Carbon-steel knives are high-maintenance. And that's the point(theatlantic.com)
theatlantic.com
Carbon-steel knives are high-maintenance. And that's the point
https://www.theatlantic.com/culture/2025/12/carbon-steel-knives/685182/
8 comments
If you never use them, they just look cool in your kitchen, so at least there's that.
I don't disagree - I just think this "show of confidence" take is nonsense.
I liked it --- it doesn't have to be true to be thought-provoking, but also: it was the logic I used when I bought a carbon steel nakiri for my brother; that he would read the intent behind the gift as a show of respect. If he doesn't want to maintain the knife, he doesn't have to use it! Erin came back from Tokyo a few years back with a stainless-clad nakiri that I use every day, and a carbon steel nakiri with my surname engraved on it that I use maybe once a year. I'm still thrilled to have the carbon-steel nakiri!
(I have a carbon-steel gyuto I use all the time, but I bought it specifically so I could get good at sharpening it when it eventually dulls, which it stubbornly refuses to do.)
(I have a carbon-steel gyuto I use all the time, but I bought it specifically so I could get good at sharpening it when it eventually dulls, which it stubbornly refuses to do.)
paywall
Gift link, and for a site with an archive.is paywall bypass.
Aspirationally? A gift link is not what you submitted (after HN canonical fixes).
https://archive.is/xTLba
https://archive.is/xTLba
Maybe HN just strips them out? It's the thought that counts! Either way: Atlantic posts are fine for HN.
I strongly disagree with this take. Gifts that require extra responsibility are the worst. Might as well gift someone a puppy to represent your confidence that they have the ability to take care of a dog.