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Buying a good kitchen knife turns out to be more complicated as it seems. With a wide range of products available and different criteria to take into account, Les Artisans du Couteau helps you get a clear idea of which kitchen knife is the most suitable for you. First, choose the knife you shall use the most, and then refine your selection according to your passions or needs. There is a knife for all of them!
What is a good kitchen knife?
A good kitchen knife is more than a sharp object, this is also your cooking partner! Thanks to it, you can mince, dice, slice thinly or cut filets, sculpt or even bone with precision and easily, so as to prepare delicious dishes. A good kitchen knife corresponds to your cooking habits and needs. When you hold it, it must be comfortable and easy to handle. A good kitchen knife may not be the best for everyone, there is no real universal rule in that matter.
All the greatest chefs would tell you that a kitchen knife must be like a natural extension of your arm. This way, you shall use it easily and skilfully, without any particular effort.
What are the criteria to choose a kitchen knife?
To find your perfect kitchen knife, you should take several criteria into consideration.
Function
Firstly, determine what you shall use your knife for, so as to choose the most adapted model. Prefer a polyvalent knife which shall help you carry out several tasks, such as a paring knife. You shall both save time in the kitchen and get more space in your drawers!
Size and weight
Size and weight are also important elements you should consider. If your knife is too big or too small, it shall limit your movements and precision. If it is too heavy, you shall work twice as hard for each gesture. The knife must match the way you cook: a heavy knife shall help you cut food with more strength, while a lighter one shall make your gestures more precise and skilful. It’s up to you to choose your style!
Balance
To choose a good kitchen knife, you must pay attention to its balance. If the knife seems to be imbalanced when you hold it in your hand, if you have the feeling that it leans on a side or forwards, then it means this is not the right knife for you. An imbalanced knife shall require more effort and can even turn out to be dangerous if you lose control of it.
Materials
Do some research on the materials used as part of the knife’s manufacturing: steel or alloy used for the blade (its flexibility, resistance, maintenance…) and material used for the handle (wood, steel, stainless steel, polymer, resistant plastic…). The most important thing is that you have a “good feeling” about it when you hold it in your hand.
As you can see, this is all about trying the knife you want before buying it (or being able to return it if the test is not conclusive). Hold it in your hand, weight it, do a few gestures, test its resistance on a chopping board, for instance. Just like clothes you try before buying them, you should make sure the kitchen knife you want to buy perfectly suits you.
Kitchen knives at Les Artisans du Couteau: high-quality knives!
Les Artisans du Couteau knows your different needs and provides you with a selection of high-quality kitchen knives which shall meet all your requirements.
- For meat lovers, discover the indispensable butcher knife, which shall help you cut the biggest carcasses. The boning knife shall help you prepare poultry or pieces of meat easily. You can also enjoy the cutting-edge of a steak knife, perfect for savouring your most delicious meats.
- Do you prefer fish? The Sole filet knife shall help you cut delicious fish fillets without fishbone in just a few gestures.
- Are you looking for a multifunction knife no food can resist? Choose a chef knife or a paring knife which shall be perfectly up to that task.
- Does world cuisine inspire you? Discover the Santoku knife, this famous Japanese knife and its 3 virtues shall provide you with high precision thanks to its atypical shape and alveolate-steel blade.
To choose the right kitchen knife, one which can adapt perfectly to your style, do not hesitate to ask for advice and read our different purchase guides.
