Cryogenics: The secret to a sharper and everlasting knife

Taking Heston Blumenthal’s use of liquid nitrogen one step further, manufacturer JML has created a set of kitchen knives. This process creates a sharper and longer lasting knife.

Everyone knows that the boldest chefs use liquid nitrogen to cook up recipes, and in the same vein, every adventurous kitchen should be equipped with this year’s must-have – knives made using liquid nitrogen. They are manufactured using cryogenics, the science behind preserving bodies and many a creaky science fiction plot.

Deep-freeze technology is used to produce the blades. They are made by heating steel up to 1100°C . The temperature is then gently reduced to room temperature for 7 hours. And then they are cryogenically treated at -200°C for 4 hours using liquid nitrogen.

This means that you are left with a knife that can slice through butternut squash and pumpkins instantly. Scientists at the Cutlery Research Association in Sheffield used a cutting test and found that Cryotex Knives are twice as sharp and three times more resistant than several other blades.

Cryotex Knives are available from www.JMLdirect.com and telephone number 0871 2222 631. Priced at £39.99 for a set, including a chef’s knife, a fillet knife and a paring knife.

Dearbhla MacFadden, JML’s Brand Manager says: “When it comes to knives JML really knows its onions. Using this Heston Blumenthalesque method means we can produce something that’s a slice above the rest. It’s ideal when customers want to freeze their spending habits.”