Tag: review
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What Is A Chantry Knife Sharpener?
I treated myself to this chantry knife sharpener after seeing it in one of Scott Rea’s videos titled ‘tools of a master butcher’. If it is good enough for the Scott Rea Project then it is is good enough for yours truly. 🙂
Remember that we are not putting an edge on the knife here, we are simply uncurling that edge so that we have no “blunt” parts (caused by misalignment) hence making the knife cut easlier.
I have an excellent hand steel (links to videos on how to use them below) and my pride and joy is my 25cm Victorinox Swibo Rigid Butchers Knife. As a beginner though I can sometimes do more harm with my steel than good.
With the chantry knife sharpener the angle of the built in mini rolling steels remains perfect with every pull through of the knife. I can attest that after a few pulls the knives are extremely sharp and that means they are safer to use (with all due respect).
Enjoy and be careful,
PK
Here are some more knife sharpening and general knife info posts:
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25cm Victorinox Swibo Rigid Butchers Knife: PK Reviews
I have to say that as a home cook, that buys meat in bulk including whole primals, I love this knife. As soon as you hold the handle you can tell it is not a general purpose kitchen knife. The grip is suited for slicing thick pieces of meat or through joints and not for slicing vegetables. This makes it excellent for the task it was designed for.
Turn the knife to the vertical hold and you have a knife perfect for following the line of bones and meats’ natural seams. It is rigid but I found it just fine for skinning and removing fat and silver.
I am an awful “butcher” but this exceptionally sharp and well designed knife helps me get the job done with minimal wastage.
This is not a paid post. I bought mine online from http://www.kitchenwarehouse.com.au for $59.99 AUD with free delivery to my local store.
Product Reviewed:
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25cm Victorinox Swibo Rigid Butchers Knife
Pros:
- Tough carbon steel perfect for slicing (Rockwell rating of 56-58).
- Holds an edge for a long time.
- Moulded nylon handle that is easy to clean and doesn’t hold meat particles.
- Curved end design for following seams.
- It comes in a plastic sleeve that I use to store it in.
Cons:
- Being a novice and not having anything to compare it too I can’t find any
The Verdict:
Great product at a reasonable price. Suitable for commercial environments and home butchery.
I hope this review helps you and feel free to send me any comments if you want to add to it.
PK
Related Links:
- See more knife posts here
- See more kitchen kit posts here
- See our other product reviews here
- See more growing, catching and cooking equipment here
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PK Reviews: 25cm Victorinox Swibo Rigid Butchers Knife
I have to say that as a home cook, that buys meat in bulk including whole primals, I love this knife. As soon as you hold the handle you can tell it is not a general purpose kitchen knife. The grip is suited for slicing thick pieces of meat or through joints and not for slicing vegetables. This makes it excellent for the task it was designed for.
Turn the knife to the vertical hold and you have a knife perfect for following the line of bones and meats’ natural seams. It is rigid but I found it just fine for skinning and removing fat and silver.
I am an awful “butcher” but this exceptionally sharp and well designed knife helps me get the job done with minimal wastage.
This is not a paid post. I bought mine online from http://www.kitchenwarehouse.com.au for $59.99 AUD with free delivery to my local store.
Product Reviewed:
-
25cm Victorinox Swibo Rigid Butchers Knife
Pros:
- Tough carbon steel perfect for slicing (Rockwell rating of 56-58).
- Holds an edge for a long time.
- Moulded nylon handle that is easy to clean and doesn’t hold meat particles.
- Curved end design for following seams.
- It comes in a plastic sleeve that I use to store it in.
Cons:
- Being a novice and not having anything to compare it too I can’t find any
The Verdict:
Great product at a reasonable price. Suitable for commercial environments and home butchery.
I hope this review helps you and feel free to send me any comments if you want to add to it.
PK
Related Links:
- go to all reviews
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FarmersMarket: Manning – Perth
Whilst I love visiting any Farmers Market, this one is my family’s regular Saturday morning destination. We have been going since it opened its doors on the grounds of Clontarf College, Manning, a few years ago.
You will be hard pressed to find a weekend market that has such a wide selection of produce, services and commitment to local producers. This market is so well frequented by people and their furry friends that the organisers put on friendly staff to help you get a good parking spot and provide information. All you have to do is shop and socialise in the beautiful surrounds.
