Couple of redneck dipshits in a giant SUV tried to kill me this morning during my bike ride.
So, 2023 kicking off pretty much the same as 2022.
How you guys doing?
@Stonekettle So far:
One car tyre puncture. One sliced thumb.
Glad they missed ya!
Happy New Year.
Yikes! Be careful, my friend. That sliced thumb is really tough on guitarists! Hoping it was left and not right.
@BlueStateBabe Yeah I'm right handed and I was using a knife, so it's the left thumb!
It's healing nicely. Which is one reason that it's important to keep knives as sharp as possible. Clean cuts heal faster.
And sharp knives generally don't slip and cut!
I should learn this lesson - I have a ragtag collection of old, dull knives. Come Prime Day, I ordered a set of colorful ones.
And there they sit, unused, while I go to the smaller, more convenient, duller ones. The new ones are just SO BIG, when a tiny, dull steak knife is so easily wielded.
@BlueStateBabe
Find a local knife sharpening specialist and get your favourites reground.
Then buy a good sharpening steel and use it *every time* you use the knife.
A couple of swipes is all it takes and you'll never have dull knives again.
//@Stonekettle
@stueytheround A long time ago (like 20 years), my sister left a sharpening stone behind after a visit. Hint, hint. I tried sharpening to no avail. But maybe they are best for MAINTAINING a sharp edge, not delivering one to dull knives.
@BlueStateBabe
A whetstone or oilstone will put an edge on old knives but it's hard work and you need to know exactly what you're doing. If you get the angle wrong on the cutting edge it'll never be properly sharp.
A pro will start off using a powered circular grinding stone before honing on a flat stone.
Once it's done though, all you need is a traditional steel.
@BlueStateBabe @stueytheround
Sharpening is a science and an art...
I'd do as he advised and look for a sharpener locally or online...
And get a honing steel... Those metal rods on a handle...
Before you cut, re-hone to straighten the edge... Just match swipes on both sides of the knife...
Also... Holding the knife properly is important... Pinch the back of the blade between thumb and forefinger and wrap your remaining fingers around the handle.
@BlueStateBabe @stueytheround For your other hand... Bend those finger tips and thumb back and guide the knife flat against the segment from first to second knuckle...
Plenty of YouTube videos can show you better... I love my 8" chefs knife I've had for years...
Just be controlled and methodical...
@BlueStateBabe @stueytheround
Oh... And it's like a saw... Not a guillotine... Small draw to start the cut will guide the rest of the cut...
@InvaderGzim
Yeah. The cut thumb which started this convo was a classic schoolboy error.
Rule one:
Keep the knife sharp
Rule two:
*Keep your damned thumbs out of the way* ๐คฃ๐ด
@InvaderGzim @BlueStateBabe
This is a good one.
https://youtu.be/G-Fg7l7G1zw
Note the rocking action.
When you do it just right, the blade never leaves the board. It's how the knife is designed to be used.
For most cooking you only need two knives: a chef's knife with a 6" to 8" blade and a paring knife for the smaller jobs.
A good heavy cleaver can be useful sometimes.
Your chef's knife will carve cooked meat perfectly too.
Serrated knives are unnecessary, dangerous and best avoided in my opinion.
@stueytheround @InvaderGzim @BlueStateBabe
serrated bread knife. how else do you get that first hot slice?you inventoried my knives except one which i prefer not to explain.
@stueytheround I need to see it done left handed....my brain can't understand this...๐@InvaderGzim @BlueStateBabe
@MommaJ
Remind me.
I can just about work left-handed. I'll make you a short video.
@MommaJ @stueytheround @BlueStateBabe
Watch in a mirror? ๐๐
@InvaderGzim that sounds kinda creepy.....lol
Mirrors freak me out already. How do they even work?
@stueytheround @BlueStateBabe
@MommaJ @stueytheround @BlueStateBabe
It's actually a window into the reverse image planet exactly opposite is circling the sun...
๐
@InvaderGzim Stop it.....
It already is creepy enough.....
Really think about it, how does an anorexic person see a larger body, or how does a beautiful girl see a hideous monster......I know they have their own personal issues but if it weren't for the mirror maybe they wouldn't.
Plus "sandman scared the crap out of me".
Mirrors are just creepy and now I have to think about another dual backwards world out there...smh
๐
@MommaJ
I don't think a lack of mirrors would reduce body dysmorphia.
โค๏ธ
@InvaderGzim @BlueStateBabe
@stueytheround family member has body dysmorphia, its a horrible thing to watch....so ๐ฅ
@InvaderGzim @BlueStateBabe
No "pinkies up" as if I were having tea? ๐
@stueytheround @BlueStateBabe
if you don't find a knife sharpening specialist, check chain saw sharpening. that's who does mine.
Really? I would never have thought of that.
The only shop nearby refused to work on my kitchen shears when they broke. Said it would be cheaper to buy new. Actually, I'm not sure they are even around post covid. We lost many shops.
@BlueStateBabe @stueytheround
i live borderline 'burbs/rural. saw his sign. took down the number and asked. he's a little scary, one of those 70 million voters, but you can shave with the blades.
@BlueStateBabe
As a result of this, I'm still using the same chef's knife I bought 15 years ago!