Good Eats and knives

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skunked

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Sep 25, 2004
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Does anyone here watch "Good Eats"? I have seen the cook, Alton Brown, with what appears to be some nice knives from time to time (aside from cooking knives). Has anyone caught what type he has had on the show? ( I could swear he had a Microtech one day)
 
skunked said:
Does anyone here watch "Good Eats"? I have seen the cook, Alton Brown, with what appears to be some nice knives from time to time (aside from cooking knives). Has anyone caught what type he has had on the show? ( I could swear he had a Microtech one day)
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As far as this subject goes, I've really only noticed that I think is a white ceramic knife used by Ming Tsai (sp?) of East Meets West. That thing always trips me out, for some reason I couldn't imagine using anything but steel in the kitchen. Well, I'm not gonna knock ceramic since I haven't yet tried it. I'd imagine that it wouldn't necessarily be a pleasure to sharpen.
 
I noticed Alton using some sweet looking knives. He seems like the type to splurge on some high quality knives. I can see him doing an episode just on kitchen knives, how they are made, different steels, heat treats, how to sharpen them, etc. I love watching his show when I catch it.
 
Alton is the spokesman for Kershaw's "Shun" line of kitchen knives, which you will see on the show from time to time (blades have a damascus look to them).
 
Alton is a knife nut. He goes to the Blade Show. I saw him there one year buying a set a Cold Steel kitchen knives. You will also see him use various folders on the show.

He did a spot on one show about knives and knife sharpening. I have been rather surprised he didn't devote more time to the subject. Maybe we should do a letter writing campaign.

Ceramic knives properly sharpened are wicked sharp and hold an edge for a long time. The average end user will not be able to resharpen them when they do finally dull. they have to go back to the factory.
 
He used a Kershaw Bump in his chili episode and a Leek in an episode about leeks, he also had a vic swiss army in his "down and out in paradise" episode and a Leatherman Flair that shows up every once and awhile.
 
I saw him whip out a larger folder one time and it kind of shocked me. I was like, did I just see what I thought I saw? It is sad that it is so surprising to see someone on TV use a knife like that. I use one everyday and I am not trying to be a SWAT guy or anything. I have just found that the "tactical" style knives work better than the old style slip joint folders. I can whip out a liner lock knife that has a pocket clip and thumb stud and open it, cut something, close it and have it back hanging on my pocket without thinking about it and it only takes a second or two. With a slip joint, I need two hands and some fingernail.
 
I've often wondered. He seems adamant that you should never sharpen your own knives. I guess he has to cater to his audience.
 
After having seen how some of my friends and family sharpen theirs (some of whom are pretty good at cooking) I have to say the "let a pro do it" suggestion is a good one. I figger folks fall into 3 categorys, the ones that know they're skilled and will do it themselves anyway, the average cook who can probably put a workable edge but certainly not a pretty one, and the ones who haven't a clue and stuff their knives into the grinder of doom on their can opener.
 
hey, telling you to get it done by a pro means he wont get nasty letters when you do it and do it wrong and then blame him after he tried to teach you over the air
 
underaged! said:
I've seen that Paula Deen (sp), the one with the southern food, use some stag handled knife. :cool:
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Paula is awesome. I talked with her in person a couple of times, years ago in her original restraunt, and have a signed cookbook of hers that still gets plenty of use. She is just as charming and gracious in person as she is on her TV show.

About Alton Brown's knives, he definitely has a thing for Kershaw. Go to his website and you will see. Fun and quirky website, too. He is one of my favorite TV cooks and I swear by my Polder probe thermometer. Must get one of those salt cellars, but I use sea salt instead of kosher salt.

I'm rambelling...

Chris
 
Yeah, I was a little shocked too when he flicked open a folder. Good show sans the "comedic" bits.
 
In one of his books he mentions that his favorite kitchen knife was made by "the only American to learn the Japanese art of making knives..." or something to that effect. Although Murray Carter is Canadian, I think, I believe he uses some of Murray's knives, as well, although the only ones I've seen him use on the show are the Kershaws. Knifenuts are everywhere!
 
It's cool to hear that Alton Brown's a knife nut. I never manage to catch his show, but when I do it's awesome. I really loved the one about Garlic. I'll keep my eyes out next time I watch the show.

I recently had to learn about kitchen knives (wedding gift for Sister) and getting to be a bit picky. I have to say that cooking with my Carter is the best.
 
I love the Food Channel (except for Emeril and Wolfgang Puck :grumpy:

Good Eats is a great show, especially for guys cooking.

Of course, you have to love Rachael Ray and that host of Italian made easy.
 
As far as having a pro sharpen knives- you have to remember this show is seen by more people who have absolutely no clue about knives than it is by those who have good basic knowledge about knives, let alone those who are truly knowledgable about knives.
 
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