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Thursday, October 24, 2013
Friday, October 11, 2013
The Benefits of A Good Kitchen Cutlery Set
The worst part about cooking is not having a good set of kitchen cutlery. I never knew this was an issue until we received a Forschner Six Piece Kitchen Knife Block Set for a wedding gift. At first I didn’t understand the magnitude of this gift. I thought, to be completely honest, that it was a sign for things to come in our marriage. Heck when the in-laws give you a knife set what else are you to think? This gift however has changed my relationship with cooking forever.
Once I used the new cutlery and realized how easy they made cutting meat and vegetables I was hooked. My biggest pet peeve before the new knives was cutting the fat off of the meat. It was never easy and always involved me cutting myself. With the new block set I had a knife for everything without washing in between. I could cut chicken on one board, veggies on another and have one for cutting the dessert!
I was a novice before. I had one knife for pairing, cutting, chopping and for the cutting meat at the table. After I was done I would throw it in the dishwasher to get it good and sterile and the process would begin again. When I received the new kitchen cutlery I learned there is something about caring for knives that cannot be taken lightly. Caring for the knives will make them last longer and work properly.
The storage block has become a center piece next to my stove. It properly houses the clean, dry knives ensuring the sharp edges and knife points are not exposed. The block also protects the knives as well and is a great storage piece as well as incredibly sharp to look at. My storage block is made out of Oak.
I find myself hand washing these knives. I do not soak them in water ever. The handles are made of strong, durable wood however I don’t want to risk the chance of them losing their beautiful finish. I also dry them right away. When you don’t properly wash and dry them your kitchen cutlery will show signs of oxidization and slight surface rust. Not attractive for cook wear.
Knives should be used on proper cutting surfaces. A good quality cutting board will prolong the knives blade and keep it sharper longer. With that being said a quality cutlery set will come with a knife sharpener. Take time to learn how to properly use the sharpener to create a sharp cutting edge. Improper sharpening will decrease the life of your cutlery set.
A good kitchen cutlery set will cost upwards of two hundred dollars. You will find you get what you pay for. Remember that a starting cutlery bock set is just that a start to your kitchen knives. Overtime your set will grow to include pieces that are used at the dining table and more formal settings. You will find yourself interested in special knives for cheeses, breads and meats; appetizer knives. Another cutlery piece I love is my Sabatier kitchen shears! I recommend you purchase a pair right away. Scissors ease cutting in biscuits ten-fold over a kitchen knife.
Tuesday, September 10, 2013
Purchasing Your First Fixed Blade Knife
All of us have moments in life that we remember like they just
happened yesterday. For some it is their first kiss, going to college,
getting married, purchasing a home; this list could go on forever. For
me one of these days is the day I was able to purchase my own fixed
blade knife otherwise known as a “survival knife”.
I was beyond excited. I had waited a long time, done a lot of research
and finally decided upon the knife I would come to carry on my hip for
years to come.
I purchased it online and when it arrived at my doorstep I was as ecstatic as a young child on Christmas morning. I wear is as casually as a pair of underwear only removing it from my hip on occasions that a knife is not allowed. I won’t share the brand or exact fixed blade knife I choose because I truly believe you decide for yourself when choosing fixed blade knives and in no way do I want to influence your decision. I will however give you a more in depth look at choosing a knife that is right for you and exactly why I believe, especially given society today, that a knife is a staple for everyone to carry; whether it is a pocket knife, fixed blade or liner lock.
Survival knives such as the Cold Steel Tai Pan Double Edged Dagger Knife are not only beautiful to carry and treasure but also incredibly useful. You can use the knife in a variety of ways: cutting, slicing, self-defense, first aid, food preparations, assist in building shelter and to help as a tool in prying and screwing. I know everyone is currently thinking of some random movie scene where the good guys life is saved with the use of the great knife tool, right?
When considering your knife purchases always consider its practicality. For some people a pocket knife or liner lock knife make more sense as their jobs don’t entail a knife to be worn on their hip. For other like myself my career makes it a necessity. Pocket knives are easily concealed and are simple to use. This is a popular option for almost everyone. I make my daughter and wife carry one when they leave the house. Sometimes it assists them in opening a box or removing a tag but there in case something occurred that it might become a tool in saving them from a bad situation.
The things I considered when choosing my fixed blade knife were basic considerations such as the blades size, I like to be at around 5- 6 inches, it was full tang, one continuous piece of metal, it had a single-edged blade with a flat ground spine and a sharp point tip along with a solid pommel.
The decorations that have almost no bearing on the function of the knife include items such as if the blade is carbon steel or stainless steel, the material of the handle, the finish, millings, whether to have a serrated or non-serrated blade as well as the designer or brand name of the knife. Knife enthusiasts argue that Cold Steel, Boker, Case and Smith and Wesson are amongst the top brand names amongst knife makers and who am I to argue with that!
I purchased it online and when it arrived at my doorstep I was as ecstatic as a young child on Christmas morning. I wear is as casually as a pair of underwear only removing it from my hip on occasions that a knife is not allowed. I won’t share the brand or exact fixed blade knife I choose because I truly believe you decide for yourself when choosing fixed blade knives and in no way do I want to influence your decision. I will however give you a more in depth look at choosing a knife that is right for you and exactly why I believe, especially given society today, that a knife is a staple for everyone to carry; whether it is a pocket knife, fixed blade or liner lock.
Survival knives such as the Cold Steel Tai Pan Double Edged Dagger Knife are not only beautiful to carry and treasure but also incredibly useful. You can use the knife in a variety of ways: cutting, slicing, self-defense, first aid, food preparations, assist in building shelter and to help as a tool in prying and screwing. I know everyone is currently thinking of some random movie scene where the good guys life is saved with the use of the great knife tool, right?
