The Big Coconut: Knife

No one knows exactly who or when the knife or knives were invented because clearly knives were used as a weapon millions or billions of years ago. Scientifically, cavemen used sharp stones to hunt animals or even as a weapon to kill enemies. These stones were sharpen enough to act as blades to cut meat and other things as well. In the Bronze Age, metal was discovered and stones were replaced. During the Middle Ages, stainless steel was used by blacksmiths to produce improved knives, daggers, sword, spears and other sharp weapons as well. As time goes by, knives evolved and were designed according to its purpose like Kitchen Knives were used in culinary, Combat Knives were used by soldiers, Hunting Knives were used by hunters and so on.

There are various types of Kitchen Knives in the world of culinary. Each one has its own purpose and these are:

Chef's Knife - used for preparing food. Also known as French Knife

Butcher's Knife - used for dressing animal meat, especially for butchering.

Boning Knife - used to debone poulty, fish and meat.

Oyster Knife - used to pry open oysters.

Bread Knife - also known as the Serrated Knife, used to cut bread , cakes and crusty pastries.

Paring Knife - used to core fruits and in some cases, can be used for carving fruits.

Carving Knife - used for carving cooked meats or poultry like hams or turkeys.

Cleaver - a large knife usually rectangular in shape, used for chopping meat with hard bones.

Kitchen Knife - all purpose knife.

Butter Knife - also known as Table Knife, used for slicing butter, cheese, jam and other spreads.

The parts of the knife includes:

Handle - handle of the knife.

Blade - metal part of the knife.

Tip - it the end of the blade, used for piercing.

Blade Edge - thinner side of the knife and is very sharp.

Spine - thicker side of the knife.

Bolster - screw or any security which holds and attaches the blade to the handle.

Butt - end of the handle.

Guard - some knives have these part where it separates the blade from the handle and protects your hand from slipping to the blade.