Every chef understands the importance of having a good knife to use in the kitchen. There are different chef’s knife designs used to perform kitchen tasks, from slicing fish, chopping vegetables and cutting garlic. Having a good knife is indeed critical in performing different functions in the kitchen.
A good knife makes work more comfortable and faster in the kitchen. To help you, we’ll discuss how to choose the perfect knife for your cooking arsenal.
When looking for perfect chef knife, there are several qualities to consider. Working with something comfortable to use makes the job very easy. Choose a blade that feels familiar as it simplifies kitchen work.
Blade size
There are different sizes of knives from 6 inches long to 1 foot. A blade that is 8 inches long is the most common in kitchens, and it makes handling all tasks in the kitchen easier.
Blade style
There are knives made in Europe, and Japanese made; the difference is in style. Japanese made blades are usually very specialized and handle a specific job very well while a European made knife multitasks and is more versatile.
Blade composition
Knives made of carbon steel are outstanding and long lasting. Carbon strengthens the steel, makes the blade more robust and prevents the edge from flattening quickly. Knives made of stainless steel are also great as they don’t wear quickly, and sharpening is easier.
Knife handle
The handle of the knife is a significant factor to consider when choosing a perfect chef’s knife. How the handle feels in one’s hand is critical, and the more comfortable the knife feels, the more enjoyable it is to use.
Sharpness
A good chef’s knife should be very sharp. A sharp knife makes slicing and dicing very easy and fun. Piercing a sheet of paper determines whether the knife is sharp enough to be used in the kitchen—the design of the blade and the material used to make the knife are very important.
Weight
The weight of the knife is also crucial and it should be comfortable enough for the chef to hold. The weight of the knife should also be evenly distributed in the blade, making it comfortable to use over longer periods of time.
Which size is best?
The size of 8 inches is the most common in kitchens, but an individual should focus on choosing a knife of which point they feel comfortable using. Trying on a variety of sizes helps in establishing a suitable size for each person. Different sizes work better for other people; therefore, it is essential to find out the best for an individual.
According to the New York Times, it is also essential that a chef has different sizes to do various jobs in the kitchen. The size of the knife is important in performing various tasks such as cutting grass into finer particles that may need a different size knife than cutting grass into larger slices.
A knife with a blade length that matches that of the cook’s arm is a good rule of thumb to identify a good size blade.
A perfect knife should be well maintained
No matter how good your chef’s knife is in terms of specifications, its effectiveness will wear off over time if it is not properly cared for. Make sure you have your chef’s knife sharpened regularly and stored properly. Also ensure that the cutting board used is of high quality to prevent damage to the knife.
In general, every chef and home cook needs to know the type of knife to use in the kitchen to make the job easy. Pay attention to the size, weight and quality of the chef’s knife to use in the kitchen.
