A cutlery implement or cutting instrument having a blade with opposed side surfaces, a knife edge extending along one terminal edge of the blade, and a narrow continuous longitudinally extending ridge of either hemispherical cross-sectional shape or rectangular cross-sectional shape extending along a pre-determined length of the knife edge at a pre-determined continuous spaced distance from the knife edge. The rectangular cross-sectional shape includes fillets on each opposite side thereof for providing a smooth transition to the blade surface. The narrow longitudinally extending ridge protrudes from at least one or both of the opposed side surfaces of the blade.