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Why 11 Of The World's Priciest Items Are So Expensive | So Expensive Season 11 | Insider Business

Business Insider・65 minutes read

Zack Jonas creates Damascus knives by folding layers of steel in New Hampshire, known for their unique patterns, while natural latex mattresses made in Guatemala from latex sap are biodegradable and sustainable but costly.

Insights

Damascus knives are crafted by master bladesmith Zack Jonas in New Hampshire, who meticulously layers high carbon steels to create unique swirl patterns known as chatan, with more layers increasing the price due to additional folding work.
The production of authentic Damascus knives requires skill and precision, with Zack being one of fewer than 200 Master bladesmiths designated by the American Bladesmith Society, emphasizing the craftsmanship and quality amid the market flooded with fake versions.
Artisans like Tsugu Okab and Kayen in Japan have been producing high-quality calligraphy ink sticks for centuries, with a meticulous process involving soot, animal glue, and fragrance, leading to the creation of premium ink sticks that require at least 4 years of aging before being sold.

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Recent questions

What is the process of creating Damascus knives?
Damascus knives are crafted by folding layers of steel.
How are latex mattresses made?
Latex mattresses are produced from latex sap harvested from rubber trees.
How is calligraphy ink produced?
Calligraphy ink is made by kneading soot, glue, and fragrance.
What is the significance of bespoke shoes?
Bespoke shoes are handcrafted to reflect the wearer's character.
How are lifelike dolls used in teaching?
Lifelike dolls are utilized as teaching tools for various purposes.

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Summary

00:00

Crafting Damascus Knives and Latex Mattresses

Master bladesmith in New Hampshire, Zack Jonas, creates Damascus knives by folding thousands of layers of steel, resulting in strong and sharp knives.
Damascus knives are known for their unique swirl patterns, referred to as chatan, which are visually striking and can range from bold to intricate.
Zack layers two different high carbon steels to create the Damascus steel, managing the layers meticulously for the desired pattern.
The process involves heating the steel to about 2,300°F in the Forge, requiring precision to avoid breaking off the handle.
The number of layers in the steel affects the price, with more layers requiring more folding work and resulting in a higher price point.
Zack uses a specific twisting technique to create star-like patterns on the steel, with too much twisting risking shearing of the layers.
After forging and heat treatment, the blade undergoes grinding and handle shaping, with materials like Arizona Ironwood costing significantly more.
The final step involves etching the blade to reveal the Damascus pattern, ensuring the knife is sharp and ready for sale.
The process of creating a Damascus knife requires skill and precision, with Zack being one of the fewer than 200 Master bladesmiths designated by the American Bladesmith Society.
The demand for Damascus knives has led to fake versions in the market, emphasizing the craftsmanship and quality of authentic Damascus knives.
Natural latex mattresses are made from latex sap harvested from rubber trees in Guatemala, with a king-size mattress costing $2600 due to its biodegradability and longevity.
The latex extraction process involves precise tapping techniques by experienced workers, with the sap processed into foam using the Dunlop method.
The latex foam is then used to create mattress cores, with each core requiring about 50 kilos of liquid latex to produce a 30-kilo mattress.
The sustainable production of latex in Guatemala is certified by various organizations, adding value to the final product and increasing its price.
The global latex mattress market is growing, with challenges like hurricanes and drought affecting production and worker conditions.
Ink maker, Tsugu Okab, meticulously kneads ink until it reaches the desired softness, ensuring high-quality ink for calligraphy and art.

