Kitchen Knives. 3 Must Have Kitchen Knives

The Three Must-Have Knives
Skip the fancy knife sets -- with these three essentials, you're equipped for nearly every cutting task

One of my favorite games is Desert Island, where someone picks a category -- books, CDs, wines -- and you name the one you'd pack if you were banished to a desert island. I get to spend time in the kitchen with a lot of great cooks as part of my job, and at some point, I usually ask what their Desert Island kitchen tools are. You'd think the answer might vary depending on the cook, but the response is always the same: "My knives."



Unlike writers, musicians, or people in the wine trade, though, who gather collections equal in size to their passion, the chefs I know don't usually have a million knives. Instead, they use a few trusty tools for almost all of their cooking. In fact, most of the work you do in the kitchen is best performed by just three knives: a chef's knife, a paring knife, and a serrated bread knife. (Though there are some tasks that call for specialty knives, if you do them often enough.) Invest wisely in these three, and you're equipped like a pro.

Chef's knife
This is the true workhorse of the kitchen. With a 6- to 12-inch blade that's at least 1-1/2 inches deep at the widest point, the chef's knife can take on all kinds of slicing, dicing, chopping and mincing. Properly sharpened, it can also handle breaking downa and boning large cuts of meat (though if you do it a lot, you may prefer a cleaver and a boning knife for those tasks). And the side of the blade is great for crushing garlic cloves, ginger, and lemongrass.

A chef's knife can feel intimidating to novice cooks, especially if it has a long blade, but don't be afraid of it. Learn to use one, even if it's just a 6-incher, and you'll soon gain speed, control, and confidence. The longer blade may take a little getting used to, but it's worth it because a chef's knife is extremely efficient for slicing and chopping. Grabbing a small knife for every task limits you, and you'll get tired faster, especially when you're chopping large amounts.

Paring knife
The blade of a paring knife ranges from 3 to 4 inches long, and is usually about 3/4 inch deep at the widest point. Its small size makes it really feel like an extension of your hand, and it's perfect for peeling and paring fruit and vegetables, coring tomatoes and fruits, trimming chicken, scoring doughs, and any other exacting task where the heft and long blade of a chef's knife would get in the way.

Serrated bread knife
For bagels, baguettes, and any other crusty bread you've got to have a good, sharp serrated bread knife. Look for one 9 inches or longer--enough to span a big loaf. A serrated knife also comes in handy for cutting through tomatoes or other soft, fleshy produce, as well as slicing cake layers cleanly and evenly.
by Amy Albert From Fine Cooking #24, pp. 50

Best Knife Online Store offers all types of kitchen knives, knives for the knife collector: including old favorites like pocket knives, hunting knives, folding knives, throwing knives, tactical knives, as well as the most recent items updated electronically every morning.

Japanese Knife & Sword Care

Japanese Knife & Sword Care

You may have just purchased a very fine Japanese Knife or Sword. Now, how do you take care of it?

The Japanese sword is a product of 13th century technology. As such, its care presents special attention.

Blade:
The blade is hand ground, clay tempered and handle polished piece of high carbon steel. I clean the blade very well and heavily oil it before delivery. There is a lot of oil on the tang and under the habaki. You must keep oil on the blade (or tuff cloth), except when viewing or showing the blade. It was very wet in old Japan, and their swords have little rust. Do not use gun oils or vegetable oils. Clove oil is the best and lasts for a long time. Do not "scrub" with cleaning powder or abrasives... just lightly wipe. Re-oil before replacing the blade. If you need to sharpen the blade, I recommend sending it back to the maker. Because the steel in the middle of the blade is soft it will scratch. Try to form the habit of sliding the blade out on its spine with as little touching of the wood and steel as possible.

Handle (Tsuka):
Handles loosen over time and use. Drive the pen in a bit further or rotate the peg in its hole and reinsert with a hammer tap. Do not try to remove or play with the wrap - it is a done deal.

Blade collar (Habaki):
The habaki is made for each blade and is a perfect fit. Because of this fit, they scratch (and always will). It's is part of the 13th century thinking of Japanese sword and knife smiths. I lightly polish mine out at the shows with a jewelers rag. Do not buff them, the habaki slides into a buffalo horn/micarta collar and locks the blade. This piece can expand or contract according to the weather. You can fix this eaily but wait for a few months until this settles in. A very light filing with a jewelers file will relieve tightness or a slight wipe of crazy glue on the throat will tighten it.

