Hi everybody:

I can't believe it took me this many years to figure it out, but I just
discovered that my chef's knives are so ridiculously freaking sharp that
they actually cut bread way better than my bread knives.

Who knew?

Hasta,
Curt Nelson

Curt Nelson wrote:
> Hi everybody:
>
> I can't believe it took me this many years to figure it out, but I just
> discovered that my chef's knives are so ridiculously freaking sharp that
> they actually cut bread way better than my bread knives.
>
> Who knew?
>
> Hasta,
> Curt Nelson
>
>
Raises hand
I normally use a 12" butchers knife (razor sharp and then some)

In article >,
"Curt Nelson" > wrote:

> Hi everybody:
>
> I can't believe it took me this many years to figure it out, but I just
> discovered that my chef's knives are so ridiculously freaking sharp that
> they actually cut bread way better than my bread knives.
>
> Who knew?
>
> Hasta,
> Curt Nelson

<lol> So share your sharpening techniques?

I have found this to be true for tomatoes, but bread?
--
Peace! Om

Web Albums: <http://picasaweb.google.com/OMPOmelet>
*Only Irish *coffee provides in a single glass all four *essential food groups: alcohol, caffeine, sugar *and fat. --Alex Levine

"Omelet" > wrote in message
news
> In article >,
> "Curt Nelson" > wrote:
>
>> Hi everybody:
>>
>> I can't believe it took me this many years to figure it out, but I just
>> discovered that my chef's knives are so ridiculously freaking sharp that
>> they actually cut bread way better than my bread knives.
>>
>> Who knew?
>>
>> Hasta,
>> Curt Nelson
>
> <lol> So share your sharpening techniques?
>
> I have found this to be true for tomatoes, but bread?


I suppose my secret knife sharpening 'technique' is to never sharpen my own
knives. I've tried every sharpening gizmo imaginable for the last 25 years
and the harsh reality is that I suck at sharpening knives. Some people are
born with it... and I am not one of those people.

I've found great peace since I accepted the futility and started taking mine
to a professional. I've also had the good fortune of having one of the
greatest living knife makers sharpening my knives for many years. If you're
interested, here's his website: http://kramerknives.com/articles.htm

He's distinctive in that he's the only master bladesmith out there who makes
only chef's knives and also forges his own Damascus steel in a forge he
built himself. Unfortunately for me, he got famous and is the darling of
hotshot chefs everywhere and he no longer has the time for sharpening blades
he didn't make. I also can't afford or justify the cost of one of his
knives, however beautiful they may be.

Fortunately, he took in a couple of apprentices to take care of his
customers before he got out of the sharpening business. Now I send my knives
to Bob Tate, who is fortunately just down the road from me.
www.seattleknifesharpening.com

If prefer to have your knives done locally, I've learned to look for a
technique where they grind the edge with a convex shape which supports the
edge better. Bob also polishes the edge to a mirror sheen, resulting in a
knife sharper than any razor I've shaved with.

Finally, I use a really good steel. Rather than the crappy 8" or so models
that come with your typical knife block set, I use an old-school 18" Edick
from Germany that my Dad found at Goodwill. I'm also considering a ceramic
'steel' since the edges Bob does are so fine.

Next time I get my knives done, I'll try to post some photos as well as a
shot of the edge under my 200x microscope.

Hasta,
Curt Nelson

In article >,
"Curt Nelson" > wrote:

> Finally, I use a really good steel. Rather than the crappy 8" or so models
> that come with your typical knife block set, I use an old-school 18" Edick
> from Germany that my Dad found at Goodwill. I'm also considering a ceramic
> 'steel' since the edges Bob does are so fine.
>
> Next time I get my knives done, I'll try to post some photos as well as a
> shot of the edge under my 200x microscope.
>
> Hasta,
> Curt Nelson

That would be cool, thanks!
--
Peace! Om

Web Albums: <http://picasaweb.google.com/OMPOmelet>
*Only Irish *coffee provides in a single glass all four *essential food groups: alcohol, caffeine, sugar *and fat. --Alex Levine

On Thu, 20 May 2010 05:46:34 -0700, Curt Nelson wrote:

> "Omelet" > wrote in message
> news
>> In article >,
>> "Curt Nelson" > wrote:
>>
>>> Hi everybody:
>>>
>>> I can't believe it took me this many years to figure it out, but I just
>>> discovered that my chef's knives are so ridiculously freaking sharp that
>>> they actually cut bread way better than my bread knives.
>>>
>>> Who knew?
>>>
>>> Hasta,
>>> Curt Nelson
>>
>> <lol> So share your sharpening techniques?
>>
>> I have found this to be true for tomatoes, but bread?
>
> I suppose my secret knife sharpening 'technique' is to never sharpen my own
> knives. I've tried every sharpening gizmo imaginable for the last 25 years
> and the harsh reality is that I suck at sharpening knives. Some people are
> born with it... and I am not one of those people.

