A Quick Guide to Choosing Kitchen Knives

Finding the right knives to use in your kitchen requires knowing your options. This guide will take you through the key tips in choosing kitchen knives.

Kitchen knives are the primary tool for any chef. In fact, many chefs are so particular about their choice of knife that they usually invest in their own kit.

There are so many different types of knives to choose from, but what is the best kitchen knife for you?

This guide will offer some quick tips for choosing kitchen knives. Keep reading to find out!

The Right Material for Knives

Most knives are made from stainless steel. This is ideal as it doesn’t rust and is quite durable. Stainless steel is also pretty easy to sharpen yourself.

If you are looking for a high-end knife, consider using carbon steel. Most chefs prefer carbon steel to other materials, as carbon steel usually makes for a thinner blade, giving the blade a sharper edge.

Ceramic knives are also becoming more popular. They do not need any special maintenance, although they do tend to shatter when dropped. You also will need a professional to sharpen your ceramic blades, as they need specific tools to do so.

The best way to gauge the material is to find what is most comfortable in your hand when it comes to handles. Plastic and composite are favorites as they do not require much maintenance. However, if you are going for style, wood is a great option.

Keep an Eye Out for Certain Kitchen Knife Features

While looking for knives, you will encounter different features that might overwhelm you. However, a great kitchen knife will include some key elements you should look out for.

First and foremost, check the sharpness. Cutting with a dull knife is a nightmare and keeps many prodigies out of the kitchen due to frustration. Forged blades are usually thinner and, therefore, sharper.

Secondly, consider the weight of a knife. This is subjective, as each person prefers a different weight.

However, balance, just like sharpness, is a factor that should not be underestimated. If the knife is not correctly balanced, you will start having issues while chopping.

Finally, comfort and ease of use are also important items to consider. Again, this is personal, and the best way to test them is to look around in shops, handle the knives, and purchase what feels right for you.

Setting Your Kitchen Knife Budget

You can buy a complete kitchen knife set if you want to go all out. However, if you are looking for quality over quantity, there are three knives you cannot do without.

A chef’s knife is the first purchase you should make. They come in different sizes, but the shape remains the same. It is typically seen as the all-in-one knife, as there are many applications with this particular knife.

A chef’s knife is often confused with a Santoku knife. However, Santoku knives are Japanese and have some key differences. Read here about the difference between a chef knife vs Santoku.

The other two essential knives are paring knives and serrated knives. While chef knives can do a lot, there are some limitations.

Paring knives will help you perform small intricate tasks, such as peeling vegetables. Serrated blades will help you slice bread, tomatoes, or other produce that is squishable.