Almazan Kitchen/ Knives/ Zlakusa Pottery

SciAggie

@Focker recently posted a cool video made by the Almazon Kitchen. There seems to be an interest in their knives, I know I'm interested in the pottery used in the videos.

If you go to their website http://www.almazankitchen.com/ and look at their about us page, you can see they mention Serbian cuisine. (That may be why there is no dialogue in the videos)
I did a search for Serbian pottery and found this: http://www.serbia.com/about-serbia/culture/intangible-cultural-heritage-of-serbia/intangible-cultural-heritage-as-a-guardian-of-serbian-identity/zlakusa-poterry/

The pottery is also found if one searches for Zlakusa - which seems to be a Serbian community. There seems to be a cultural effort to produce this pottery and preserve their cultural heritage. It would seem there should be a way for purchase these goods online.

Here's my question. Given the political climate in the region, I don't know if there are trade restrictions or sanctions or whatever between the US and Serbia. I thought I would throw it out to the collective since I'm sure there are folks that know about such things. My Google searching has not found a vendor. How can we go about finding a vendor to purchase their pottery?

I sent them a Facebook message and asked about their knives. I'll post the reply if and when I receive one...

DoubleEgger

There's no issue with Serbia. 

HeavyG

http://www.tradicionalniproizvodi.com/en/tesic_pottery

SciAggie

HeavyG said:

http://www.tradicionalniproizvodi.com/en/tesic_pottery

I just sent them an email. Great minds must think alike.

Carolina Q

Be interesting to see how this ends up. Emile Henry makes stuff that they claim can go from freezer to oven. Surely a campfire would be okay. Haven't heard of anyone breaking a pizza stone in their egg yet. Boring though. Looks like every other DO out there.

https://www.emilehenryusa.com/ovenware/Dutch-Oven-Stewpots-cat274.html

Focker

Count me in for a unicorn horn, mortar and pestle, clay pot, live edge board, and knife.  

saluki2007

If you read in the YouTube comments of the video he says he made the knife. Possible he made some of the other stuff too. 

YukonRon

I, Too sent an email for the information. I would love to get a variety of their cookware. When camping, that would be perfect for us, as well as on the XL from time to time.

SciAggie

@Focker @YukonRon They replied to my Facebook message. Here's the response:
"Hello there! Thank you for following our channel, that's a huge support for us! Sorry for the delay, we are getting so many messages recently, we're glad that you are interested in our custom knives. They are our invention and recently we started selling them, they can't be bough anywhere else. The knife that you saw in the videos is premium custom hand forged model made from high quality carbon steel, with professional sharpening that will last for long. It represents our style best, rustic, razor-sharp, perfectly balanced and of course with unique ©AlmazanKitchen shape. The price for that model is 250 EUR (270 USD) + shipping. There is also other, simplified model for 150 EUR + shipping, it's lower quality metal and handle, we don't use in the videos though it's sharp too. We ship both models worldwide. I must also inform you that due to handcrafting and incredibly high demand we are unable to make as many knives as people want to buy, so there is a delivery waiting time of 1-7 months for both models.Here are some pics of premium model. We also sell our custom handmade made cutting boards.They are made from Serbian walnut, that gives them special texture, rustic just like our style is. Prices start from 100 EUR, they depend on size and we have special discount on them when you buy the knife. As for the pottery, we don't make it for now but we will"

Focker

SciAggie said:

@Focker @YukonRon They replied to my Facebook message. Here's the response:
"Hello there! Thank you for following our channel, that's a huge support for us! Sorry for the delay, we are getting so many messages recently, we're glad that you are interested in our custom knives. They are our invention and recently we started selling them, they can't be bough anywhere else. The knife that you saw in the videos is premium custom hand forged model made from high quality carbon steel, with professional sharpening that will last for long. It represents our style best, rustic, razor-sharp, perfectly balanced and of course with unique ©AlmazanKitchen shape. The price for that model is 250 EUR (270 USD) + shipping. There is also other, simplified model for 150 EUR + shipping, it's lower quality metal and handle, we don't use in the videos though it's sharp too. We ship both models worldwide. I must also inform you that due to handcrafting and incredibly high demand we are unable to make as many knives as people want to buy, so there is a delivery waiting time of 1-7 months for both models.Here are some pics of premium model. We also sell our custom handmade made cutting boards.They are made from Serbian walnut, that gives them special texture, rustic just like our style is. Prices start from 100 EUR, they depend on size and we have special discount on them when you buy the knife. As for the pottery, we don't make it for now but we will"

Good stuff Aggie.

nolabrew

DoubleEgger said:

There's no issue with Serbia. 