The stalls are arranged along the perimeter of a long rectangle with seating and the odd stall in the middle.
Furry visitors can go anywhere on a lead and there is even a special eating are reserved for people and their pets. You could even have a snack and a coffee while pooch has a bath :).
Here are just some of the items and services on offer:
- Fresh produce at great prices and that stays fresh all week because it isn’t sitting in transport or a cool room
- Food to eat or take home:
- Gozlemes
- Homemade pasta
- Fresh bread
- Pizza
- French patisserie treats
- Coffee
- Italian food
- German Bratwurst from Elmars
- Spit roasts
- Organic juice bars
- Burgers
- Handmade wood art
- Knife sharpening
- Dog washing
- Leather bags
- Worm farming help and products
- Organic butchers
- Cheese makers and goat dairy products
- Fresh eggs (chicken and goose)
- Honey
- Marinated seafood
- Fishmongers
- Hot sauces
- Olives and other marinated produce
- Plants and seedlings including hard to get native species
- Live entertainment
Here are some details from the website and then some of my photos:
Address:
Clontarf Campus(opposite the Chem Centre)
Curtin University
Map 295 Manning Road, Waterford.Call us on 0417-188-363
Website: http://farmersmarketonmanning.com.au/contact/
Email us at david@farmersmarketonmanning.com.au
Related Links:
- See my other Farmers Markets posts here
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Business: Gale Force Farm Organic Free Range Eggs
I am definitely going to be adding to this post with more details soon about the amazing people at https://www.facebook.com/galeforcefarm/ but I wanted to share with you some photos I just took of their organic free range eggs.
They taste as good as they look by the way :).
Please note this is not a paid post and I am doing it to spread the word about a great south-west Australian farm (Margaret River) doing right by their livestock :).
If you live in the Perth metro region, please ask your local shop to stock them.
About:
Gale Force Farm is a family run farm located in Metricup- part of the Margaret River Region. We are producing Certified Organic Free Range Eggs. We will look to expand to include Organic Lambs and Fruit and Vegetables.
We aim to be self-sustainable, and our property is off the grid- with power generated by our solar power system.Contact Details:
Address: Gale Road, Metricup, Western Australia, AustraliaEmail: galeforcefarm@gmail.comPhone: 0488 203 466Related Links:
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FarmersMarket: Palmyra – Perth
Farmers Markets are not about how long it takes to walk them or the number of stalls. The farmers market in Palmyra, Western Australia, is small compared to others but it has the main requirement for being successful, a community vibe.
I am not a local to the area so when I visited I took a moment to observe the smiles as people welcomed the regulars but also made me feel like I was one too. There is good food, a play area for children and even a special area for our furry friends. Of course there are the essential stalls providing arts and crafts, fresh produce, organic meat and local interest information.
Some details from their website and then some photos :).
PH: 0458 223 664
Web: http://www.westernfarmersmarkets.com.au/
Address: 60 McKimmie Rd, Palmyra WA 6157
Opening Times:Sundays 8:00am – 12pm What
Farm Fresh/Organic/Spray Free fruit and vegetables, cold pressed juice, raw health treats, curry, organic olive oil, seafood, honey, pickles, preserves, organic bread, pastries, cupcakes, eggs, assorted pasta, breakfast burgers, crepes, gozleme, fair-trade coffee, entertainment, cut flowers, native seedlings and much more.
Palmyra Western Farmers Market is a genuine growers market, bringing fresh food direct from the farm gate to you. The person who grew, bred, caught, pickled, smoked or baked the product will be the person you meet at their stall.
Remember
Cash only and BYO shopping bags.
Dogs not permitted in the market areas, but tie them up with their mates at the “Dogs Bar”.
Related Links:
- More posts about Farmers Markets can be seen here
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FarmersMarket: Bunbury – WA
My draw dropped when I visited the Bunbury Farmers Market last weekend for the first time. My wife had to keep pulling me away from one display only to lose me at the next. I love farmer’s markets at the best of times but this place is something else.
