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!


Pastry wheel cutters

These round bladed tools cut through thin dough, such as piecrusts, or simple dough, such as cheese straws. Pastry wheel cutters allow you to quickly and evenly cut your dough into pieces or strips. Yes, you can do the same thing with a paring knife by dragging it across the dough. But if you do that, you run the risk of cutting or scratching your countertop.

Or worse, having uneven slicing. Plus, many pastry wheels have ridges, which give your dough a finished, fancier look. If you do this on your countertop, be aware that it may cause scratches. Consult your countertop manufacturer or owner’s manual for their recommendations.

A pastry wheel
A pastry wheel cutting cheese straws

As the camel falls to its knees, more knives are drawn.	Bedouin proverb

As the camel falls to its knees, more knives are drawn.


In a smith’s house the knife is wooden.	Zimbabwean proverb

In a smith’s house the knife is wooden.


No matter how sharp it is, a knife will never cut it’s own handle.	Kikuyu proverb

No matter how sharp it is, a knife will never cut it’s own handle.

James Russell Lowell

I have always been of the mind that in a democracy, manners are the only effective weapons against the bowie-knife.

Emily Dickinson

Surgeons must be very careful. When they take the knife!, underneath their fine incisions, stirs the Culprit — Life!

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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.