Spoons' Curd Knife Build: Built for food pans

[Spoons]

I finally built my curd knife  :D

This curd knife build is ideal for food pans used as cheese vats. The advantage of this build is you can switch from horizontal cuts to vertical cuts from only a flick of the wrist.

I am by no means a DIY'er, yet this was very easy to make. I even payed attention to the curve at the bottom of my cheese vat pan, so my curd knife would follow the same curve. The whole thing took about 1 hour to make.

The cost for the whole thing : about $8 (although I payed $20 shipping for the SS bar, but I'm an international buyer. Would be a lot cheaper for an American)

I'll give it a whirl this weekend. Can't wait  ;D

[terry@dairy fab]

Great design, simple yet effective.

[Geodyne]

That's very cool. Ingenious.

How did you bend the bar?

[Denise]

I want one! :P

[Spoons]

I finally used it, and it worked really well!

This week, I'll ad a wing nut with 2 rubber washers on the bottom screw on the handle. I'll use it to help tie down and tighten the fishing line every time I restring it. I change the fishing line every time I make a new batch, it only takes about 5 minutes. The tension also lasts for days, I strung mine on Wednesday and used it on Saturday and I didn't have any issues. It actually worked beyond my expectations.

Geo, The bending is actually quite easy. I'll post a step-by-step guide on how to build one and where to get the metal online later this week.

[Geodyne]

Thanks Spoons, much appreciated.

[Digitalsmgital]

wow, that is very cool! And great photos, too! If it was for sale I'd buy it!

[Boofer]

Very elegant.

Why do you have to change the line with every make? Why not give it a soapy rinse, air-dry, and the next time Star-San it?

-Boofer-

[Spoons]

Very elegant.

Why do you have to change the line with every make? Why not give it a soapy rinse, air-dry, and the next time Star-San it?

-Boofer-

Thanks Boofer!

Maybe it's not necessary to change the fishing line every time, but I do it to avoid miniscule deposit buildup in between each hole. With the line in place, I can't give it a good scrub. Besides, it only takes about 5 minutes to thread a new harp.

So I basically cut a 9' length fishing line. Wipe it in soapy water. String it on the metal frame. Star San the hole thing with my other equipment right before making a batch of cheese. It's really no trouble at all.

[Spoons]

I attached a PDF file with a complete "How-to". Sorry, Digitalsmgital, I won't be building and selling these. That's why I'm sharing the plan. Maybe someone here is up to it and would be willing to build a few to make a few bucks.

The metal I chose : 0.06" (16 GA.) STAINLESS T-304 ANNEALED #4 SHEET PVC 1 SIDE
The 16 GA suits just fine with fishing cable, but if you plan on using stainless steel cable with more tension, then I would suggest 14 GA.

I chose the sheet as opposed to the bar. Bars are too tick gauge and the custom cut sheets are pretty cheap.

Here's where I bought the metal. It's pretty cheap:
http://www.onlinemetals.com/merchant.cfm?pid=718&step=4&showunits=inches&id=30&top_cat=1
Enter the personalized cut : 0.75" x 40" in this case

See PDF attachment.

[Geodyne]

Thanks for sharing Spoons. A cheese to you for your design and generosity in sharing it.

[Tiarella]

There is a forum member who is going to be bringing out a line of curd cutters similar to this and I'm not sure of rollout date.  I'll have him post here with more info and photos.  Good stuff happening with all us cheesy folks!

[Boofer]

it only takes about 5 minutes to thread a new harp.

Got it. Thanks for posting this, Spoons.

-Boofer-

[tnbquilt]

Nice design, I like th fact that you can turn it over. I have someone who will have to make me one.

[terry@dairy fab]

If it were drilled at 1/4" spacing it could be used for 1/4",  1/2",  3/4", whatever you wanted to string it at for a particular cheese.


Terry@dairy fab
www.curdknives.com