This under cover market reminded me of what supermarkets were like when I was growing up, in Perth 20 years ago, but with modern touches. All of the food, 90 percent sourced locally from 150 growers and not cold stored for months, is of exceptional quality but doesn’t feel over processed. They also use that same fresh produce and meat when making their value added products right there on the premises.
Each section is well presented, serviced by very friendly staff and there are kiosks giving out samples and cheerful advice. The service starts in the car-park however with attendants helping you park during busy hours and ends with a cafe (where I got one of the best espressos I have ever had).
Here are some details from the website and then I will show you some of my photos of the visit :).
PH: (08) 9724 2999
Web: https://bunburyfarmersmarket.com.au/
Address: 2 Vittoria Road, Glen Iris, Bunbury, Western Australia 6230
Opening Times:Weekdays 7:30am – 6:30pm Saturdays 7:30am – 5:30pm Sundays 8:30am – 5:30pm Related Links:
- More posts about Farmers Markets can be seen here
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PK Reviews: Nylex 5L Shoulder Sprayer
The Nylex 5L and 8L Shoulder Sprayers are perfect for people with kitchen gardens, even large ones. I am reviewing several of the Nylex Sprayer range and I started with their Nylex 1.5L 360° Sprayer. Please see the other Nylex reviews here.
In short I couldn’t be more pleased with my 5L Shoulder Sprayer and I bought it for next to nothing from my local Bunnings. At ~$22 AUD it is very good value for money and one of my units has been in use for 3 years now.
This pressure sprayer is perfect for spraying plants with dense hard to reach foliage (such as chili plants and tomato plants) with both targeted solutions such as pyrethrum or full plant coverage solutions such as bio-oil. You could even use it on trees such as large citrus plants.
My favourite bio-oil by the way is http://ecoorganicgarden.com.au/products/pest-disease/eco-oil/ and no they are not paying me to say that :).
A trigger spray (although Nylex makes good/affordable versions of these) is not going to suffice as they can’t spray upside down and don’t have the holding capacity. Turning the leaves is going to end up getting spray on you and also leaf/foliage damage.
Note: This is not a paid post.
Product Reviewed:
- Nylex 5L Shoulder Sprayer
Pros:
- Very good build quality for a very low price
- 2 year warranty on the UV resistant plastic bottle
- Fibre glass wand with fan and jet nozzles works well with the D shaped handle or supplied shoulder strap to allow you to spray where you want and only where you want
- D shaped handle also makes for easy pumping and even stores the wand when not in use
- Lockable trigger on the wand
- Safety pressure release valve that also makes for easy de-pressuring when you are finished
- Easy to read incremented 1.0L marks so you can accurately mix your concentrate solutions
- Plastic sleeve for holding labels to indicate what type of solution you are keeping the sprayer for e.g.. fungicides vs insecticides (this is one of my favourite features as I don’t like to use the same sprayer for different treatments)
- Filter mechanism avoids blockages
- Spare o-rings etc are available
Cons:
- None that I can tell, sorry 🙂
Availability:
- Available at your local Bunnings https://www.bunnings.com.au/nylex-5l-shoulder-garden-sprayer_p2962002
The Verdict:
Great product at a very reasonable price and easy to store when not in use. Build quality is very high and you should get many years out of it. Once I bought my first one I could not go back. You are going to use a lot less plastic packaging and save money by using such a sprayer.
If you have any questions about the product range I recommend contacting the Nylex team at http://www.nylexwatering.com/contact-us/
Hope this review helps and feel free to send me any comments or corrections.
Enjoy,
PK
Related Links:
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Nylex 5L Shoulder Sprayer: PK Reviews
The Nylex 5L and 8L Shoulder Sprayers are perfect for people with kitchen gardens, even large ones. I am reviewing several of the Nylex Sprayer range and I started with their Nylex 1.5L 360° Sprayer. Please see the other Nylex reviews here.
In short I couldn’t be more pleased with my 5L Shoulder Sprayer and I bought it for next to nothing from my local Bunnings. At ~$22 AUD it is very good value for money and one of my units has been in use for 3 years now.
This pressure sprayer is perfect for spraying plants with dense hard to reach foliage (such as chili plants and tomato plants) with both targeted solutions such as pyrethrum or full plant coverage solutions such as bio-oil. You could even use it on trees such as large citrus plants.