Tell that to the Bosnians. 

SciAggie

@Focker @YukonRon They responded to me again on Facebook after I pushed about the pottery a bit more. They said they plan to make pottery available in a few months. They said they were working out international shipping...

bigbadben

That's a lot of money for the blade in the picture.  The grinds look minimal at best. I am going to start making blades to go with my handles.  

Focker

SciAggie said:

@Focker @YukonRon They responded to me again on Facebook after I pushed about the pottery a bit more. They said they plan to make pottery available in a few months. They said they were working out international shipping...

Awesome, would definitely be interested in some pottery when its available.

Although cool, the steel is too steep.

SciAggie

Focker said:

SciAggie said:

@Focker @YukonRon They responded to me again on Facebook after I pushed about the pottery a bit more. They said they plan to make pottery available in a few months. They said they were working out international shipping...

Awesome, would definitely be interested in some pottery when its available.

Although cool, the steel is too steep.

Yeah, I have an old carbon steel Chinese cleaver that probably cost me $10.00 back in the 80's that will cut your soul. Their knife is too pricey for what it is in my opinion - but - we all choose how we spend our money differently. I just dread learning what the pottery will cost - I would really like some of that.

HeavyG

bigbadben said:

That's a lot of money for the blade in the picture.  The grinds look minimal at best. I am going to start making blades to go with my handles.  

That's the "sell it to the rich American price". Locally it sells for 6,000 Serbian Dinars ($50US +/-).

I made that up - I have no idea what the local price might be.

The price doesn't seem out of line for what I see from various bladesmiths in the US that are basically using steel blanks that they just shape and grind/sharpen and with a simple wooden handle.

Carolina Q

If the knife pricing is any indication, I am not optimistic about buying pottery from these guys. Also, are they going to begin making it or just selling? From their comment ("...we don't make it for now but we will"), it sounds like the former, though that could be a language issue. It's a centuries old art form and I wouldn't want one from someone who just picked it up because they thought they could make a buck. 

Here's a place that makes it, along with contact info. Doesn't say anything about ordering, just that you can buy it if you go there. Long way to go for a pot.  http://www.tradicionalniproizvodi.com/en/tesic_pottery

This page shows how they fire the pots (open the thumbnails, it's interesting). Also says that when they come out of the fire, they put them in cold water. Those that crack are of "low quality".
http://www.grncarija.rs/pecenjeen.htm

SciAggie

@Carolina Q I sent an email a few days ago to the folks in the link you posted; I haven't heard anything back from them. I'm not sure if there's any language issues. 
Like you, I am not optimistic - but it's a fun little quest none the less. I also read the remark about putting them in cold water to test them. Man, that is definitely a stress test! 
In the book "Cooking with Fire" by Marcoux they mention Syrian pottery. Apparently it's been a "thing" for a long time; as you said they advertise over 400 years. I also don't want pottery from someone that just decided to make some to sell. I plan to inquire through the websites a bit more and see if I can get a response. 

Focker

My White #2 Tojiro(far left) was 60 bucks.

S30V Clip point Buck 110, 80 bucks.


Even the Benchmade Crooked River is a much better deal all around for food prep while outdoors.
https://youtu.be/EyzjZZcmm2Q

Interesting info guys on the the Serb clay.
Would love to have a piece.

Carolina Q

Focker said:

My White #2 Tojiro(far left) was 60 bucks.

@Focker, looks like they've changed it a bit. This from CKTG...

How do you like it? Can't beat the price!

Focker

Carolina Q said:

Focker said:

My White #2 Tojiro(far left) was 60 bucks.

@Focker, looks like they've changed it a bit. This from CKTG...

How do you like it? Can't beat the price!

I peeled off the sticker on the handle, and wet sanded the black finish to polish it out with 600 grit.  That still looks like the same knife I bought several years ago.
http://www.chefknivestogo.com/toitkshwa21.html
Worth every single penny of that $60.

