From lightweight, basic must-have knives for the outdoor kit to fancy yet functional chef-worthy cutlery that adorns the stylish kitchen, the knives we use to prepare our meals come in every shape and size. Having a good selection of knives and keeping them sharp is critical for any kitchen.
And in this instance, “kitchen” can mean that wellappointed focal point of the home where family and friends congregate to share a meal and good company. Or it can mean a folding table outside your tent or a frying pan on a wood fire with a nearby log on which to sit. No matter what type of kitchen you’re in, makeshift or marvelous, good knives are an important part of it.
On family camping trips, I am the chief cook and bottle washer. No, I’m not a great cook. But early in my marriage, it was my concession that if we were to go on these camping trips, I would cook the meals and do the dishes. I keep a bin of frequently used camping equipment for family trips. Much of it is related to the camp kitchen: old pots and pans, utensils, potholders, can opener, cutting board, and such. In this bin I keep several sharp, lightweight knives that are relatively inexpensive. If they can’t do the job, I replace them.
Sometimes, knives are pressed into service for kitchen chores that their designers might never have envisioned, yet they perform admirably. I recall a fishing trip in Canada a few years ago when our group gathered in one of the rented cabins for the evening meal. We were having steak, which shows you how well we were doing with the fishing.
This story is from the March-April 2021 edition of Knives Illustrated.
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This story is from the March-April 2021 edition of Knives Illustrated.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.
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TIP TALK
UNDERSTANDING THE DIFFERENCES BETWEEN BLADE TIP SHAPES AND WHY IT MATTERS
HOLDING FIRM
GETTING A GRIP ON KNIFE HANDLE BENEFITS, MATERIALS, AND FUNCTIONALITY
EDGE UP
TIPS, TRICKS, AND TECHNIQUES TO SHARP WHEN ADVENTURING FAR FROM HOME
THE COMBAT KITCHEN
SLICE, DICE, CHOP, AND CUT: FOOD PREP WITH BLADES FROM POPULAR TACTICAL KNIFE COMPANIES
MORAKNIV Classics
THESE TIMELESS BUSHCRAFT KNIVES HAVE BEEN UPDATED AND ARE BETTER THAN EVER
ONE FOR THE ROAD
CHOOSING AN “EVERYWHERE KNIFE” CAN BE DIFFICULT DUE TO COMPLICATED KNIFE LAWS
TRAVELING LIGHT
SOMETIMES, INEXPENSIVE UTILITY BLADES YOU PICK UP AT YOUR DESTINATION CAN GET THE JOB DONE
MATCHED PAIR
JB KNIFE WORKS LAYMAN KNIFE AND GAMBIT HATCHET COMBO: ONE PICKS UP WHERE THE OTHER LEAVES OFF
WHEN BIGGER IS BETTER
THE CAS IBERIA CHOP HOUSE IS A MACHETE THAT PROVIDES BIG BLADE CUTTING POWER
KITCHEN KNIVES DON'T HAVE TO BE DULL
I have a confession to make. See if this sounds familiar. I take meticulous care of the knives I use for everyday carry, hunting, and general woods wandering. I wipe them down with an oily cloth after use and I never let them get too dull. Seldom do I have to restore a damaged edge. Most of the time I simply touch up the edges of my pocketknives with a few careful strokes across the rough bottom of a ceramic coffee cup. That’s usually all that’s needed. I don’t use my knives as screwdrivers or pry bars. As a matter of fact, I still have the very first knife I ever owned, an old Boy Scout knife that was handed down from my older brother. The blades have a deep patina that comes with using carbon steel over the years, but the knife is very usable still.
