Night fell, pitch black as ink. Xiao Feng walked into the kitchenware shop on the neighboring street.
It was a well-known store specializing in selling kitchenware, part of a nationwide chain. Xiao Feng wasn’t a chef before; it was only after coming here that he became one. So, he still had some gaps in his understanding of certain things in the culinary field.
However, when Xiao Feng entered this dusty kitchenware store, he was instantly stunned by what was inside. Perhaps, this shop had been closed since the outbreak of the apocalypse. As there were many zombies in the streets, this place hadn’t been raided, and its contents hadn’t been looted. Otherwise, the knives and other sharp tools inside a kitchenware store like this could have been used as weapons.
Switching on his flashlight, Xiao Feng made his way to the section selling kitchen knives. Looking inside the counter and on the walls, he found a wide variety of knives - Chinese, Western, and Japanese styles, all available.
After some research, Xiao Feng began to have a basic understanding of kitchen knives. For instance, the Chinese kitchen knives had many categories: slicing knives, cleavers, vegetable knives, and specialized knives like the "Nine Rivers" knife, "Roast Meat" knife, "Duck Slicing" knife, among others.
There’s a saying in China, "A Chinese chef travels the world with just one kitchen knife." But don’t be misled by that phrase. Originally, it was used to describe the function of the "Wen Wu" knife, indicating that a professional Chinese chef needs more than just one knife. However, for an average Chinese household, while they might not need too many knives, they would at least need a slicing knife and a cleaver.
Here, the slicing knife, also known as the Wen knife, was used for cutting meat, vegetables, slicing, and shredding. The cleaver, also known as the Wu knife, was used for processing meat with bones, like chicken bones or ribs.
Then there’s a hybrid knife that combines both functions, often used in most households. Xiao Feng’s purpose in visiting this place was to find a suitable hybrid knife. As a weapon, one knife would be sufficient, but for cooking, all the other tools here could be taken back and utilized.
Additionally, there are Western-style knives that Xiao Feng wanted to explore. They come in various types such as the chef’s knife, meat slicer, boning knife, bread knife, and paring knife, among others.
Finally, there are the Japanese knives, notably the Santoku knife, widely loved in Japanese households and favored by many Chinese home cooks and kitchen beginners for its versatility and simplicity.
After understanding the different models of knives, Xiao Feng delved into the material used for kitchen knives. This is crucial for determining the sharpness and durability of the knife. When buying a knife, no matter how much a seller boasts about their product, understanding these materials helps in making a judgment on the knife’s quality.
The primary material for kitchen knives is steel, but steel varies in quality - low carbon, medium carbon, high carbon, and laminated steel. The commonly used low carbon steel materials for kitchen knives are 1Cr10, 2Cr13, 3Cr13, 3Cr14, and so on, which are indicated on the knives as marks for low carbon steel material.
The numbers represent the carbon and chromium content in low-carbon steel.
Higher carbon content means higher hardness, resulting in a sharper knife.
Higher chromium content means the knife is less prone to rust.
In medium-carbon steel, additional elements are introduced.
For instance, molybdenum further prevents rust while increasing hardness.
Vanadium enhances toughness, making the blade more wear-resistant.
After understanding these basics, Xiao Feng was drawn to a dusty glass cabinet.
Under the shining light, a new purple-red wooden box appeared inside the cabinet.
Xiao Feng blew hard.
The dust on the glass cabinet scattered.
He opened the cabinet and retrieved the wooden box. Checking the numbers on it, Xiao Feng’s eyes lit up.
67-layer laminated steel!
This was the material used to make Damascus steel knives!
What’s inside the box turned out to be a display piece. In other words, it wasn’t a kitchen knife for cooking but rather an artistic showpiece.
Carefully opening it, Xiao Feng found a bone cleaver engraved with a dragon motif lying quietly inside.
"A magnificent blade!"
At first glance, Xiao Feng was captivated by its appearance.
This blade could be rightfully called a dragon-slaying treasure.
The spine was carved with a lifelike dragon.
The blade was jet-black and sturdy, its edge sharp as snow.
"Isn’t this the dragon-head cleaver from the movie ’Kung Fu Chef’ starring Hong Jingbao?"
Amazed, Xiao Feng held it and swung it around.
The blade felt a bit heavy for cooking, but Xiao Feng had knife skills like "Butcher’s Precision" and "Swift Kitchen Knife," making it quite suitable for him.
"What an incredible knife!"
Afterward, Xiao Feng surveyed the shop and took all the high-carbon and laminated steel-made knives back with him to the restaurant’s kitchen. He specifically cleared a wall in the kitchen to display all the tools he brought back this time.
Inside this room, any one of these knives, in peacetime, could be sold for at least several thousand, or even tens of thousands.
Don’t assume that kitchen knives are cheap; knives with truly good materials are very expensive.
Afterward, Xiao Feng took the dragon-head cleaver in his hand and returned to the bedroom.
Next, Xiao Feng took out the extraterrestrial meteorite.
"I wonder if this extraterrestrial meteorite can be used as an upgrading material for this laminated steel dragon-head cleaver?"
With an excited heart, Xiao Feng placed the two treasures on the table.
Then, Xiao Feng asked the system, "Can this extraterrestrial meteorite be used as an upgrade material for the dragon-head cleaver?"
[Reminder: This material has not been surveyed within the material range on this planet, and it cannot be confirmed whether it can be used for upgrades.]
"Cannot?"
Xiao Feng immediately felt disappointed.
However, the next moment, the system’s prompt made Xiao Feng hesitate.
[Reminder: It is unable to confirm, not that it cannot be upgraded. Forcing an upgrade may cause unpredictable consequences, potentially damaging the upgraded item and upgrade materials.]