Knifelore from a Grimore

Hey folks,

Something that you'll be seeing from time to time are bits of knife trivia and folklore. Sometimes they'll be their own entry, sometimes they'll slip into the end of a post about something entirely different.

Keep an eye out!


Knife Folklore Fragment of the Week:

The gift of a knife can cut a friendship.


Very common up until the last couple generations, this bit of folklore explains why a couple of pennies would be included in every gift of a knife. After the present was opened, the pennies were then returned to the giver, to pay for the knife so it wasn't a gift.

Video Time!

I really liked reading the excerpt from Anthony Bourdain's book that I linked to in the previous post, so I went out and found you some videos of him to watch.

Here's a couple from his TV show, No Reservations, where he travelled around the world trying out local cuisine.
The first one is in Spain, talking about jamon serrano (serrano ham). Which really is very yummy, definitely try some if you have a chance.


And here is part 1 of his show on Indonesia.


This next video, in interview, definitely showcases Bourdain's salty sense of humor. It's also features a much more entertaining video of how to chop an onion than the one I posted earlier on in this blog. The knives used in this video are from Global.

Back and to the Point

or, On Practicality



Some of our alert readers in Louisville might have caught the article "A Cut Above the Rest" in the Scene section of the C-J, on January 5th. It was about the Dexter Russell Sani-Safe 9-inch scalloped sandwich knife, model number S163-9SC. Sadly, you did not see Heimerdinger Cutlery listed as a place selling the knife, even though we do indeed have it in stock.

But why should you be interested in this knife?
Dexter Russell Knives aren't like the flashing and slashing knives the chefs use on television.
They have sleek black handled knives, like this bird's beak paring knife (also called a peeling knife) on the left, that you'll have seen recently on Bravo’s hit show Top Chef.
Or you might imagine owning a Santoku chef's knife with a hollow ground edge (also called a Granton edge). If it's good enough for Emeril and Rachel Ray, it must something wonderful to have in your own kitchen. That's true, this knife excels at slicing, dicing, and mincing. The hollow ground bits on the blade allow you to slice things very thinly and they won't stick to the blade.

So, again, why would you want this Dexter Russell knife with that funny shape?

Marty Rosen, the guy who wrote the article for the Courier-Journal, restrained himself from asking his wife the same exact question when she gave it to him as a present.
Her book club had recently read the book Kitchen Confidential, by chef Anthony Bourdain. Anyone who has ever caught his TV shows or read one of his books knows that when it comes to kitchen knives, he's somewhat of a minimalist. He'd rather have one or two good knives that he can use for years, than a whole set of knives that are so pretty and expensive that he's almost afraid to use them. And he considers an offset handled serrated knife to be "indispensable"
The somewhat skeptical columnist found that this is indeed a very useful knife to have around. He said:

It's a perfectly good tool for all the usual tasks associated with serrated knives (slicing bread, tomatoes and the like). And, as Bourdain predicted, I've found myself grabbing it for nearly everything else as well. It slides gracefully through baked ham, roast beef and turkey breasts, and though I wouldn't use it to saw through, say, a melon, it does a fine job with less husky fruits and vegetables.

If you don't already have a serrated/scalloped knife, maybe you should try this one on for size. The offset handle and slightly longer length makes is more versatile than your average sandwich knife.

And unlike many of the knives you'll see chefs using on TV, this one is very affordable. Dexter Russell is the oldest and one of the largest manufacturers of professional cutlery in the United States. You can see their knives everywhere, if you get a chance to look. They're very popular with people newly graduated from cooking school, and with people who have been working in restaurants for years.

You can buy it from us online here, or come and see us in the store.

Happy Holidays!

Whew, the holiday season is coming to a head and things are hopping at the Cutlery. We posted over a hundred packages within the last couple of weeks, which is quite possibly a new record for us. Our in-person business is keeping us on our toes, as well, and very very busy.
However, this blogger will be on break until after the new year, (though she might get pressed into service wrapping presents at the store, if she's not careful!). I'll talk to you all in a few weeks.

Have a wonderful holiday-of-your-choice, and hope we keep the snow off until after everyone finishes their holiday driving!

