Knife (November)

Gift of Mrs Pamela Carswell, rare books and rare birds at the theology library, Ormond College, an elegant long Japanese stainless steel paper knife, used ever since for envelopes, uncut 19^th-century monographs, origami. Professional chefs say one needs only two (or three) knives for everything and mine was purchased in Elizabeth Street one November, what French call ‘office’, English prosaically ‘vegetable’: 3&3/4-inch blade, 3&1/2-inch moulded handle. About the oldest knife in continued use (cakes) is my grandmother Mrs Evelyn Hulme’s standard dinner knife: faux bone handle 3&1/2-inches, 5&3/4-inch blade, Thomas Ibbotson & Co. Owltic Sheffield, England, Firth Brearley Stainless. &c.