Kitchen knives are an essential tool in any kitchen. But we often settle for cheaper alternatives to get the job done. While this is an option that many of us feel satisfied with, they aren’t always the best choice if you’re looking to embark on a culinary journey that will awaken your senses and provide you with the cooking experience that you’re looking for. Instead, you should opt to invest in quality knives to help get the job done, but why? We’ll be going through how to choose the right kitchen knives, along with why you need quality knives and the choice you have when it comes to the knives available on the market.

How to choose the right kitchen knives

When it comes to investing in a set of good quality kitchen knives, the first thing you need to do is to make sure you’re buying them from a reputable seller. Generally, quality, premium knives will be crafted from steel in order to ensure excellent performance, sharpness, durability and longevity. 

You must also consider the ergonomics and material of the handle. Premium kitchen knives will have either plastic, wooden or even metal handles. The thing to remember with quality kitchen knife handles is the shape and style. They need to provide good grip and comfort. 

Usually, it’s recommended that you choose a quality kitchen knife made with a steel blade and a rosewood handle. Rosewood handles are smooth and they look the part. Along with that, they’re comfortable and easy to use. This makes them ideal for prolonged use in any kitchen, whether commercial or domestic.

Why do you need a set of quality kitchen knives in your kitchen?

You might be wondering why it’s necessary to have a set of quality kitchen knives when you could spend a fraction of the price of a set of cheaper knives that will still get the job done. To answer your question, there are actually a number of benefits to be had by investing in a set of quality kitchen knives for your home. So why do you need a good set of knives? Let us explain:

It allows for maximum efficiency

When it comes to a set of quality kitchen knives, you’ll have the convenience of knowing that they won’t break upon usage and there will also be a knife for every eventuality. You won’t have to stop what you’re doing while whipping up a delicious meal for your guests while you search for a suitable tool. 

A quality set of kitchen knives will present you with everything you could possibly need for preparing and serving the perfect dish. Don’t spend time constantly sharpening your cheaper knives or looking for a utensil that is suitable for the culinary job you’re doing; purchase a good quality set of kitchen knives if you’re looking to be more efficient in the world of cooking. 

It enables versatility

Having a wide range of quality kitchen knives at your disposal allows for maximum versatility in the kitchen. You will have a tool for every eventuality, therefore paving the way for you to embark on a culinary journey like never before. From slicing vegetables for a delectable stir-fry to de-boning a whole fish for the first time, having a variety of quality knives at the ready will ensure you can get the job done, no matter how simple or complex your dishes might be. 

It’s a cost-effective choice

Quality kitchen knives often come at a higher cost when compared to knives that can be bought in supermarkets or department stores. Kitchen knives of excellent quality can range in price, and for good reason. By investing in quality kitchen knives, you’re helping to save money in the long run. 

They’ll be far less likely to fail, such as a handle snapping or the blade becoming worn easily and, as such, people will purchase quality kitchen knives with a view to keeping them for many years to come. With the right care, top quality kitchen knives can be enjoyed as useful, effective, must-have utensils that will last for a lifetime. 

As such, you won’t have to keep buying replacement knives for cheaper, more brittle alternatives. If you’re looking for a more cost-effective option, then look to invest in your kitchen knives. Here at School of Wok, we have a knife sharpener on offer that will help to keep your kitchen knives in top condition at all times.

What are the different types of kitchen knives available?

The next step in the process, now that you know how to choose the knives you need, together with the advantages of having a good quality set of kitchen knives at your disposal, is to know which types of knives are available and whether or not you actually need them. 

Are you likely to use a cleaver knife or a boning knife? Are you more likely to need a filleting knife and a utility knife instead? Let us take you through the different types of knives that are available so that you can make the right decision for you. Whether you need a set of knives for a commercial or domestic setting, here’s everything you need to know about the kitchen knives on offer:

• Chef’s knives - a versatile knife that’s perfect for every stage of your culinary journey. The blade is precise and built with engineered balance for complete ease of use and ergonomics, therefore making it a comfortable knife to use for a wealth of tasks
• Paring knives - designed with a comfortable handle for continued use, it’s meant for chopping, cutting and slicing fruit and vegetables, primarily. They’re perfect for making precise and small cuts, having an emphasis on manoeuvrability for delicate cutting tasks in the kitchen 
• Utility knives - these can be used for any task in the kitchen. It’s a middle-of-the-ground knife sitting between a chef’s knife and a paring knife. It’s the go-to choice for those on the start of their culinary adventure thanks to its versatility and impressive range 
• Santoku knives - these knives have a long blade to allow for intricate-yet-efficient cutting work. They’re used most commonly for cutting fish as they have divots along the length of the blade, therefore reducing stick and drag when it comes to slicing food, avoiding excessive waste in the process
• Carving knives - this knife is more self-explanatory. It’s used for carving food that would otherwise be tough to cut with a different knife. They’re commonly used for carving beef and roasted poultry. You might not know it yet, but you may already have a carving knife in the kitchen drawer
• Boning knives - these have particularly slim blades with a razor-sharp edge. They’re used for cutting meat bones and trimming cartilage. They’re designed to trim flesh off the bone with precision to ensure a minimum amount of waste
• Cleaver knives - cleaver knives are one of the most easily-recognisable knives on the market, but they’re one of the least likely tools to be found in a domestic kitchen. They have a sharp-yet-wide blade with a hole present in one of the top corners. Their size is purely for the purposes of heavy-duty culinary work, such as chopping and portioning large pieces of meat. Their rectangular shape and heft is one of their main advantages 
• Bread knives - these knives have long, saw-like blades that are sharp and rigid enough to slice even the crustiest of bread loaves. The serrated edge is designed to slice effortlessly through a multitude of bread types, from hard-crust sourdoughs to soft white loaves
• Nakiri knives - they resemble a smaller cleaver knife but are used instead to slice vegetables and fruit that are tough or large, such as pumpkins, squashes, cabbages and more. They’re a useful, versatile kitchen tool that people often forget about, but they’re very much needed in any kitchen, whether commercial or domestic
• Filleting knives - also known as a fillet knife, they have long, thin, flexible blades that are designed for filleting fish, primarily. A good filleting knife will allow for the fish to be de-boned and filletied with very little damage to the edible flesh itself

School of Wok is pleased to provide a wide range of cooking classes in London that will teach attendees the ins and outs of a wide range of different cuisines, such as Japanese, Chinese, Thai, Vietnamese and more. If you would like further information about the cookery classes in London that we have to offer, get in touch with a member of our friendly, professional team today - you can give us a call on 0736 526 6695 or email us using [email protected].