Ask MetaFilter posts tagged with knife

It cuts/prys/screws like a knife

Newbornstranger — Sun, 28 Sep 2008 19:38:14 -0800

Where to buy a Gerber Artifact in Toronto, or at least order in Canada. I'm looking to buy a Gerber Artifact. It seems like a nice simple cheap tool to have in my pocket. However, buying from Amazon (or anywhere else I've found online) makes it over $35 after shipping to Toronto - a bit more than it's probably worth to me.

I've tried a few outdoor supply stores (MEC, the crappy one across the street from MEC, Sportcheck in the Eaton Centre), A few hardware stores, and a couple army-surplus stores that have a good selection of new knives. No luck yet. I'm running out of ideas. Any help?

what is the correct term for musician jump kick

planetkyoto — Sun, 28 Sep 2008 05:27:00 -0800

What should I call it when a band is finishing a song and the guitarist hits the last chord while jumping in the air and jack knifing his/her legs back? I guess it's a way of putting an exclamation mark on the song, and, I suppose, to make sure that the other members of the band know that the song is ending here and not going around again. Should I just call it a "jump kick" or is there some preferred term among musicians. Any other insights into this practice are welcome, since I'm not a musician. This is for a documentary.

How was this kitchen knife made?

Mike1024 — Sun, 14 Sep 2008 07:43:28 -0800

[ManufacturingFilter] I have a kitchen knife that looks like solid metal, but it's far too light. How was it made? The knife is 210mm (8.5") end-to-end, stainless steel, and reasonably inexpensive. I cannot see any marks indicating that the blade and handle are anything but a single solid bit of metal - but were that the case, the handle would be very heavy, which it is not.

I've heard that hollow silver knife handles used to be made by producing two halves, soldering them together, then polishing until the mark was invisible. I can't see any sign of that here, although I'm no expert on what to look for.

What's the second best way to sharpen knives?

SampleSize — Fri, 01 Aug 2008 13:32:14 -0800

I know. I should use a whetstone, but I haven't really been able to get the hang of it, despite taking a class (and I know to use the honing steel frequently between sharpenings). Can anyone recommend an easy at-home knife sharpening tool that's almost as good as a stone?

Rubber Butterfly Knife that Works?

grabbingsand — Sun, 27 Jul 2008 19:18:35 -0800

Is there such a thing as a rubber balisong or butterfly knife? What I'm wanting is a balisong that has the approximate heft expected, so it can be tricked with a bit, just without all of the potential for profuse bleeding. By rubber, I mean like this.

I like cutting stuff off walls

jak68 — Sat, 28 Jun 2008 20:14:39 -0800

Home Improvement Filter: why is it so hard to find an offset tool to remove stuff that is mounted on the wall? What do you use for that purpose? example: A while back I mounted my wifi router on the wall so the ethernet jacks would be easily accessible next to my desk. I used a whole bunch of extra strength foam sticky pads. When I had to move apartments, it took me forever to get the wifi router off the wall (that is, without ripping off half the wall plaster with it). All I needed was an offset saw or offset knife (like a spatula; the spatula was too dull so I needed a knife or saw, but offset like a spatula. I even tried a frosting spreading knife which was again too dull though had a nice offset).

This problem has come up often enough in my life (what can I say-- I like affixing things to walls) that I went looking for an offset kninfe or saw. To my amazement, in this age of home depots and tools for every imaginable thing, I simply could not find the tool I envisioned.

The tool I envisioned is:
--a simple knife or high-teeth-count saw
--offset like a spatula or frosting spreading knife
--no more than $15 or so (ie, something reasonable that one would expect to pay for a very simple knife or hand saw)

I imagine such a tool would have a dozen other common uses, anywhere something flat is attached onto something else flat and needs to be either cut or sawed off. Floorboards, tiles, door and window framing, or whatever.

So does a tool like that exist? Am I using the wrong keywords? Thanks

I want to slice and dice and julienne...but with what?

supramarginal — Thu, 12 Jun 2008 18:02:49 -0800

How do I choose a great chef's knife? Feeling overwhelmed by all the choices. I'm an avid cook and I'd like to get a great chef's knife. I'm hoping to spend around $100 or less. I've been reading previous askmefi questions, reviews on various online shopping sites, and Cook's Illustrated. I can't reconcile all the information.

It seems to me that the top brands (Henckels, Global, Wusthof, etc.), are all well-constructed and work well given appropriate skills and maintenance. If it comes down to personal preference in terms of the curve, balance, and feel in the hand, how do I choose one? Will any stores let me come in and chop some stuff up? (I'm in Boston. I have small-ish hands, if that makes a difference.) Thanks!

Mac me a knife.

brautigan — Sun, 08 Jun 2008 22:27:07 -0800

Looking for traditional folding knife recommendations... I currently own a Beretta Bob Loveless knife but would like a similar wood handled, folding knife.

