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 bad knife cuts one’s finger instead of the stick. Portuguese proverb

A bad knife cuts one’s finger instead of the stick.

Portuguese proverb


One knife whets another. American proverb

One knife whets another.

American proverb


When you are pepper, I am mustard; when thou art a needle, I am a knife. Bahumbu proverb

When you are pepper, I am mustard; when thou art a needle, I am a knife.

Bahumbu proverb

Katharine Hepburn

A sharp knife cuts the quickest and hurts the least.

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.