The Evolution of the Knife

Remy, David, Peter

2.6 Million Years Ago

•  Ethiopia •  Sharpened rocks/bones

Stone Age

•  Until around 6000 BC to 2500 BC •  Around the world, ancient civilizations •  Stone tools

Bronze Age (3000 BC - 700 BC)

•  Around the world o  Esp. Egypt, Mesopotamia

•  Bronze Tools

Iron Age (700 BC - 700 AD)

•  Europe and surrounding areas •  Iron tools

Around 500 BC - Present

•  Tou/Chinese Cleaver o  All-Purpose Knife

•  China

Middle Ages (400 AD - 1400 AD)

•  Europe •  All-Purpose knives

o  fighting, eating, etc.

•  Carried around with owner

1600s

•  Europe •  “Table knives”

o  Pre-laid with forks

•  Double-edged

1637

•  France •  Cardinal Richelieu •  Pointed-knives banned

o  Single-edged knives

1700s

•  Europe •  Carbon steel invented •  Blunt table knives

o  Similar to butter knives

1900s - Present

•  Europe and U.S. •  Stainless Steel

o  Doesn’t carry taste of food §  Fish

o  Mass-produced after WWII

Works Cited

Christensen, Emma. "The Only Knife You Need? The Chinese Cleaver."

The Kitchn. Apartment Therapy, 23 Sept. 2010. Web. 08 Dec. 2013.

Sullivan, K. "Brief History Of The Knife." SilverCollect.org. N.p., 2012.

Web. 08 Dec. 2013.