Knives for the Kitchen

Choosing a Knife for the Kitchen
Chefs and Knives

I have a friend who was a chef, he's now a social worker. Strange change in career. He used to cook fantastic meals when my wife and I visited. I would often watch as he prepared, sharpening knives, testing the knife's edge, all the usual chef stuff.

One particular day I happened to pick up his cooks knife, which was always kept in a cloth roll along with all his other knives.
I have never felt intimidated by him, he's a really nice guy. But as soon as I touched that knife I realised that somehow I had stepped over a line of friendship. He positively growled at me, "Put the knife down, and don't touch it again!" I quickly complied and walked off to let him calm down, after all he had a bag of knives, very sharp knives.

I often reflected on that day, I asked him why he'd been so upset. The reason is that they were his knives, no one else should touch them.

I recently walked down the high street in Horsham in Surrey, as I wandered past a kitchenware shop window, I noticed there were some beautiful knives on sale. The prices ranged from $150 - $290 pretty expensive steel by anybodies standards. I couldn't resist going in to look at them. They were Hamsa if I recall. The fact is that they felt fantastic. The sense of craftmanship used in the construction of these knives was obvious. I knew though even if I purchased it, I would not use it. Why?

I could choose the knife, but my best knife is my Sabatier 10" cooks knife, my wife purchased for me 15 years ago. I love it! It handles brilliantly and keeps its edge really well, but the real factor for me is the balance [ you cannot balance it where the handle meet ] all the weight is in the blade, it's a heavy beasty, that can take your fingers off easily. I think it's perfect, others would not agree. Too heavy, badly balanced and a whole host of other things may make it the knife from hell. I feel just like my friend about that knife. It's my knife.

You need to bear in mind when you purchase your knives, they are 'your' knives, not some high class chef's. They are personal, your friend in the kitchen.

I have lots of knives, paring knives, carvers, cleavers, however, I stick with my Sabatier., I use it for almost everything. I paraphrase the sentiments that you see expressed in so many 'grunt 'movies...
This is my knife, there may be others like it... none are like this one,"

Chose your knife, carefully and slowly, it will in all probability be with you a long time.

Knives from Sabatier

Sabatier knives, are in my opinion the most excellent of all the knives I've had. They are balanced and hold their edge well... However, you need to be aware of certain facts.
1.What is the best knife or knives for me will not be the same for you. Why? Our hands are totally different. Which is the most important factor you can take into account when buying a knife.

2. When buying on line you should go to your local cheffy type store and handle one or two to feel the difference, it really is important you do this.

3. Then buy online, as the prices are usually cheaper.
Think this through your average online store shifts a lot more knives than you high street retailer, who may have the knife on the shelf for years.

So there is no bulk buying discount. Simple.

Click here to find out more.

http://thebladesedges.com

Pocco

Brief Bit of History on Diving Knives

Scuba diving, was born in the modern age through the genius of the legendary JaquesCousteau and his friend Emile Gagnan, their work, however, was not unique, but had been prefaced in the diving world by Dr Christian Lambertsen, who developed re-breathers for use in underwater warfare. Lambertsen's, re-breathers gave us the term 'frogman'

There are a fantastic array of knives available today that are durable, high grade knives perfect for the diving enthusiast. Visit our site: http://thebladesedges.com

Perfect for encounters with the dread denizens of the deep.

Does anyone know why divers carry knives?

Pocco

The Resource Report

Mike Filsaime's latest give away! Click the link above

How to Survive an Armed Attack in Your Home!

Survival Tactics for the Home Owner

Survival in the home is not a new concept. However, we are increasingly at threat in our homes from outside intruders. What should you do, if anything, should you find yourself in this situation?

Anyone can easily arm themselves with a vast array of weapons as they enter your home. They might carry a baseball bat, knife from the cupboard, hammer from the garage. Anything that comes to hand in fact.

The real question is, 'How do I protect my family and myself as well as my possessions in one of the nightmare scenarios?'

Your only real defence is to wait your opportunity to overcome the attacker, this is not as easy as one might think. A good grasp of self-defence techniques is a good start to surviving these situations.

I personally trained for years in martial arts , I would strongly advise that you learn some basic unarmed combat techniques, as well as providing you with extra self confidence the fitness gained is worth you investing time and energy into.

I am the kind of person to have a go. The fact is though, I no longer practice and am well out of condition. I can't envisage an assailant waiting for me to revise from my 'Hong kong book of 'Kung Fuey' before he strikes back. The problem with all self defence methodology is they require constant practice. Even then your opponent may not do what you hope they might.

It's a bit embarrassing to aim your 'round house kick' to their head, only to find they've just stooped over to pick up a bullet they've just dropped. Fluid, is the best way to describe armed struggle. These situations are nothing like you see at the movies.

You should probably try to evaluate the situation, weighing the risks up before throwing your self onto someone bristling with guns and knives.

This is not as silly as it might sound. It may well save your life.

A tactic I learned from my old instructor, which sounds far fetched but is effective, is as follows:

Try blowing hard into the face of your attacker [ or someone you know, tell them you are going to do it first, other wise you may get a battering for it! ] The reaction will be to close their eyes. this is an inbuilt protection mechanism for the eyes. This gives you a brief interlude in which you can launch your own attack.

Please note: this will not work if they are 20 feet away ( unless you have lungs like Superman). They need to be near enough for the air to cause them to shut their eyes.

On a more serious note, what is the best method for defence in these situations? The best defence in this instance of urban attack, is to fit and maintain, a high quality intruder alarm system. Most burglars won't bother (even if your out) to force an entry. Even when armed with a fearsome 'Bush Survival Knife.

Please note: This is not a guarantee of survival or endorsement of the above actions. Try them at your own discretion. We accept no liability for your use of the above tactics.

Charles Poxon: is the CEO of Midas Live Publishing, an internet marketing company based in the UK. He has enjoyed the outdoors for many years. He is also a trained teacher.

For additional information contact: charlespoxon@midaslive.com Visit: http://thebladesedges.com or http://the-chocolate-mall.com

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Charles_Poxon

http://www.articledashboard.com/rss/Outdoors/213

How are you all?

Knifey,

That's his name 'cos he's totally addicted to knives.

Not surprising then that he believes that whatever state of evolution we reach as a species, we'll always need knives.

Seems to the point to me, even if a little on the edge.

He' not really got a handle on all this yet.

I'll sign off now as I'm getting giddy, just have to take the plunge if you know what I mean?

They say he was incubated in an annealing oven, all I know is that he's called Knifey by his Mum.

Pocco

Hello World

They tell me RSS is ReallySimple, does the final 's' stand for stupid.

pocco