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Whittling, the ancient art of carving wood with a knife, has been practiced for centuries all over the world. Unlike woodcarving, whittling uses only a knife, with no chisels, gouges, or mallets to shape the wood. The craft of whittling is both simple and very beautiful. Every knife stroke can be seen in the finished piece; whittled objects are known for their rustic simplicity.
The first step to learning how to whittle is getting the right knife. While you can buy whittling kits with...
Do You Need Both Plain and Serrated Knife Blades?
When it comes time to choose a knife whether part of your kitchen cutlery set or a utility tool one of the biggest differences between the available blades is whether the edge is plain or serrated. Many knife customers end up wondering which is better. Both choices have the potential to be great knives, but it depends on the intended use of the knife.
There are two main types of actions you'll be doing with the knife. With push cuts, you'll be pushing through the item being cut. Actions...
Victorinox One of the World's Top Cutlery Brands
Founded in 1884, today Victorinox is one of the world's top cutlery brands. Based in Switzerland, Victorinox is best known for its production of Swiss Army Knives, multi-purpose knives with the familiar red handle. For most of the twentieth century, Victorinox was one of two companies suppling these knives to the Swiss Army. Following their 2005 acquisition of Wenger, Victorinox is now the only official maker of the Swiss Army Knife. Every day, more than 34,000 of these knives are created, and...
Is a Forged Knife Better Than a Stamped Knife
When it comes to buying kitchen cutlery, one of the first decisions you'll be confronted with is whether you want forged or stamped knives. This distinction has to do with how the knives are made. There is a lot of misinformation out there, as well as many opinionated knife collectors who will argue that one type is absolutely the best. The truth is, both forged and stamped knives have the potential to be very good knives.
The first step in deciding which type of knife is better for you is...
The Pros and Cons of Ceramic Knives
Have you heard about the recent trend of ceramic knives? Unlike traditional knives which usually have a metal blade, these knives are entirely ceramic. Made of a white ceramic material that is actually harder than steel, these knives have made their way into the kitchens of top chefs and five-star restaurants, as well as the arsenal of the home cook. If you are thinking about buying ceramic knives for your kitchen, be sure to weigh the advantages against the disadvantages.
There are some...
The Story Behind Boker Knives
Today, Boker is one of the best-known names in the knife world. The roots of the Boker company stretch back nearly 200 years. In 1829, two brothers in Germany began manufacturing sabers. From this early date, the company symbol was modeled after the chestnut tree towering over their small factory. Today, this symbol still adorns each knife created in the Boker factory.
As the company grew, the brothers decided that it was time to expand operations. Hermann Boker moved to New York, while Robert...
Sharpening Accessories by GATCO
In 1989, John Anthon and his wife, Nancy, founded The Great American Tool Company. This company would become GATCO, known for its complete line of top-quality sharpeners and accessories for knives and tools. Today, GATCO Sharpeners and Timberline Knives are industry-leading collections of precision-made knives and sharpeners backed by a 100% customer satisfaction guarantee. Loyal Gatco customers include sportsmen, military and law enforcement personnel, woodworkers, and professional chefs. The...
Making Your Own Custom Knives
Though most people are familiar with mass produced knives, did you know there are craftsmen who spend many hours making a single knife? Every detail is carefully considered to create a knife worthy of a showcase.
Custom knives made by expert craftsmen use use only the highest quality materials to produce a blade that far surpasses anything you would find in a chain store. Each individual knife is made by hand, often using the same techniques that would have been used centuries ago, though...
Knife Sharpening Angles
Today, more and more people are sharpening their knives themselves to save money and avoid the hassle of sending the blades out for sharpening. If you have recently started sharpening knives and other household blades, you need to know about sharpening angles. Too many people ignore the angle they are creating on the blade, believing that it doesn't matter as long as the knife is sharp.
When sharpening your knives, the angle is actually among the most important considerations, as it determines...
