Sole Cookware, we are a small brand but fast growing; as we prepare for the launch of our patented and award winning chef knife, designed for women.
What makes us unique is our interchangeable and customizable design.
The Sole Cookware Cardinal Knife effectively addresses these pain points by offering a fully customizable solution designed to cater to diverse user profiles. Our ergonomic design promotes proper technique, reduces fatigue, and enhances safety, allowing users to focus on their culinary creations with confidence and ease. With detachable components and a convenient blade sharpening service, we ensure optimal storage, hygiene, and longevity, making the Cardinal Knife an indispensable tool in any kitchen.
Pain Points We Solve: Conventional one-size-fits-all knife designs fail to accommodate the diverse physiological differences between individuals, leading to discomfort and suboptimal performance. Many users struggle to execute the proper pinch grip technique, resulting in hand fatigue, potential injuries, and reduced efficiency in the kitchen.Improper technique can lead to frustration, diminished enjoyment, and even long-term strain on the hands and wrists. Storage and maintenance are often neglected aspects of kitchen knife ownership, compromising safety and product longevity.Dull blades pose a significant risk of accidental cuts, undermining the confidence and safety of home cooks and professionals alike.
Founding Story
Lily Osman, the visionary behind Sole Cookware, hails from Manhattan. With a BA in Women and Gender Studies from Franklin and Marshall College, Lily's journey took a culinary turn when she attended the prestigious French Culinary Institute. It was there that the initial concept for the Cardinal Knife was born.
As a private chef and cooking instructor, Lily identified a significant gap in the market for ergonomic and customizable kitchen tools. Determined to address this need, she pursued a Master's in Food Studies with a business track at NYU.
With her unique blend of culinary expertise and business acumen, Lily set out to create Sole Cookware, highlighting the innovative and award-winning Cardinal Knife. Designed to cater to diverse user profiles, this knife exemplifies Lily’s commitment to enhancing kitchen experiences with tools that prioritize comfort, safety, and functionality.
Sole Cookware's award-winning and patented Cardinal Knife was born out of a personal struggle that many aspiring culinary enthusiasts can relate to. During her first day at culinary school, Lily found herself at a loss for how to properly grip and handle her knife. Seeking guidance, her Chef recommended utilizing the pinch technique higher on the blade, noting that conventional knives were ill-suited for her smaller hands. However, as Lily diligently practiced this technique, she encountered a series of discomforts – from wrist strain and forearm pain to the inconvenient snagging of the blade on her sleeve.
The standard knife kit provided included an 8-inch Chef Knife, which, when measured from the tip to the butt, actually spanned 12 inches. While smaller 6-inch blade options existed, their handles were often the same size as those on the 8-inch knives, failing to accommodate diversity in hand sizes. Simply shortening a knife's blade did not inherently enhance its accessibility for women. While this adjustment may give the appearance of inclusivity, it did not genuinely improve the user experience. Lily's product took a different approach by not only designing a knife tailored to accommodate various hand sizes but also ensuring the substantiality and security akin to that of a traditional chef's knife.
As she delved deeper into research, Lily discovered knives with blades up to 12 inches long, which some of her fellow culinary school classmates opted to bring. A chef's knife is undoubtedly the most crucial tool in the kitchen, so finding the perfect fit is paramount. While endless brand options were available for those seeking larger knives, those requiring smaller sizes were left with limited choices. None of her female classmates used a different knife than the one they started with; they resorted to wrapping colorful tape around the ends to identify their knives. Proper knife care and arriving with sharp, color-coded tools was a point of pride, signifying their readiness to cook.