I'm one of the later. But I take it one step further and buy
pre-sliced bread :-)

-sw

In article >,
Sqwertz > wrote:

> > I suppose my secret knife sharpening 'technique' is to never sharpen my own
> > knives. I've tried every sharpening gizmo imaginable for the last 25 years
> > and the harsh reality is that I suck at sharpening knives. Some people are
> > born with it... and I am not one of those people.
>
> I'm one of the later. But I take it one step further and buy
> pre-sliced bread :-)
>
> -sw

<lol> HEB, even the smaller stores, have a bread slicing machine in the
bakery. I've had them slice those skinny baguettes for me into "party
bread" and they will cut any whole loaf you wish to purchase for no
charge. Here is a pic of a New Years party plate I made with some:

<http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo...w?feat=directl
ink>

Or:

<http://tinyurl.com/25eatmm>

:-)
--
Peace! Om

Web Albums: <http://picasaweb.google.com/OMPOmelet>
Only Irish coffee provides in a single glass all four essential food groups: alcohol, caffeine, sugar and fat. --Alex Levine

On Thu, 20 May 2010 21:08:43 -0500, Omelet wrote:

> <lol> HEB, even the smaller stores, have a bread slicing machine in the
> bakery. I've had them slice those skinny baguettes for me into "party
> bread" and they will cut any whole loaf you wish to purchase for no
> charge. Here is a pic of a New Years party plate I made with some:
>
> <http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo...w?feat=directl
> ink>
>
> Or:
>
> <http://tinyurl.com/25eatmm>

And The original 2-Buck Chuck (now $3).

-sw

Omelet wrote:
> In article >,
> "Curt Nelson" > wrote:
>
>> Hi everybody:
>>
>> I can't believe it took me this many years to figure it out, but I just
>> discovered that my chef's knives are so ridiculously freaking sharp that
>> they actually cut bread way better than my bread knives.
>>
>> Who knew?
>>
>> Hasta,
>> Curt Nelson
>
> <lol> So share your sharpening techniques?
>
> I have found this to be true for tomatoes, but bread?
I have sharpened my own knives for decades
I make some specific blades for friends but they cost a good amount
with lots of labour and time in the construction
To make a good edge you need a suitable rotary stone of large diameter
(about 2 feet is good)that's relatively slow in turning then hollow
grind the edge back until quite thin both sides of the blade
A normal chevs knife might take a 1/2" angled or more back to get the
right thickness through the blade then a good touch with an oil or wet
stone then a decent brush with a steel . On a new blade this can take an
hour or two to edge it but will last a long time with a stone and steel
( and cleaning)
My main knife for daily use is a little thicker than I like but I am
not the only one to use it , my best meat slicing knife is very thin to
the point it's edge ripples when run over a steel and is incredibly
sharp so no one else gets to try it for fear of losing a finger or worse.
Remember wood or plastic cutting boards only

On May 20, 6:05*am, atec7 7 <""atec77\"@ hotmail.com"> wrote:

> * Remember wood or plastic cutting boards only- Hide quoted text -
>
> - Show quoted text -

Plasatic cutting boards are a waste as far as I'm concerned, they dull
you knives pretty quick.

I really like bamboo as well as my maple boards.

On May 20, 4:18*pm, ImStillMags > wrote:
> On May 20, 6:05*am, atec7 7 <""atec77\"@ hotmail.com"> wrote:
>
> > * Remember wood or plastic cutting boards only- Hide quoted text -
>
> > - Show quoted text -
>
> Plasatic cutting boards are a waste as far as I'm concerned, they dull
> you knives pretty quick.

I'd rather sharpen my knives more often, so long as I can put my
plastic cutting boards in the dishwasher.

Except for those knives and things that just won't fit, everything
goes in the dishwasher.

Cindy Hamilton

On Thu, 20 May 2010 13:18:14 -0700 (PDT), ImStillMags wrote:

> On May 20, 6:05*am, atec7 7 <""atec77\"@ hotmail.com"> wrote:
>
>> * Remember wood or plastic cutting boards only- Hide quoted text -
>>
>> - Show quoted text -
>
> Plasatic cutting boards are a waste as far as I'm concerned, they dull
> you knives pretty quick.
>
> I really like bamboo as well as my maple boards.

Nylon and HDPE boards are fine. It's those damn acrylic-type boards
that are Evil.

