The spine thickness of a kiritsuke blade typically ranges from 𝟐 𝐦𝐦 to 𝟒 𝐦𝐦 at the heel (where the blade connects to the handle), depending on the style and craftsmanship.
For kiritsuke knives, the core steel is typically a high-carbon Japanese steel like VG-10, AUS-10, or traditional carbon steels like White Steel (Shirogami) or Blue Steel (Aogami). These cores deliver the razor-sharp edge retention Japanese knives are famous for.
Anthony Bourdain’s everyday go-to kitchen knife was the Global G-2 Chef's Knife, an 8-inch Japanese blade he famously recommended in Kitchen Confidential. For custom work, he also famously used a stunning, one-of-a-kind blade made by legendary smith Bob Kramer.
A 2-inch blade is capable of causing serious injury or death. Despite its small size, such a blade can penetrate skin and reach underlying blood vessels or tissues, leading to severe medical emergencies.
The "holy trinity of knives" refers to either the foundational trio of folding pocket knives that defined the high-end knife industry, or the three essential blades every kitchen needs.
Gifting someone a Swiss Army Knife (SAK) is a versatile gesture that generally symbolizes preparedness, self-sufficiency, and deep trust. It shows that the giver respects the recipient's capability to handle a practical tool and wants to equip them for everyday adventures or emergencies.
Yet despite all the talk about knives that goes on in both home and professional kitchens — and despite all the knives out there that are truly great to have — there are just three knives every kitchen ultimately needs: a chef's knife, a paring knife, and a bread knife.
A "Texas Toothpick" most commonly refers to a traditional, slim folding pocket knife with a long, slender clip-point blade and curved handle. Alternatively, in Southern culinary circles, it refers to an appetizer of crispy, deep-fried jalapeño and onion strips.
Yes, you can legally carry a knife, but legality depends on your specific location, the type of knife, the blade length, and how you carry it (open vs. concealed). Laws vary drastically by state and city, so it is vital to check local regulations.
Yes, it is possible to survive a knife to the heart, but it is a critical, life-threatening emergency where survival depends heavily on the exact location of the wound, how quickly emergency medical services arrive, and immediate surgical intervention.
Anthony Bourdain famously kept an open mind, but he drew the line at eating dogs and cats. In restaurants, he avoided dishes like mussels, cheap bargain sushi, and truffle oil. He also passionately refused to eat airplane food, McDonald's Chicken McNuggets, and—due to parasites—swordfish.
Anthony Bourdain was found dead on June 8, 2018, in his room at the Le Chambard Hotel in Kaysersberg, France. He was in the region filming an episode of his CNN show Parts Unknown.
What knife does a chef use most? The chef's knife is the most-used knife in both home and professional kitchens. It's an all-purpose kitchen hero that can prep virtually any ingredient and handle most kitchen tasks, making it an essential tool in kitchens across the world.
You should not use WD-40 to sharpen a knife. While it can act as an adequate lubricant for oil stones, it will not actually sharpen the steel and may ruin your stones.
Neither steel is objectively "better." Japanese steel is superior for precision, razor-sharp edges, and delicate slicing, while German steel is best for heavy-duty tasks, durability, and overall forgiveness.
Not as much of a rocking motion as with other knives, unless the blade of your kiritsuke is curved.
In most places, it is perfectly legal to carry a traditional Swiss Army Knife (SAK) as it is generally classified as a non-locking, folding pocket knife used for everyday utility. However, legality depends entirely on local laws, blade length, and where you are carrying it.
Yes, carrying a knife entirely inside your pocket is almost universally considered concealed carry in the eyes of the law. Because state and local laws dictate how and where you can carry a knife, the legality depends heavily on your specific jurisdiction and the type of knife.
Ceramic knives are not objectively "better" than steel, but they are significantly better for specific, delicate tasks. They excel in edge retention, lightweight handling, and rust prevention, but they are extremely brittle.
The oldest knife companies in the United States vary depending on if you are looking for culinary cutlery or pocket knives.
In trucking culture, the phrase "trucker toothpicks" refers to toothpicks soaked in powerful stimulants—historically liquid methamphetamine or potent chemicals—that drivers would chew on to stay awake during long, grueling cross-country hauls.
At the federal level, the only knife explicitly banned from manufacture, sale, and interstate commerce is the ballistic knife (a knife with a detachable blade that is forcefully propelled by a spring or mechanism). Other restrictions vary wildly by state and local laws, which regulate carrying, blade length, and opening mechanisms.
Our longtime favorite is the Victorinox Swiss Army Fibrox Pro 8” Chef's Knife. It's lightweight and has a superkeen blade; testers of all hand sizes loved its grippy (but not restrictive) handle. If you'd like a slightly heavier option, we also like the Mercer Culinary Renaissance 8-Inch Forged Chef's Knife.
A 6-inch knife is typically called a utility knife if it has a straight, narrow blade used for general prep. However, depending on the shape and specific task, it can also be called a 6-inch chef’s knife, a boning knife, or a fillet knife.
Truly the leader of the pack, the okapi locking folder (KO9070) is renowned with its crescent moons and three star inlays and ring. The distinct ratcheting sound when opening and closing is as much its trademark as its signature look. So Notorious is this knife, that it has found its way in songs found in reggae music.