Messermeister knives

This past summer, just before Little Bean was born, the Chef and I went to a picnic in the park. We brought brownies, which were gobbled up immediately. No one knew they were gluten-free. No one cared.
In a rush before the party, we grabbed the first knife from the drawer for the cutting of the brownies. The sharp little knife that has Gluten-Free Girl emblazoned on the blade.
As someone lifted the dark brownies from the pan, she saw the writing on the blade of the knife underneath the chocolate. "Gluten-Free Girl? I've heard of her. Doesn't she have a blog?"
I sort of shyly raised my hand. "Yep. That's me."

That's the first (and hopefully the only) time I've been recognized via a knife.

The good folks at Messermeister knives sent me two knives, quite awhile ago. They asked if I'd try them. I like a good knife. I said yes. To my amusement (and a little embarrassment), both the chef's knife and paring knife had Gluten-Free Girl on the blades. Putting the knives on this site felt too self-referential. I didn't.

Life happened. A lot of life happened. (wedding, book tour, baby, move) Meanwhile, I've been using those knives -- and the julienne peeler they also sent me — nearly every day. The knives sit comfortably in my hand, with a heavy weight and a light blade. I feel powerful when I use them. Capable in the kitchen.

The writing has worn off. (You can still sort of see it if you squint.) But the knives have stayed in our kitchen, when others have gone away. I'm not sure what I'd do without these, and my white-handled Russell chef's knife (cost about $30), which feels as familiar in my hand as my baseball glove does about July. The sound of these knives tapping on the cutting board and the sight of them in the Chef's hand as he works are part of the daily beauty of my life.

If you're looking for a great knife you will use for years? Here you are.

What are your favorite kinds of knives?