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what's in my knife bag?🔪
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items As a professional cook trained in one of the best Michelin-starred restaurants in Los Angeles, these are some of my favorite tools that have helped me get through my toughest days on the line. You don’t need all of these things to be successful, these are just my personal tried and true. (Please note: some of these links are affiliate links, which means I receive a small commission if you decide to purchase through my page. Thank you!)
Sections
3
Bags
Knives
Tiny Tools
Bags
A solid bag will keep your tools protected while you travel to and from work or events. OPT for a bag with zippers instead of your cool-looking roll-up for more peace of mind. You don't want to drop hundreds for a new gyuto just to have it fall out o...
My personal knife bag (MISE by Hedley & Bennet) is no longer sold, but this beautiful leather gem by Hardt is very very similar. Classically gorg and a little bougie
HARDT - Edge Slim
here's a solid budget alternative. i personallty recommend a bag that zips up instead of an aesthetic knife roll, because i've seen way too many expensive knifes fall out and chip due to their flimsy flaps.
Asaya Chef Knife Roll Bag w/ 12 pockets
Knives
these are my everyday knives! i use particular knives for different purposes, but always figure out what your needs and preferences are in a knife and what your station requires from you when buying a new shiny toy! If you are ever in LA and want to ...
My pride and joy 🤩 I use this during service every day
Fukakuryu 270mm Wa-Sujihiki (With Saya)
my first gyuto! Yoshihiro is a private Japanese knife brand with beautiful knives at great prices. They used to have a flagship store in Beverly Hills, but I believe they've moved to Redondo Beach.
Yoshihiro Blue Steel #1 Masashi Aoko Stainless Clad Gyuto Chef Knife
my duck knife:) A honesuki is a specific knife for breaking down birds or small fish, but like a serrated, you don't need one unless you ACTUALLY need one.
Misono UX10 Bone Square Bird Fish Knife 14.5 cm
i only use this for bread i grill for our cheese course. if you reeeally need a serrated, a cheap one always does the trick.
Mercer Culinary 10-Inch Wavy Edge Bread Knife
I own a similar deba to this one and she's reeeal sturdy ... and purrty too
Gesshin Uraku 210mm White #2 Deba
this combi steel is gold standard and the only steel i use during service when my knife loses its edge. There is no time to “hone” on a stone during the heat of the moment. (Also, this knife store is a little daddy-daughter duo in san diego county wh...
F. Dick Combi 12 in. Square Sapphire/Polish Steel
This Mac honing steel is a the best budget option IMO. I used this one in culinary school and many of my friends still use this.
Mac Knife Ceramic Honing Rod, 10-1/2-Inch, Silver
for some reason, this is a staple in my kitchen for carving and turning small mise en place. and now i'll never go back to a straight edge paring knife. its also handy to have cheap ones around instead of dropping a ton of money on a small baby knife...
Victorinox Swiss Classic Paring 3¼" Serrated
if you don't already own a saya (which usually comes with your knife) these are good to start out with
Noble Home & Chef 5-Piece Universal Knife Guards
Tiny Tools
tiny tools that make the prep day so much easier
my favorite tweezers ever
J.B. Prince U924 Fine Tip 6.25" Straight Tweezer
also a beloved favorite by many cooks … (i personally am not a fan of the offset version but most people are!)
JB Prince U924 B 6.5" Offset Tweezer, Silver
joyce chens have always been more popular, but these ones from silky are sturdier and last longer.
Misuzu Silky All-Purpose Scissors, 6.5 in, Gray
my holy grail tool. my CDC put me on this one and I can't cook without it. Perfect for flipping anything (using the little corner) if you don't have a spoon near by. Some kitchens swear against these beauties but mine thinks it's indispensable.
Global Fanned Fish Spatula
some people prefer this spatula instead! this one is sold out most of the time.
Palette Knife - Offset - Blue Linen Micarta
a necessity once you start cooking hot garnish and delicate proteins like fish or scallops
Ateco Stainless Steel Cake Tester
my fav fish tweezers, most are trash im sorry to say it. i don't break down fish anymore, but i use them to pluck tiny feathers from duck
Kai Brand, Stainless Steel Fish Tweezers, 4-inches
if you're shucking oysters on GarMo, you need a solid knife, the best ones, i think, are found on Etsy, and you can personalize them too. (the perfect secret santa gift as well👀)
Stainless steel oyster shucker
the best bench scraper dont @ me. super thin for scraping your mise en place up efficiently, sleek and thin profile. notoriously stolen and borrowed by other cooks.
Matfer Bourgeat Nylon Dough Scraper
the best peeler, get three, because they will get stolen. trust me!
Kuhn Rikon Swiss Peeler 3-Pack Red/Green/Yellow
handy for any puree projects, and whenever you don't want to go all the way to the dishpit for one
GIR: Get It Right Premium Seamless Spoonula
no this isn't for a quick touch up. its a niche meat station tool. we use these to score ducks in my restaurant!
BEAUTICONE Straight Razor
please please please don't show up to a stage without one of these!
Sharpies
or one of these, after a few months, you won't need one! I like to jot recipes down in the notes app on my phone, which makes it easier to share recipes too.
Pocket Notebook - 6 pack
in a high end kitchen, chances are your little tools will get lost or mixed up with other people's, so i like using these to differentiate my tools from the rest. and eventually they always come back to me because people know my colors!
4 Inch Thin Zip Ties
another no brainer for your prep list. (i steal these from the restaurant all the time don't tell chef)
Paper Mate InkJoy Pens
yes this is a necessity for me.
Aquaphor Lip Repair Ointment