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National Knife Day

Hobby · August 24

A day about knives: the pocket knives, kitchen knives and carving blades people use, sharpen, collect and care for in everyday life.

National Knife Day falls on Tuesday, August 24, 2027. That is 301 days away.

A knife is one of the oldest tools people make, and still one of the most used. A blade, an edge and a handle. That is nearly the whole design, and people have been refining it for a very long time.

Most of us meet knives in two places. The kitchen, where a chef's knife, a paring knife and a bread knife do most of the work. And the pocket, where a folding knife opens packages, trims string and slices an apple at a picnic. Each shape suits its job. A serrated edge grips crusty bread. A thin, flexible blade follows the bones of a fish.

For hobbyists, knives are a whole world. Some people collect old pocket knives with bone or wood handles. Some learn to sharpen by hand on a whetstone, which takes patience and a steady angle. Others whittle, turning a stick into a spoon or a small bird with a simple carving knife.

Care matters as much as the blade. A sharp knife is easier to control than a dull one, which is why cooks hone their knives often. Hand washing and drying keeps edges and handles in better shape than a trip through the dishwasher.

A good knife often outlasts its first owner, and many kitchen drawers hold one that belonged to a grandparent.

Ways to celebrate

• Hone or sharpen your kitchen knives carefully, following the stone's instructions.
• Look up a whittling project and carve something small from soft wood.
• Wash and dry your knives by hand, then oil any wooden handles.
• Share the story of a knife passed down in your family.
• Learn one new knife cut, like a julienne or a fine dice.

Dates

All national days on August 24

Also on August 24

• National Waffle Day
• National Peach Pie Day
• Pluto Demoted Day
• Vesuvius Day

Categories: Hobby days