张小泉

Founded in Hangzhou in 1663 by 张思家 / 张小泉 (an Anhui-origin blacksmith), specialising in scissors. Named a Royal Tribute supplier by the Qianlong Emperor after he was reportedly impressed during a southern tour. One of China's oldest knife brands and a recognised 中华老字号.

Made headlines in 2022 when a customer's Zhang Xiaoquan kitchen knife snapped while she chopped garlic; the company's PR rep then claimed 'Chinese knives shouldn't be used to chop garlic, you should use the back of the blade or a press' - wildly contradicting how Chinese cooks have used 菜刀 for centuries. The line 'patting garlic broke a 张小泉' became a meme.