Have you ever prepared food outdoors and your folding knife just wasn’t up to the task?
Story
A note from the founders of nCamp:
In 2016 we launched nCamp with the goal of helping you create better experiences – great meals, in the outdoors, shared with others. We love to listen, evolve and keep getting better, and we did that with the help of our backers! We thank you for supporting the nCamp Food Prep Knife!
For more information about nCamp & the Food Prep Knife, visit: www.ncampgear.com
Sincerely,
Dan & John
Have you ever prepared food outdoors and your folding knife just wasn’t up to the task?
When it comes to knives, there are many choices. However, there are only a few folding knives designed for food preparation and even fewer that are truly up to the job. This is why we are developing the nCamp Food Prep Knife!
The nCamp Food Prep Knife is…
The nCamp Food Prep Knife is a high-quality knife designed for those who want to take their outdoor experience to another level. While we considered the needs of those who might venture into the back country, we also thought about everyday use; barbecue in the backyard or park, picnics and even daily use in the kitchen (at home or the cabin).
We have developed multiple versions and tiers of knives, all of which are premium products designed for the outdoors. We extensively prototyped, tested and refined each one. We listened to backpackers, chefs and grill masters and used their input to create products that we are very proud of.
Dan talking with Chef Ben Bebenroth and getting feedback on ergonomic testing tools designed to help us get the design right.
Each knife has an identical handle shape, making it easy to switch back and forth between knife styles without having to get ‘reacquainted.’ The handle design was informed by extensive ergonomic testing with the goal of a comfortable secure grip that allows for a variety of gripping styles. It is scalloped at the balance point, allowing for a gradual transition between the handle and blade. All of the fasteners are flush-mounted, so there aren’t any annoying bumps. We have also minimized holes, which tend to collect crud. The top of the handle is closed, which is not always the case with folding knives. This makes it comfortable to hold and very rigid.
We also thought about the parts you can’t see! Beneath the wooden grip the knife frame has cutouts which form a truss-like structure. This reduces the weight and maintains strength, while maintaining good balance between the blade and handle. The frame incorporates a liner-lock which makes the blade very secure when opened.
There are two blade styles: the Chef and the Santoku. Each version includes our signature cut-outs. The cutouts reduce material (and weight) at the widest part of the blade without impacting performance or comfort when applying pressure to the spine. They also provide a bit of an edge, allowing you to flick the blade open with your thumb.
The Chef version (below) is a classic western utility knife. It is useful for all kinds of cutting and slicing. It’s versatility and familiarity made it a no-brainer to include in our lineup.
Specs:
- Length (open) – 10.5 in / 26.7cm
- Length (folded) – 5.75 in / 14.6 cm
- Weight – 5.8 oz / 165 g
The Santoku version (below) is based on a classic Japanese utility knife. The scalloped blade helps food slices fall off after cutting and the broad surface is ideal for scooping up and moving ingredients.
Specs:
- Length (open) – 10.7 in / 27.2 cm (open)
- Length (folded) – 5.75 in / 14.6 cm (folded)
- Weight – 6 oz / 172 g
One final feature of the overall design – we paid close attention to the curve of the blade and its relationship to the heel, balance point and handle. Our final design gives you full use of the blade edge and enough clearance to keep your knuckles from banging into the cutting surface. Something that sounds obvious…but isn’t always considered!
Our Premium Knives (below) have a light-colored beech wood handle which is durable and simple. These knives use 9Cr18MoV steel, which balances corrosion resistance, toughness and edge retention. These come with a Chef or Santoku blade.
Our Elite Knives (below) have a dark-colored walnut handle which is both tough and beautiful. These knives have Damascus blades (wavy pattern made by layering 10Cr18MoV steel). These blades balance beauty, corrosion resistance and toughness, while maintaining a very sharp edge. These come with a Chef or Santoku blade.
The nCamp Food Prep Knife is designed for your pack, but is also great for a picnic basket or even in the kitchen!
The Elite version with a Damascus blade.
Our Project is…
We plan to produce four Food Prep Knives: the Premium Chef, the Premium Santoku, the Elite Chef and the Elite Santoku. In addition, we hope to include a series of accessories described in our rewards. If successful, the funds raised will help pay for tooling, inventory and marketing.
Our goal is to bring new, high-quality knives to the market and our rewards include various individual knives and sets. Because we already make other gear designed for an elevated outdoor experience, we have included some of these as part of our rewards.
We have already successfully brought a number of products to market and are excited to introduce yet another through this community of supporters. Throughout the campaign, we’ll show you our process, listen to your feedback and (hopefully) hear your encouragement! We would also love to hear your thoughts on other things we should make…especially other version to add to the knife lineup!
Our Rewards are…
We tried to choose a variety of backer rewards, but if you think a combination is missing, please let us know and we’ll consider adding it!
1 Premium Knife (chef or santoku blade) | $60 or more
The Premium Knives feature a 9Cr18MoV steel blade and a beech wood handle (includes a nylon drawstring bag). Chef or Santoku blade is selected at survey time if the campaign is successful.
——————————————————-
1 Premium Knife (chef or santoku blade) + nCamp Prep Surface | $85 or more
The Premium Knives feature a 9Cr18MoV steel blade and a beech wood handle (includes a nylon drawstring bag). Chef or Santoku blade is selected at survey time if the campaign is successful. The Prep Surface is a 6.5″ x 9″ (16.5cm x 22.9cm) elevated bamboo, aluminum and stainless steel surface that pairs perfectly with the Food Prep Knife.
