The Bionic Oneida Performance Santoku

A couple months ago I found the perfect kitchen knife,

the Oneida Santoku,

for $1 at the local flea market.

The Portland version of a swap meet 

is a drop in the bucket compared to Kobeys in San Diego,

which runs Friday to Sunday.

This flea market is only on Sunday's,

and Portlanders are a crazy bunch.

Hardcore vendors post up rain or shine,

hawking the typical chit from tools to soap,

and people will come to buy.

I'll come just for the good fruit/vegetable deals.

Seriously it's 1/4 the price from the grocery store.

Another big difference is the inside area,

one place a swap meet shouldn't be.

The dusty dank air doesn't seem right to breathe,

but you get used to it.

It's super packed on a sunny day inside and out.

I've gotten many scores,

This DJ turntable was $10...flipped...

A real ivory pocket knife $5,

which now makes me a little guilty

studying how evil the ivory market is.

Don't google it's depressing...

This technics turntable was $10,

and is now a corner piece to the room system.

It's got auto-start and repeat.

I've woken up at 3am totally brainwashed 

listening to the same 23 minute side for 6 hours.

Works great at remembering lyrics.

Records $1-2...

Gotta love it.

This victor torch was one of the better scores-$15!!

After watching the shipbreaker documentaries,

I've always wanted a long cutting torch.

These things are like 250-400 new!

I think this engine analyzer was $5,

but will need batteries that are $7.

Which reminds me to scrounge the next flea market.

A couple bucks for the flask and meter.

Gotta have the flask,

even though liquor is harder to get in Oregon.

These priceless items were both $1.

How could anyone resist!?

Ok back to the knife.

It worked great for cutting.

Then I tried crushing a garlic clove sideways,

and it immediately stamped.

I yelled the F word really loud,

shocking the room mates and neighbors.

For a week I continued using it as a hand blade,

further cementing the need for its repair.

I'm telling ya this is a good knife,

it's extra thin and just slices through without sticking.

This must be an early version,

as none have the same super heavy handle style.

Finally yesterday I did a rush weld during my last break.

A little crude but effective TIG weld,

using a 316 stainless rod.

I'd say it's not as crooked as you would expect,

from a welded up kitchen knife.

I've already used it twice.

So sharp.

These new are like $10 with a cutting board,

and well worth it,

but none have a good history like this one.

If it's metal,

we can rebuild it...

TP