Daily things to cut

[Smaug]

If you're like me, (and I think you are) you've got your eyes open for little cutting tasks that need doing.

I'm not talking about opening packages or mail, but things you might not normally think about that might be "missed cutting opportunities."

I'll start with field prepping of a banana, which leads to no smashed banana meat.

In western-style banana eating, we tend to break it back from the stem. The bottom of the stem then acts as a lever and smashes in the top of the banana a bit, bruising the meat. With a shallow incision at the bottom of the stem, it breaks open easily, not smashing the meat. Only a very shallow incision is needed; one doesn't even need to get into the meat of the banana. Just enough to break the skin.



In eastern countries, they tend to eat bananas like monkeys do: pinch it at the bottom and peel it open from there. But of course that leads to smashed meat too, and as an added penalty, it tends to get on one's fingers.

What little cutting opportunities have you found over the years?

 

[Dfunk1210]

I would have starved on my couch if I didn’t have my knife to cut open stubborn food packages.

 

[Pilsner]

You need a tanto to tackle a banana. Everybody knows that.

 

[stonproject]

You need a tanto to tackle a banana. Everybody knows that.

The tanto blade style used to be known as "banana knife" in Japan in the 1500s.

 

[19-3ben]

I absolutely do that with bananas. In fact, my kids will hand me a banana to give that exact shallow cut at the bottom of the stem and then hand it back to them for easy peeling.

How about this one for a totally random use. When I make tea, I loop the string and tab around the handle of the mug so that it doesn't fall in when I pour the hot water on the tea bag. Rather than unwind it when I'm done, I usually cut it with whatever knife I'm carrying and toss the bag in the garbage.




And yes. I made a cup of tea, just to illustrate it for this thread. What the hell is wrong with me?

 

[19-3ben]

You need a tanto to tackle a banana. Everybody knows that.

Nooooo. Too powerful.

 

[poles19]

I always cut my apple at work with my pocket knife. Its a fact sliced apples taste better than eating it whole!

 

[orangejoe35]

If I need a cup to spit sunflower seed shells into and I only have an empty aluminum can, I cut the top off and roll the edge of the can inward under my thumb.

 

[Knicked Digits]

When I’m at work a need to cut shim stock I use whatever knife I have on me. Usually my Mini grip just because the edge is still useful after cutting a handful of .001-.002 thick pieces of aluminum.

 

[DB_Cruiser]

The guys at work have dulled the cable strippers to beyond useless so I use my knife to strip the jacket off cat5e and prep it for termination. One of them always asks if I have my "kill knife" with me. I just laugh and put which ever one I am carrying that day on the top of the ladder and get to work. Cable doesn't strip itself, lads!

 

[sharp_edge]

I cook everyday, a main reason of which is I like cutting/chopping with knives: bread, pies, pizzas, veggies, meat, bones, etc. Next career move is to become a butcher Does it count?

 

[ScooterG]

I saw the title and my smart a$$ right away thought, “bananas”... and then... a MF banana appears. I need to go play the lottery or something...

 

[thebrain]

I do that with my bananas also! What about cutting straws shorter to better fit cup hight?

 

[Smaug]

I do that with my bananas also! What about cutting straws shorter to better fit cup hight?

I do that too, for my daughter when we're eating out, so she doesn't have to take the cup down from the table to drink. I use SAK scissors though.

 

[Lapedog]

I always cut my apple at work with my pocket knife. Its a fact sliced apples taste better than eating it whole!

A peeled mcintosh apple is one of my favourite snacks.

 

[colubrid]

A thread dedicated for things to cut and all you super steel fanatics can come up with is mail, packages and bananas?..


So what do I use my knives for? I flip them while I watch TV.
I need to go buy some more because I really need them.

*end sarcasim*

 

[RBid]

I use my knives quite a bit at work, so I don’t really look for extras. No food prep, etc.

There is one notable exception. I consume Starbucks Iced Via like it’s oxygen. The stuff in the packet, shaken with water in a bottle like this.

You can tear the packets. They’re micro-perfed. But, making it is the first thing I do, every single morning. Groggy, at my dumbest, etc. When you tear them, they leave uneven edges, and it’s easy to make a mess with microground coffee beans and a little cane sugar pouring all over and missing the bottle.

I cut them, so they pour perfectly and controlled, every time.

‘Cause coffee is serious business.

 

[DB_Cruiser]

I use those with carbonated water to make something like an Italian Soda. Can be messy so mix gently.

 

[Horsewright]

Making this bull calf........slice here a slice there.....

A steer, so he'll be good steaks later. Burn and turn, next....

Bananas? Not so much.

 

[Bob6794]

Cardboard, cutting bags full of rocks (over 1ton material to drop so a big bag), plastic straps, food, boxes, maybe myself while sharpening (with a very sharp knife sometimes it's hard to tell unless you see blood and usually they heal a lot faster with a clean cut), paper, and that's really everything I cut this week with my knife I believe.