Page 1 Index. • Introduction 3 • Target Market 4 • Product Requirements 5 • Anatomy of a knife 6 • Project Brief and Rejected Concepts 7 • Brand Development 9 • Brand Details 10 • Materials 11 • Production Processes 12 • Knife Parts and Shape 15 • Sketching and PPP development 17 • IKB Project Evaluation 27 • Continuing Project from IKB to LARP Weapon 28 • New Brief and product specification 29 • Construction Praying Mantis LARP weapon 30 • Bibliography 35 Page 2 Introduction The Kiyoshi project started as a group university project called IKB to design a brand and range of kitchen products. The groups designed the brand. Then the next part of the project was a solo product design project for a product that fits with the brand. The product picked was a high grade steel or ceramic multi- use knife. This was developed with the honest intention to produce an item for a chef’s kitchen with Japanese craftsmanship. The form however developed into a shape that whilst met the brief of a high end kitchen knife, had two flaws. 1. The problem with a multi-use kitchen knife is cross contamination of food. 2. The form was also well suited to combat use. By accident had developed an extremely efficient hand to hand weapon system would work well with natural body flowing movements. The project evaluation stated that this therefore should not continue to a commercial kitchen knife that would be available to the public as too dangerous in the wrong hands, given the current level of youth crime. This is how the university project ended. However an alternative use was found for the research in the form of a prop weapon that could be added to the Merlin’s Armoury portfolio. An item that could be used in fancy dress, as a toy and to test out how the combat use could be done. This section is titled the Praying Mantis Knives and covers the development of the foam latex ‘toy’ weapon. Page 3 would be likely to be middle to a lot better then most they know. upper middle class, seeking to eat Target Market. This a super slick super knife can healthily. A, B, C1 demographic, fit within the product brief that At the high end of the market with a job that not only pays well fits under the those wanting for kitchen products there The but provides the time to cook well. Kiyoshi knife is an attempt to to emulate professionals. produce a high end product to Mid 20s possibly through to early 30s. Most likely single or in early appeal to professionals, those Thus in this case whilst the multi-- stage relationships, confident, looking to emulate them and use Kiyoshi knife carries out many successful, in a job he likes, those with money wanting the chef tasks, top chefs would prefer with an active sex and social latest cool kitchen gadget to use single use specialist tools. However life, possibly often entertaining and show to friends for bling look the knife gives the impression of colleagues, possible clients at at my cool tool value. professionalism in the amount home. They would be aiming to of tasks it can carry out, with the Having had a look at top kitchen impress, both in terms of the food exceptional sharpness and high grade knife suppliers there appeared they have learned to produce and steel and sleek look. Plus the quality to be little that had not already also show off their tools. In this carry case it could turn up with and been provided for and provided case the target market is more its care kit including sharpening stone. for well. likely to be male as the showing There was the option to try and off of status symbol ‘toys’ is When not showing off cooking produce a single use tool, or one more of a male trait going back abilities and cooking toys, that combines several uses in one to then they were a boy, where our potential client would be innovative and multiuse tool or they would impress friends with watching shows such as Top kit. Whilst attempts were made to items such as a light sabre, radio Gear or the Gadget Show, read speak to professionals. Feed back controlled toy, scary gadget, magazines like Stuff and FHM. was not coming, so precise needs cool computer game, the latest More refined than the likes of for professionals (such as single use trainers, a rare comic etc. This Loaded or Nuts but still featuring tools)could not be done hence the trait does not change as the male hot women. He may well have a error of developing a multiuse tool. gets older, just the toys change to sports car or get a car customised. items such as a car, motorcycle, The later was chosen as there This is someone who can afford big screen television, DIY tool, car appeared to be a gap in the to do adventure sports and the sound system, Ipad and so on. market for something new that car helps get to locations, such could have value in that it was This showing off will carry through as a good sport for hang gliding something unique and new. to what they try and cook such as or scuba diving. Enjoying active amazing cakes, which usually are holidays with a house full of This is therefore aimed more more time and effort. Such an gadgets as well as the kitchen, at those wanting to emulate item could be made to impress a with a book shelf of recipes, professionals rather than the girl, so they have a pleasant night maybe even competing in TV professionals theme selves. or a boss to get a raise. They don’t cookery competitions. The ‘wannabee chef emulator’ have to be a top professional, just Page 4 the back. Above which is the 18. Chemicals must not leach a hammer action to crush 30. It will need a highly polished Product scalpel attachment. from knife or hand made. garlics and tenderise meat, surface, not just for looks but care needs to be noted where cleaning and slip. 9. There will also be the option 19. The handle materials and the pointed end goes. Notably Requirements to attach another handle over bonding must be able 31. A varied blade to carry out towards the upper chest. the from blade. to handle heat, water, different tasks. The Kiyoshi Knife combines: Thus a element needs to be pressure from dishwashers 10. The attachment handle has to incorporated as a safety 32. A straight taper common in 1. The ability to intricately carve even though with regards have a strong reliable grip on feature. high quality blades fruit for displays on a scalpel to professional quality the blades and grip the hand level with an attachment knives dishwashers are not 24. Soft meats like fish can stick 33. To be forged. as well to avoid it becoming a interface. recommended. to the blade so adding fluting projectile. 34. Decorative handle possibly or indents in the blade can 2. The ability to peel fruit with a 20. Care instructions need to be with abalone inserts. 11. The attachment handle needs to provide air pockets which hook blade at the front. included including washing protect the handler from the very act like a blood grove in a 3. The ability to slice open instructions and how they sharp blade and not wear out. sword so the knife just slides Distribution delicate fruit and vegetables should never be placed in through the material. like tomatoes with the 12. The attachment handle a wash bowl where a hand A production run of 400,000 serrated front barb blade. needs to protect the knife entering the bowl could 25. Adding some synthetic was stated. Much of the forging with out blunting it. connect with the razor blade. rubber to the handle would process as can be seen in the 4. Razor sharp chopping and slicing help comfort and grip. production videos further on knife that will be fluted (air 13. With the handle in place the 21. Top quality metals are to can be automated. Sharpening pockets in blade) to enable soft knife can be used in a similar be used. These include 26. The surface needs to be and finishing is still a skilled meats such fish to be sliced and configuration to a cleaver to crack Damascus steel around as seem less as possible job. This would be a premium filleted effortlessly just sliding off bones and open coconut. a ceramic or sintered avoiding nooks and crannies product, costing over £100. With powdered metallurgy core. where food items can rot and the blade. 14. The handle/hilt needs to multiple processes. It would be The hardest stainless steel infect food. 5. A flat middle blade section be comfortable for a wide aimed at grown ups. The outlets produced this was is Cowery for fine and rapid chopping percentile. 27. The packaging must be clear could be department stores, the X with a Rockwell Hardness of herbs in line with the table this is a professional knife internet, specialist chef stores, 15. The handle needs to be Rating of 67. and not for children. Given gadget shops, strictly an over 21s underneath. comfortable in various 22. As super hard steels can be its capabilities it should be product. 6. The back of the blade will configurations including the more prone to chipping, kept from teenagers as well. have small curve to prevent scalpel configuration there Marketing could be in gadget the rear end intended to it getting caught on the the knife is held upside down 28.