One lucky DUDE

If I haven't said it before, I will say it now. I am one lucky DUDE.

Today is Fathers Day, and apart from being tucked inside one more INSANE weekend it is the day we recognize Dads all over for their contributions to our lives. These days more and more Dads are taking over the reins at home and joining the ranks of the stay at home dad, and for many of these Dads - like me - it is a conscious choice. A choice to be more involved in our children's upbringing, to experience more of those little moments of joy, and to help run the family home. I will never claim that I am perfect, but a work in progress - just like my children - and we are figuring out how to be better people and work together as a family more and more each day.

So today for Father's day, I got one of my recent dreams to come true. I am now the proud owner of a knife roll. I have often been over at a friend's house or somewhere else and really wished that I had brought one of my own knives. A good sharp knife is a cook's best friend, but unfortunately many people don't pay as much attention to these tools as they should, and I have found myself trying to cut tomatoes with a dull knife. Apart from not working very well, this is rather dangerous as well. Dull knives are more likely to slip and cut the user as a sharp knife, and the extra force required to actually make the cuts can be damaging to the food and reduce the quality of the meal you are preparing.

My new knife roll!

This knife roll will let me bring along a wide assortment of knives with me - enough to be prepared for any task set in front of me. Whether it be dicing an onion, cutting a chiffonade of basil, or cutting up the thanksgiving turkey, I will be ready with a good sharp knife.

Knife roll - with the knife flap closed. 

One of my favorite things about the knife roll is that - with the flap closed to keep the knives secure - there are several additional pockets for cards, pens, pencils, and a few other assorted items. I plan to procure a few good quality whetstones and keep them in here. Another thing that I received were the colored knife guards - which are essential for safety when storing and transporting knives in a roll such as this. I did already have a few knives that came with guards, and those are the knives in the black guards. All in all here is what is in my kit:

• 8" Chef
• 8" Santoku 
• 8" Slicer
• 6" Utility
• 5" Santoku
• 5" Utility
• 3.5" Paring

Once again I am a very lucky DUDE, and if you ever want me to come hang out and cook with you, just let me know. Have knife roll - will cook!