No, seriously: Some eight years ago, when I had just started out as an assistant at a fancy food magazine, I snuck one of their 6” Petty Utility Knives out of a gift package meant for my boss (sorry not sorry!) and it has been an extension of my hand ever since. Prior to that point, I was a stubborn, all-you-need-is-a-chefs-knife kind of cook, but that super-sharp, nimble, not-too-short-not-too-long blade quickly became my perennial kitchen sidekick. Agile enough for delicate tasks like trimming vegetables and sharp enough to filet fish, it keeps an edge long after my other knives have been sent out for sharpening. All that and made in the US of A? What’s not to like?!
I’ve been worshiping at the altar of New West for years, and their blades have been my ace in the hole when I’m seeking out the perfect gift for friends and family who love the kitchen as much as I do. And while this isn’t the first time I’ve had the opportunity to write glowingly about these knives, it is the first time I’ve had a chance to shoot the breeze with Corey Milligan, the company’s founder, and hear a little bit more about what makes these very special knives tick.