A Kiritsuke knife is a versatile, traditional Japanese all-purpose knife used for slicing fish, chopping and peeling vegetables, and doing fine detail work. It functions as a hybrid between a Yanagiba (sushi/sashimi knife) and an Usuba (vegetable cleaver).
Kiritsuke: The Precision Specialist
This design makes it highly efficient for precise slicing of fish, vegetables, and meats. Kiritsuke knives are often seen as a hybrid between the Yanagiba (which is used for slicing fish) and the Usuba (a traditional vegetable knife).
Navy SEALs commonly use the Cold Steel SRK (Survival Rescue Knife) for training and the Ontario Mk3 Mod 0 for diving operations. While these are standard-issue, SEALs often choose personalized knives based on preference, such as those from Benchmade, SOG, or custom makers.
What You Should Know About the Global G-2 Chef's Knife. Global is most well-known for its handcrafted Japanese knives, though the brand also makes knife sharpeners and tools for the kitchen. Anthony Bourdain was a fan of the brand's G-2 Chef's Knife in particular, especially for those just getting into cooking.
Home cooks who value precision slicing may find it beneficial. Less experienced cooks may face a learning curve with single-bevel versions. For general home use, a double-bevel kiritsuke or sharp chef's knife can cover most tasks.
In the high-end folding knife community, the original "Holy Trinity" refers to three legendary American makers who pioneered the modern premium tactical folder. Together, their designs set the gold standard for durability and precision.
For most kitchens, you only need three foundational knives to handle 95% of prep work: a Chef's Knife, a Paring Knife, and a Serrated (Bread) Knife. These three powerhouses can tackle anything from dicing onions and slicing crusty bread to peeling fruits and carving small meats.
Anthony Bourdain was famously adventurous, but he avoided specific "snob foods" (like truffle oil), improperly handled ingredients, and almost all pet meats.
Gordon Ramsay relies on a few core, heavy-hitting brands in his kitchens. His absolute top recommendation and daily go-to for an all-purpose knife is the German-forged Wüsthof Classic 8-Inch Chef's Knife. For full sets, he is a major advocate for the HexClad Japanese Damascus Steel line and frequently uses the Zwilling Four Star series by Henckels.
The legendary KA-BAR USMC Fighting/Utility Knife (Mark 2) is the most iconic blade associated with the United States Marine Corps. Officially adopted in 1942, it features a 7-inch clip point blade made of 1095 carbon steel and a stacked leather washer handle.
The CIA doesn't issue a single, official knife to its personnel; instead, operatives typically carry versatile, non-metallic, or concealable blades suited for specific missions. Historic and publicly recognized blades range from the famous Cold Steel Kobun used during Operation Jawbreaker to highly covert non-detectable tools.
John Wick famously wields a signature series of high-end, out-the-front (OTF) automatic knives in his movies. The specific knives vary depending on the film, transitioning from production models by Microtech Knives in the first three movies to a highly exclusive custom blade in the fourth.
German and Japanese knives represent two different culinary philosophies: durability versus precision. German knives are heavier, softer "workhorses" built for heavy-duty chopping and rocking, while Japanese knives are lighter, harder "lasers" built for razor-sharp, precise slicing.
Cutting boards made of glass, granite, ceramic, or your dinner plate may look stylish or convenient, but they are the fastest way to destroy a knife's edge. These surfaces are harder than your knife's steel. So every time your blade contacts them, it suffers microscopic edge deformation, chipping, or even rolling.
Kiritsuke Knife Uses and Versatility
Although it takes some practice when you first use the Kiritsuke, this multi-purpose kitchen knife excels at precision cutting, slicing thin slices, dicing, filleting and julienne.
Anthony Bourdain and his second wife, Ottavia Busia-Bourdain, separated in 2016 primarily due to the severe strain his demanding career put on their marriage. With Bourdain traveling roughly 250 days a year for shows like Parts Unknown, they lived increasingly separate lives but remained close friends and co-parents.
Guy Fieri's most famous culinary aversion is liver and onions, which he once called his "kryptonite". Other foods he notoriously avoids include eggs as the star of a dish (which he refers to as "liquid chicken"), chitlins, cow brains, and peanut butter burgers.
Anthony Bourdain refused to visit Switzerland.
Navy SEALs rely on a few specific standard-issue fixed blades, but they largely carry mission-dependent gear. Standard-issue knives include the Ontario MK3 Mod 0 dive knife and the Cold Steel SRK. For everyday carry and field operations, operators frequently choose rugged folding knives from premium brands.
There is no single "number one" knife brand, as the title depends entirely on the knife's primary purpose. Leading experts and enthusiasts consistently recognize distinct industry leaders across different categories:
Rule #1: It is important to use a knife adapted to what you want to do / food you want to prepare. For example, you shouldn't use a bread knife to slice a roast or use the blade of a paring knife and use it as a screwdriver (don't laugh, we've all done it!) Rule #2: Don't drop your knife on the floor.
In many cultures, giving someone a knife or another sharp object is thought to symbolically cut or sever the bond between giver and receiver. The knife's sharp edge represents division, which can be interpreted as bringing misfortune to a friendship, romantic relationship, or family tie.
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.
Some Christians reject the Trinity because they view it as an unbiblical concept that compromises strict monotheism. They argue that the word "Trinity" is not in the Bible and that certain scriptures emphasize God the Father as the only supreme being, with Jesus as His subordinate creation.