Sharpening Hand Plane Blades
Keeping your woodworking tools sharp is a necessary step, as it is difficult to enjoy working with wood when you're using dull tools. In fact, using dull handplanes can waste time and materials, not to mention being frustrating to work with. Though it's a time consuming activity, sharpening hand plane blades must be done no matter how often you use the tools in your workshop. Regardless of the method you choose for sharpening your tools, always remember that it will be a lot easier to sharpen...
Buck Knives and Knife Sharpeners
Buck knives are among the most popular knife brands for both hunting and kitchen cutlery. Buck knives are known for their distinctive shape. The edge of each knife is carefully researched and designed, and is made of high-quality materials that allow it to hold a super-sharp edge.
The Buck knife brand was founded by Hoyt H. Buck. A Kansas blacksmith, Buck developed a method of heat-treating steel so that it would hold an edge for much longer than ordinary tools. This tempered steel was...
Collectible Knives
Though knives are an essential part of any kitchen, they are also very popular collectibles. In fact, some of the same companies producing high-quality knives for the kitchen, or pocketknives for hunting or other outdoor uses, also produce knives designed to be collectibles.
When purchasing collectible knives, unlike kitchen or pocket knives, your eye will generally be on style rather than on the quality of the blade. A collection of these knives may be centered on a certain theme or style of...
Types of Hunting and Survival Knives
There is a surprising variety of survival and hunting knife types on the market today. Each is designed for a specific purpose. If you are an outdoor enthusiast it is especially important to own a hunting or survival knife; they are also popular among knife collectors. Whether you are a knife enthusiast or collector, or use the knives for hunting, camping, or other outdoor activities, it can be helpful to learn about the design and purpose of each knife type.
There are hunting and survival...
Collecting Mythological, Historical and Movie Swords
Not only have swords played an integral role in warfare, defense, and the military for thousands of years, but they have also played a very important role in many popular movies and books as well as mythology.
Throughout history, important battles and wars have spawned myths about the swords used. Attila the Hun claimed that his sword was once the sword of Mars, the God of War in Roman mythology. Many know the name of King Arthurs sword, Excalibur. Joyeause was the Sword of Charlemagne, and...
Japanese Knives
In recent years, Japanese knives have become very popular for kitchen use. Japanese chefs knives may be seen in popular cooking shows, and are found at many cutlery stores.
Unlike other knives, such as German knives, Japanese knives are designed to be very lightweight, with a fine edge. Their steel blade is brittle and sharp, unlike other knives that are designed to be tough and flexible. As a result, these Japanese knives will be very, very sharp. The edge is less likely to bend, so it will...
Kershaw Knives
Kershaw Knives was founded in 1974 in Portland, Oregon, by a knife salesman named Pete Kershaw. He previously worked with the well-known Gerber Precision Knives company, where he had begun to come up with his own knife designs. The Kershaw Knives company was Pete Kershaws opportunity to produce and market his own knives. Today, Kershaw is one of the leading knife companies in the United States and worldwide.
At its founding, the Kershaw Company manufactured most of its knives in Japan despite...
Spyderco Knives and Sharpening Tools
Spyderco is known for high performance folding knives and sharpening tools designed for use with a wide range of knife styles. Spyderco is committed to manufacturing the highest level of reliable and utilitarian knives and knife accessories.
Founded in 1978 by Sal Glesser, Spyderco is based in Golden, Colorado. In recognition of Glessers influences on tactical knife design, he was inducted into the Blade Magazine Cutlery Hall of Fame in 2000. Originally, the company produced only knife...
The Story of Snap-On Tools
Founded in 1920, Snap-On is one of the largest U.S. designers and manufacturers of tools and related equipment. Headquartered in Kenosha, Wisconsin, over 11,500 people are currently employed to design, create, and sell Snap-On products. Since its beginning nearly ninety years ago with one style of socket set, tools bearing the Snap-On name have been used by generations of professionals.
The Snap-On brand began with a set of interchangeable wrench handles and sockets. Designed by Joseph...
Columbia River Knife & Tool
Columbia River Knife & Tool is a relative newcomer to the American knife market, having only been established in 1994. Based in Oregon, Columbia River Knife & Tool, or CRKT for short, was founded by two former employees of Kershaw Knives, a well-known knife maker. The founders were Rod Bremer and Paul Gillespi. Many of the revolutionary new features of CRKT were designed by these two men.
