Do you ever take along a knife specifically to use at table when attending a BBQ or visiting a steakhouse for a meal?

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Stahlmann said:
Thank

Thanks for an insider's/expert's viewpoint, Chef. The notion that it would be "rude and uncouth" to use one's own cutlery is clearly nonsensical. I really appreciate the sanity check from a pro!
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Your going to start that nonsense again?
You already admitted that it's all a matter of opinion.
Stahlmann said:
I'm not suggesting there is a right or wrong answer on whether one brings their own steak knife to a BBQ or a steakhouse. In fact, there is not.
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Ah no. I also eat the steak they sell. I use their silverware too, and plate.

If not, I would cook my own at home for a lot cheaper.

I'd understand a flask.
 
knarfeng said:
Your going to start that nonsense again?
You already admitted that it's all a matter of opinion.
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I did not. That's not true.

Whether one uses their own knife as noted is a choice. Neither right nor wrong. That's what I admitted, or rather stated. Go back and look what I posted.

If one chooses to use their own knife in the setting I described, it wouldn't be a "rude and uncouth" act, and no that's not up to "opinion." Anyone suggesting that is objectively wrong.

No way to tap-dance around that. Even if there actually are people who exist that would be offended by people using their own knives, it wouldn't make the act "rude and uncouth." It would just make the offended people wrong.

There are other labels that one could apply to those who use their own knives (I noted some above), and their validity would at least be arguable.

"Rude and uncouth" ain't among them.
 
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At a barbecue with friends or family I have used my own cutlery at times.

I don't use my own when at a steakhouse, as I don't want to make other patrons or staff uncomfortable.

I understand that to me, personally, it's not a big deal (assuming I'm not pulling out a large or gaudy blade). But it may be to others.

I prefer to be polite and cognizant of my surroundings.
 
MolokaiRider said:
At a barbecue with friends or family I have used my own cutlery at times.

I don't use my own when at a steakhouse, as I don't want to make other patrons or staff uncomfortable.

I understand that to me, personally, it's not a big deal (assuming I'm not pulling out a large or gaudy blade). But it may be to others.

I prefer to be polite and cognizant of my surroundings.
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Have you ever considered carrying an additional knife in such cases, one dedicated to the task of slicing steak? One that would never be perceived as dangerous/threatening to others when used for dining?
 
It's rare (get it?) that I make it to a steakhouse. The last time was 4 years or so ago, and I brought an Opinel No°6 in case I needed it. I didn't. Not because the house knives were particularly sharp, but because the steak was that good. I used it anyway because I wanted a steak patina. It's a casual place, not a snooty one, so I'm pretty sure nobody cared. I probably wouldn't bother doing so again though. It's unlikely that I'll ever find myself at a steakhouse where they'd look down their noses at my t-shirt and cargo shorts, and if it's the kind of "steakhouse" that doesn't do steaks that require me to bring my own knife, I'll probably just a get burger.
 
At a barbecue or outing, people tend to look at me while they're sawing at their food with the plastic utensils provided, waiting to see when they might be able to borrow my knife.

I've attended a few gatherings where some knife/EDC aficionados have met up for dinner (steaks), and everyone who had their own knives, used them. A few even borrowed some of mine.
 
Chefget said:
As the former owner/chef of several haute French cuisine restaurants, I will be the first to admit the knives suck.

No way can a sharp knife be cleared by the wait staff, thrown in a utensil bin and sent through the dish machine, rapidly sorted by the dishwasher then back to the waiters to be polished. Christ, the injuries from broken glasses are bad enough, this would be a blood bath! That's why the knives are always serrated; that's the best the restaurant can logistically handle.

As a chef I would take no umbrage at someone using their own knife, totally understand. I bought upgraded knives for my restaurant and they still suck.

Another thing to consider with nice cutlery at a restaurant; one of my waiters stood behind a woman at a large table who was asking everyone to pass down their fish forks (yeah, yeah, it's a French restaurant) because she wanted to take them home. Quite embarrasing when he leaned over (she hadn't seen him) and stated that the restaurant needed the forks for the next customers! Nice knives wouldn't last the weekend.

That being said, my wife really doesn't like it when I clean my knife in my water glass at a restaurant :)

It is beyond the pale to think a chef would be upset at a customer using his own fine knife.
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That's exactly what it's all about. All the rest is blabber and entitlement.
 
Stahlmann said:
I did not. That's not true.

Whether one uses their own knife as noted is a choice. Neither right nor wrong. That's what I admitted, or rather stated. Go back and look what I posted.

If one chooses to use their own knife in the setting I described, it wouldn't be a "rude and uncouth" act, and no that's not up to "opinion." Anyone suggesting that is objectively wrong.

No way to tap-dance around that. Even if there actually are people who exist that would be offended by people using their own knives, it wouldn't make the act "rude and uncouth." It would just make the offended people wrong.

There are other labels that one could apply to those who use their own knives (I noted some above), and their validity would at least be arguable.

"Rude and uncouth" ain't among them.
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That's entirely up to opinion. Etiquette is based completely on prevailing opinions and your claim that he's objectively wrong simply betrays that you don't know what the word 'objectively' means. Rude and polite are entirely subjective judgements and, even with the same people and culture, the standards change hugely depending on the environment. Your dogged insistence that your opinion is the right one smacks of insecurity, to be honest. If you want to use your knife at a steakhouse or restaurant, go ahead but, as evidenced in this thread, there will be people that think you're rude for doing so.
 
Listen: If I'm at an "All you cant eat" Buffet, and in the middle of trying to eat everything that they put out for the evening: I don't have time to run home!
 
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herisson said:
That's exactly what it's all about. All the rest is blabber and entitlement.
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Now that thats established..... People who "should" be offended by somebody bringing their own cutlery into a steakhouse have chimed in on this subject, and apparently they aren't anywhere near as offended as we are led to believe, or just don't care. I've been approached by restaurant staff who asked about my knife, what it was, who made it, where did I get it etc. Not because it was offensive but because they thought it was interesting and they had an interest in blades. One acknowledged that it was a good idea because "the knives we have are crap".....
So, has anyone who claims its offensive or rude to bring your own knife ever actually been approached at anytime and and told this, or been asked not to use it, or have any negative reactions at all from anybody in the restaurant?
 
Arathol said:
Now that thats established..... People who "should" be offended by somebody bringing their own cutlery into a steakhouse have chimed in on this subject, and apparently they aren't anywhere near as offended as we are led to believe, or just don't care. I've been approached by restaurant staff who asked about my knife, what it was, who made it, where did I get it etc. Not because it was offensive but because they thought it was interesting and they had an interest in blades. One acknowledged that it was a good idea because "the knives we have are crap".....
So, has anyone who claims its offensive or rude to bring your own knife ever actually been approached at anytime and and told this, or been asked not to use it, or have any negative reactions at all from anybody in the restaurant?
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I've had the same a few times, especially when it's something . . . unusual.
 
To my fellow uncouth savages:

If you don't want to use your water glass and napkin to clean your knife at a restaurant, it's really easy to carry an extra individual wet wipe in your pocket for that service.

I also don't recommend taking it to the restroom and using the sink. While it's hypothetically practical, bad things happen when someone enters suddenly and startles you. Not that I have any personal experience with such matters, but I've, uh, heard . . . that sutures in the emergency room are not inexpensive. :oops:

That is all!
 
Just wipe the blade clean on your handkerchief.
You DO carry one: don't you?
 
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