Different kitchen knife types you can buy today!

 

Buying a kitchen knife can prove to be quite difficult these days due to a variety of reasons. For example, you can get a Damascus knife for durability, but you can also go for specialized knives like a carving knife or a Santoku. It’s a good idea to understand what types of knives you can get, and why you should go for those specific ones.

Chef knife

The cook’s knife or chef knife is versatile. It has a sharp, large blade and it can be great for cutting meat, but also for cutting herbs or dicing veggies. It’s one of the best kitchen knife options because it’s easy to use, durable, but also great for more than just a single task. Instead, it’s a whole-in-one option, hence the name.

 

Utility knife

These knives are similar to the chef knife, but they are a bit shorter. Just like a chef’s knife, the utility knife is meant to be versatile and great for all kinds of kitchen tasks. It’s not as long, so it might have limited usability in some use cases.

Bread knife

You can use a bread knife for various tasks. While its obvious use is for cutting bread or baked goods, that’s not all. You can also use a bread knife for any food that has a hard exterior. The scalloped or serrated blade is ideal for these tasks, so keep that in mind.

Slicing knife

It’s a good idea to buy this type of kitchen knife if you need to carve or slice meat. It can be great for large fruit as well. These have a variety of styles; some of them are even specialized to fit specific meat types. That’s why it can be a great idea to give it a shot for yourself and then go from there.

Santoku knife

As the name suggests, this knife originates from Japan, and a variety of professional chefs use it. It’s more of a general-purpose knife. However, it works great when it comes to tasks like mincing, dicing, and slicing.

Paring knife

The paring knife has a sharp yet short blade. You can use a paring knife specifically when you need very precise cutting. Yes, it’s sharp, so you must be extremely careful when using it. Otherwise, it’s possible to cut yourself if you’re not careful.

Boning knife

The boning knife is designed to help you remove bones from poultry and other types of meat. With that in mind, there are specialized options like fillet knives, which help you remove fish bones. Most of these tend to have a flexible blade, a thin one that makes it very easy to cut with great precision.

Steak knife

You can use a steak knife whenever you want to slice cooked meat. While the obvious use is definitely for steak, it can be great for a variety of other food types. The knife has a serrated blade, and the tip is pointed. In addition, it can be great as a general table knife.

 

Cleaver

Cleavers are those types of knives that everyone should have in their home. You can use a cleaver whenever you want to slice through veggies, but also through meat as well. The benefit of having so much control when you cut anything does help quite a bit.

Nakiri knife

Using a Nakiri knife is also a good idea, especially if you are the type of person who works with a lot of veggies. While other kitchen knife options are great for a multitude of tasks, these are particularly good at cutting vegetables. And you can easily cut pretty much anything you want, from cabbages to carrots and so on. It’s also a knife that has a long legacy, and it comes from Japan.

Fish knife

Fish knives were invented during the middle of the 19^th century and they were a great addition for fine dining. Whenever you had any fish, this was very much a necessity. What makes fish knives unique is the fact they come with a paddle-like blade. The blade can easily slide between the flesh and skin of a fish. That makes it easy to remove tiny fish bones, too.

Dessert knife

Dessert knives are very good at serving dessert, and they are small, similar to a dinner knife. However, they are a bit duller when compared to other knife types. They also come with a slightly serrated edge, which is useful if you want to cut through something soft like pastry, cakes, and so on.

Which type of knife should you choose?

It always depends on what you need and how often you want to use the knife. For example, some knives have very specific uses, like carving knives. Others, like a chef knife, tend to be a lot more versatile and easy to use. So it always comes down to the reasons why you want that kind of knife and also whether it’s worth the money. There are other considerations, too:

• How much does the knife cost? Is it within your budget?
• Does it have any warranty? How durable is the knife? You can check reviews for yourself and see whether you are getting the desired value from the knife or not.
• The material used for making that knife also matters. Some materials, like stainless steel are preferred when it comes to others.
• Weight and balance also matter. Testing out different knives will give you a good idea of what you can expect and which one is the best fit for you.
• Also, think about maintenance. Some knives require frequent sharpening; others don’t. But some knives will require you to clean them after every use. Check maintenance requirements, if any.
• Is the handle ergonomic? Can you use the knife with ease? Ideally, you should, but some knife types might make that difficult.

Conclusion

Picking a good kitchen knife is all about knowing your preferences and what use cases you have for the knife as well. Narrowing those down will make it easier to pick the right knife without overspending. Avoid any rush, and remember to check multiple knife types until you find the best one for you!