Last Wednesday, I hopped on a double decker Megabus and rode to New York in order to learn about knives. Many months ago, I’d gotten an email inviting me to visit Korin, a specialty shop that sells Japanese knives and tableware and finally the day had arrived for my trip. As a fan of good kitchen knives, I was incredibly excited to learn a little more about the breadth of knives available out there.
Located downtown near City Hall, Korin has been in the business of knives and tableware for 30 years. A family operation, the store was initially open only by appointment to the restaurant trade (they currently work with the likes of Nobu, Grammercy Tavern and Per Se) but in recent years, the shop has been open daily to the public as well.
In addition to selling an incredibly vast array of knives and tableware, they also offer sharpening services using a variety of Japanese water stones. They can sharpen and repair nearly any type or style of knife, save those with a serrated edge.
Having seen what they were able to do with some of my more beat-up knives, I am a true believer as to what a good sharpening can do. There is no one that I know of in Philadelphia producing this level of edge quality. Happily, you can mail your knives to Korin should you not live near enough to drop in for sharpening.
Korin sells Western-style knives, traditional Japanese knives and a Japanese-Western hybrid. The difference between these knives is in the edge. Western edges are sharpened so that they have a symmetrical edge. This offers a blade that is fairly durable and relatively easy to maintain. Japanese knives are traditionally sharpened on just one side of the knife. This makes for an incredibly sharp edge, but not as easy for the home cook to maintain.
Then there’s the hybrid knife. Made of thin, high-grade steel, the edge is sharpened to an asymmetrical edge that leads to a sharper, more durable blade. The only issue with selecting a knife with an asymmetrical edge is if you have multiple cooks in your household who have different dominant hands. These knives are sharpened differently for righties and lefties. Just something to keep in mind.
One of the things that my hosts stressed when showing me through the knives was the fact that in Japanese culinary culture, there are different knives for different tasks. The giant knife with the extended blade in this picture? It is designed for cutting soba noodles. Thicker blades are designated for butchering, while thinner ones are for making more precision cut. Blade shapes also vary depending on region and maker.
One blade that I fell particularly in love with while visiting Korin was the Petty knife. It’s seen as an analog to the paring knife, as it’s both light and highly maneuverable. However, as you can see (it’s pictured below), it’s got a longer blade that you typically find on a Western paring knife. Since introducing it to my kitchen a week ago, it’s rapidly become my favorite knife for quick tasks like slicing up an apple.
If you’re a knife nerd like me, make sure to visit Korin the next time you’re in New York!
My favorite kitchen tool is probably my cleaver, but I also really like my cooking chopsticks. Reading other comments of course reminded me of everything else I like so I wonder how long a list of favorites really would be? But then you can’t cook with just one item so I guess it’s justified.
My food processor, such a time saver! I’ve always wanted a good knife set. I have yet to own one I’m thrilled with!
My favorite kitchen tool(s) are my vintage pyrex mixing bowls. I use them for everything. The old mixing bowls I had were aluminum and were so light and easy to tip. I didn’t realize how much anxiety they had caused until I replaced them.
I love my knives! They make everything run more smoothly. I’d love to add this one to the collection.
My favorite kitchen tool is my Cuisinart blender/food processor. I can get so much more done with it than without.
Cast-iron skillet, or bust. 🙂
My favorite kitchen tools are my Wusthof knives.
Favorite is a chef knife, use it for everything!
Definitely my Cuisinart. I have my mom’s, so it’s older than me – and still works great!
My knives of course.
My favorite kitchen tool would have to be my vitamix. Really couldn’t be without my masamoto vg
My favorite kitchen tool is the “Garlic Zoom”! Check it out!!!
http://www.chefn.com/Product.aspx?id=42
I love this little gadget. Sure would love a new *sharp* knife, too!
Definitely our Vitamix blender! But we use kitchen knifes more often for sure!
My mixer for making smoothies, with lots of fresh fruits!
Hi Marisa,
My favorite kitchen tool is my grandmother’s rolling pin. It’s solid cherry, has handles for easy gripping and is well-oiled from years of use. It’s not the most used tool, but it’s the most loved.
Best,
Dianne
I purchased my favourite knife at Korin: Suisin Yanagi
It is a great knife and I prepare great sushi and sashimi for friends and family with it. We have great fresh fish products in Halifax.
Wow, I’m in NY and I didn’t even know this was here! So exciting. As for my favorite kitchen tool? How could I live without my trusty spatulas?
Its hard to decide, but it would probably be my food processor. Changed my life after I got one.
Definitely my chef’s knife, which coincidentally, is also Japanese-made!
My favorite thing in the kitchen today is about to my new zester- I’m making meyer lemon curd, chutney, and marmalade!
Kitchen Aid mixer makes it possible for me to get way more done than I was able to do before!
My vegetable peeler. I use it for making thin slices of anything when I don’t want to haul out my mandoline.
My favorite kitchen tool is always my Kitchen Aid mixer!
Probably my citrus reamer, I use it all the time to add a splash of lemon or lime juice to salad dressing, drinks or marinades.
My fav kitchen tool is my food processor!
Love my stand mixer!
My santoku chef knife
My favorite kitchen tool is a toss-up between my Kitchen Aid and the dishwasher.
This week my favorite kitchen tool is my potato ricer, but it varies.
That is one awesome knife you’ve got there.
This is a hard one, what of all my kitchen gadgets and tools if my favorite one to use? Or what one do I use the most? Mmmm…After some thought I’d have to say my favorite one that I use is the common egg slicer. Mine recently broke and I found I hated to be without it. The one that I use the most however is the common potato peeler. I guess I’m just a simple girl.
My favorite kitchen tool is my mother (I’m not much of a cook, but I know she could use a new knife for canning).
I too love my dishwasher but a kitchen wouldn’t be a kitchen without my cast iron pan and my lovely knives.
My favorite kitchen “tool” is my espresso machine. My fabulous husband makes me a latte everyday before he leaves for work.
The one tool I love is my kitchen scale. I didn’t realize how much I used it until the batteries died.
Has to be my chef’s knife…LOL!!!
My favorite kitchen tool is my chef’s knife. It never gets put away because it is constantly in my hand.
I love my immersion blender, then my garlic peeler and also my garlic mincer; all 3 are my favorite!
I love my garlic press!
My favorite kitchen tool would be my new partoku knife. I’ve put off buying a new (better) knife set for ages…I’ve had the first since I got married, so seven years. Santoku knives weren’t even popular back when we bought it. But they are such handy tools.
Thank you for the quick tutorial on knives. I had no idea! My fav kitchen appliance would have to be my cast iron pan. But there are a few runner ups….
My favorite kitchen tool is my wine opener. I would be lost without it!
My favorite kitchen tool changes depending on what I’m currently obsessed with and what I have just discovered. Recently it is my pressure cooker. Pulled pork in an hour? Yes please! I have one for canning and one for cooking. Love them both to pieces!
My favorite kitchen tool is my roasting pan, it belonged to my Great Grandmother MeMe. Perfect for a simple roast chicken and veggies.
My favorite kitchen tools are my hands! They are strong, reliable, and confident. Sounds cheesy, I know – but it’s the truth!
Immersion blender, closely followed by microplane grater!
I can’t live without my cast iron skillet!
My favorite kitchen tool is my Kiritsuke by Keijiro Doi
Wow, these knives are gorgeous! My favorite kitchen tool is definitely my chefs knife, because I use it for almost all my prep work. A good cutting board goes a long way, too.
my food processor, hands down.
My Microplane graters are my favorite!