Hi Kelly .... I enjoyed your article! Thank you for sharing some of your history, that was wonderful. I am very partial to my own "French birds beak" in carbon steel. I try to keep it sharp! Best to you, Ray
I know it's counter to common practice, but I dislike "paring knives" - mostly because the handles are too dainty for my chunky hands. Years ago, Williams-Sonoma sold a workhorse small blade that was (I think) a "chicken boning" knife - it had a shortish triangular blade and a bigger handle. I loved them, went through several, and was devastated when I couldn't find a replacement. That was about the time I discovered Bernal Cutlery. I perused what you had in the Valencia shop and ended up with a "sanguier" - a very close match, and while untraditional, stilly favorite for small hand work. (I also loves me a petty, now that I've been introduced, thanks to y'all).
This was such a beautiful blend of nostalgia, craftsmanship, and quiet reverence for the small things—thank you, Kelly. I love the idea that tiny knives hold the memory of hands that used them over soup pots, lunch counters, and cutting boards. That image of your Grandma Jane summoning the family with soup—and a small kid at her side wielding a blade with purpose—is just gorgeous.
You reminded me that skill isn’t always about speed or flash. Sometimes it’s about intimacy. About peeling cucumbers over a bowl while the rest of the kitchen hums. And yes… about collecting knives not out of need, but affection.
I’ll be keeping an eye out for my own little workhorse. Probably carbon steel. Hopefully with a few stories still in the steel.
Hi Kelly .... I enjoyed your article! Thank you for sharing some of your history, that was wonderful. I am very partial to my own "French birds beak" in carbon steel. I try to keep it sharp! Best to you, Ray
Thank Ray!
I know it's counter to common practice, but I dislike "paring knives" - mostly because the handles are too dainty for my chunky hands. Years ago, Williams-Sonoma sold a workhorse small blade that was (I think) a "chicken boning" knife - it had a shortish triangular blade and a bigger handle. I loved them, went through several, and was devastated when I couldn't find a replacement. That was about the time I discovered Bernal Cutlery. I perused what you had in the Valencia shop and ended up with a "sanguier" - a very close match, and while untraditional, stilly favorite for small hand work. (I also loves me a petty, now that I've been introduced, thanks to y'all).
Small knives are definitely miraculous.
I love a passionate collection.
This was such a beautiful blend of nostalgia, craftsmanship, and quiet reverence for the small things—thank you, Kelly. I love the idea that tiny knives hold the memory of hands that used them over soup pots, lunch counters, and cutting boards. That image of your Grandma Jane summoning the family with soup—and a small kid at her side wielding a blade with purpose—is just gorgeous.
You reminded me that skill isn’t always about speed or flash. Sometimes it’s about intimacy. About peeling cucumbers over a bowl while the rest of the kitchen hums. And yes… about collecting knives not out of need, but affection.
I’ll be keeping an eye out for my own little workhorse. Probably carbon steel. Hopefully with a few stories still in the steel.