Well, This is Embarrassing

This is the knife I most often use when cooking.

But these are the other three knives I use all the time.  Back in 1973, American Express ran a special deal and I bought these knives for around 40.00. They are Mac knives.

The fact that I am still using them 41 years later speaks volumes about how good they are.

However, the other day I finally "saw" them for the first time in years. Click to enlarge for a close look at the blades.  I don't even want to think about where those missing pieces ended up.

It finally dawned on me that it might be time for some new ones.  Thank the universe for the internet because I found them, bought them and they were in my kitchen two days later.  This time they cost around 100.00.
I feel like a blind man seeing for the first time....a paralyzed person jumping up and running!  These knives actually cut! hallelujah!  And what did I do with the old knives?  They are back in the knife drawer.  I mean, those knives and I have spent a lot of time together!  They were there with me as I taught myself to cook.  Those knives and I fed a lot of people. Those knives and I aged together.  I have a bunch of dings on my blade too. I'll use the new ones but I will sleep better at night knowing my old knives are tucked safely away.  A bit of a metaphor for life maybe?

Comments

Anonymous said…
yes of course, they are like souvenirs of your cooking journey!!!Oh the stories they could tell!! When I began this post I thought oh no you've cut yourself again!!!Thank goodness you did not!
I have never seen blades so nicked and scarred from use. Are one of those bad boys the knife that almost cut off your thumb? Glad you invested in some new ones!
Nellie said…
Great addition to the kitchen! It will take awhile for the new knives to be part of the family like the other ones are.
NanaDiana said…
LOL- I hear you. My knives are not pretty but they are still useful and I hate to get rid of my "old friends"...they have just moved to the back of my knife drawer. lol xo Diana
DeniseinVA said…
I understand completely. I keep my old knives also. They are like old friends :)
Mary said…
I know...you buy new glassware because the others are cloudy from the dishwasher. Yet you put the others "in the back" just in case. In case of What???? we suddenly have a glass shortage. hahah. New knives are so pretty, but put the old one "in the back' just in case. Like yesterday and the single pillowcases. You save them just in case......humans......
Susie said…
jaz, I had to laugh, you have a connection to your old faithful work knives. I have a serrated knife my MIL gave me almost 50 years ago. I love it and would be lost with out it. I had two and gave one to my oldest daughter and who knows where it is? LOL. Blessings to you, xoxo,Susie
Ellen in Oregon said…
With the amount of chopping, slicing & dicing you have done over the past 40 years, I am surprised there is anything left. I think that there a certain tools in our kitchens that we develop a relationship with over the years & it just doesn't feel right to toss them in the trash.
You might think about taking your "well loved" knives (what's left of them) & creating an art project with them. They would look great mounted in an open picture frame with some nice art paper as background. That way they could retire to hang on your kitchen wall as a wonderful reminder of your 40 years in the kitchen together.
TARYTERRE said…
A metaphor for life, indeed. ENJOY the new ones with the comfort of knowing the old ones are safely tucked away for history's sake.
1st Man said…
You know what is so cool? The new ones are just virtually duplicates of the 40 yr old ones. Same shape, style, etc just 'updated' of course. Very nice.

Can you imagine how many cuts/slices they've made in all that time? Must be millions!!
Mary Ann said…
Hate to think where those bits landed!
Mary Ann said…
Hate to think where those bits landed!
c. Joy said…
Sweet! Thanks for this post - now I'm wondering about our mattress... but I'm not so romantic as to plan on keeping the old one (no matter how many great things happened on the old one!).
Sherry said…
I have those same old Mac knives! I love those knives, they're the ones I always reach for. I obviously don't cook nearly as much as you do though...no nicks on mine.
Good to know they still make them!
Robin Larkspur said…
I always knew you were sharp.
Guillaume said…
Somehow knifes remind me of Clue/Cluedo and whodunits.
I know exactly how you feel. I have a small bread board that I have used in my kitchen since I was 17 or 18 years old. NO idea where I got it..but I still use it every day. So I have had it..some...60 years. I love it. No chips..but it certainly looks used! Knife cuts here and there. I remember I put my very first apple pie on it..to cool and I was carrying it to the table where a young Marine friend of Pats was waiting for dessert..(our first company in our new apartment..and the little bread board (had a handle) suddenly twisted in my hand and on the floor my freshly baked apple pie went...up side down. I was humiliated. Still..I LOVE my little cutting board.