The first CRKT knife to see widespread success was the Keep It Super Simple, or K.I.S.S., knife,...
Using a Strop
If you are considering sharpening your own knives, you may have heard about a strop. A strop is a strip of leather that is used to hone the blade of a knife, straight razor, or other blade. Although usually made of cowhide leather, there are certainly other types available. It is an optional step at the end of the sharpening process, usually used for fine knives and straight razors.
After youve sharpened the blade using a sharpening stone or other sharpening device, you should still fine-tune...
How Knives Are Made
Have you ever wondered at the beauty of a well-made knife? Whether you are a collector or use your knives in the kitchen or outdoors every day, a well-made knife is built to last, not to mention a work of art. Whether crafted for use or for display, most knives are assembled in the same basic way.
Before the knife can be assembled, the individual parts must be made. Knife manufacturers have their choice from hundreds of different handle materials, not to mention grades of steel for the blade....
Maintenance, Stropping and Sharpening of a Straight Razor
A straight razor is a traditional mens accessory that must be properly maintained to ensure a sharp edge. The blade geometry is carefully designed to provide an ideal edge with relatively little effort over time, but this doesnt mean that using a straight razor is completely maintenance-free.
The level of maintenance required depends on the razor material. Some are stainless steel; these require less care since they wont rust. Other razors must be rinsed in water and dried thoroughly...
Knife Rights and Legislation
When it comes to knives, guns, and other weapons, there is always plenty of controversy surrounding their use, and subsequently, over legislation governing their use. What length of knife can be carried on you for various purposes? What type of weapons can be carried legally across borders? What types of permits are needed for these actions? Many of these issues boil down to whether ordinary citizens are free to carry any knives that they wish, or whether knife carrying should be heavily...
Know Your Knives - Knife Handle Materials and Construction
Knives come in a wide array of styles and materials. Though you may not realize it, the handle of your knife is often just as important as the blade. Different knife handles give different performances; the materials from which they are made affect grip, balance, and other characteristics of the knife. Many handles, especially on rugged knives designed for outdoor use, are specially textured to allow for easier grip.
Knife Materials - Many hunting knives have handles made of stainless steel....
Bowie Knives
The term Bowie knife does not refer to a specific company, as many believe. The term actually refers to a certain style of knife popularized by Colonel James Jim Bowie. Today, a bowie knife is any type of large sheath knife with a clip point.
The first knives made for Jim Bowie throughout his lifetime resembled other common knives of that time period. The first knife, designed by Jim Bowies brother and made by blacksmith James Black, looked like a cross between a Spanish hunting knife and...
How to Buy a Kitchen Knife Set
Are you ready to upgrade your mismatched kitchen knives, bought haphazardly, for a new set of kitchen knives? If so, then you may be wondering what to look for in a kitchen knife set. There are many different kinds of kitchen knives, and the distinctions can be confusing to anyone who isnt a chef.
The first thing to learn when looking at kitchen knives is the differences in the knife shape. The most common knife is a chef knife or French knife. This knife has a long, wide blade, and it can be...
Medieval and Renaissance Sword History
The term sword originates from the old English word sweord. Terms for this weapon are also found in Old High German Middle Dutch, Old Norse, Old Saxon, and other ancient languages. Clearly, the sword was part of culture and society beginning thousands of years ago. In fact, the first bladed weapons are thought to originate in the Bronze Age. Though technically a sword is double-edged, some long single-edged weapons may also be referred to as swords simply because of their length.
By the...
Using Oil or Other Lubricants With a Sharpening Stone
When learning how to sharpen knives, often one of the fist things to confuse people is whether oil or water are needed on sharpening stones. A sharpening stone is one of the easiest way to sharpen your blades, whether you want to restore the sharp edge on your kitchen cutlery or need to sharpen some woodworking tools. There are many varieties made of stone or any number of manufactured materials, and they are usually found in the form of a block. With these and other types of knife sharpeners,...
