It has already been noted on this Forum how the rate of violence is higher in disarmed Britian than it is in the US. To deal with the problem a group of doctors over there wants to ban...kitchen knives.

A team from West Middlesex University Hospital said violent crime is on the increase - and kitchen knives are used in as many as half of all stabbings.

They argued many assaults are committed impulsively, prompted by alcohol and drugs, and a kitchen knife often makes an all too available weapon...

[sound familiar?] The researchers said there was no reason for long pointed knives to be publicly available at all.

They consulted 10 top chefs from around the UK, and found such knives have little practical value in the kitchen.

None of the chefs felt such knives were essential, since the point of a short blade was just as useful when a sharp end was needed.

Oh, not that the authorities are unaware of the problem. Home Office spokesperson said there were already extensive restrictions in place to control the sale and possession of knives.

"The law already prohibits the possession of offensive weapons in a public place, and the possession of knives in public without good reason or lawful authority, with the exception of a folding pocket knife with a blade not exceeding three inches.


It appears, however, that the laws already in place are insufficient so new restrictions, new controls, new limitations must be enacted.

Is this our future?

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/health/4581871.stm

I remember reading about the kitchen knife controversy awhile ago. I remember British cooks saying that an extensive knife set was "not necessary".

Uh, huh. That doesn't make any sense to me.

I'm not a gourmet chef by any stretch of the imagination. But over the years I have watched enough cooking programing from many high-profile chefs and they always talked about using the correct tools for the job. They would show the viewing audience how to use a scaling knife for removing scales from a fish. They would teach the viewer how to use a filet knife. They would talk about de-boning and teach how that was done. For each task done in the kitchen they would use the correct tool and teach the viewer how to do it correctly and safely.

In a push to "make people feel safe" they are actually keeping them ignorant and less secure. It is pure idiocy that means NOTHING.

After they take away the kitchen knives will they take away the darning needles, the pocket knives and the wood chisels as well?

Next thing you know, they'll come for your matches.

Quote: Palinista wrote in post #2

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I remember reading about the kitchen knife controversy awhile ago. I remember British cooks saying that an extensive knife set was "not necessary".

Uh, huh. That doesn't make any sense to me.

I'm not a gourmet chef by any stretch of the imagination. But over the years I have watched enough cooking programing from many high-profile chefs and they always talked about using the correct tools for the job. They would show the viewing audience how to use a scaling knife for removing scales from a fish. They would teach the viewer how to use a filet knife. They would talk about de-boning and teach how that was done. For each task done in the kitchen they would use the correct tool and teach the viewer how to do it correctly and safely.

In a push to "make people feel safe" they are actually keeping them ignorant and less secure. It is pure idiocy that means NOTHING.

After they take away the kitchen knives will they take away the darning needles, the pocket knives and the wood chisels as well?

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And while they're at it, ban rocks, and tree limbs, and hands, and feet, and heavy purses, and frying pans, and sticks, ans scissors, yada, yada, yada ...