Never had a ceramic keep it edge for more than 2 months. Both cheap and expensive. All my cutting boards are bamboo, I hand washed immediately after using. I have no idea what was happening. All my current blades are Shun steele and easy to maintain. I still like the idea of a ceramic, but I'm hesitant to buy again.

rats.

I refuse to accept Merriam-Webster as the de facto 'rule of law' on English.

'From whence' - I die a little bit every time I hear it or, worse, see it in print. 'Whence' means, almost literally, 'from where' and so 'from whence' always strikes an involuntary 'from from where' in my mind. Same goes for 'from thence' and 'from hence' for the exact same reason, although those are almost never…

You've reminded me of the Exocet missiles used in the Falklands hostilities. Missiles basically removed a combat level of materiel from the armory - crappy-ass fighter-bombers can launch them against destroyers and cruisers. And this is all primitive crap. CIWS haven't really be tested against multiple incursion…

Your last point is the most salient I've heard yet. I know that posturing with naval vessels is a dance in a class all by itself [having served in not one, but 2 navies (glutton for punishment, yes)] and as such, needs to play out. But yes, there is nothing from anyone anywhere in any way, shape or form that could…

That's the best explanation of the concept I've ever read. Thank you. It makes a lot of sense.