The main uses for this knife would be for camping / outdoor activities e.g. wood whittling, fish gutting, twine cutting kind of things. At the moment this is at the top of my shopping list

First hand experience of this or other knives meeting this criteria would be most valued, as would a UK stockist. Sub £200 / $400 if possible.

Many thanks!

Switching to Mac... for the second time.

DoctorFedora — Tue, 26 Feb 2008 12:08:03 -0800

Do any stores in the northeast US sell MAC knives? Bonus points for Philadelphia.

How do you choose a sushi knife?

zennie — Sat, 26 Jan 2008 17:12:23 -0800

Know anything about sushi knives? I need info and recommendations. What makes a good sushi knife? What do you look for, and how do you know if you're getting a bargain if buying one? Can you recommend a brand that's available in the US?

Rehabbing from surgery.

caveat empress — Sun, 30 Dec 2007 16:56:18 -0800

Has anyone out there had to rehab severed extensor tendons in your thumb and/ or index finger? After going one on one with a kitchen knife I severed both extensor tendons in question. Yeah, it never turns out quite like you hope. Anyway, both were surgically repaired. At this point post-op I will not start rehab for a few more weeks and am still in a monster splint.

What can I expect?

Out! Out! Damn spots.

phrits — Tue, 20 Nov 2007 08:50:06 -0800

How do I clean and/or polish a carving set very similar to this? The set I have is also by "Landers, Frary, & Clark", and is presumably an antique since my folks have had it forever. It may have been a wedding gift; it may have been my grandfather's. Mom always told me they were ivory handles, but I always doubted it--ivory wouldn't have seams, would it?--and within the last hour have identified the material as probably celluloid.

Anyway, I ended up with the set because the knife is dull, and Dad couldn't get it sharp enough to suit with his steel. I have a very nice knife sharpener, and I managed to get a good edge with minimal effort.

Dad has always fussed about carving knives because he can never find one thin enough to suit his taste. Now that it's sharp, this knife is probably his dream come true. So I want to give it back, and preferably like new.

The problem, though, is that it's got black/gray spots I can't seem to get rid of. I've tried Brasso and knock-offs, Wright's copper cream, and that weird curly stuff that passes for steel wool these days. It's very clean and shiny...except for the spots.

I don't know nothin' 'bout antiques, so if I've ruined its value by cleaning it as much as I have, I don't really care. It's a tool to me, not a decoration.

Help?

Batali's Big Knife

rorycberger — Fri, 02 Nov 2007 14:59:11 -0800

What is the big knife called (and where can i buy it) that Mario Batali uses sometimes on Iron Chef America? It is a very large knife, sort of like a cleaver but with a rounded point, and it has a green handle. I don't remember which battle it was used in, but it can be seen during the opening credits/intro montage on recent battles. I believe Alton specifically called it out by name once, but I can't rememember the exact name. Something with letters and numbers, like EX-50, but I don't think that's it. Thanks!

Buying a sushi knife in Tokyo?

Fat Charlie the Archangel — Tue, 05 Jun 2007 08:21:55 -0800

What kind of sushi knife should I buy in Tokyo, and where? I will shortly be going to Tokyo and want to pick up a good sushi knife while I'm there. I'm willing to spend up to about 100 dollars US, though I'd certainly be happy to get one for cheaper. What should I buy and where should I buy it?

What's the best way to sharpen a kitchen knife?

cubby — Mon, 08 Jan 2007 20:54:19 -0800

I would like to learn to sharpen my own kitchen knives. Any advice on where to get good information and supplies? I have several low quality stainless knives (for practice, maybe), and three nice Japanese steel knives - a santoku, a petty, and a single bevel paring. Given the different angles that each knife needs to be sharpened to, I am leaning away from an electric sharpener -- but there are many hand sharpening methods to choose from.

Any ideas about a sharpening method that will allow me to maintain these knives myself? Whetstones? Electric sharpener? Honing steel? Also- where might I obtain any recommended sharpening supplies?

New Leatherman! Where can I bring it?

electric_counterpoint — Fri, 29 Dec 2006 09:23:42 -0800

Am I setting myself up for any trouble by tossing my new Leatherman tool in my bag and forgetting about it? I got a Leatherman Wave for Christmas this year, and I'm pumped -- it just seems so useful, right? Anyway, I want to put it in my main messenger bag, which stays with me almost every moment I'm outside the house. But will I run into any problems having, essentially, a 4" knife on me at all times?

I don't go through a lot of X-ray checkpoints and I expect (hope) I'll remember to take it out before I fly, but is there anything else I should know? I guess part of me is thinking back to my public school days, when having anything like a knife would result in expulsion, local news coverage, etc.

A good knife for whittling?

