The world’s first ultrasonic chef’s knife has arrived, and it’s unlike anything you’ve seen in the kitchen before. Tech reviewer Marques Brownlee recently posted a video testing thisculinary tool that promises to revolutionize how we prepare food.
But it also raises a familiar question: does everything really need to be powered?
The knife sits on a magnetic wireless charger when not in use, eliminating the need for cumbersome cables or battery replacements. This battery-powered design means the knife is always ready when you need it, ensuring you’re never left unable to prepare a meal.
Yet for generations, a regular steel knife has been ready by default: no charging, no firmware, no electronics. You pick it up and it works. There’s something quietly ironic about needing a charged base station to slice a tomato.
When activated by holding down a button on the handle, the device sends shock waves through the blade at an astounding 30,000 times per second. A small light indicator confirms when the ultrasonic feature is engaged, though the vibrations are so fine that they’re barely perceptible to the touch.
To demonstrate the ultrasonic action, Brownlee placed water on the blade, which created a striking visual and audible effect. The real test came when cutting various foods.
Without the ultrasonic feature activated, the knife performed adequately on a baguette, which is particularly challenging since the blade isn’t serrated like traditional bread knives. However, when the ultrasonic function was engaged, the difference became immediately apparent. The knife glided through the crusty bread with noticeably less effort.
At $400, this kitchen tool represents a significant investment. The manufacturers compare it to a pedal-assist electric bike versus a traditional bicycle. It doesn’t completely eliminate the work, but it makes the task considerably easier. The ultrasonic vibrations reduce friction between the blade and food, allowing for cleaner cuts with less pressure required from the user.
While it may not perform miracles, this wireless-charging ultrasonic knife is intriguing. For those who spend considerable time in the kitchen or struggle with traditional knife work, the convenience of never worrying about a dead battery, combined with the cutting assistance the ultrasonic feature provides, could make meal preparation significantly more accessible and enjoyable.
But for everyone else, this ultrasonic knife feels like another example of our reflex to electrify the ordinary. A future where even your cutlery needs charging is faintly absurd. Not every task needs AI, motors, or microchips. Some things work beautifully precisely because they are simple.
