and hard-wearing cheese-slicer that's pretty much indestructible.
100% Food-Safe
I briefly mentioned this earlier - but it's worth making sure you know this...
Titanium is probably the most food-safe material available. It cannot rust. (unlike some stainless steels).
In fact, as you're probably aware, titanium is so safe that surgeons will actually insert it in our bodies with no issues whatsoever (artificial joints, and so on).
Serrated Blade
The custom-designed serrated blade does two things:
#1 - Provides an easier cut that requires less force than an ordinary blade when cutting
#2 - Will never "dull" or wear-out
Also, the great thing about this serrated blade is that it's not sharp - you can run your finger along it with no risk of being cut. You don't need a sharp blade for cutting cheese... you just need a well-designed blade.
Super-Comfortable Handle
I went through many, many different handle design changes before settling on the current one.
Because the handle is so important I made sure to get feedback from others during development. The handle design is the result of a lot of testing and feedback from family and friends. I made sure to get feedback from men and women equally.
The result is a handle that feels comfortable to use and is also very effective when in use.
Hole For Hanging Up
Because I know a lot of people like to have their utensils hanging up for quick and easy access, I've made sure to put a hole on the rear of the handle for this purpose.
The hole is 7mm (0.275") in diameter.
Ultra-Smooth and Hard-Wearing Surface Finish
To get the hard-wearing and ultra-smooth surface finish I want I'm having someone do this for me. I consider him to be the most knowledgeable and experienced person for titanium finishing here in New Zealand.
This is the only part of the product I will "outsource".
Dishwasher Safe
Because this cheese-slicer is made from titanium AND has a hard-wearing surface finish then you can confidently put it in your dishwasher.
Left or Right-Handed
Not only have I designed this cheese-slicer to be used in the left or right hand but you can also slice away from you or towards you. It's totally up to you how you want to use it.
Everyone seems to have their own preferred way of slicing cheese and so I designed this cheese-slicer to account for this. However you prefer to slice cheese you can do it your way.
Ultra-Hygienic & Easy-To-Clean
This cheese-slicer is likely to be the most hygienic item in your kitchen.
There are no gaps, grooves or corners where food can get stuck. I've made sure there are no awkward corners or hard-to-reach areas so that cleaning is really easy for you.
And, because it's made from Grade 5 Titanium - it will never rust (which can happen to some lower-quality stainless steel products!)
Fits In Any Cutlery Drawer
I've made sure the dimensions of this cheese-slicer allow it to fit in your cutlery drawer.
It's a little shorter than the average fork and knife.
Size and Weight
The titanium cheese-slicer comes in at a nice-and-light 60 grams (around 2 oz).
It's 185mm (around 7") long and machined from 6mm (just under 1/4") thick titanium.
The length of the cutting blades are 75mm (around 3").
Designed And Made In New Zealand
I'm a designer and machinist with my own machines and so will be producing this cheese-slicer from scratch.
Apart from outsourcing to a friend to get the surface finish done I'm producing this cheese-slicer entirely at my home-workshop.
Oh, and we're a "family business"... I have my wife Rachel working with me most days in the workshop. And one of my daughters too (when she's home from college).
I want to make this cheese-slicer available to others but there needs to be a minimum quantity to make production possible. And that's the whole reason for this Kickstarter campaign.
Let's talk Rewards...
I'm aware this cheese-slicer is not for everyone. If you're happy with a cheap plastic cheese-slicer (or even a cheap mass-produced stainless-steel one) that's fine.
But if, like me, you want a high-performance cheese-slicer that gives you consistent slices and will last you for the rest of your life then check out the Rewards available to you below:
Once you've selected the reward you want then click on the corresponding Reward-level in the Rewards section and make your pledge.
Thank you for checking out my project and I look forward to making and shipping your titanium cheese-slicer to you.
Sincerely
Warren Simpson
F.A.Q.s
How Do I Pledge For More Than One Cheese-Slicer?
If you want more than one of any Reward, then just add the additional funds to your pledge.
As an example: If you want 2 x THIN-Cut Titanium Cheese-Slicers... then you would choose the "THIN-Cut Reward" and pledge: NZD$195 + NZD$195 (+S&H) = NZD$404 (You only need to pay for shipping once)
I'm Left-Handed. Will This Titanium Cheese-Slicer Work For Me?
Yes, of course. This titanium cheese-slicer is design for both left-handed and right-handed use. And, in addition, it can be used to cut towards you or away from you.
Did You REALLY Have To Use Titanium?
In a word... yes.
If I were to use stainless steel there is a good chance the "blades" would bend and maybe even snap.
So the main reason is that the "blades" are machined very thin - and Grade 5 Titanium (because of the "elasticity" it has compared to other metals) really is the only metal that can be used.
Why Don't You Have Any Stretch Goals?
This is my first Kickstarter project and so I want to keep things as simple as possible.
Where Is The Titanium Cheese-Slicer Made?
Everything from cutting to machining to shipping is done right here where I live in New Zealand.
I have my own CNC machining equipment where I work from my home-based workshop.
Risks and challenges
I have a handful of fully-functioning prototypes and am ready to ramp-up into production of more when this project is funded.
The only concern I have is that the project may get significantly over-funded. If this happens, then the worst case scenario is that Rewards may be delayed - but I will keep in constant communication with you through Updates.
My friend Magnus Macdonald is a seasoned "Kickstarter Veteran" (with NINE projects under his belt) and he's providing me with guidance on this project.
Learn about accountability on KickstarterFAQ
Have a question? If the info above doesn't help, you can ask the project creator directly.
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Funding period
- (44 days)