Your Kitchen Knife Guide

Explore popular types of knives & which is right for you. Find out the difference between forged vs stamped, types of blade materials & more.

Your Kitchen Knife Guide: What Knife to Use and How to Take Care of Them

A knife is a kitchen essential and can be a considerable investment. Read on to discover everything you need to know about the types of knives available, how to use them and how to take care of your knives. Let’s get started!

Types of Knives & Their Functions

Type of Knife Blade Materials

While the blades are made differently, it isn’t a matter of which is the better blade, but the performance of the knife and your preferred style. Below we define the difference between commonly known materials Japanese steel and German steel.

German Steel knives are sharp, durable, and easy to care for, using softer steel throughout the blades core so they are less likely to chip, break and rust. This makes German knives great for more heavy-duty work like cutting meat, boning poultry and chopping vegetables.

How to Take Care of Your Knives?

Not only do sharp knives makes slicing tomatoes and dicing onions A LOT easier, but a dull knife can also actually be quite dangerous. When your knife starts to get dull use a Sharpener or Whetstone. Knife Sharpeners will ensure that your knife collection is always kept in top condition with razor sharp blades, ready to slice and dice at a moment’s notice.

Types of Knife Sharpeners

Sharpening Stones

Also known at whetstones, typically come in a rectangular block. These stones work well with dull knives.

Sharpening Steels

Sharpening steels hone knife blades and should be used for the upkeep of a knife, not to sharpen a dull one. Sharpening steels are long and narrow rods made from steel or ceramic. A sharpening steel will realign the blade into its original shape making it a great tool to use before or after a knife is used.

Pull Through Sharpeners

When you want a quick sharpen pull through sharpeners are the answer. Pull through sharpeners are quick and easy, fast and are portable. Many pull through sharpeners have separate sections that are a 3 step method: Step 1 includes a diamond abrasive edge that shapes the knife blade and ensures it is smooth and free from burrs. Step 2 is a tungsten steel blade that sharpens the dull edge of the knife blade. Step 3 is a ceramic edge that finishes the job by polishing the blade.

Which Knife is Right for Me?

Whatever the task, there is a knife for it, and some knives are more specialised than others. It doesn't matter if you're a novice or an aspiring professional; all knives serve a purpose. When building a toolkit, you might want to start with a single, more versatile knife, such as a Santoku or chef's knife, and then add a few different size utility knives and a bread knife to complete the set. Finding a secure location to store the knives is a drawback. Knife blocks are gaining popularity steadily.

What was once considered an unsightly wooden chunk on the benchtop, knife blocks have really evolved into art pieces in their own right. Displaying knife blocks is considered a home kitchen styling statement.

For more experienced cooking enthusiasts with a knife block already, we suggest choosing standalone knives to complement your collection.

We hope that after reading this guide, you can make an informed decision about what you need to create a complete and efficient culinary experience. Check out our kitchen knife selection to find your perfect match.

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