Tips and tricks to choose the best chef knives

Finding the right chef knife for you can be a very overwhelming and challenging task. Yet, at the same time, it’s something you have to take into account when trying to buy a good, reliable kitchen knife. There are so many things to look out for, which means it’s easy to overlook a simple, yet deciding factor. That’s why we made a quick list with some of the top things to consider when purchasing a chef knife.

Make sure that the chef knife is comfortable

Every chef has their own preference; some want a lighter chef knife, others enjoy longer knives, and so on. It ultimately comes down to comfort. You want a good knife that delivers the value and quality you want, one that’s easy to use, but also that can help provide an exceptional result. Creating a list with the type of features you want from such a kitchen knife is extremely helpful. Sure, some might use a Damascus knife for certain kitchen tasks, but a chef knife is definitely more versatile and an all-rounded option.

What’s the ideal size for a chef knife?

That depends on the chef, as you can imagine. However, one of the best options is to go for an 8-inch chef knife. It can be a great length because you have a longer blade to deal with some of the more tedious tasks. Yet, at the same time, it’s not overly long to make it unusable for immediate, quick cuts. Of course, you can start with that length and go from there, depending on your needs. There are lots of options over or under 8 inches, too.

Japanese or European chef knives?

It’s important to keep in mind that the origin of chef knives can also be a deciding factor. For example, Japanese knives are known to be more task-specific. Some Japanese chef knives are great for slicing fish or for cutting noodles. Whereas European ones are usually all-purpose.

Another thing to note here is that European-style knives have a robust geometry. They tend to have a bolster that goes from the blade to the handle. If you are used to making a rocking motion for mincing or chopping, European-style knives tend to be the better option. A Japanese chef knife, on the other hand, comes with an acute angle for the cutting edge. That means it’s better for chopping or slicing without the need for a rocking motion. The downside here is that sharpening these Japanese-style knives can be a tad harder.

Handle style

Handles are usually very subjective, it either fits you well or it doesn’t. You always want the handle to feel well in your hand, you need to have a very good grip. Because the lack of a good grip will make you not enjoy the chef knife, so try to keep that in mind. It’s especially true if you have a pinch grip. That usually influences what part of the handle ends in your palm.

Knife material

You will notice that not every chef knife uses the same material. Most of the top ones are made out of stainless steel. But there are options made out of regular steel, carbon steel or even alloy steel. You can also find ceramic chef knives, titanium knives, and so on.

Blade type

One thing to note when you buy a chef knife is to study its blade. Most chef knives have a triangular, pointed, long blade. However, these also tend to be slightly curved. Some manufacturers overdo it with the curvature, which makes their chef knives more task-specific. However, if you want a general-purpose chef knife, then a slightly curved blade is preferred.

Also, there are other things you want to think about as well. If you go for a narrow chef knife, then this one is infinitely better for slicing. That means if you slice ingredients very often, it could be the right pick. On the other hand, broader blades offer that rocking motion that makes chopping a whole lot better. So, it always depends on the use case, among other factors.

Maintenance requirements

It’s also important to keep in mind that most chef knives will last longer with adequate maintenance. And in some cases, there are knives with very specific maintenance needs. You should check and see what requirements the chef knife has, just to ensure you won’t have to deal with any issues or downsides.

Stamped or forged

Stamped knives are the most common ones, less durable and cheaper in general. That means the knife was cut from an existing sheet of material. A forged knife is, as the name suggests, forged, which means it’s made from scratch using the liquid metal form of the steel. Obviously, forging the metal the way you want makes the knife a lot more durable. That’s why a Damascus knife is much better when compared to a regular knife. However, that also means a forged chef knife is more expensive than a stamped one since you pay a premium for the quality and durability.

Conclusion

Selecting the right chef knife is always a very personal, subjective choice. Yet there are always things to consider, from going with a stamped/forged knife to the blade quality, knife balance, and even its weight. On top of that, the blade material matters quite a bit. Some people are ok with ceramic blades, others want stainless steel or high-carbon steel. It’s important to create a checklist of all things you want from your chef knife.

Make sure that you avoid any rush and always focus on going for a quality product. Since you’re going to use the chef knife for a long time, its durability and maintenance requirements are extremely important. However, don’t dismiss other things like ease of use, if you have other knives that will tackle situation-specific tasks, and so on. Some people buy a chef knife and use it for everything, while others will just use the chef knife along with other, more specialized knives. Assess the criteria above, and you won’t have a problem picking the right knife for you!