Multi-Use Tools: The Do It All Knife

We're really fascinated by this concept for a set of multi-use knives. It made the blog rounds a little while ago, and we have been looking back at it and thinking about what makes a good multi-use tool. We often praise multi-use kitchen tools that cram many functions into one, but what makes a truly useful tool? Do you want a grater and a knife in one?

This knife concept is by Caroline Noordijk (via Yanko Design), and it includes three knives. It makes use of the "unused" space of the knife blade by incorporating other tools like peelers and graters.

The concept is technically brilliant; we really admire the idea. But we're curious: would you buy a knife like this, or do you want to keep your tools more separate?

We just feel that we use our chef's knives so regularly on so many different things it might make for more work to also have to wash it to use it as a zester or peeler. But on the other hand, what a space saver!

• More about this concept: BasicKnives by Caroline Noordijk

Related: Look! Sexy Rice Cooker Design

(Images: Caroline Noordijk)

Comments (20)

what the heck is an herb scoop?

I'm pretty sure attempting to use either the zester or the peeler, I'd cut my finger clean off.

Separate tools please.

I would probably cut myself too, but I think the zester and the peeler might be good ideas. I often use knives and zesters/peelers in combination. I don't know about the scooper/grater combination though...and the grater looks like it might be difficult to clean.

It seems like the rocker motion of chopping something would make having a peeler or grater on the plane of the knife quite hazardous to your fingers. It might be ok if you chop right handed, but if you're a lefty, the hand holding the food would be on the wrong side of the knife.

There is NO way I could be convinced to buy these. Like Jm Chen, I'm certain the result would be calamitous injury. No thanks. Traditional box graters are plenty dangerous for me without the addition of a razor-sharp blade.

i wouldn't want the stuff stuck inside my grater to get all over whatever else i'm doing - cutting meat, veggies, etc - which then melds into some nasty crappy oozey stuff i can't ever clean out of our grater.

This strikes me as a horrible idea. Like the other posters, I'm convinced I'd cut myself while trying to use the "utensils" and I'd scrape up my knuckles on the grater while chopping.

No thanks.

This seems gimmicky, rather than useful.

The chef's knife, absolutely not. I can just see myself grating my knuckles with it or the grater catching on thicker cutting jobs. The paring knives though aren't so bad, I like the zester-combo but doubt I'd buy them.

i chop my fingers up with a regular grater...i'd cut my whole hand off if there was a knife on the other side of it!

I'd be interested, but want to know if the gadgetry really is a plus or if it gets in the way of the knife's primary purpose

Hmmm, those all look to me to be too convoluted. Probably useless. To answer the question - what makes a good multi-use tool is that it perform the function of the single-use tool as good as the single use tool, and that none of the other functions interfere with the each other in any way.

Even in my tiny kitchen I do not think any of these would be a space-saver, and believe me I'm always looking for space-savers.

I carry a leatherman tool on my hip speaking of multi-function. Most of the tools on it work very smoothly - some not quite as well as the single purpose tool, but close enough that it is still useful. And since I cannot carry all the other tools with me all the time, the space saving side is a huge boon.

I already commented...but...

On the usefulness of a multi-function gadget: I think the zester/knife would be a nice addition to a small bar on a porch or in a living room...You know, when you are only slicing a lemon or lime and might want a strip of zest. Obviously not necessary, but might be cool.

... what dimsum said: calamitous injury.

As a cute art project this is amusing. No-one in their right mind would use these as real kitchen tools. Apart from slicing your fingers off while grating, the ergonomics for the peeler is also completely off.

Reminds me of the knife-wrench that the janitor has on scrubs.

Knife-wrench... for kids!

neat concept, but not super practical. Who wants to cut apples with a grater you just roughed up some garlic on?