The Only Kitchen Knives You Need
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On the Cutting Edge of Cooking
It isn't just the professionals who need a good set of kitchen knives. If you do any cooking at all, then a decent set of knives are important.
It is better to spend a moderate amount of money on one really good knife that you will use over and over again than to spend the same amount on 10 knives plus a vegetable peeler and 15 steak knives thrown in absolutely free.
If, like me, you are a home cook this doesn't mean spending a fortune on kitchen knives. Nor does it mean having 10 different knives for any possible occasion. Most home cooks can easily deal with the majority of tasks that may arise with just 3 knives.
With proper care, these knives will serve a cook well for many, many years.
This carving set originally belonged to my husband's grandfather. It was passed down to my husband, and has been in use for over 50 years.
What Knives Should I Have?
The bare essentials
Most home cooks only need 3 knives.
- A cook's knife
- A paring knife
- A bread knife
Of these three, only the first two are what I would call essential. The bread knife is good to have around, but not absolutely mandatory if you know you're just not going to use it.
I also recommend a good pair of kitchen scissors and a good vegetable peeler.
Don't get any other knives unless you know you will be using them often. They'll only end up gathering dust and you can put that money to better use.
Your Cook's Knife
We have 3 cook's knives actually. Because I didn't follow my own advice and bought one we hardly ever use. That one has a 10-inch blade and is much, much too big for most work. Unless we're splitting open a squash or a large melon.
The other two tend to get a lot of use because my husband and I cook together several times a week.
I prefer to use the cook's knife with a 6-inch blade while he uses the one with an 8-inch blade.
Victorinox 46892 Fibrox 3-Piece Chef's Knife Set
Amazon Price: $67.95 (as of 05/30/2012)
Your cook's knife will get more use than any other knife in your kitchen. So, get the best you can find. That doesn't necessarily mean the most expensive. You want a knife that fits comfortably in your hand. This knife has a good blade and a comfortable, non-slip handle. Both aspects are very important when you are chopping.
Your Paring Knife
After a cook's knife, we use a paring knife most often. They work equally well for peeling apples as they do for chopping a chilli pepper and other small vegetables.
Victorinox 47508 3-1/4-Inch Paring Knife
Amazon Price: $4.38 (as of 05/30/2012)
This 3 -1/4 inch paring knife will fit easily in your hand and the blade is thin and sharp. It is perfect for paring fruit or vegetables and any small, close work you may want to do.
Your Bread Knife
This knife can actually hold multiple purposes. The serrated edge makes it useful for slicing both bread and meats, and tomatoes.
I use mine 5 -7 times a week for cutting sandwiches in half and cutting the crust off of bread for a finicky eater.
Victorinox Cutlery 8-Inch Wavy Edge Bread Knife, Black Fibrox Handle
Amazon Price: $20.50 (as of 05/30/2012)
This particular knife can be used for cutting bread or carving meat. It will be used again and again.
If You Need Other Knives
Try searching here
Don't make an investment in these unless you know you will be using them often. Otherwise, just see if you can borrow one from your neighbour who did go for the 10 knife special, with a vegetable peeler and 15 steak knives thrown in free.
For my UK readers
Amazon shop
Cooking with Knives Amazon Shop, featuring all of the knives spotlighted above.
I have chosen to display the Kitchen Devil brand as these are the knives that I have used for over 10 years. With the exception of one that my eldest son decided to use for cutting wood (no, I didn't kill him), they have provided excellent service the entire time, provided I take care of them and make sure to sharpen them often.
Kitchen Knives from Ebay
Care and Feeding of Your Kitchen Knives
do not feed the utensil drawer
As with anything else in my kitchen, I like my knives to be easy to use, easy to clean, and readily available when I need them. With proper care, all of this is true.
- Sharpen your knives before each use
- Do not let your knives roam free in a drawer
- Clean the knives immediately after using
Nothing is more dangerous in a kitchen than a dull knife.
Besides dulling the blades, you have a really good chance of slicing a finger open while digging around for the tin opener.
Don't drop the knives into the bottom of the sink either. Again, you run a good risk of slicing your finger open by doing this.
Caring for Your Knives
Don't forget
Keep your knives sharp
There is nothing more dangerous in any kitchen than a knife that has been allowed to become dull.
Invest in a very good knife sharpener and use it often, at least once a week on knives you use infrequently. Before every use for any knife you use more than 4 -5 times a week.
How to Sharpen Your Knives
using a sharpening steel
Coming to the point
What's on your mind?
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blanckj
Jun 25, 2011 @ 7:34 am | delete
- I like to have good knives in my kitchen. Great lens.
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JJNW
Oct 24, 2010 @ 3:58 am | delete
- Good tools are a must! Good advice & info!
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clouda9
Jun 16, 2010 @ 11:38 am | delete
- I've yet to have a knife that makes me go wow! Thanks for the info and reviews here.
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jptanabe
May 2, 2010 @ 12:58 pm | delete
- Great advice here! Happy to say that I actually have a cook's knife, a paring knife and a bread knife just as you recommend. Problem is I don't sharpen them often enough - I should make that hubby's job!
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GroovyFinds
Nov 30, 2009 @ 6:48 pm | delete
- Really well done!
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About the Author
Cooking with NanLT
by NanLT
NanLT has been writing at Squidoo since January 2009 and in that time has established herself as an authority on such diverse topics as home cooking and... more »
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Kitchen Utensils for the Home
7-Inch Chef's Knife
Victorinox Fibrox 7-Inch Granton Edge Santoku Knife
Amazon Price: $23.95 (as of 05/30/2012)
The chef's knife will be the most used knife in your kitchen, so be sure to get a good quality knife like this from Victorinox.
Carving Knife Set
Victorinox 2-Piece Carving Set, Rosewood Handles
Amazon Price: $86.50 (as of 05/30/2012)
Impress your dinner guests with your carving skills by using a quality carving knife.