Sheath (Saya):
Most of my saya are rare wood and coated with many layers of cyanoacrylate glue. I have used it for over 15 years with only a few failures. I can repair most chips and scratches. The material has a UV inhibitor that keeps the color of most woods. There are some woods that darken with age, other will not. You should only use furniture wax on the sheath. The sageo (cord mount) is for tying the sword to the belt, not for swinging the sheath.

Rapid quick draw is about the worst thing you could do besides polishing the blade on a buffer. The throat of the saya is delicate and not made for quick draw fantasies.

It is a please to see some of the old swords and knives that I have made. Frequently, they are in perfect condition. This helps me know my method of making and caring for Japanese knives and swords works. Source: Article by Scott Slobodian:http://www.knifeart.com/japaneseknife.html

Best Knife Online Store offers all types of knives for the knife collector: including old favorites like pocket knives, hunting knives, folding knives, throwing knives, tactical knives, as well as the most recent items updated electronically every morning.

Good Knives VS. Bad Knives, How To Shop For Knives

Good Knives VS. Bad Knives, How To Shop For Knives




Click below for information on a variety of knives
Buck Knives
Case Knives
Kershaw Knives
Cold Steel Knives
Gerber Knives
Benchmade Knives
Schrade Knives
SOG Knives
Valiant Armoury Swords
Hunting Knives

Knife Review : Benchmade Pika II

Knife Review : Benchmade Pika II
A Knife You Can Depend On Benchmade Knives.




Law enforcement and military professionals consider a good knife an essential piece of their operating equipment. While many people look for knives that are attractive, or offer cool features, military knives are practical. These professionals are looking for a knife that could save their lives - they need something they can count on - like Benchmade knives or Smith & Wesson knives.

Benchmade Knives are a brand of innovative knives tactical and survival knives made for the military and law enforcement. Benchmade Knives are also known for making a unique type of knife referred to as the Balisong knife. This knife is also called a butterfly knife - it's a Philippine folding knife with two handles. This knife can be opened by flipping the knife open with one hand. Balisong is a registered product name of Benchmade Knives.

While many knife manufacturers emphasize their old world standards and knife building skills, Benchmade Knives are known for bringing knife making into the 21 century. Benchmade Knives use computer aided design (CAD) software and 3-D modeling techniques, along with years of experience making knives, to produce a line of knives of unsurpassed quality.

Benchmade knives are made of high carbon steel. This type of steel enables the blade to maintain its superior cutting edge. Typically, Benchmade products represent the higher-end knife manufacturing, with some of their knives being restricted to only military and law enforcement officials.

Another great brand of tactical knives is the Smith and Wesson knives. Of course, Smith and Wesson is known as the largest manufacturer of handguns and ammunition in the United States With a solid reputation in the law enforcement community, it's only natural that Smith and Wesson explored another area of equipment - tactical knives.

Smith and Wesson knives are affordable options for police professionals and SWAT team members. Smith and Wesson knives are designed to stand up to the rigors of everyday use. These knives offer rugged design and dependable performance. They maintain their edge and Smith and Wesson knives can be re-sharpened without damaging the quality of the blade.

Smith and Wesson knives are licensed by Taylor Cutlery of Tennessee. You can see the connection between Smith and Wesson knives and the law enforcement community by the name used for several of the line of knives, including the S.W.A.T, HRT, and 911 knife series.

When it comes to finding a knife that is dependable and good quality, law enforcement professionals turn to two well known names that they can count on - Benchmade knives and Smith and Wesson knives. It makes perfect sense that these knives will also appeal to a collector, or anyone that considers a knife an essential tool.

Best Knife Online Store offers all types of knives for the knife collector: including old favorites like pocket knives, hunting knives, folding knives, throwing knives, tactical knives, as well as the most recent items updated electronically every morning.

Knife Care. Knife Maintenance How To Video

Knife Care. Knife Maintenance How To Video

This is a good 10 minute video on how to clean and maintain your knives. Step by step instructions is presented




Best Knife Online Store offers all types of knives for the knife collector: including old favorites like pocket knives, hunting knives, folding knives, throwing knives, tactical knives, as well as the most recent items updated electronically every morning.

Case Knives. Pocket Knives. Finding Superior Quality Pocket Knives

Finding Superior Quality Pocket Knives

Case Knives. Pocket Knives

Pocket knives have become quite a collectible item, especially when the pocket knives are of unsurpassed quality. If you are looking for either an older knife, or a brand new knife, one of the best options is Case Knives.

