Water Eggplant and a Kitchen Knife (4)

     Unlike Kotaro, Nagisa had never chosen a knife for those who had asked for advice.  Nagisa asked for Sebumi’s permission beforehand, and Sebumi told Nagisa never to mind.

     “To tell the truth, I’m wondering what knife I should present to the one who is going to start to live alone.  What knife would you recommend?”

     As Nagisa had only sharpened knives without cooking with them, the question was difficult to answer.

     Unexpectedly, she remembered Kotaro complained she should be interested in cooking.  She shook off Kotaro’s complaint and searched for better ideas in her memory.  It was, however, another words Kotaro had said to her before that she remembered.

     You should know the character of whom you are going to give a knife before you choose one.

     Even if someone gets a good knife, if he rusts it, it will be no use.  Everyone should have a suitable knife.

     “What is he like?”

     “Well…..”

     Sebumi looked up at the deep-blue sky and said.

     “He isn’t diligent or brisk.  He is rather slovenly and sloppy.  I’m ashamed to say, but he often throws his socks.  I’ve told him not to for many times, but he still throws his shirts in a washer inside out.

     Although her words sounded angry, they revealed her love to him.

     “The other day, he couldn’t find nail clippers and tried to clip his nails with scissors.  Can you believe it?”

     He is as slovenly and sloppy as Nagisa is.

     They used to present a set of 5 knives when their daughter got married: a fish knife, a vegetable knife, a kitchen knife, a fruit knife, and a small Japanese kitchen knife with a pointed tip.  But, Nagisa thought, if he should get Japanese knives, he would get them rusty soon.

     “How about a cut-out stainless kitchen knife?”

     Nagisa told Sebumi a brand name of knives which are made in a factory in Sakai.  They aim to steadily manufacture high-quality knives, which cut excellently well and are reasonable.

     As an option, you can ask to engrave his name on knives and choose materials for their handles.

     “What is ‘cut-off’?”

     “They cut out stainless with metal molds and add edges to them.”

     Plainly speaking, they do as you cut off cookies with cookie molds.

     Nagisa usually sharpen knives forged by black smiths.  Those knives are called forged knives.  Cut-out knives are cheaper and easier to purchase.

     “Stainless knives cut well enough.  Of course, forged knives cut better, but stainless knives have no trouble in everyday use.  Above all, they hardly rust.”

     He is slovenly and sloppy.  It means he doesn’t cook very often.  Then, he will get his knives rusty soon, or even break his knives.  That is why Nagisa recommended purchasing reasonable cut-out knives which are easier to replace.

     “Definitely, when I was married, I was presented with several knives, which went rusty before I was used to their maintenance.”

     Taking care of knives to keep them from going rusty is a burden for those who aren’t accustomed to the task.

     For professional cooks, the lasting sharpness is far more important than rusts.  Each person should choose knives according to the advantages they have.

     “For more details, ask the clerks of the shop.  They will choose the best knife for you.”

     Nigisa got a pencil  and a piece of used paper, and wrote down their address on the back side of it.  When she got it, Sebumi smiled innocently as if a child had gotten a map for treasure hunt.

     “Thank you.  I will  call on the shop.”

     Sebumi thanked Nagisa and went home.