TIP OF THE DAY: Nogent Knives
 If you use your serrated “bread knife” to slice much more than bread, check out the Nogent line of knives, where the other knife styles are microserrated. Photo courtesy Nogent. |
Some people use their serrated knives, often called “bread knives,” for slicing bread.
Other people have discovered that, beyond bread, a serrated blade cuts tomatoes, meat and other foods better than the chef’s knife, utility knife or other choice from the cutlery set. We’re one of those “other people.” We used our bread knife for much more than bread. And then we discovered Nogent, a French cutlery manufacturer founded in 1923. The bread knife (photo at left) has a familiar serrated edge; but all of the other knives are micro-serrated. Almost invisible to the naked eye, these precision edges comprise 100 micro-serrations per inch and are terrific for anything—chopping, dicing, mincing and slicing. We can slice a tomato thinner with our Nogent chef’s knife than with any other knife we own. |
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We only have one Nogent knife—a gift received at a trade show. But we use it almost exclusively, ignoring the fine cutlery we own for many times the price. The knives never have to be sharpened! We’ve been using our knife for three or more years, and it’s as sharp as ever. The blades are handcrafted of molybdenum, a compound that is used in high-strength carbide steel and carbon stainless steel. The handles are molded polymer of an design. The polymer feels good in the hand, as does the ergonomic grip. |
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If there’s anything to mar perfection, it’s that the handles are plastic and “authentic hornbeam wood” that looks like plastic. Our chef’s knife is two-toned ecru and what looks like faux wood but is actually real (see photo above). To us it looks very dated, like those beige and faux wood station wagons from the Eisenhower era. But, Nogent has since moved to modern, if nondescript, black polypropylene handles, among other choices. They’re a much better look. |
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WHERE TO FIND NOGENT Nogent makes a complete range of cutlery, from peelers and paring knives to boning and carving knives. The challenge is to find them! We found the chef’s knife on Amazon.com for $58.99. The utility knife is $25.74. The paring knife is $15.20; we also spotted the boning knife, bread knife, carving knife, steak knife, peelers and other pieces of the line. The prices vary based on the line, which seems to be differentiated by handle material. Looking for a gift for someone who likes to cook—or is starting to learn? One or more Nogent knives will make cooking so much more pleasurable. Just as important, treat yourself to the chef’s knife. Then, book a vacation to France, and bring home knives instead of less useful souvenirs.
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