This White#2 Japanese steel will rust fast, like right in front of you fast.  So I wipe it dry immediately after use, placing it back on the mag blok.  Not really a con, just something to keep in mind.  I haven't looked into oiling, but that wouldn't hurt.

I have been extremely happy with it, and reach for it often.  I think it is a great intro to Japanese steel if that is what you're after, far from a full blown custom.  It is a right-hander, just in case you're a southpaw.

thetrim

Hows this for a pot....https://smile.amazon.com/dp/B00AH3SS4A/ref=nav_timeline_asin?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1

Carolina Q

Focker said:

Carolina Q said:

Focker said:

My White #2 Tojiro(far left) was 60 bucks.

@Focker, looks like they've changed it a bit. This from CKTG...

How do you like it? Can't beat the price!

I peeled off the sticker on the handle, and wet sanded the black finish to polish it out with 600 grit.  That still looks like the same knife I bought several years ago.
http://www.chefknivestogo.com/toitkshwa21.html
Worth every single penny of that $60.

This White#2 Japanese steel will rust fast, like right in front of you fast.  So I wipe it dry immediately after use, placing it back on the mag blok.  Not really a con, just something to keep in mind.  I haven't looked into oiling, but that wouldn't hurt.

I have been extremely happy with it, and reach for it often.  I think it is a great intro to Japanese steel if that is what you're after, far from a full blown custom.  It is a right-hander, just in case you're a southpaw.

Any carbon steel knife will rust. I have a Chinese CCK vegetable cleaver I bought a few years ago. Also with the black stuff on it, though it does tend to wear off. It has a couple of tiny rust spots in it, Sharpest knife I own. Also the thinnest.

I've been using it a lot more since I saw the Serbians, not with bones though. Meat is ok, just not bones. One thing I like about it is that it also serves as a bench scraper for transferring cut items to the pot as in the Serbian videos. A chef knife with do that of course, but it'll take more trips.

I think I paid $30-40 for the cleaver. Now it's $70! I don't remember who it was, but someone on the old forum said that his cleaver was the only knife he ever uses. For anything. Like the Serbian guys. 

Did this with the cleaver the other day. 
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9Fj2e8iRf8Q
Not quite as fast, but I did it. Sharp sumbitch! 

bigbadben

CKTG has awesome stuff.  

Focker

Carolina Q said:

Focker said:

Carolina Q said:

Focker said:

My White #2 Tojiro(far left) was 60 bucks.

@Focker, looks like they've changed it a bit. This from CKTG...

How do you like it? Can't beat the price!

I peeled off the sticker on the handle, and wet sanded the black finish to polish it out with 600 grit.  That still looks like the same knife I bought several years ago.
http://www.chefknivestogo.com/toitkshwa21.html
Worth every single penny of that $60.

This White#2 Japanese steel will rust fast, like right in front of you fast.  So I wipe it dry immediately after use, placing it back on the mag blok.  Not really a con, just something to keep in mind.  I haven't looked into oiling, but that wouldn't hurt.

I have been extremely happy with it, and reach for it often.  I think it is a great intro to Japanese steel if that is what you're after, far from a full blown custom.  It is a right-hander, just in case you're a southpaw.

Any carbon steel knife will rust. I have a Chinese CCK vegetable cleaver I bought a few years ago. Also with the black stuff on it, though it does tend to wear off. It has a couple of tiny rust spots in it, Sharpest knife I own. Also the thinnest.

I've been using it a lot more since I saw the Serbians, not with bones though. Meat is ok, just not bones. One thing I like about it is that it also serves as a bench scraper for transferring cut items to the pot as in the Serbian videos. A chef knife with do that of course, but it'll take more trips.

I think I paid $30-40 for the cleaver. Now it's $70! I don't remember who it was, but someone on the old forum said that his cleaver was the only knife he ever uses. For anything. Like the Serbian guys. 

Did this with the cleaver the other day. 
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9Fj2e8iRf8Q
Not quite as fast, but I did it. Sharp sumbitch! 

Cool, like a nakiri huh?
My cleavers are a little different, whig splittahs, shaving bones, completely off.  

Both are ridiculously sharp, courtesy of the Naniwa Chosera stones.  Maybe not paper thin tomaters, but damn close. Lol