TIL my cheap paring knife was costing me time

I always grabbed the $8 knife from the drawer because I thought a sharp edge was all that mattered. After slicing 30 pounds of peaches for a jam order, my hand was cramping so bad I had to switch to my coworker's Victorinox. How did I not notice the handle shape before? What's the one tool you used to hate spending money on that actually made a big difference?

3 comments

3 Comments

amyc2221d ago

A handle isn't just a handle when you're using it for hours... that shape makes a huge difference in how your muscles work. It's not about getting used to it, it's about not getting hurt.

the_seth1mo ago

Yeah, the "handle shape" thing is a perfect example of how we ignore design until it hurts us. I mean, it happens with everything from can openers to office chairs.

miles_grant351mo ago

Bad design gets way too much blame. Most people just don't take the time to learn how to use things right. A handle is a handle, you figure it out after a few tries and then it's fine. Calling every little annoyance a design failure makes us forget that some stuff just needs getting used to.