With so many different kitchen knives available, choosing the right one is no easy feat and everyone requires different knives to match their own specific uses, styles, and preferences.
So, before you rush into buying the first kitchen knives you see, there are some things that you should spend some time considering and here are three tips to help you on your way to choosing the perfect knives for you.
1. Try before you buy
Your aim is always going to be to get the best quality knife at the lowest price possible and this is often easier to do online. However, if the online shop doesn’t allow returns, it’s probably best that you buy your knives elsewhere because trying them out before you commit is essential.
If you’re buying your knives from a brick-and-mortar shop, ask if you can try them out before you buy them: pick them up to see how they feel in your hands, and carry out the action of what they will be used for to see if they’ll be comfortable enough.
We spoke to knife retailer Kitchen Knives, the UK’s leading suppliers of Global knives, who said: “To avoid disappointment, you should always ensure that you can return your knives if they’re damaged or don’t quite live up to your expectations.”
“Browsing a shop’s returns policy before you make your purchase is always good practice and is especially important when buying something as personal as kitchen knives.”
2. Be mindful of the blade’s material
Your knife’s blade material will make a real difference, so bear that in mind before you choose your equipment. Here is a quick run-down of the most common blade materials so that you can see which material is best for your knife usage:
Stainless steel blades are often the cheapest but usually require a lot more sharpening.
Carbon steel blades are easier to keep sharp than stainless steel knives because they have a higher carbon makeup.
Ceramic blades tend to be lightweight but still hard and are known to keep their edge for a lot longer than stainless steel blades.
Damascus blades are harder than most other types of knife blades and tend to be a lot sharper.
Titanium blades have a high strength-to-weight ratio which means that they’re both lightweight and exceptionally durable.
3. Consider the knife’s handle
The handle is an important aspect of any knife and, in order for it to be perfect for you, it should be the correct length for your hand.
As for the handle’s material, stainless steel handles tend to look the best, but they do allow for more slip when you have wet hands which is far from ideal. In fact, textured handles tend to be the best type for grip.
If you find yourself needing to replace your knife handle, here’s how you do it.
For more information on what sort of knives you should be using for different kitchen tasks, take a look at this guide from BBC Good Food.
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