Knife Skills —

a kitchen guide to using the right knife the right way

This site will give you the confidence to choose and use the knives and other nonelectric sharp tools in your kitchen. It’s also a reference site that you can use as you improve your skills and acquire the tools that will make you a better cook!

Mezzaluna

A mezzaluna is a mostly single-purpose tool. Its use is for chopping herbs. With its rounded blade, it just needs a rocking motion, back and forth, to chop the herbs as finely as you’d like. Mezzalunas are available with either one or two blades. As a professional chef, I’ve never felt the need to use one. Herbs chop quite easily with a chef’s knife. The main reason to buy a mezzaluna is if you’re chopping a mountain of herbs every day. It will make your task easier and faster.

mezzalunas
Single- and doublebladed mezzalunas
How to Choose and Use Your Knives

How to Choose and Use Your Knives

How to Buy a Knife

How to Buy a Knife

Caring for Your Knives

Caring for Your Knives

Nonknife, Nonmotorized Sharp Kitchen Tools

Nonknife, Nonmotorized Sharp Kitchen Tools


A knife does not fear thorns, a woman fears man. Mongo proverb

A knife does not fear thorns, a woman fears man.

Mongo proverb


In a golden sheath a leaden knife. Rwandan proverb

In a golden sheath a leaden knife.

Rwandan proverb


To start a fight, one does not bring a knife that cuts but a needle that sews. Argentinean proverb

To start a fight, one does not bring a knife that cuts but a needle that sews.

Argentinean proverb

Margaret Witter Fuller

Genius will live and thrive without training, but it does not the less reward the watering pot and pruning knife.

Stanislaw Lem

Is it progress if a cannibal uses a knife and fork?

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The information in this site is true and complete to the best of our knowledge.
The author disclaims any liability in connection with the use of this information.
All recommendations are made without guarantee.