Author (shawnramson). Submitted on Sun, 1 Jul 2012
Many people use knives everyday in their jobs as chefs. Without them the job would be impossible. This article describes the many varieties of blades we use daily.
Standard cutlery box knives
The more elaborate cutlery boxes will include: a starter course knife, a main course knife, a butter knife, a dessert knife, a fish knife and a steak knife. Their sizes and sharpness vary according to their purpose. Cutlery sets are generally constructed from stainless steel; however the more expensive sets are made from sterling silver or silver plate. Boxes are still regularly given as wedding gifts of house-warming gifts. Ornate cutlery sets can raise large sums of money at auctions and on sites such as eBay. Particularly popular are complete sets in their original boxes and sterling silver sets.
The next most popular purchase are kitchen knives: including carving knives( manual and electric) and palette knives used, for example, in folding flour, smoothing icing onto cakes.
Fixed knives used for a wide range of purposes such as paring fruit, carving wood, angling, cutting plantation and as weapons.
Folding knives: easy to carry safely in your pocket or bag and used for all the purposes listed for fixed knives.
Swords also known as epees or foils used in fencing mainly and ceremonial events.
Palette knives: used for art work and plastering jobs
Stainless Steel
This is the primary metal used in knife production. It was discovered in the 20th century by a man called Harold Brearly, who in 1919 worked for a metal production company. He was assigned the job of developing a metal for gun barrels. During this research he discovered and produced a stainless steel alloy (a mixture of two elements).
Where do people buy their knives from?
Department stores, hardware and do-it-.yourself stores, angling shops, websites and gift shops, department stores still account for a high percentage of the sales market; however, this is now being rivalled by on-line knife and blade websites. On-line companies have the advantage of being able to stock far more knives that a department store could stock. Prices are generally more competitive and often feature knife makers selling directly to the on-line customer. They can also display clear photos and in depth descriptions of their products.
They are also selling many different types of sheath (protective casing for knives).
Knife handles are made from a huge range of products although the bog standard handle is usually acrylic, wood or plastic. For the more select customer you can get knives made from this list: whale bone, oak wood, rose wood, walnut, animal horns, antlers, ivory (although this can only be purchased if the ivory is antique due to ivory trading being illegal now), birch wood, and olive wood. This is by no means an extensive list. There is just not enough space left to list all of the handle materials.
If this brief article has stimulated your interest in knives you will find some excellent websites dedicated to knives.
Find more information relating to kitchen knives, and swords here.