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.