W.R. Case and Sons Cutlery is one of the best known and widely respected makers of pocket knives in the United States. This well-respected manufacturer dates back to 1889 when the Case brothers began selling hand-knives from their wagon. Today, Case and Sons Cutlery is based in Pennsylvania, and enjoys a reputation for high-quality knives.

It's easy to tell if pocket knives are Case knives, or another manufacturer. Case knives usually contain a brand mark on their blade - an "XX". This mark was originally used to demonstrate that Case knives were forged twice - an X for each time. Although Case's manufacturing process has changed over the centuries, the unique identifier still shows a commitment to superior craftsmanship and quality.

There are a variety of models of Case pocket knives. They are a brand preferred by outdoorsman, hunters and collectors. Today, you'll find that there are more than seventy models of Case knives available for purchase.

Case knives come in three different types of domestic steel: a chrome vanadium blade is a steel alloy made for ease in re-sharpening; Tru-sharp surgical stainless steel blades feature high-carbon steel that prevents corrosion and offer a blade with an ability to retain a sharp edge; and the last blade is the ATS-34, which is one of the premium blades used in Case knives. These blades are known for retaining a sharp edge and hardness - although they require specialized skill when it comes to re-sharpening.

Case knives handles are made from a variety of natural materials and metals, including animal bone, mother-of-pearl, hardwoods, and ivory. Case knives have become very popular collectible pocket knives, perhaps because some Case Knives are numbered and dated. In fact, you can find a variety of older Case knives for sale at collectible shops, but new case knives are highly prized pocket knives that will almost certainly increase in value.

W. R. Case and Sons Cutlery have a remarkable history for making innovative knives, and for making pocket knives that withstand the sometimes harsh conditions of use. These knives will maintain their edge for years, and the rivets and other knife components are of high quality metal, such as nickel, silver and steel.

If you are looking for pocket knives for a gift or for yourself, you can't go wrong with Case knives.

Best Knife Online Store offers all types of knives for the knife collector: including old favorites like pocket knives, hunting knives, folding knives, throwing knives, tactical knives, as well as the most recent items updated electronically every morning.

Buck Knives. Hunting Knives. Selecting The Best Buck Knife

Buck Knives. Hunting Knives. Selecting The Best Buck Knife

Buck Knives Make the Ultimate Hunting Knives
Buck Knives. Hunting Knives

Looking for hunting knives of exceptional quality? Take a look at some of the best knives available - Buck knives. Buck knives are one of the best hunting knives- they have a solid reputation for quality knives, with a blade that holds its edge, and a lifetime guarantee.

Buck Knives is an American company, began by Hoyt Buck in 1902. Hoyt Buck founded the company after developing a method for using tempered steel so the knife blades hold their edge for a longer period of time. He began by using old file blades as the blade of the knife. Buck Knives were used extensively during World War II as part of the war effort. Following the war, Hoyt founded H.H. Buck & Son knives in San Diego.

Today, H.H. Buck & Son Knives are made in Post Falls, Idaho, by third and fourth generations of the Buck family. There are a large variety of Buck knives, including extensive lines used for hunting knives, as well as lines for fishing, camping, and knives used for protection and law enforcement.

In 1963, Al Buck created the Model 110 folding Hunter knife. This knife has a locking blade that quickly became the industry standard, and further established Buck Knives as the top manufacturer of hunting knives.

Buck knives no longer use file blades as their knife blade. Instead, they use a steel blade that is hardened through a process of heating and cooling the steel with extreme temperatures. Buck knives are extremely sharp. The manufacturer uses lasers and the latest technologies to change the angle of sharpening. Buck hunting knives come out of the box with one of the sharpest edges, hold their edge long, and are easy to sharpen.

Buck knives come with a variety of handles. These hunting knives come with handles made of composites, horn, antler, wood and plastics. The horn is made from naturally shed antlers, and the wood comes from all over the world.

Buck hunting knives are superior quality. Because they carry a lifetime warranty, you can take the knife to a Buck knife dealer for repair or replacement. In fact, your Buck knife will last for years, problem free. With routine care to sharpen, you can keep your Buck hunting knives for years. These high quality knives also make great gifts and collectible items. Because of their superior quality, Buck knives will be a great tool for an avid hunter, something that will provide them with pleasure for years to come.

Click below for information on a variety of knives
Buck Knives
Case Knives
Kershaw Knives
Cold Steel Knives
Gerber Knives
Benchmade Knives
Schrade Knives
SOG Knives
Valiant Armoury Swords
Hunting Knives