Types of kitchen knives

Basic guide

As you read this article, you will be amazed of the number of different knives types you can buy. You may have asked yourself: "What would I need all these knives for?" The truth is that you do not need all of them. Some knives are more suitable for certain tasks than others, and some knives are multi-purposed. What knives you need depends on the type of tasks you perform on a daily basis, on how important the results are to you and also on the final aesthetic effect of the activity. For some people, it is enough to have two or three knives in the box. Those, who live on a microwave dinner could probably live without any knives.

The very fact that you are just reading this article says that you take your cooking seriously and you care about it. We assume you might want to learn more about the different types of knives - how and what each one is used for. This guide is designed to give you basic information about the individual knives and so that you can choose them correctly for preparing food in your kitchen.

Steak knife

You have probably visited a steakhouse restaurant before. We believe that you already saw the steak knife in the past. Such a knife is usually equipped with 10 to 12 cm long blade and a thick fixed handle. It has been designed to withstand everyday use by several people. The blades can be serrated or straight, which means that they have small teeth or smooth edges along them. Some have pointed tips, while others are rounded. Steak knives are often sold in sets of 4-8 knives.

Chef´s knife

Chef´s knives belong to the most popular category. Their gentle curve allows you to cut vegetables into cubes in an easy and elegant way. These knives are usually equipped with blade about 20 to 30 centimeters long, making them perfectly large for slicing apples, peppers, potatoes, broccoli or cabbage. A good chef´s knife is strong, durable, balanced and easy to handle. Due to its size, it may not be easy to find a chef´s knife that would suit your individual needs. It is importantn to have a suitable length, weight, durability and balance. However, once you find this knife, you will use it every time when preparing food!

Santoku knife - Japanese knife

When you look at this knife, it will remind you a handy kitchen knife. It resembles that a chef's knife, and you may have already come across the term "sheepsfoot" - that's how its blade is shaped. This multi-purposed knife has an added bonus. Like the chef's knife, the santoku knife is ideal for dicing and chopping. It is straight with a flat blade, which allows slicing with ease. Many people are confused by the difference between this knife and a chef´s knife. They see difference in appearance, but they don't understand how it will change his function. Using the Santoku knife is not easy for a beginner, but it can significantly reduce preparation time. What kind of bonus do these knives bring? They are made with much thinner blades and sharper corners, thanks to which you can create thin slices and finely chopped ornaments. This is suitable for every creative soul in the kitchen.

Bread knife

Bread knives have long thin blades with a length of approx. 20-30 centimeters. They are mainly used for slicing bread, but they are also very useful for slicing other bakery products - crunchy as well as soft. These knives always have a serrated blade, but the depth and distance of the individual teeth may vary. For example, one may have deep serrations with very strong teeth only 2-3 millimeters apart; another may have fine ringed teeth looking as hand-drawn clouds. You should keep in mind that different types of serrations are suitable for different types of tasks.

Slicing knife

The slicing knives are very similar in length and height to the bread knives. However, they differ in their straight blades instead of serrated. Another difference is that their tips are pointed, while most bread knives have blunt tips or a "sheepsfoot" blade. The slicing knife is usually used for preparation of meat slices of cooked turkey, chicken, ham or roast meat. You can use it in preparation as well as serving. Knives of this type also have a secondary use - slicing tomatoes and other soft fruits and vegetables.

Universal knife

Probably the most universal of all knives on this list is the universal knife, which can replace many other knives. While its versatility is amazing, it also has a weakness. It cannot perform these functions with clear precision. If you are looking for a knife with a quality cut, then probably look for a specific knife for a specific cut. However, if you are going to cut a sandwich, the universal knife is number one.

Boning knife

Boning knives tend to be misunderstood and underappreciated. Many people have no idea how to use it. The boning knife is usually used to remove meat from bones. This knife is actually one of the knives that butchers most often use when working with meat. The thin, flexible blade allows the butcher to create perfectly shaped and portioned steaks, roasts and chicken breasts without wasting anything. It allows them to cut very close to the bone itself. In your kitchen, this knife can be used in order to remove bones from chicken and fish, or to cut various other types of meat.

Knife for peeling and slicing fruits and vegetables

These short and easy-to-use knives are available in three variants: spear-tip, sheep's foot and bird's beak. Although all of these knives are made for more complex task with fruit and vegetable, each has its own specific purpose and function. Spear-tip is the best for slicing, you are able to cut long thin strips of the highest quality with a sheep's foot knife, and if you need to peel, take a bird's beak. 

Spear-tip

Sheep's foot

Bird's beak

Set of knives

Many people prefer to buy knives in one set, rather than buying them individually. In many cases, it will be much cheaper. However, this is not always the best solution. Before buying such a set, inspect the knives carefully and buy the set that contains only knives you will actually use. 

Keep your knives sharp

You can have the best knives in the world, but if they are not properly maintained and sharpened, they will not serve their purpose properly. One of the best way how to keep them perfectly sharp is to buy a top knife grinder. Read our article and learn the main reasons why to keep your kitchen knives sharp. Article: Why do you need a sharp knife? 

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