-sw

> My main knife for daily use is a little thicker than I like but I am not
> the only one to use it , my best meat slicing knife is very thin to the
> point it's edge ripples when run over a steel and is incredibly sharp so
> no one else gets to try it for fear of losing a finger or worse.
> Remember wood or plastic cutting boards only


Wow. That just sounds awesome. :-)

Hasta,
Curt Nelson

Curt Nelson wrote:
>
> I can't believe it took me this many years to figure it out, but I just
> discovered that my chef's knives are so ridiculously freaking sharp that
> they actually cut bread way better than my bread knives.

It must not have much of a crust. I've found
that French bread dulls up knives pretty quick,
unless they're bread knives with teeth.

On Thu, 20 May 2010 12:59:32 -0700, Mark Thorson >
wrote:

>Curt Nelson wrote:
>>
>> I can't believe it took me this many years to figure it out, but I just
>> discovered that my chef's knives are so ridiculously freaking sharp that
>> they actually cut bread way better than my bread knives.
>
>It must not have much of a crust.

Perhaps banana bread.

>I've found that French bread dulls up knives pretty quick,
>unless they're bread knives with teeth.

I concur. But according to Curt all the major cutlery manufacturers
are producing bread knives as a ridiculous freaking joke.

> I concur. But according to Curt all the major cutlery manufacturers
> are producing bread knives as a ridiculous freaking joke.


Oh, please.

On May 20, 1:38*pm, brooklyn1 > wrote:
> On Thu, 20 May 2010 12:59:32 -0700, Mark Thorson >
> wrote:
>
> >Curt Nelson wrote:
>
> >> I can't believe it took me this many years to figure it out, but I just
> >> discovered that my chef's knives are so ridiculously freaking sharp that
> >> they actually cut bread way better than my bread knives.
>
> >It must not have much of a crust. *
>
> Perhaps banana bread.
>
> >I've found that French bread dulls up knives pretty quick,
> >unless they're bread knives with teeth.
>
> I concur. *But according to Curt all the major cutlery manufacturers
> are producing bread knives as a ridiculous freaking joke.

I cut bread with my mother's old serrated bread knife, which has not
needed sharpening in some sixty years.

On Fri, 21 May 2010 07:57:58 -0700 (PDT), spamtrap1888
> wrote:

>I cut bread with my mother's old serrated bread knife, which has not
>needed sharpening in some sixty years.

I cut bread and bagels with this, which I've never touched with a
sharpening device:

http://xhost.org/images/food/bksm.jpg

The blade is around 12 inches long. I have an identical Sabatier with an
8-inch blade, but we don't find it very useful. Bought them on eBay when
it started up, and have never seen anything similar.

As a bonus, should someone ever need a leg amputated at our house, this
will be available for the surgeon.

-- Larry

On Fri, 21 May 2010 17:50:46 -0400, pltrgyst >
wrote:

>On Fri, 21 May 2010 07:57:58 -0700 (PDT), spamtrap1888
> wrote:
>
>>I cut bread with my mother's old serrated bread knife, which has not
>>needed sharpening in some sixty years.
>
>I cut bread and bagels with this, which I've never touched with a
>sharpening device:
>
>http://xhost.org/images/food/bksm.jpg
>
>The blade is around 12 inches long. I have an identical Sabatier with an
>8-inch blade, but we don't find it very useful. Bought them on eBay when
>it started up, and have never seen anything similar.
>
>As a bonus, should someone ever need a leg amputated at our house, this
>will be available for the surgeon.

The mick missed out.

In article >,
pltrgyst > wrote:

> On Fri, 21 May 2010 07:57:58 -0700 (PDT), spamtrap1888
> > wrote:
>
> >I cut bread with my mother's old serrated bread knife, which has not
> >needed sharpening in some sixty years.
>
> I cut bread and bagels with this, which I've never touched with a
> sharpening device:
>
> http://xhost.org/images/food/bksm.jpg
>
> The blade is around 12 inches long. I have an identical Sabatier with an
> 8-inch blade, but we don't find it very useful. Bought them on eBay when
> it started up, and have never seen anything similar.
>
> As a bonus, should someone ever need a leg amputated at our house, this
> will be available for the surgeon.
>
> -- Larry

Nice. :-)

I agree that bread really needs to be sliced (most of the time) with a
serrated blade. I have a double edged one that I use on occasion for
just such a purpose.

If one can truly create the edge one would need to slice bread without
one, you are blessed.

But it's not just all about sharpness. It's about "biting" into a
variable surfaced crust that might not respond to even the sharpest
blade without crushing or mashing the bread!

As much as I may brag about really sharp blades that slice thru a tomato
skin and allow me to make very thin slices (and I have pics to prove
it), I will probably always use a serrated blade for bread.
--
Peace! Om

Web Albums: <http://picasaweb.google.com/OMPOmelet>
Only Irish coffee provides in a single glass all four essential food groups: alcohol, caffeine, sugar and fat. --Alex Levine