To be a good home cook, you have to start with having the right tools at your disposal. And no tool is more important to anyone who prepares food more than a good knife. However, purchasing an entire set of knives–the kind that comes in a block–often isn’t the best or most cost-effective option. For one, they’re not exactly what you’d call “high quality”; for another, you’ll only end up spending money on knives you don’t actually need.
The best way to build your collection of knives is to start with good, high quality ones, such as the kitchen knives for sale on The Knife Connection. Here are the ones you should spend your hard-earned money on:
A chef’s knife
The first essential knife you need in your kitchen is a chef’s knife. This all-purpose knife is great for slicing, dicing, and chopping larger items like vegetables and fruits. It’s also great for mincing, slicing meats, and making cuts and incisions. Look for a chef’s knife with a comfortable handle and a blade that is between 8 and 10 inches long.
A santoku
You may have never heard of the santoku before, but once you’ve experienced having one in your hands, you’ll never go back. It’s an all-purpose knife that originates from Japan and is equipped with a shorter blade–about 6 to 7 inches. The blade is also flatter than what you’d find on a typical Western knife, which makes it the best choice for short, downward strokes. You can use it in the same way you’d use a chef’s knife: it’s good for breaking down a whole chicken or fileting fish. You can also use it to chop an entire head of cabbage for salads and slaws, as well as other vegetables.
A paring knife
A small paring knife is great for smaller tasks like peeling, coring, and trimming fruits and vegetables. It’s also great for cutting small pieces of meat and intricate detail work, such as creating fruit or vegetable decorations for platters. Look for a paring knife with a blade between 2 and 4 inches long.
A serrated knife
Have you ever smashed a loaf of bread flat before just by trying to cut through it? Straight edges typically don’t do well with any type of crust, no matter how sharp they are–and that’s where the serrated knife comes in. Its saw-toothed edge is great for slicing delicate items like bread and pastries, as well as for cutting through tougher items like meat and hard cheeses. The ideal blade length for a serrated knife is between 8 and 10 inches long.
A carving knife
Few things look more ridiculous than trying to carve the Thanksgiving turkey with anything but a carving knife, and while it isn’t a day-to-day necessity, you’ll definitely want one on hand during the holidays. A carving knife allows you to slice meat instead of sawing at it, which will help it keep its flavorful juices.
The Knife Connection offers a wide selection of essential kitchen knives for sale to choose from. Peruse their offerings now.
