The Significance of the Dimple Pattern on GLOBAL Handles

GLOBAL is one of the most well-known Japanese knife brands, famous for the minimalist stainless-steel design and the dimple patterned handles which have become iconic. They’re part of what sets our knives apart from other brands and is what makes a GLOBAL knife instantly recognisable.

But beyond aesthetics, what is the purpose of these signature dots and what’s the design philosophy behind them? Learn about the secure, non-slip grip, Japanese design principles, perfect balance and how they can be used to spot a counterfeit.

Iconic Design

GLOBAL kitchen knives were first designed in 1985 by the creative Japanese visionary, Komin Yamada. The iconic GLOBAL knife design revolutionised the professional knife industry, creating a whole new genre known as ‘all stainless steel’. 

The characteristic dotted handles of GLOBAL knives are a combination of Japanese philosophy, innovative functional design, and Japanese craftsmanship.

The design is inspired by the Japanese goldfish. It’s smooth body and wide tail move gracefully through the water – a soft, smooth movement that balances the physical irregularities of the form. The art of doing just this – balancing asymmetrical irregularities – is a philosophy that originally stems from ancient Zen aesthetics.

In GLOBAL knives, this is expressed in the balance between the blade and the handle, where great care and precision are taken to achieve full equilibrium alongside a design that focuses on simplicity.

Slip-Resistant Grip

Global knives are made entirely of Cromova 18 stainless steel which, in 1985 was completely revolutionary. Komin Yamada faced a problem: how to convert chefs used to wooden handles to a smooth stainless steel handle? His solution – tiny dimples for grip.

Each dimple gives your skin a tiny point of resistance. Across the whole handle, tat adds up to a secure hold, even with wet or greasy hands. This matters as a slipping knife is a real hazard!

This iconic pattern also makes the grip more comfortable. Rather than requiring a clamp like grip, you can hold the knife with a relaxed, controlled hand which reduces strain on your hand.

Perfect Balance

GLOBAL uses a hollow handle which is filled with just the right amount of sand to create a perfect balance between the blade and the handle. We use this method rather than using a full tang and a bolster to balance their knives for two reasons. First, it is far more precise than using a tang and a bolster. Secondly, Asian knives typically do not have bolsters, since they only serve as a hindrance to cutting and sharpening

Spotting a Counterfeit

The dark spots on GLOBAL knives are created via a manufacturing process of indenting and polishing rather than painted-on dots, meaning they will not chip or peel off. Counterfeits often feature cheap painted dots making it an easy way to spot a fake GLOBAL knife.

To check for a GLOBAL counterfeit knife, examine the handles to make sure the dimples are evenly spaced and perfectly symmetrical. The metal inside the dimples should be darker in colour than the blade but not painted.

Why hasn’t the GLOBAL design changed?

When a design solves its problem this well, there is little reason to alter it. The dimpled handle has stayed essential the same for decades because it still does its job and it has become part of the knife’s identity. Cooks recognise a GLOBAL from across the kitchen.