The Macuahuitl is an ancient Aztec weapon shaped like a sword The Macuahuitl is made of wood, and its sides are embedded with blades made from obsidian, a volcanic glass stone frequently used by the Aztecs and other pre-Columbian cultures in the making of tools

If you’re looking to buy a knife, it can be confusing if you don’t know what all of the knife terms mean First, you’ll want to decide what kind of knife you want

A sharpening steel, also called a honing steel, is a rod of steel measuring up to a foot long Usually used to sharpen knives and scissors

Regardless of the type of knife set you have chosen for your kitchen, you will need at least one cutting board Many cooks have one board for cutting meat, and another for cutting vegetables

When shopping for new knives, especially kitchen knives, you may be astounded at the wide variety of different knife materials from which you can choose These high-tech advancements are usually designed to offer a longer life for the knife, meaning less sharpening for you

A ceramic sharpener, like other knife sharpeners, work by removing a very thin layer of metal from the blade of your knife Ceramic sharpeners are made from dense ceramic material instead of stone

If you enjoy knife making or sharpening, and are looking for a fun new project, consider making and sharpening your own arrowheads You can make arrowheads using both modern and traditional materials and methods

Have you heard some of the most common knife myths One old wives tale, for example, says that giving a knife as a gift is bad luck because it “cuts” the relationship

Although your serrated knives will still cut as they grow dull, you will begin to notice a tearing or shredding action rather than smooth cuts If this is happening, then it is time to sharpen your knife

Knives are one of the oldest tools to ever have been used Early humans used sharp stones, bones, or wood pieces to cut and carve

Sharpening serrated or straight blade kitchen knives is relatively easy Gardening or woodworking tools, on the other hand, can look a bit more challenging to sharpen, especially if you are not an experienced knife sharpener

A pull through knife sharpener differs from an ordinary knife sharpening stone because the pull through style ensures an accurate and consistent angle In contrast, when using a sharpening stone you must physically hold the knife against a sharpening stone at the specified angle

Electric sharpeners are one of the easiest ways to sharpen your knives Electric knife sharpeners work the same as a sharpening stone, except that the machine does all of the work

A sharpening stone is the easiest way to return your knives and other cutlery to a useful state once they begin to dull Not only knives but also scissors, razors, chisels, and plane blades can be sharpened with a stone

Knife sharpeners are very important if you want to keep your knives in top condition There is a wide range of sharpeners available, including small hand-held blocks to large electric sharpeners

Caring for your knives goes beyond an occasional sharpening In fact, there are many steps you can take to keep them in good condition, although the knives will eventually become dull through use and require sharpening

For most home cooks or occasional users of tools with blades, a simple pull-through knife sharpener, sharpening stone, or sharpening steel should be sufficient After all, this occasional task takes just a little elbow grease, and your knives will be back in top condition in no time