Finding the right Chef Knife or Chef Knife Set for the Job
Every Handyman will tell you that the quality of the tools you are using reflects in the speed and value of your work. This is true for any kind of crafts as well as Kitchen work.
The material and size of a cooking pot defines the speed and qaulity of the soups and stews you are preparing. Every dish has a best fitting cooking vessel.
There is also a fitting knife available for cutting, slicing or carving different materials like meat, fish, vegetable or bread.
We wil find a sortiment of knifes in every kitchen, but are they the right kind to do the job? We will find Chef Knifes in different sizes, Paring Knifes, Steak Knifes, Fillet Knifes, Knifes with Serrated or Straight Edges, Knifes made from Steel or Ceramic, Single Knifes or Sets of Kitchen Knifes, Knifes with Riveted and Knifes with Molded Handles.
We have to ask ourself which Knife is the best to do the Job?
There are many good quality Knifes available. We just have to answer a few basic questions:
- Do I want to buy a preselected Chef Knife Set or do I want to select the Knifes I need for my Kitchen and Cooking? Both ways have their reason and justification. To buy a Kitchen Knife Set is convenient, most likely the cheaper alternative and a wooden block with several knifes can give your Kitchen a very professional look. Putting together your own selection can save you money as well because you are only buying Knifes you really need. You are also able to choose Knifes from different manufatures which allows you to pick the best quality or value for every task.
- How much am I going to spend on the Knifes I need in my Kitchen? This question is answered by the budget you have available. There are budget version in the market but a decend Kitchen Knife (depending on the size) will start between $25 and $60; Starter Chef Knife Sets, containing 4 to 8 Knifes, at around $120. A good set of Kitchen Knifes will last you a lifetime. The price of a Chef Knife or Knife Set is not only defined by the size of the Knifes or set but more likely by the material used and the quality of the fabrication and handle.
- What Blade Material should I choose? The material of choise is most likely a Stainless Steel (an alloy of steel, chromium and other materials). Stainless Steel Grade 420 is a material often used for Beginner or starter Knifes or Sets. High-end Kitchen knifes are made from harder material which is able to keep a sharp edge for much longer like Highcarbon Steel Grade 440C , AUS 8 or AUS 10. The hardest material for a knife blade is Ceramic. Ceramic Kitchen Knifes have a very long lasting edge. They are perfect for cutting vegetables and fruits: I also use them for boneless meat. Ceramic Knifes are very brittle and require special tools for sharpening. Stay away from Chef Knife Sets where almost every blade has a serraded edge. These sets are made from material so soft that it is not able to keep an edge. The serraded edge can not be resharpened. These Knifes have to be replaced after going dull.
Go here to get more Information about different types of Chef Knifes, Chef Knife Sets and ways to store and dispay them as well as some recommentations.