FAQs
There are different kitchen knives designed for specific tasks. The paring knife is used for delicate work with fruit and vegetables, while the bread knife cuts baked goods and large fruits. True all-rounders in the kitchen are the chef knife and the Santoku.
Every kitchen knife has its own tasks. The chef knife is an all-rounder for slicing, rocking and chopping. The Nakiri is ideal for cutting vegetables. With a bread knife, you can cut through hard bread crusts and large fruit such as melons. A paring knife is used for peeling and carving fruit and vegetables. It is worth looking at the different knife types to choose the right knife for every kitchen task.
When buying kitchen knives, quality, sharpness and balance matter. Make sure that high-quality steel has been precisely crafted. Prefer Damascus kitchen knives for excellent edge retention. A fine kitchen knife should be well balanced and sit securely in the hand. This makes effortless and controlled work possible.
Always guide the blade of a kitchen knife in a controlled way and with the edge pointing away from your body. The claw grip is especially safe: curl the fingertips of the hand holding the food slightly inward. This prevents you from cutting your fingers.
The best kitchen knife is the one that suits your hand and your cooking style. For most households, a chef knife or a Santoku is the best choice because it is versatile and covers most cutting tasks. Look for comfortable balance, a secure handle and a blade that can be guided cleanly.
For maximum sharpness, use a whetstone when the knife is clearly dull. For quick sharpness, a diamond sharpening steel is suitable for touch-ups. As a finish and for regular edge care, a leather strop removes the last burr and makes the edge razor-sharp.
In most kitchens, two to five knives are enough. A chef knife or Santoku as the main knife and a utility knife cover most cutting tasks. Depending on your needs, a paring knife, a bread knife and another specialist knife such as a Nakiri for vegetables or a filleting knife for fish can be useful additions. Which additions make sense depends on whether you often prepare certain ingredients or perform special cutting tasks.
Clean kitchen knives by hand with lukewarm water and mild detergent, then dry them immediately. Cut on wood or plastic, not on glass or stone. Use safe storage, for example a knife block or blade guard, so the edge does not hit metal or ceramic. Avoid hard edges, bones, frozen food and levering movements because they can strain the fine edge.
First think about what you cut most often. Lots of vegetables and herbs speak for a Nakiri. Lots of meat and versatile cooking speak for a chef knife or a Santoku. If you often prepare small ingredients, a utility knife or paring knife is also worthwhile. If possible, also consider the blade length, because a knife should feel secure and be easy to guide without force.