How to Choose Quality Knives for Your Kitchen

Cooking at home does more than save money on eating out; it's also a great way to relieve stress. Whether you're an amateur or a seasoned professional, it's best to use a set of quality knives.

Although finding a kitchen knife set can seem difficult at first, it's simpler than most people think. Let's explore the attributes to look for when buying kitchen knives as well as the best branded knives to consider.

Knife Handle

The handles of most knives are made of plastic, black polypropylene or wood. Personal preference is the main factor to consider, but many people enjoy the feel of wooden handles.

For maximum comfort, choose a knife with a handle that has an ergonomic grip or finger grooves. This will greatly improve your experience. Keep an eye out for the "tang" of the knife as well.

This is how deep the blade of the knife goes into the handle. The deeper the tang, the easier the knife will be to use. Knives with a full tang are much stronger, so keep this in mind when making your decision.

Knife Balance

A balanced knife has an even weight distribution between the handle and blade. If either side is too heavy, the knife can be awkward to use.

Experienced chefs might prefer a knife that isn't perfectly balanced. For most people, balanced knives are the best choice. These are widely available, so you shouldn't have trouble finding a knife with an even ratio.

Blade Shape

When buying kitchen knives, you have the choice between curved blades and straight blades. Curved blades are ideal for working with large cuts of meat.

If you frequently make a lot of food at once, this might be the best choice. On the other hand, straight blades are better for making precise cuts. Those who cook smaller meals should purchase a knife with a straight blade.

This type of knife is also ideal for cutting fish, as you'll need to work around the bones in the flesh. If you can't decide between the two, look for a knife set that includes both. Having this flexibility can make it much easier to prepare a variety of meals.

Bolster

This term refers to the segment of the knife where the blade transitions to the handle. It provides reinforcement and serves as a counterbalance.

Knives with strong bolsters provide excellent strength, control, and balance. They're great for preventing accidents, such as having a finger slip onto the blade when chopping. Quality knives typically have strong bolsters, which can help streamline your search.

Price

Cheap knives can be enticing due to their low prices. After all, how much worse could an inexpensive knife be?

The truth is that cheap knives are of much lower quality. They dull quicker and are less comfortable to use.

In contrast, expensive cooking knives last longer and provide a better cooking experience. While you don't need to choose the most expensive cooking knives, you should avoid purchasing the cheapest ones. Low-tier knives are sure to fall short of your goals.

Length

The length of the blade plays a large role in its handling. Longer blades are often more difficult to use than shorter ones. However, longer blades are ideal for cutting large amounts of food.

This is especially true concerning meat. Prioritize long, heavy blades if you need to cut through bone, as well. Consider the size of your hand when making your decision.

You may need to choose a smaller or larger size than anticipated to maximize comfort. If you're interested in a particular length, it's best to use a knife of that size before buying a new one. Otherwise, you might find your new knife feels unwieldy and awkward in the hand.

Keep in mind that excessively long blades can sometimes be dangerous to cook with. These have niche use cases and should be avoided under most circumstances.

Past Reviews

It's essential to check past reviews when making your decision. This will provide valuable insight into what you can expect. See what others have had to say about the knife's handling, how often sharpening was required, etc.

Check the manufacturer's customer support policy as well. The last thing you want is to encounter issues that you have to deal with on your own. With enough due diligence, you'll be sure to make the right choice.

Knife Type

There are a variety of cooking knives available, and it's essential to choose ones designed for your needs. Listed below are some of the most common types. Let's take a closer look.

Slicing Knives

As the name suggests, slicing knives are designed for accurate cuts. They're long, tapered, and have smooth edges. People often use them for cutting cooked meat.

Slicing knives are useful when meal appearance matters as well. Those who want to create a spectacular meal presentation should choose knives that make precise cuts.

Chef's Knives

These are all-purpose knives that you can use for dicing, slicing, and chopping. Their versatility allows you to work with a variety of foods, including meat, herbs, and vegetables. If you could only choose one cooking knife, a chef's knife would be the way to go.

Cleavers

Cleavers have thick, heavy blades meant to chop through thick cuts of meat and bone. You can also use them for other tasks that require a bit of extra strength. Squashing garlic is one of the most common.

Inexperienced chefs may find cleavers intimidating. They might also find them difficult to use. Most people don't have a use for cleavers, so you can likely overlook this option.

Boning Knives

Boning knives have small, curved blades that help you remove bones from foods like fish, poultry, and beef. They're easy to handle, allowing you to make precise cuts along joints and bones. If you frequently debone proteins, keep a boning knife in your kitchen at all times.

Paring Knives

These are smaller than most other knives, sitting around 3.5 inches in length. They're designed for tasks like peeling and trimming. Not everyone will need a paring knife, but those who do will greatly benefit from keeping one available.

Choosing Branded Knives

Not all brands are created equal. Although there are countless manufacturers out there, it's crucial to look through them to find the right option. We've done some of the legwork for you and compiled a brief list of the best brands to consider.

Wüsthof

This brand is known for its emphasis on providing quality products. Their knives are dishwasher-safe, but it's recommended to handwash them. Those who purchase a Wüsthof knife will be pleased to find that it's perfectly balanced and ergonomic.

In some cases, though, these knives can be a bit heavy. Not everyone will find them comfortable to use. Consider this factor when making your decision.

Global

If you're looking for sharpness, Global has you covered. The blades of their knives are forged from a single piece of stainless steel.

As a result, the blade is integrated with the handle of the knife. This prevents it from loosening during use. Their blades also have hollow indentations, so food doesn't stick to them as you cut.

These knives aren't perfect, though. Some people find that they feel brittle when cutting tougher foods, such as large cuts of meat. This lack of stability is a deterrent for many users.

Faneema Cutlery

This brand is family-owned and spans multiple generations. What truly sets them apart from competitors is their hand-forged Damascus knives.

Not only are these knives easy to use, but they're also exquisitely designed. They can add plenty of aesthetic appeal to any kitchen. Faneema Cutlery prides itself on offering a large variety of knives at affordable prices.

This helps keep their high-quality products accessible. Whether you're a collector, hobbyist, or professional, these knives are sure to exceed your expectations.

Shun

This is a Japanese brand renowned for the longevity of its knives. Casual users will rarely have to sharpen their blades.

They offer a wide selection of smaller knives, allowing those with small hands to easily cut through almost any ingredient. People choose this brand when searching for reliable, reasonably-priced knives.

Miyabi

Miyabi knives are comfortable to use and provide some of the thinnest cuts possible. For those who need very specific results, these knives are a great choice.

Professional chefs often choose them since meal presentation is so important. You don't get this level of quality without paying for it, though.

These knives are notably expensive, and some people even feel they're overpriced. Regardless, they provide stellar results and are enjoyable to use.

Don't Skimp on Quality

It can be tempting to gravitate toward cheaper options when purchasing branded knives. However, you often get what you pay for.

Look for a knife set full of tried-and-true blade style. This will help ensure you have the best possible cooking experience.

Ready to get started? Reach out to a representative at Faneema Cutlery to learn more. We have a wide selection of quality knives that can take your meals to the next level.