My favourite bio-oil by the way is http://ecoorganicgarden.com.au/products/pest-disease/eco-oil/ and no they are not paying me to say that :).
A trigger spray (although Nylex makes good/affordable versions of these) is not going to suffice as they can’t spray upside down and don’t have the holding capacity. Turning the leaves is going to end up getting spray on you and also leaf/foliage damage.
Note: This is not a paid post.
Product Reviewed:
- Nylex 5L Shoulder Sprayer
Pros:
- Very good build quality for a very low price
- 2 year warranty on the UV resistant plastic bottle
- Fibre glass wand with fan and jet nozzles works well with the D shaped handle or supplied shoulder strap to allow you to spray where you want and only where you want
- D shaped handle also makes for easy pumping and even stores the wand when not in use
- Lockable trigger on the wand
- Safety pressure release valve that also makes for easy de-pressuring when you are finished
- Easy to read incremented 1.0L marks so you can accurately mix your concentrate solutions
- Plastic sleeve for holding labels to indicate what type of solution you are keeping the sprayer for e.g.. fungicides vs insecticides (this is one of my favourite features as I don’t like to use the same sprayer for different treatments)
- Filter mechanism avoids blockages
- Spare o-rings etc are available
Cons:
- None that I can tell, sorry 🙂
Availability:
- Available at your local Bunnings https://www.bunnings.com.au/nylex-5l-shoulder-garden-sprayer_p2962002
The Verdict:
Great product at a very reasonable price and easy to store when not in use. Build quality is very high and you should get many years out of it. Once I bought my first one I could not go back. You are going to use a lot less plastic packaging and save money by using such a sprayer.
If you have any questions about the product range I recommend contacting the Nylex team at http://www.nylexwatering.com/contact-us/
Hope this review helps and feel free to send me any comments or corrections.
Enjoy,
PK
Hope this review helps,
PK
Related Links:
- See more Nylex posts here
- See our other product reviews here
- See more growing, catching and cooking equipment here
Please consider subscribing to get a weekly email summary of our posts.
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- see our other product reviews here
Please consider subscribing to get a weekly email summary of our posts.
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PK Reviews: Nylex 1.5L 360° Garden Sprayer
Product ranges get an automatic tick of approval from me if the bottom end of the range far exceeds expectations. The Nylex Garden Sprayer range is the perfect example of this. I am reviewing several of their models starting with the Nylex 1.5L 360° Sprayer which is my latest purchase. See the other reviews here.
I couldn’t be more pleased with it.
This pressure sprayer is perfect for spraying chili plants and tomato plants, for example, where you only want small quantities of solution but you need to get the underside of the leaves too. A trigger spray (although Nylex makes good/affordable versions of these) is not going to suffice as they can’t spray upside down. Turning the leaves is going to end up getting spray on you and also leaf/foliage damage.
Note: This is not a paid post.
Product Reviewed:
- Nylex 1.5L 360° Garden Sprayer
Pros:
- Very good build quality for a very low price
- 2 year warranty on the UV resistant plastic
- Feels balanced in the hands
- Adjustable nozzle from mist to stream
- Lockable trigger
- Easy to read 1.0L and 1.5L marks so you can easily mix your concentrate solutions
- Filter mechanism avoids blockages
- Spare o-rings etc are available
Cons:
- Not as versatile as a pressure sprayer with a wand for plants with dense foliage
- Lack of tag or other method to communicate purpose/type of the contents e.g. fungicide vs insecticide
Availability:
- Available at your local Bunnings https://www.bunnings.com.au/nylex-1-5l-360-garden-sprayer_p2961996
The Verdict:
Great product at a very reasonable price and small enough to store when not in use. Build quality is high and you should get many years out of it.
If you have any questions about the product range I recommend contacting the Nylex team at http://www.nylexwatering.com/contact-us/
Hope this review helps and feel free to send me any comments or corrections.
Enjoy,
PK
Hope this review helps,
PK
Related Links:
- See more Nylex posts here
- See our other product reviews here
- See more growing, catching and cooking equipment here
Please consider subscribing to get a weekly email summary of our posts.
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