Kitchen knives are among the oldest and most important tools used by humans. We use them every day without giving much thought to their history or uniqueness. However, even such common objects have many surprising facts hidden within them.

Did you know that some kitchen knives are worth a fortune, while others are taller than a person? Or that old knives are honoured in special ceremonies in Japan? Below, we have collected the most interesting facts about kitchen knives, ranging from extraordinary stories and traditions to world records. Read on to find out more.

The unusual stories and traditions behind kitchen knives

Kitchen knives are not just cutting tools; they have been shrouded in stories, legends and customs for centuries. In many cultures, knives symbolise much more than just kitchen aids.

• Japanese Knife Gratitude: In Japan, there is an unusual custom of showing gratitude to used kitchen knives. Every year, a ceremony is held at Hamono Jinja, a special temple in Kyoto, where old kitchen knives are offered as sacrifices. The Japanese believe that tools that have served them well should be thanked — this may sound surprising, but it demonstrates great respect for craftsmanship and everyday objects. In Japanese culture, knives are said to 'cut and open the future', and young chefs must study for years before they are allowed to pick one up — there, cutting is considered as important as cooking itself!
• Is a knife the end of friendship? In many countries it is considered unlucky to give someone a knife as it can cut your friendship. The blade cuts the relationship symbolically – it sounds scary, doesn't it? Fortunately, there is a clever solution: if you want to give someone a great kitchen knife as a gift, simply ask for a small payment in return, such as a coin. This way, the knife is not "given as a gift", but "bought back" for a coin. This is supposed to eliminate bad luck and protect the friendship. So, next time you want to give someone a knife as a gift, remember: one penny could save your relationship!
• Family legends and heirlooms: You may have heard stories about kitchen knives being passed down through the generations like precious family heirlooms. Good knives can last for decades. Many families have a favourite 'grandfather's knife', which the grandfather taught his grandchildren to use. Such a knife is not just a tool; it is also a carrier of memories and family stories.
• Knives in culture and superstition: It is interesting that knives have different meanings in different cultures. For instance, in some Eastern countries, leaving a knife on a chopping board or tabletop is believed to attract bad luck. In Poland, however, it is said that dropping a knife on the floor 'foretells a guest' – you can judge for yourself whether or not this works. Knives also appear in many rituals around the world. For example, cutting the ribbon with a new knife at the opening of a restaurant is supposed to bring good luck.

As you can see, there are many secrets and customs surrounding kitchen knives. While we now treat them as ordinary tools, over the centuries they evolved into rituals and symbolism that survive to this day in the form of interesting traditions.

Knife world records – from giants to fortune

When it comes to interesting facts, it's impossible to ignore the records relating to knives. It is hard to believe that even such an everyday item has extreme versions that have been entered into the Guinness Book of Records. Here are a few of the most impressive ones:

• The world's largest kitchen knife: Imagine a knife larger than an adult human. In 2010, German blacksmith Markus Balbach decided to test the limits of possibility by making a gigantic knife from real Damascus steel. This blade was an impressive 211 cm long and weighed an astonishing 51 kg! It was forged from 50 kg of steel, enough for around 400 ordinary knives. Interestingly, this giant turned out to be quite functional — Balbach sharpened it and managed to cut food and paper with it. While it would be impractical for everyday use, such as chopping parsley in the kitchen, it is officially the world's largest "kitchen" knife. It's hard to imagine using such a giant — you'd probably need an enormous chopping board!
• The Most Expensive Kitchen Knife: Now, let's move on to the other extreme – not size, but value. The most expensive kitchen knife in the world is probably a unique work of art by the German company Nesmuk called the 'Jahrhundert Messer' (Knife of the Century). How much does it cost? Around $98,000 (nearly 400 thousand zlotys)! What makes it so rare? The blade is hand-forged from 640 layers of Damascus steel with incredible precision. The cutting edge is made of the highest-quality carbon steel and the handle is crafted from a piece of 5,000-year-old black bog oak. Not enough? Let's also mention the platinum handle setting inlaid with 25 diamonds. This kitchen knife is a true work of art and jewellery – no wonder it costs a fortune. Needless to say, it's not for chopping onions for pork chops – it's a collector's item. For comparison, Nesmuk also released a slightly 'cheaper' version with eight diamonds for just $39,600! Even samurai swords hide at such prices!
• Culinary Speed ​​Records: Knives aren’t just for setting records in terms of price or size; they can also be used to set speed records for slicing. Canadian chef and bodybuilder Wallace Wong (also known as the “Six Pack Chef”) has turned vegetable chopping into a sport. In 2024, he set a series of Guinness World Records for lightning-fast chopping. He sliced 125 pieces of celery in 30 seconds while blindfolded, which equates to more than four celery stalks in half a minute by feel alone! He holds 11 records in total, including slicing a whole bell pepper into tiny strips in 9.43 seconds and chopping nine tomatoes in a minute while blindfolded. Even more impressive is that after his record-breaking feats, he cooks a meal from the chopped vegetables, ensuring nothing goes to waste! This is fast food in the truest sense of the word.
• Other impressive records: There are many interesting things in the world of knives. For example, the world's largest knife collection consists of 2,175 pieces and belongs to a US enthusiast. While they are probably not all kitchen knives, such a number is impressive for any knife enthusiast.

As you can see, even a humble kitchen knife can hold the key to a world record. The world of knives is full of extreme curiosities, from blacksmithing wonders worth a fortune and huge blades that look like something from a tale of giants, to people so skilled that they can cut vegetables faster than most of us can blink.

Conclusion: Whetting your appetite for more...

We hope that these interesting facts have not only whetted your appetite for knowledge, but also inspired you to make some small changes in the kitchen. As you can see, the world of kitchen knives is incredibly colourful, full of history, records, and innovations. The next time you pick up your favourite chef's knife, take a moment to imagine that you are holding the culmination of thousands of years of tool evolution – and that somewhere in the world, someone is cutting an expensive steak or chopping vegetables at lightning speed with a similar knife.

If you want to experience the luxury and precision of a high-quality knife for yourself, it's worth investing in a really good kitchen knife. You'll find a wide selection of knives that combine tradition with modernity, including razor-sharp, hand-made Damascus steel kitchen knives that ensure precision cutting every day. They won't set you back $100,000, but we guarantee that you'll feel like a master chef when you hold one in your hand.