Samurai Sword History
The basic design of the Samurai sword has remained consistent over several centuries. Swords were already being made in China and elsewhere in Asia during the Bronze and Iron ages. As the technology for steel weaponry improved, single-edged swords became popular throughout Asia. The Japanese tachi sword, a precursor to the katana (which would become known as a samurai sword), first appeared around 600 A.D.
The Samurai evolved from a class of warrior employed as the guards of powerful...
Honing a Knife Blade
For those who are new to the world of knife sharpening, often the most challenging part is knowing when to stop. How do you know when the knife is sharp enough? How do you get it to that point?
When sharpening a knife, sharpen until you see burrs. Then, turn the knife over, and sharpen the other side. The honing process will remove these burs, but they are important. Burrs are the only way to know that you have removed enough of the metal to sharpen the blade.
Once the blade has been...
The Macuahuitl - An Aztec Obsidian Sword
The Macuahuitl is an ancient Aztec weapon shaped like a sword. The Macuahuitl is made of wood, and its sides are embedded with blades made from obsidian, a volcanic glass stone frequently used by the Aztecs and other pre-Columbian cultures in the making of tools.
This weapon was commonly used by Aztec military forces and other cultures found in present-day central Mexico. In fact, its use was so widespread that it was noted repeatedly in notes taken during the sixteenth century Spanish...
An Introduction to Knife Terminology
If youre looking to buy a knife, it can be confusing if you dont know what all of the knife terms mean. First, youll want to decide what kind of knife you want. The basic divisions are fixed blade or folding blade. Folding blades, like pocket knives, fold between the handle and the blade. A popular type of knife is a fantasy knife, which is an artistic style of knife not usually meant to be used, but rather to be collected and displayed. Other styles include utility knives, which can be used...
How Sharpening Steels Work
A sharpening steel, also called a honing steel, is a rod of steel measuring up to a foot long. Usually used to sharpen knives and scissors. The sharpening steel is covered in ridges that make the steel slightly abrasive, removing microscopic layers from the edge of knife blades.
Many modern steels include a diamond honing surface, but traditional steels do not in fact sharpen your blade as you may think. Instead they simply realign the edge that becomes bent over during use. This cannot be...
Choosing Cutting Boards to Keep Your Knives Sharper Longer
Regardless of the type of knife set you have chosen for your kitchen, you will need at least one cutting board. Many cooks have one board for cutting meat, and another for cutting vegetables. There are dozens of different choices for cutting boards. Did you know that some boards can cause your knife to wear down much faster than others? By choosing the right cutting board, you can preserve your knifes sharp edge for a much longer time, although all knives will eventually become dull over time,...
Choosing Knife Blade Materials
When shopping for new knives, especially kitchen knives, you may be astounded at the wide variety of different knife materials from which you can choose. These high-tech advancements are usually designed to offer a longer life for the knife, meaning less sharpening for you. The number one determinant of the sharpness of your knife, and how well it maintains this edge over time, is the material used to make the blade. So how do you choose between all of the different kinds of knives? First,...
How Ceramic Sharpeners Work
A ceramic sharpener, like other knife sharpeners, work by removing a very thin layer of metal from the blade of your knife. Ceramic sharpeners are made from dense ceramic material instead of stone. They are especially recommended for sharpening very hard knives. The ceramic material used is harder than other sharpening stones, and will not wear out as quickly. Softer sharpening stones can get worn down in the middle if you do a lot of sharpening, forcing you to re=surface and flatten your...
Making and Sharpening Your Own Arrowheads
If you enjoy knife making or sharpening, and are looking for a fun new project, consider making and sharpening your own arrowheads. You can make arrowheads using both modern and traditional materials and methods. This art of turning stone into a blade is known as flint knapping, and it was once a key survival skill, though today it has evolved into a unique hobby.
To make an arrowhead using flint knapping techniques, you'll break open a piece of rock, chipping flakes off the stone until it is...
