If you were around in the 1970s and had a TV, you might remember the Ginsu knife commercial.

"In Japan, the hand can be used like a knife," a voice says as the camera shows a guy chopping two 2-by-4 pieces of wood in half with his bare hand.

"But this method doesn't work with a tomato," the voice continues, showing the hand trying the same move on a doomed tomato, which turned it into a smashed, flat mess.

Then, in came the Ginsu.

The ad showed the knife easily slicing through bread, meat, frozen food and vegetables like melted butter. It could cut an aluminum can but still remained sharp enough to slice and dice a tomato.

That iconic ad convinced millions that the Ginsu knife was a must-have item for the kitchen. Today, housewares manufacturers continue to drum up their wares, touting an assortment of gadgets they say make cooking and related tasks easier and more efficient.

With so many items on the market and more making their ways to shelves, it can be hard for the average person to figure out what to try. That's why many buyers for housewares stores attend events such as the annual International Home & Housewares Show.

That includes people like Judi Rackley and Melissa Finney of Modesto, Calif. Rackley and husband Larry own The Dented Chef in Modesto, and Finney is the housewares buyer for Keller's in the city's McHenry Village shopping center. Attending trade shows allows them to check out items coming to market.

The Modesto Bee asked Rackley and Finney to share with readers some of their picks of must-have kitchen gadgets. The two came up with a hearty assortment.

Some fit in with the trend toward "green" living - products made from sustainable materials - while others are space savers.

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Flexible Silicone Mixing Bowl by iSi Basics - Who needs a funnel when you have this handy bowl. It's flexible rim forms a spout when sides are squeezed. Available in three sizes. Impervious to stains and flavors, heat-resistant up to 490 degrees and microwave safe; 1½ quart bowl sells for $15.

Silicone Stretch Hotcooking Bands by Architec - No more eating butcher's twine or toothpicks with your roast or prime rib. Truss poultry legs, bundle veggies, tie and wrap items quickly. Heat resistant up to 600 degrees, disposable or reusable; $7.50 for a 25 pack.

Twist Whisk by Cuisipro - Twisted silicone-covered wires increases fluff when mixing eggs, cream and light batters. Heat resistant to 750 degrees, won't scratch cookware, dishwasher safe, $19.

Sili Gourmet Reusable Silicone Pie Crust Protector by William Bounds LTD. - Keep quiche and pie crusts from burning while baking. Fits 9 or 10 inch pie, $8.50

Sporks by Bambu - Unlike plastic cutlery that'll sit in a landfill for aeons, the biodegraable bamboo sporks (spoon on one side, fork on the other) breakdown in four to six months. Made from 100 percent organic bamboo; 24-pack $10

Pot Clip by Trudeau - Spoon rest attaches to a bowl or pot, keeping your counter clean (and the food sanitary), $7

Mini Magnetic Spoons by Progressive - Lose loose measuring spoons in the utensil drawer no more as these "stick together. Measuring size picture includes dash, pinch and smidgen amounts, $5. Also made as measuring cups.

Angle Spoon by Danesco - An open, silicone spoonhead with corner edges can be used to mix, combine and fold ingredients, $12.

The Cheese Knife by Fairchild Tech Associates - Easily cuts block cheese without sticking to the blade; available in two sizes, $15 and $21.

Julienne Peeler by Messermeister - Judi Rackley said it's the sharpest of any peeler she's tried and is great for salads, carrots and zucchini,

Garlic Pro E-Zee-Dice - Dices up to four peeled garlic cloves in seconds. Can also be used to dice hot peppers, nuts, candy, sundae toppings and more, $21.

Palm Peeler and Palm Brush by Chef'n - Both fit in the palm of your hand. Rackley said the peeler makes peeling potatoes easier. Both are top-rack dishwasher safe, $5 each.

Pizza Knife by Van Vacter - Twice as nice cutting: the first wheel cuts and the second cuts crust or cheese missed the first time, so no back-and-forth slicing needed. Easy-grip handle makes holding onto it easy. Can also be used to cut brownies, foccacia bread, pasta and more, $21.

Cherry/Olive pitters by Leifheit - The larger tabletop version quickly removes fruit pits and can hold as many as three baskets worth of cherries without damaging the fruit. Good for big jobs and can be disassembled quickly to wash, $36. For smaller jobs, try the hand-held chrome and zinc Pro Line version, $12.

Flipper Measuring Cups by Trudeau - Reversible measuring cups "flip", turning one-fourth into one-eighth, a half cup into a full one and one-third into two-thirds, $19.

Collapsible Mesh Strainer by Progressive - Uses about two-thirds less space than a standard mesh strainer. Folds flat for compact storage and cleaning. Dishwasher safe, $13.

Good Grips Silicone Collapsible Colander by Oxo International - Stands upright when expanded, collapses flat for storage. Use it to drain pasts, rinse fruit and vegetables. Can be immersed in boiling water to quickly blanch veggies; heat resistant to 600 degrees, $34.