Tiny Super Slicer for Garnishes

This handy little wooden slicer is a Japanese garnishing tool. It is usually used for thinly slicing green onions to garnish soups. It also works well on cucumbers and other soft vegetables such as mushrooms. Just be careful when using this gadget; it has no finger guard.

Slicer, $7.50, from Rafu Bussan Inc., 326 E. 2nd St., L.A., (213) 614-1181.

These beautifully designed, high-carbon, stainless steel knives are made with birch-laminated hardwood veneer with brass rivets. The woods are impregnated with different dyes, giving the wood handles rich, unusual tones. All knives carry a lifetime guarantee for non-commercial use. Other knives are also available.

Two-piece carving set, $189; all-purpose knife and 6-inch paring knife set, $107, from Freehand, 8413 W. 3rd St., L.A., (323) 655-2607.