what the press says...
"Chefs regard their knives as revered tools, symbols of their prowess in the kitchen and badges of honour earned from relentless work."
"...there is something magic about the spirit of these modern “ancient” blacksmiths. Some Japanese knife-makers can trace their histories back more than 700 years to the glorious period of katanas and samurais."
Fast Forward WeeklyStreet Samurai - Japanese Blacksmiths Show Their Skills by Gabriel Hall - August 23rd, 2012
"Kevin Kent is a Calgary Superhero, and I am happy to claim him as an Alberta Icon in the food industry for more than a few reasons. And, he isn't even in the food industry.
He sells knives. Not just any knife. "Knives that actually cut good." Japanese knives. Knives with a story. Hand-hammered, hand crafted really sharp and gorgeous to look at knives."
A Canadian Foodie Valerie talks about Masakage, Kelowna and Kevin Kent of Knifewear - July 22nd 2012
There's one thing you never ever do when you're working in a kitchen: borrow another chef's knife
"A chef with a knife that doesn't cut is like a Ken doll, useless. It has to be beautiful bordering on pornographic: shiny, unique, and desirable. Most of all, it has to be personal, something that reflects the soul of the wielder."
Le Voyage Gourmand - Forged in the Heat of the Kitchen - Feb 20th 2012
"Using a knife is really important for cooking, but there's a lot of bad (stupid) ways to do it. You can cut and injure yourself... If you don't have good knife skills you will: 1. Be in danger and, 2. Enjoy cooking less."
Start from Scratch - Friends of the Program: Chatting with Knifewear's Kevin Kent - September 25th, 2011
Knifewear: Tongue Cutter IPA
"if you happen to be as obsessed with your knife collection as you are about your beer knowledge, this sounds like the ideal beer for you."
"The beer will not be available for purchase at Knifewear, as Kevin notes, with a laugh, 'Who would give us a liquor license?'"
Beatroute - Knifewear IPA, a tongue-cutting brew - Feb 2011 - Spencer Brown
"Buying a knife at Knifewear in Inglewood is probably similar to Harry Potter's wand-procurement process where it's the wand that chooses its owner. "
I Came For the Food - Knifewear: Japanese Kitchen Knives to Rule Them All - Feb 22, 2011 - Anh Chu
Calgary's resident Knife Nerd, Kevin Kent a
former Sous Chef of Fergus Henderson
and St. John Restaurant in London"
"Just like a fine jeweler, the further in you venture, the more exclusive the offerings become and the more there is to learn about the makers."
"a London influence on Japanese steel has gestated in the Canadian prairie…close to a rusty train yard, old brick buildings and antique shops. How perfectly unfitting. The fact that all of this makes perfect sense to me must make me a nerd too…a knife nerd."
Former St. Johnian is a Knife Nerd Forged on Japanese Steel - The S. Pellegrino World's 50 Best Restaurants Website - Paul Rogalski - May 27th 2011
"Kevin Kent says he remembers the days when Inglewood was made up of 'junky-furniture shops, used cars and hookers.'"
Calgary Herald - April 27th 2011 - Neighbourhoods in the spotlight - Inglewood - Cara Casey
Samaurai Tataki
"to be the Samurai I first needed a sword"
"After unsheathing my new Masakage Shimo knife I was feeling like a Samurai, all full of pomp and bravado and ready to eat some red meat and drink some Japanese beer."
Kitchen Scraps - Samurai Tataki - Pierre A. Lamielle
"The new Masakage Yuki (snow) collection has arrived at Knifewear like a fresh dump of powder."
Swerve Calgary - Masakage Yuki Kniffe - Pierre A. Lamielle
I can conquer the world!
Well.. potatoes, at least.
"Knifewear in Inglewood, a knife utopia akin to Tiffany & Co. except it sells steel blades instead of diamonds."
-----
"With my freshly sharpened Japanese knife in hand, I feel as if I can conquer the world! Well... potatoes, at least."
City Palate- Kitchen Tools: A newbie's guide to knives - Colleen Seto
"... Call me crazy , but I’ll take a sexy high quality knife over a piece of jewelry any day ..."
Chocolate & Ginger- Sex, Chocolate and Sharp Knives
People are nervous around knives;...
so some stab me when they are
handing the knife back to me"
". . . I often think, "What would Tom Waits do?". . .
Fast Forward Weekly - Your Face Here- Carol Harrington June 17th, 2010
"... this knife shop isn’t your average cookie cutter utensil emporium.
Think of that scene in Crocodile Dundee, you know the 'That ain't a knife, this is a knife' scene ..."
Eating Is The Hard Part- food and drinks with a slice of life in Edmonton
The Expert: Owner of Calgary's best knife shop gives his tips on buying a high quality Japanese knife.
Avenue Magazine Calgary - March 2nd, 2010
A knife is your number one, two
and three tool in the kitchen.
"... Someone once told me that food is the new rock n’ roll. In that case, the new leather pants are Japanese kitchen knives ..."
Lynda Sea - Avenue Magazine Calgary - March 2nd, 2010
"I developed a taste for
exquisite knives.
Look what happened."
"... With its striking red walls, graphic Japanese imagery and 15 metres of glass-topped cases displaying an impressive collection of knives from 25 Japanese artisan makers, Mr. Kent's hamono-ya is like a jewellery store for sharpened steel..."
CINDA CHAVICH - The Globe and Mail - April 15th, 2009
"...refrain from settling
for any low-brow options..."
"Choose wisely, find your optimal combination of shapes, care for diligently, and these shimmering carbon products will be your new best friends."
Does Your Knife Really Cut It? - R4nt.com
"... There, at the crossroads of fit and function, is the kind of silky-smooth slicing power that makes chefs' toes curl with pleasure. Achieve that, and you will fantasize about making tomato sandwiches for everyone you know ..."
Starting from Scratch Part II - Calgary Herald - January 16, 2009
"... Kent offers a sharpening service and tons of knowledge about all the glistening knives in his glass cases ..."
Food Bytes: Cutting Through The Smoke - Andree Lau, CBCnews.ca - July 17, 2008
"... Knifewear is Nirvana for the foodie, butcher and circus performer..."
Karen Ashbee, Western Living Magazine, June/July 2008
My knives are now
wickedly sharp!
"... Although I very much like my fingers, my knives are now wickedly sharp, and I nearly fear losing them. My fingers, I mean! However, it is a small price to pay for the ease of cutting tomatoes..."
The Pink Peppercorn July 5, 2008
Knifewear is on the
cutting edge
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