Cochise — Sun, 10 Dec 2006 00:48:51 -0800

Trying to remember the name of good French knife and also looking for suggestions for a good whittling knife. I'm almost positive I saw a post on here or Metafilter about some kind of knife made by a French company that is supposed to be good for a multitude of things, maybe about a year ago, but now I can't find it. Does anyone remember it? The reason why I ask is because I'm really thinking about getting into whittling and I guess I'm in the market for a good pocket-knife. Any suggestions? Sorry for the brevity/terseness of this post, but it's been a long day and I'm exhausted. Thanks in advance.

Knife Sharpening Service in Denver

jazon — Mon, 13 Nov 2006 16:08:42 -0800

Looking for suggestions for a (kitchen) knife sharpening service in the Denver Metro Area I've got some kitchen knives needing attention and I don't have time to do it myself (and Alton Brown says to have a pro sharpen kitchen knives anyway). A couple google searches turns up very little. Anyone have some suggestions or personal recommendations?

Deaths as a result of opening plastic packages.

Sonic_Molson — Thu, 15 Jun 2006 18:08:47 -0800

Help me win a bet against my girlfriend. Relates to deaths while opening those pesky plastic packages. I'm looking for examples of people who died while opening plastic packages.

Yeah, I know it sounds a little crazy. Today I was opening some bike lights that were in a hard plastic package, I was actually frustrated to be seeing the instructions on the back on how to install the batteries and wondering "Well where is the instructions to open the package?!" I ended up using a knife and nearly cutting myself (as usual). With 6.5 billion people on the planet I'm sure that at least one has accidently stabbed themselves to death while tearing these packages open.

The types of packages I am thinking of are the type that mp3 players often come in, or other small but valuable items (ram, tools)

The best sample picture I could find of one is here, not even one of the really tough plastic packages that I experienced today; http://www.ocmodshop.com/zalman7000acu/ZALMAN_BOX_BACK.jpg

I got $5 on this :-) I'll split the profit.

how do i sharpen a knife?

goldism — Tue, 07 Mar 2006 20:14:10 -0800

how do you sharpen a "sir-rated" (i cant spell) knife? am i just better off buying another one?

My Kingfish for a Knife Holster

CrayDrygu — Wed, 18 Jan 2006 17:54:45 -0800

The chefs at my local Teppanyaki grill have these nifty knife holsters. Where can I get one? I think it's a better, safer, and just plain cooler solution than resting the knife on the cutting board. But all I've been able to find is this one, which is way too complex. May as well go down to the hardware store and pick up a tool belt.

The holster I'm looking for is made of thin metal, rectangular in shape, and just long enough to hold an 8" blade. It's around 4" wide, about 1/3" deep, and has a 2-3" tab sticking up from the top, so you can guide the blade in without stabbing out a kidney. It's held onto a belt with a simple clip, so you don't have to take your belt off just to put it on.

The only picture I've been able to find, to illustrate what I mean, is here. It's small, but between that and my description, I hope you'll know what I'm looking for.

ISO Giant Chinese Cleaver

KRS — Mon, 17 Oct 2005 15:42:36 -0800

I’m looking for a big scary cleaver like they use in Chinatown restaurants to chop up ducks. Many of them have deeply curved blades and are used on a bowl-shaped block, like a mezzaluna, but I've also seen them with less curved blades. The blades on these things are at least 12" long and maybe 9" wide. The spines are very thick - 3/16" at least. It's definitely carbon steel, not stainless.

Despite the size, they are razor-sharp, easily cutting hard-crispy pig skin.

I've asked the choppers in Chinese restaurants where to get one, but they say they got the cleavers from China, and couldn't give me a source, and the New York City Chinatown stores have only pale imitations.

Can someone else give a source (preferably cheap and fluent in English) for one of these?

What do you call a dagger with a serpentine blade?

waldo — Sun, 20 Feb 2005 22:15:56 -0800

I’m trying to find out the proper name of a kind of dagger. I believe it is of Middle Eastern origin but it is not the traditional blade worn by the Bedouin. It often appears in cartoons among the assortment of weapons thrown at someone for, say…entering a cloak-and-dagger bar unwelcomed. I would describe the blade as being serpentine, but trying to google that has left me with mostly fantasy blades that have serpent designs on the handle and/or hilt. What I mean is, the actual blade is serpentine, curving back and forth giving it what could be called a serrated edge. Also, it is possible that some of these daggers might have a zig-zagging blade, but that may be an exaggeration by cartoonists of the original design. Posted for a friend.

Question number 13847

rorycberger — Mon, 10 Jan 2005 16:22:03 -0800

What is the best way to learn professional level kitchen knife skills? [more inside]

Question number 13207

edlundart — Mon, 20 Dec 2004 15:11:35 -0800

More xmas-shopping: Does anyone know of a store in NYC I can buy those swiss army knives with USB hard drives? I know they have them at thinkgeek and amazon etc, but I need it, like, yesterday. Other weird USB devices are also of interest.