About Us
Who Is KitchenKnifeGuru?
KitchenKnifeGuru is Nate Ouderkirk who is less a guru than a fellow appreciator of fine things and how they are made and how to keep them in tip-top shape. He has worn many hats over the years—graphic designer, waiter, rock-and-roll singer/songwriter, fiction writer, English prof, and (let’s not forget) stay-at-home Dad.
Why is he qualified to wear his KitchenKnifeGuru hat? Because:
1) He loves to cook and has spent decades slicing shallots and chopping cilantro in his own kitchen.
2) Many moons ago he worked as a waiter in a number of high-end restaurants in NYC and had the chance to observe how fine food is produced.
3) Whatever subject is at hand, he has a passion for quality.
4) He has spent months and months researching kitchen knives and how to keep them sharp—scouring the web, reading books (including a college textbook on the manufacturing of steel).
5) He has interviewed numerous cutlers (professional knife sharpeners) and visited their shops as well.
6) He has taken a two-day class in bladesmithing and forged his own paring knife (well, with a LOT of support).
7) He likes helping people.
Do you have a question, suggestion, or wry insight on the nature of the universe? Feel free to leave a post or message on his Facebook page: Facebook.com/KitchenKnifeGuru.
Dear Mr. Ouderkirk.
Two days ago I happened upon your website. My wife and I, nearing 80, have been fighting covid for 3 weeks now. I must say your articles and blog have boosted my spirits and have really helped our recovery to press on.
I have been cooking for family and friends for over a half a century and have always loved the cooking activity and results (even when disasters required special sauces and slight of hand).
I have ancient knives from Wusthof (from the early 1970s) and MAC knives (early 1980s—I still enjoy mine that have the rounded tips and clever-looking holes for wall hanging), and modern ones from Global (the G-2 being my favorite) that for some reason people started giving me as presents about a dozen years ago.
I totally agree with you, that the best cook knife is the sharpest one on the particular day I am doing a bunch of prep work.
As these days I work with mostly soft stuff such as tofu, veggies, and fruit. I find that I have been using and enjoying the discontinued (I think) Wusthof Pro series. I also have the Victorinox Fibrox series, but the Wusthof grips fit me perfectly.
I started with these “commercial grade” knives when more and more family and friends started stopping by after I retired. I found my cherished knives were getting abused and being put away wet and sometimes even unclean. I first purchased the Wusthof Pro as “disposable” knives I could leave out for company to use (and secure my favorites safely out of sight).
Turns out I have been using the Wusthof Pro 8 and 10-inch chef’s knives and Victorinox fibrox 6-inch utility and paring knives daily for a dozen years now. The designs are spot on, the materials and build quality without compromise, and the edges holding up nicely. Recently, to help with my sore and stiff hands, folks have given me two radical design “duo-glide” knives from Dexter. They are strange looking, but with great and comfortable grips, decent edges out of the box, and really do ease the hand pain of food prep.
I have spent over 10 hours reading through your articles and have learned so much!! In fact, I have ordered three 14 X 17 Dexas cutting boards a few hours ago. And tomorrow I will be calling Bob Tate to arrange sending him my G-2, a 6-inch Wusthof, and a MAC.
Thank you for the great information and entertainment value your work has offered me!
–Cap in Narragansett RI.
Great to hear from you Cap! I am so glad KKG could play a small part in boosting your spirits and hastening your recovery :) I must admit that, over the years, I’ve found so much about my health to be mental.
It is so much fun to hear how much you have enjoyed the content on this site. (A lot of work has gone into it.) And I can’t help but believe that perhaps one of the keys to your longevity is your openness and eagerness to learn new things. . .
Best, KKG
MAC knives do not have a lifetime warranty in the U.S. Only 25 years which seems like a long time unless, like me, the knife breaks. There are no exceptions and they claim that their knives are so much better than anyone else’s that you should be happy you had the knife, at least until it broke. If you want to see a photo of my broken MAC knife, I would be happy to send it to you. The blade broke in two, sitting in a drawer.
BTW I attempted to signup for your newsletter elsewhere on your site and it did not work. You might want to take a look at this issue.
Thanks
Hi Martin,
Sorry about your MAC knife! This is the first time I’ve ever heard anyone complain about the quality of a MAC knife. Also: I’ve never heard of ANY knife breaking in two while unused, sitting in a drawer. Very, very odd.
In spite of this, all I can say is that MAC’s reputation speaks for itself—and I think it’s at the highest level of industrial knife making. Thanks for sharing your experience, but I’m afraid it will not be enough to color my opinion of MAC knives.
–KKG