This is my new Windmuhlenmesser Breakfast Knife and it's a beauty. What is a Breakfast Knife and why should you want one? And can you also use it for lunch, too? Read on for the details!

The Breakfast Knife is hand made by a knife-making company called Windmuhlenmesser in the town of Solingen, Germany (apparently, windmuhlenmesser means windmill blade.) The unusually shaped, 41/2 inch blade is super sharp on the edge but the tip is rounded and blunt like a spreading knife, making it possible to use it to both slice and spread. The blade is made of high carbon content stainless steel with a satin smooth cherry wood handle. It's called a breakfast knife because the traditional German breakfast often consists of a wide variety in textures such as bread, cheese, hard sausages, mustard, butter, jams, and cheeses. This knife can handle them all.

It's a new item in my household, but so far I've used it to slice tomatoes, cut hard cheese, spread mayo and pate, and cleanly slice a baguette into thin slices. If you are wondering if I went on a picnic today, then you are right and this knife was an indispensable tool for that adventure. Highly recommended!

It's also easy to maintain with a quick hand wash (the dishwasher is not recommended) and the occasional sharpening as you would any knife. The cherrywood handle benefits from a little mineral oil now and then.

You can order it through the well-curated and fascinating Kaufmann Mercantile webshop. At the time of this posting, the proprietor is offering a $7 credit if you sign up for their newsletter which is a pleasure to receive. And, if you can find another item to add onto your order to make it over $25, shipping is free.

Get It! The Windmuhlenmesser Breakfast Knife, $23 from Kaufmann Mercantile

Related: Product Review: CUTCO Santoku Knife

(Image: Dana Velden)