——————————————————–
Premium Knife Set (chef & santoku) | $100 or more
The Premium Knives feature a 9Cr18MoV steel blade and a beech wood handle (each includes a nylon drawstring bag).
——————————————————–
1 Elite Knife (chef or santoku blade) | $125 or more
The Elite Knives feature a Damascus blade made of 10Cr18MoV steel and a walnut handle (includes a custom leather case). Chef or Santoku blade is selected at survey time if the campaign is successful.
——————————————————–
1 Premium Knife (chef or santoku blade) + 4pc Kitchen-to-Go | $150 or more
The Premium Knives feature a blade made of 10Cr18MoV steel and a beech wood handle (includes a nylon drawstring bag). Chef or Santoku blade is selected at survey time if the campaign is successful. The nCamp 4-piece Kitchen-to-Go (K2G) includes the nCamp Multi-fuel Stove, Gas Adapter, Prep Surface and Carry Case. The Knife + the 3pc K2G allows you to prep and prep a meal.
——————————————————–
Elite Knife Set (chef & santoku) | $200 or more
The Elite Knives feature a Damascus blade made with 10Cr18MoV steel and a walnut handle (each includes a custom leather case).
——————————————————–
1 Elite Knife (chef or santoku blade) + nCamp 5pc Kitchen-to-Go | $250 or more
The Elite Knives feature a Damascus blade made of 10Cr18MoV steel and a walnut handle (includes a custom leather case). Chef or Santoku blade is selected at survey time if the campaign is successful. The 5-piece Kitchen-to-go (K2G) includes the nCamp Multi-fuel Stove, Gas Adapter, Prep Surface, Carry Case and Café (espresso-style coffee maker). The Food Prep Knife + the 5pc K2G provides the complete nCamp experience.
Our Schedule is…
We plan to start production before the end of 2021. We are well-positioned to do this as our design is far along in the process, we’ve made pre-production prototypes and our factory is ready. Since our campaign was successful, we approved production tooling in mid-October 2021 and plan to start production early. The precise timing of things like material supply and shipping are beyond our control, so we can’t guarantee delivery before the end of the year…but we sure are going to try!
How We Plan to use the Money Raised…
We started nCamp five years ago. Ever since we have used our resources well, adding new products each year. Our goal with this campaign is to raise $15,000 for the Food Prep Knife Project. We believe this product reinforces our brand promise and will help take us to the next level. The three main uses for the funds raised will be to pay for the tooling & build our initial inventory, to market the product & raise awareness of the brand, and to cover administrative cost.
Logistics & Shipping
Because we have several products in production, we are very familiar with this part of the process – we have both US and International partners who will work with us on this. We plan to ship using UPS ground services for the Continental US locations (48 states) and plan to charge $9.00 Flat Shipping Fee for all Rewards $150 and below. For rewards above $150, we will charge a Flat Shipping Fee of $15.00. Rates may vary for Backers in Alaska and Hawaii. Other shipping rates vary by country and we haven’t listed your country, send us a message and we’ll research the rates.
About nCamp
nCamp (www.ncampgear.com) started with a question – could we reduce the bulk of a wood burning camping stove while creating a better cooking experience? This question set the nCamp team on a path to design, manufacture and market outdoor gear. The company was founded by Dan Cuffaro, an industrial designer and college professor, and John Cunningham, a product development executive, a duo with a passion for innovation and the outdoors.
Dan & John at the Outdoor Retailer Show…the early days of nCamp!
Our products are informed by years of cooking outside and a desire to avoid meals in a pouch…in favor of real food. Our products strive for three key characteristics:
- Compactness – a tight package that stores easily, allowing you to go to the places you want to go (for example, our Stove is collapsible and our Prep Surface nests with it).
- Elevated Experience – to avoid ‘roughing it’ by making things easier and better (for example, our Café brews high quality espresso-style coffee).
- Distinctive Design – the products are functional and cool (for example, our Stove has a hexagonal pattern stamped into the metal…this allows it to be thin, yet strong, while adding visual impact).
Ever since we asked the original question, we have applied the same principles to each new product – making cool gear that reduces bulk and elevates your outdoor experience. We are also committed to keep doing it!
One unique twist to the Food Prep Knife project is that Dan started as a real time product development example for his students. The process started in early 2021 with identifying the opportunity for a better outdoor food prep knife, conducting research, generating concepts and refining. We hope that the example will end with successfully bringing a product to market!
pack small / adventure BIG
There are so many people to thank…
To get to this point it takes a lot of people and we’d like recognize a few. Thank you to our families, to Jeff at Papertape Media, to Kevin at Click Studio, Ben at Spice Hospitality Group, to the Students, Faculty and Staff at the Cleveland Institute of Art and to so many who helped along the way. Thank you!
Risks and challenges
The nCamp Team is committed to bringing the Food Prep Knives to production in 2021. Our factory has made pre-production prototypes and is ready for the go-ahead to proceed. While we are experienced and have a track record of bringing products to market, the knives are made internationally. This can present challenges with raw materials and shipping. Some of the things we cannot control might impact our delivery timeline.
Long-lasting design
We have chosen very high-quality materials and minimize corrosion and retain the blade edge. Additionally, our design is very simple, so there isn’t much to break or go wrong. Finally, we have chosen a manufacturing partner with a history of making durable products. These things add up to a product you can use for a lifetime and pass on to the next generation!