Fritz Koch is 34 years old, married, and the father of two children. He has been employed at the Böker knife factory since 2007 and is the head of the finishing department.
The profession of a "Ausmacher" (a type of mining operator) or "Ober der Ausmacherei" (head of a mining operation) is quite unusual these days. How did you come to your current job?
By chance! I learned about the apprenticeship through a family friend. Despite having a high school diploma, I decided to train as a machine operator at Böker and can now say that I have found my personal calling in this work.
What are the responsibilities of a matchmaker? What do you enjoy most about your job?
The task of a finisher is to prepare an assembled knife for sale. We grind, sharpen, and polish the knives, giving each one its own individual edge. As a department head, it's important to monitor employee productivity and provide guidance and support in critical situations. What I enjoy most is the craftsmanship itself. Working with a wide variety of materials to create a high-quality knife is very rewarding. I also value the positive relationships I have with my employees and colleagues. Teamwork is very important to me, and I strive to cultivate and strengthen this sense of community.
Is the job of a turnout technician difficult to learn?
Definitely. At our company, identifying flaws is particularly difficult because we have a very wide range of different knives and materials. The processing requires a high level of craftsmanship and a lot of practice. Our high expectations for our own quality leave little to no room for tolerances and make our work considerably more difficult.
What aspects of your work are often underestimated by outsiders?
The work itself is often underestimated, as the physical and mental demands are frequently overlooked. We have to work bent over and with intense concentration for very long periods to avoid damaging the high-quality and very expensive knives. Hand-eye coordination, in particular, is a skill that many outsiders fail to consider.
Are there any materials you need to be especially careful with to avoid damage?
Definitely Damascus steel ! The cost of the material alone, and the amount of preparatory work involved, demand that we can't afford any mistakes. Even the slightest deviation from the grinding angle can lead to fatal damage to the blades, damage that is rarely repairable. For me, it's definitely a mental challenge when working on knives with unit prices of up to €1,600; you have to work with intense concentration and strive for the best possible result. However, I also find it an exciting challenge that motivates me every time! Working with horn and mother-of-pearl is also extremely demanding because these materials are very prone to cracking and breaking. Air pockets in the horn often cause scale fractures that are sometimes irreparable. Furthermore, working with titanium requires a great deal of experience and attention to detail to prevent any damage.
Are you often self-critical about your work?
I am very self-critical because I have high standards for the quality of my own work. I also hold my colleagues in my department to these same standards, and they occasionally feel the brunt of my displeasure.
Does your perfectionism also extend to other objects in your private life?
Not in principle. However, I can't help but pay attention to every detail when buying a knife.
What does a typical workday look like for you?
I start work at 6 a.m. and check the open orders and sequence lists on my computer. Afterwards, I assign the tasks to my employees and check my grinding wheel. Before I can begin the actual grinding work, I replace grinding belts or discs as needed, or mix new grinding materials.
When do you consider a workday successful?
For me personally, a successful workday is one in which the knives I've processed meet my own standards and those of the final inspection. As department head, it's also important to me that my employees' work is successful. The combination of both is what makes a successful workday for me.
Is it important to you that your job also presents physical challenges?
From the beginning, it was important to me that my work was physically demanding. I'm very satisfied with both my work at the computer as a department head and my work at the grinding wheel. Personally, it's very important to me that I work in production and don't spend hours sitting at a computer.
Is it physically tiring for you to sit bent over for several hours?
It's undeniable that sitting hunched over for several hours a day is strenuous. However, the correct sitting posture makes a big difference and greatly facilitates work. It requires practice and discipline to work in the correct position for extended periods.
Besides your job, do you have any hobbies or other things you do in your free time?
In my free time, I mainly spend a lot of time with my family. I enjoy coming home and spending time with my children and my wife. Cooking is a great passion of mine, and I do it daily for my family.
Do you have a personal connection to knives outside of your professional activities?
Yes! I became interested in the manufacture of weapons and knives very early on and quickly developed a affinity for knives. It's no coincidence that I became so enthusiastic about the Böker factory back then.
Will you tell us your favorite knife? What do you like about it most?
My absolute favorite knife is the Böker Merlin. With its all-steel construction and very delicate design, this knife is, for me, a unique gentleman's knife.
What was your career path at Böker?
I completed my apprenticeship from 2007 to 2009 and subsequently worked for a year and a half as a journeyman at Böker. Following this, I was appointed deputy head of the finishing department. In 2011, my previous department head became self-employed and handed over the department management to me, and at the same time, I also completed my master craftsman's qualification. We have observed that the number of Asian brands and models has increased exponentially in recent years.
How do you assess this development and where do you see the Böker factory in 30 years?
I have also followed this development with interest and noticed the boom in Asian knives. Personally, I think that many knives are bought solely for cost reasons and not for their quality. I see us continuing to be a growing and established knife company in the future, as we definitely know how to impress with our quality and expertise. In my opinion, it is also important to knife enthusiasts that their knives are handcrafted in Solingen.
What advice would you give to applicants interested in the job of organizer ?
A thick skin is essential. In our department, the atmosphere is tough but never malicious, which a newcomer would need to get used to. It's important to have excellent manual skills and a high level of perseverance. A high tolerance for frustration is also necessary due to the initial difficulties. In my opinion, a passion for the product and a personal commitment to a high-quality end result are the most important qualities for a career in production at Böker.