There’s no sense in carrying a knife if it’s not going to be as useful as possible. And a blade’s utility often comes down to its ability to cut. When ripping open a box, slicing that piece ...

Correct the knife’s bevel and burr. ... Prepare the strop—a wide leather belt will suffice—with a one-time application of a rubbing compound such as aluminum oxide.

It’s the single most-handled item in the kitchen, maybe the entire house. Held even more than the TV remote, the kitchen knife is the center point around which the whole ...