This month we are taking a closer look at our true favorite tools — the ones that have earned places in our own kitchens. Two weeks ago our team shared their favorite pepper mills, and last week we showed you our favorite pots and pans. This week? We're talking knives. It's very hard for me to choose a favorite knife out of my drawer; only hardworking knives earn a place there. But this one, the Chinese cleaver, is currently the one I reach for the most, and here's why. More

Many people who commented on our Beyond BPA post last week feel that completely eliminating plastic from our lives is a frustrating, unattainable and maybe even unnecessary goal. That may be true, but it doesn't hurt to at least reduce the amount of plastic and disposables that we come in contact with everyday. There are a number of beautiful, stylish alternatives to commonly used plastic items that are worth checking out. See our list below the jump. More

We're always on the lookout for a good knife storage solution, and this brass knife keeper is our current crush. Put it in the category of gorgeous, modern, and pricey. More

A knife is one of the most important tools in the kitchen and it's extremely important to keep them sharp. Keeping your knives as sharp as possible as often as possible will ensure you make the most precise cuts and the finest chops. Some keep it old school with the sharpening method but we're huge fans of electric sharpeners. We've found five of the top knife sharpeners. More

Kitchen shears are one of our favorite kitchen tools. They are seriously underestimated and frankly, we're not sure why. There's no better way to cut poultry than with the use of kitchen shears. What makes them so great is that they can be used for so much. Need a hand with a stubborn cork or lid on a jar? Kitchen shears to the rescue! More

So, while we're on the topic of knife skills, let's talk about Band-Aids. Or, in this case, the best waterproof bandages I've found. Because no matter how skilled we are with our knives, they bite back from time to time. More

Tools that are specifically designed to contribute to comfort in the kitchen have only recently come around (or been marketed as such). Here's a look at a few basics that provide comfort for the cook: More

Buying gifts for the cook who has everything can be extremely difficult. If you're not feeling up to making edible gifts this year, maybe you should look for modern and unique spins on classic kitchen tools. More

It's usually pretty easy to find things for a cook's holiday stocking. The culinary world is full of little bits of kitchen gadgetry and smartly packaged foodstuffs. But if you're searching for something beyond a clutch of vegetable peelers and Trader Joe's Gift Cards*, then take a look at this roundup of fun and unusual little gifts for the cook.

*not that I wouldn't want these, too! More

Well, the big day is just around the corner and we've got our annual free turkey from our local market in our freezer. The pressure is building and we know we need to perfectly carve the turkey and get nice even slices.

Good thing we found some good tips and tricks! Read on for a few helpful tips from The Kitchn on getting the most out of your bird. More