If you have PLN 1,500 to spare, you can get in line for a knife that vibrates for PLN 30,000. times per second.
The CES technology fair is currently taking place in Los Angeles and, as every year, it is an opportunity for consumer electronics manufacturers to present their new devices. However, these are not always “serious” devices, because sometimes absurdity and unusualness make a greater impression than efficient processors or capacious batteries. Yesterday we wrote about an unusual Razer gadget that allows you to summon a virtual assistant straight from anime, closed in a cylindrical box, and today it’s time for an electric knife that vibrates 30,000 times. times per second. Why vibrate? Let me explain.
Ultrasonic knife that reduces cutting resistance
Have you ever thought to yourself while cooking: “I wish I had an ultra-expensive knife that uses high-frequency vibrations to reduce resistance when cutting”? NO? Me neither, but there must be a target group for such a device somewhere in the world, because how else can you explain the appearance of the C-200 Ultrasonic knife at the fair?
The manufacturer explains on its website that the knife behaves like a blade that is “sharper than its physical geometry alone.” What does it even mean? To answer this question, we must first delve into the technical specifications of the knife – as stupid as it may sound.
After pressing the button located on the handle, the blade vibrates ultrasonic – about 30,000 times per second. Apparently these vibrations cannot be seen or felt in the hand because their amplitude is microscopic – but it is sufficient to reduce the friction between the steel and the product being cut. Thanks to this, the blade “enters” the tomato, meat or cheese more easily, the food sticks to the blade less often, and less force is required to cut.
The device operates with a power of 10 W and weighs approximately 330 g with an installed battery, charged via USB-C. Interestingly, the equipment also has Bluetooth and Wi-Fi, although the current batch does not use these solutions. This is probably a backup in case of a future application, which may appear with the second batch, which is scheduled to hit the market in March this year.
Crazy expensive and crazy unnecessary?
I didn’t have the opportunity to test the knife myself, but according to the reports of people who visited the manufacturer’s stand at CES, the device actually cuts fantastically, but… not better than a good-quality classic knife. It is worth noting here that the C-200 Ultrasonic can also play this role, because it is sold in two different variants – with and without a charger. Are you curious how much you have to pay for such a miracle? The knife itself costs $399, or just over PLN 1,400. In a set with a dedicated mahogany charger, you have to pay a hundred dollars more for it, i.e. +/- PLN 1,800.
Ridiculously expensive? Yes, but apparently the manufacturer does not complain about the demand, and the first batch has completely sold out. I will rather stick to regular knives, but if for some reason you need to reduce the friction force during cutting by 50%, you can place orders for the second batch of intelligent knives at this address.
Stock image from Depositphotos
