@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 @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...
@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.