21:03

"Japanese Calligraphy Ink: A Pricey Tradition"

Calligraphy ink requires at least 4 years of aging before being sold, with high-grade ink sticks costing over $1,000 and sometimes reaching almost $2,000.
Ink producer Kayen in Japan's Nara prefecture has been making ink for 450 years, using simple ingredients like soot, animal glue, and perfume.
Artisans in Kayen's workshop use 400 oil lamps to produce soot, carefully managing the process to collect it throughout the day.
The soot is mixed with animal glue, which is dissolved in 70°C water, and sometimes mixed with other glues like donkey, deer, and goat for glossiness.
The dough of soot, glue, and fragrance is kneaded by hand and foot, then cut into balls, weighed for consistency, and pressed into molds.
Properly dried and matured ink sticks take at least 4 years, with Corien producing about 6,000 high-quality sticks a month.
Ink sticks are slowly dried using Oak Ash over 40 days, then air-dried for up to six months, with older sticks performing better and being more expensive.
Artisans polish and finish the ink sticks before selling them to calligraphers, who transform them into liquid ink using an ink stone and water.
Sumi ink production in Japan dates back to the 7th century, flourishing by the 14th century, primarily used for calligraphy and ink paintings.
I Amani chickens, known for their all-black coloring due to a genetic mutation, can sell for up to $6,000, with their eggs valued at $16 each.

46:54

The Art of Bespoke Shoe Making

Franklin D. Roosevelt and Charlie Chaplin had unique shoe shapes with high arches.
Bespoke shoes are elegant and reflect the wearer's character.
Bespoke shoe workshops have a distinct smell of oak bark tan leather.
Leather is the most popular material for bespoke shoes, with crocodile or alligator leather being the most expensive.
Before cutting, leather is examined for defects like tick marks or stretch marks.
Artisans spend two days shaping the leather upper part of the shoe to ensure a perfect fit.
The inner sole of bespoke shoes is meticulously crafted to match the customer's foot shape.
Shoe makers use a sewing technique called welting to attach the sole to the upper for durability.
A well-made pair of bespoke shoes can cost 5 to 10 times more than ready-to-wear shoes.
The demand for bespoke shoes has increased, with many young craftspeople learning the trade.

01:05:28

"Silk dyeing process from sketch to loom"

Silk is cleaned and bleached to prepare for dye absorption.
Designers like Merold Suvi create detailed sketches on graph paper for dyeing and weaving.
Measurements can be as precise as 100th of an inch.
Artisans like Liia PR Asin Kumar translate specifications to warp and weft threads.
Threads are prepared for resist dyeing by wrapping cotton string around specific sections.
Background color, usually red, is dyed first, followed by additional colors.
A team of five people takes two days to detangle knots and prepare silk for weaving.
Patan POA looms are unique, requiring two workers to operate a slanted hanging loom.
Weavers adjust tension every 6 inches, taking almost 8 hours for each section.
Designs can take up to a month to weave, with more complex ones taking over a year and costing over $8,500.

01:25:45

Crafting Premium Hani Paper with Expertise

Agitating fibers in multiple directions yields stronger paper, but it is a slower process.
Different weights of paper require varying amounts of P and Kung's expertise is crucial for good results.
Careful sheet forming is essential as fiber structure affects paper durability, especially when folded.
Kung uses water, fiber, and a Natural Glow made from hibiscus root for premium conservation-grade paper.
Premium Hani has a neutral pH, ideal for restoring old documents and ages slower than medieval European paper.
Kung uses a chemical glue for less expensive Hani, while Yun Chung dries the sheets at different temperatures.
Kung's workshop has downsized due to decreased demand, with the most expensive Hani sold to institutions and museums.
Hani has been used in Korea for over a thousand years, but its demand abroad is limited.
Naruto scissors are highly valued for their sharpness, longevity, and ergonomic fit, with a specialized design to maintain blade sharpness.
Naruto scissors are meticulously crafted with a unique blade warp, precise sharpening, and a mechanism for longevity, contributing to their high cost.

01:51:59

Incredible Lifelike Dolls Revolutionize Teaching Tools

Technology advancements lead to the development of lifelike dolls with various potential uses.
The speaker expresses surprise and excitement at having a lifelike doll for teaching purposes.
The evolution in teaching tools, from traditional methods to lifelike dolls, is described as incredible.

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