When considering your knife purchases always consider its practicality. For some people a pocket knife or liner lock knife make more sense as their jobs don’t entail a knife to be worn on their hip. For other like myself my career makes it a necessity. Pocket knives are easily concealed and are simple to use. This is a popular option for almost everyone. I make my daughter and wife carry one when they leave the house. Sometimes it assists them in opening a box or removing a tag but there in case something occurred that it might become a tool in saving them from a bad situation.
The things I considered when choosing my fixed blade knife were basic considerations such as the blades size, I like to be at around 5- 6 inches, it was full tang, one continuous piece of metal, it had a single-edged blade with a flat ground spine and a sharp point tip along with a solid pommel.
The decorations that have almost no bearing on the function of the knife include items such as if the blade is carbon steel or stainless steel, the material of the handle, the finish, millings, whether to have a serrated or non-serrated blade as well as the designer or brand name of the knife. Knife enthusiasts argue that Cold Steel, Boker, Case and Smith and Wesson are amongst the top brand names amongst knife makers and who am I to argue with that!
Wednesday, August 14, 2013
Choosing A Pocket Knife That is Right For You
There is no doubt that choosing a pocket knife
comes down to personal preference. Women and men alike need to have a
pocket knife handy at all times. It is a multipurpose tool. Pocket
knives come in handy because they are compact and can easily be stored
as the name applies in a pocket or purse. Whether you need it to open a
package, slice a string, peel and apple or sharpen a pencil a pocket
knife proves its purpose over and over again.
I often get asked how someone would go about choosing the perfect pocket knife. Most pocket knife owners are not looking at the knife for collectability but instead for ease of use and longevity. If this is what you are looking for I guarantee you won’t find it at the local five and dime or corner mart. You can find quality options online and fairly inexpensive. Most distributors of specialty knives offer free shipping and their products are backed not only by their individual warranty but also the manufacturers.
A quality, folding pocket knife is not difficult to find. There are many top knife companies that offer widely different characteristics in pocket knives. Some things to consider are if you are looking for something simple, tactical or something traditional. If the knife is to be carried in ones pocket it is preferable to have a knife that folds. Other things to consider are the thickness of the blade, the length of the blade, the way the knife locks as well as the material the handle and blade are made out of. Here are some top brands to look into when considering a pocket knife:
1) Boker Tree Brand Knives
Boker is a German based knife supplier and is known throughout the specialty knife community for manufacturing high quality blades at all different price levels. They are popular among knife enthusiastic for their tactical, sport, pocket and collectors knives.
2) Smith and Wesson Knives
Smith & Wesson is widely known for their production of handguns along with their presence in the law enforcement community. S & W knives are made of the same attributes as their line of handguns and rifles. They also offer a variety of pocket knives in varied price ranges. You can’t go wrong with a Smith and Wesson pocket knife.
3) W.R. Case & Sons Cutlery
Case is a popular American manufacturer of premium, hand-crafted pocket knives. They offer an intense selection to choose from in regards to the metal and handle materials on their pocket knives. You can find anything from Carbon Fiber to Mother of Pearl. Blade variety as well is varied amongst the pocket knives that hold the Case brand name; whether looking for a pocket knife with a gut hook and saw blade or hoof pick and clip blade.
You can find a pocket knife for everyday use from any of the three brands mentioned or from thousands of other manufactures such as: Benchmade, Spyderco, Kershaw, Swiss Army and Victorinox. There is a knife for every user, the goal is to identify the uses you have for a pocket knife and to find one that represents you and that will meet your needs.
I often get asked how someone would go about choosing the perfect pocket knife. Most pocket knife owners are not looking at the knife for collectability but instead for ease of use and longevity. If this is what you are looking for I guarantee you won’t find it at the local five and dime or corner mart. You can find quality options online and fairly inexpensive. Most distributors of specialty knives offer free shipping and their products are backed not only by their individual warranty but also the manufacturers.
A quality, folding pocket knife is not difficult to find. There are many top knife companies that offer widely different characteristics in pocket knives. Some things to consider are if you are looking for something simple, tactical or something traditional. If the knife is to be carried in ones pocket it is preferable to have a knife that folds. Other things to consider are the thickness of the blade, the length of the blade, the way the knife locks as well as the material the handle and blade are made out of. Here are some top brands to look into when considering a pocket knife:
1) Boker Tree Brand Knives
Boker is a German based knife supplier and is known throughout the specialty knife community for manufacturing high quality blades at all different price levels. They are popular among knife enthusiastic for their tactical, sport, pocket and collectors knives.
2) Smith and Wesson Knives
Smith & Wesson is widely known for their production of handguns along with their presence in the law enforcement community. S & W knives are made of the same attributes as their line of handguns and rifles. They also offer a variety of pocket knives in varied price ranges. You can’t go wrong with a Smith and Wesson pocket knife.
3) W.R. Case & Sons Cutlery
Case is a popular American manufacturer of premium, hand-crafted pocket knives. They offer an intense selection to choose from in regards to the metal and handle materials on their pocket knives. You can find anything from Carbon Fiber to Mother of Pearl. Blade variety as well is varied amongst the pocket knives that hold the Case brand name; whether looking for a pocket knife with a gut hook and saw blade or hoof pick and clip blade.
You can find a pocket knife for everyday use from any of the three brands mentioned or from thousands of other manufactures such as: Benchmade, Spyderco, Kershaw, Swiss Army and Victorinox. There is a knife for every user, the goal is to identify the uses you have for a pocket knife and to find one that represents you and that will meet your needs.
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