Holiday Gift Guide, vol. 2

Scissors, perhaps?
The Slip-n-Snip folding scissors are very useful things to have around and make a wonderful gift. As scissors go, these are some of the more child-safe that we sell, provided that child has enough strength to unfold (them and enough sense not to try and swallow them). A person can run their finger over the edge safely, and not have to rush for bandages. I used my pair mainly to carry for my knitting and embroidery; the Slip-n-Snips fit nicely in my pocket and I didn't have to worry about accidentally poking a hole or catching the yarn with sharp edges tumbling around in my bag. Comes in a gold gift-box. $7.95


On the other hand, if you wanted some folding scissors that are sharp and slick, these beauties from Dovo would be right up your alley. Unlike the Slip-n-Snips, these fold up in a way that protects the edges of the blade, as well as the points. Comes with a fitted leather sheath. $60.00


Kitchen Scissors are always useful. Our favorites are the Tricky 777s. This scissor comes apart for easy cleaning. It also makes it easier to use the scissors to curl ribbon. Other features are a cap lifter, bottle opener, jar lid gripper, and cutting notch. The notch works really well for cutting flowers, though it's designed for chicken bones. My mom prefers the red ones, because they're easier to spot on the counter. $34.95


Speaking of flowers, do you have a florist in your life? Or someone who does flower arrangements or wreaths and needs a good sharp pair of scissors that can cut things from slender stems to tough wire? If that's the case, then these forged shears from Cutrite would be ideal. We're not just putting this up here because it's a pretty picture that we were the hand model for, honest. $29.95

Holiday Gift Guide, vol. 1

Gifts for Guys


Sometimes, it's just hard to think of what to get people for Christmas (or the holiday of your choice). The next few weeks I'll be posting some ideas to help you with your shopping.

Two popular items for Stocking Stuffers are the Photon Microlights and the Handy Clip staplers.


The Photon II Microlight is a LED flashlight that fits handily on your keychain.It has a super tough glass filled polyurethane case and an unbreakable LED bulb that will never burn out. It's visible for up to one mile! My personal favorite is the turquoise, which I've had for seven years. I've only had to replace the battery once and the bulb lasts forever, which beats the pants off of those cheap freebie flashlights. Comes in a rainbow of light colors, which affects how long the battery lasts. For continuous use, this ranges from seven days (green) to 12 hours (white). $19.95

The Handy Clip is an innovative staple-free stapler which easily binds 3 pieces of paper without traditional staples. It holds sheets together with a buckle stitch, punched out of the paper itself. This "staple-less stapler" never needs refills. It is safe for children, and great for the environment and avid recyclers. Out of all of the things we sell, these are my second favorite to demonstrate for customers. They're just fun to play with! Comes in assorted colors. $5.95.

Personal Grooming
If one of the men in your life shaves,then Colonel Ichabod Conk glycerin shaving soaps might be just the thing you need. This company has produced quality gentleman's grooming products for over the past 150 years. These fine soaps are designed to be used with a shaving brush, preferably with genuine badger hair which easily absorbs hot water, and is softer and more comfortable on the face. When you are ready to shave, just soak your brush in hot water, allow the excess water to drain from the bristles, then gently work up some lather with the brush on your soap. These fine soaps brush on as a thick, rich, opaque layer of lather. This Old World touch adds luxury to a daily ritual.
The travel soap (pictured here) only comes in almond scent, but we also sell bay rum, lime, and amber, in two different sizes. My favorites are the almond and bay rum. Prices range from $3.95-$6.25.

We also sell a variety of shaving brushes, shaving mugs, razors, and other accessories.

We have several manicure kits that are suitably masculine, though only a couple that are specifically designed for men. These are larger set than those linked to above, but they include a very handy scissor that can be used to trim mustaches, and ear and nose hair. The second set also includes a cuticle scissor.

Mustache scissors are a very popular item for us; we also sell them separately, available with regular and rounded points.

News!

It's getting to be that time of year again, holiday shopping season, which means that our decorations are up and we're wrapping gifts like mad.

It also means that it's time for customer appreciation. Around this time we break out the coffee and the cookies, homemade by Glenna Heimerdinger, my aunt. Try the butterscotch haystacks, they're my favorite. Hm, on second thoughts, maybe you should just leave them all for me! ;)
This year we're also having a Customer Appreciation Night on December 13th. If you're on our mailing list, you'll probably get an email with more information. I'll post details when I get them, but you should come by and see us!

Another reason to come see us is the annual sale we're having right now on Wusthof knives. I can't say enough good things
I'll post other specials, as they come along.


Coming soon:
Holiday gift ideas.