Common Knife and Sharpening Myths
Have you heard some of the most common knife myths? One old wives tale, for example, says that giving a knife as a gift is bad luck because it cuts the relationship. Another tale says that if a butter knife falls to the floor accidentally, a family is coming to visit. Besides these tales, there are many misconceptions that affect knife usage. Believing some of these myths can actually make it harder to use your knives. Here are some of the more prevalent knife myths:
A dull knife is safer to...
Sharpening Serrated Blades
Although your serrated knives will still cut as they grow dull, you will begin to notice a tearing or shredding action rather than smooth cuts. If this is happening, then it is time to sharpen your knife. Sharpening dull serrated blades can be a bit more difficult than sharpening plain blades. Maintaining serrations is important if you want your knife to cut well, but they do require a bit more experience to sharpen. Serrated blades can also take longer to sharpen than a similarly sized plain...
The History of Knives
Knives are one of the oldest tools to ever have been used. Early humans used sharp stones, bones, or wood pieces to cut and carve. The first effective knives were made out of flint. Even before that, knives were made out of a hard silicate form of the mineral quartz. They could be crudely formed into a palm-shape with a sharp edge which could be used for cutting, scraping, and other activities. These knives were shaped and sharpened against rocks.
With the invention of metal came great...
Sharpening Gardening Tools
Sharpening serrated or straight blade kitchen knives is relatively easy. Gardening or woodworking tools, on the other hand, can look a bit more challenging to sharpen, especially if you are not an experienced knife sharpener. Still, with a bit of experience and the right sharpener, it is possible to sharpen your own tools, including axes, shears, pruners, and chain saw blades.
When these blades start working poorly, you know its time to sharpen them. Instead of taking them to a professional...
Using a Pull Through Knife Sharpener
A pull through knife sharpener differs from an ordinary knife sharpening stone because the pull through style ensures an accurate and consistent angle. In contrast, when using a sharpening stone you must physically hold the knife against a sharpening stone at the specified angle.
Each knife blade is designed to have a specific blade angle for optimum performance. Additionally, too sharp of an angle can make the blade more likely to bend or break. A pull through knife sharpener takes the guess...
Electric Sharpeners
Electric sharpeners are one of the easiest ways to sharpen your knives. Electric knife sharpeners work the same as a sharpening stone, except that the machine does all of the work. Particularly useful if you do a lot of sharpening or have to remove a lot of material to expose a sharp edge on your knives, an electric sharpener is a good choice to make the job go much faster.
Most electric sharpeners have an adjustable angle guide, with removable sharpening stones or ceramic plates to polish the...
How to Use a Sharpening Stone
A sharpening stone is the easiest way to return your knives and other cutlery to a useful state once they begin to dull. Not only knives but also scissors, razors, chisels, and plane blades can be sharpened with a stone. Sharpening stones are made of very hard stone or a manufactured material, such as ceramic or diamond stone. Usually in the form of a block that you hold in your hand or set on a flat surface, although they can also be found in the form of bench stones, wheels, or rods, these...
How to Choose a Knife Sharpener
Knife sharpeners are very important if you want to keep your knives in top condition. There is a wide range of sharpeners available, including small hand-held blocks to large electric sharpeners. All knife sharpeners are designed to restore the blade of a knife to its original sharpness. Since most people are not professional chefs with a lot of experience sharpening knives, they do not know what to look for when purchasing a knife sharpener. However, a knife sharpener is a very useful tool to...
Caring For Knives
Caring for your knives goes beyond an occasional sharpening. In fact, there are many steps you can take to keep them in good condition, although the knives will eventually become dull through use and require sharpening. Whether you have a high-quality knife investment or have purchased a set of discount kitchen knives, proper care and maintenance can often extend their life by several years.
To keep your knives in top condition, always wash and thoroughly dry them after use, especially if you...
Choosing an Industrial or Professional Knife Sharpener
For most home cooks or occasional users of tools with blades, a simple pull-through knife sharpener, sharpening stone, or sharpening steel should be sufficient. After all, this occasional task takes just a little elbow grease, and your knives will be back in top condition in no time. On the other hand, if you use your tools frequently, often find yourself chipping them or otherwise wearing them down, or are a professional chef or anyone else who uses an assortment of kitchen knives on a daily...
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