Tojiro Stainless Steel Chinese-Style Cleaver
Every kitchen should have a Chinese-style cleaver, whose tall, heavy-duty blade and forward-heavy balance do most of the work for you when chopping big batches of vegetables and mincing meats or herbs. We found an excellent model from Japanese producer Toryumon that, unlike most flat-bellied cleavers, has a slightly curved edge similar to a European-style chef’s knife, so American home cooks will find it easier to use. Roughly 7 inches long and 3.5 inches tall, the blade is smaller and more approachable than other models and ideal for those with smaller hands.
Fuji Cutlery FA-70 Chinese-Style Cleaver
Every kitchen should have a Chinese-style cleaver, whose tall, heavy-duty blade and forward-heavy balance do most of the work for you when chopping big batches of vegetables and mincing meats or herbs. We found an excellent model from Japan that, unlike most flat-bellied cleavers, has a slightly curved edge similar to a European-style chef’s knife, so American home cooks will find it easier to use. Plus, the barrel-shaped handle can you more control than a standard shape.
​Tojiro Paulownia Wood Large Cutting Board
Hard materials are hard on knives, but this featherlight Japanese cutting board will protect your blades—and will practically heal itself. This 21-inch board is just under 2 pounds and is made from the quick-growing paulownia tree, a soft wood that dries fast and has antibacterial properties. Unlike typical wooden cutting boards—which can be cumbersome and hard on knives—paulownia’s special properties cushion your blades (but won’t bend) to preserve the edge, unlike hard cutting surfaces like fabricated bamboo or hardwoods that have almost no give, eventually dulling knives. The wood naturally contains sesamin and paulonin, two anti-bacterial properties that help prevent germs from breeding. Even better, if you give your paulownia board a good scrub and wipe it mostly dry with a cloth, the grain of the wood will absorb moisture, minimizing the appearance of scratches, cracks and cut marks to ensure longevity.
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