How to Choose the Best Kitchen Knives

Is there anything worse than trying to chop hard vegetables with a dull knife? Not only is this frustrating and tiring, but it can also be dangerous to use a dull knife.

Ensuring that you use the best kitchen knives for your cooking can help you not only produce better quality food, but you’ll also reduce the risk of injuring yourself while cutting produce, meat, or other ingredients.

If you’re not sure where to start when shopping for knives for your kitchen, be sure to keep reading for some of the best tips and tricks to help you navigate the knife aisle like a professional chef.

Table of Contents

Understanding the Parts of Knives

Before you can head to your local kitchen supply store, you’ll need to do a little research! Understanding the different parts of a knife is crucial to making sure you buy the best options for your needs.

When looking at a knife, it may just seem like a sharp piece of metal with a handle. However, the craftsmanship of the tool determines its uses.

For example, there are different types of handles; you’ll want to choose an option with an ergonomic design, especially if you plan on cooking for long periods at a time.

You’ll also want to ensure that the bolster of the knife, the bit of metal that joins the blade to the handle, is thick enough for the type of food it’s cutting. The thicker the bolster, the better, as it’s crucial for balancing the blade.

The Types of Knives

Next, you’ll want to look into the different knives available for you to purchase. You should research before you buy kitchen knives, as it helps you save money, as you won’t ruin cuts of meat or expensive ingredients.

There are different knives that work best for specific ingredients. For example, a pairing knife is great for smaller, more delicate food like strawberries, while a serrated knife is practical for slicing crusty bread.

If you’re someone who loves meat, a great butcher’s knife can cut through thick flesh, fat, and tendons with ease! You can also invest in a fillet knife if you eat a lot of seafood, as it helps you scale and gut the fish quickly.

Where to Start

If you’re feeling overwhelmed by the sheer amount of options, you’ll want to start with the essential knives. However, if you’re new to cooking, you can find multi-purpose knives to introduce you to using high-quality tools.

One of the most universal knives that every kitchen should have is a chef’s knife. These are perfect for chopping, thanks to the shape of the blade. You won’t even have to lift it off your cutting board to slice up ingredients.

Aside from chopping, this multi-functional knife is practical for thicker, denser foods like potatoes, thanks to the heavy-duty blade and handle.

Aside from a chef’s knife, a great option is a utility knife. Similar to a pairing knife, the utility knife features a shorter blade, perfect for smaller ingredients. From peeling to mincing, this knife is great for first-time cooks.

After You Get Comfortable

Once you’ve mastered handling the chef’s knife, you can move on to different blades. As you get more used to working with cutlery and expanding your pallet, you’ll want to invest in the proper knives.

If you’re not sure where to start, you can buy a set from Messermeister. These collections feature the types of knives you’ll use, ranging from mastering a Mediterranean diet to Japanese-inspired cutlery.

Not only will you want to expand your knife collection, but you’ll also want to ensure you invest in the necessary tools to accompany them. This includes a sharpener and travel kit if you plan on cooking in various locations.

Consider the Price

Before you purchase kitchen knives, you’ll want to pay attention to the price. This can have a significant impact on the quality of your blade, and subsequently, your meals.

While a cheaper knife is more affordable, you may find that the blade will dull much more quickly than higher-end options.

However, if you invest in high-quality knives, you should ensure you know how to use them first. The last thing you want is to buy cutlery, just for it to sit unused in a drawer!

Keep Them in Prime Condition

Finally, when you invest in and buy cutlery that’s expensive, you’ll want to keep it in the best condition possible.

One of the best ways to keep your knives safe is to invest in a quality knife block. These ensure that your knives stay sheathed in separate compartments.

If you throw all of your knives into a drawer, they’ll bump into each other, causing scratching, dullness, and damage.

Another way to ensure new kitchen knives stay in the best shape possible is to invest in a sharpener. Whether you opt for an electric, stone, or metal option, this can help you ensure your knives are never dull.