Considering that it is the room where food is prepared and kept, the kitchen is certainly central to any household. Just as the kitchen is core in any house, so is the knife in the kitchen. To prepare food, a knife must be used for chopping, slicing and cutting various ingredients. In Simpler terms, a knife is one of the most important primary tools in any kitchen. However, it should be handled with care, properly cleaned and stored and also protected like any other appliance. Buying a knife should be considered as an investment towards the love of cooking and food. A quality knife will enhance a flawless, safe and enjoyable cooking experience each and every day.
Kitchen knives are available in a wide range of models, prices, and designs and types. This calls for extensive research to find the best knife that fits with its intended purpose. Different knives are better at different jobs. For instance, if you are chopping or slicing some meat, you will Cut It Fine with a Santoku knife as compared to other types. This is because the knife is designed to cut precise, straight and even pieces. Similarly, certain types of knives are designed specifically for peeling fruits and other food stuff such as potatoes. The Same case applies with bread, with special blades and sizes made specifically for slicing a loaf of bread.
As a result of the disparity in user preferences, an individual should look for a knife that meets his specific needs. With the endless choices available, choosing the right knife may turn out to be harder than first thought. A good knife will feel goof in the hands of the user, therefore the best way of choosing the best knife by holding it and feeling it.
It is also important to know that a knife requires proper maintenance, storage, cleaning and use, in order to retain its quality and serve for a longer period. As such there are a number of factors that are important to consider before settling on a particular choice.
This article looks at some of the features that define a good kitchen knife.
Materials
The materials that make up a knife may be the difference between a good and a bad experience. As earlier mentioned, kitchen knives require proper maintenance to maintain their good quality. Therefore, a quality knife should be made from quality materials. Before buying a knife, ask yourself whether the materials need any specific or additional care. For example, washing a wooden handle knife in a dishwasher may make it too dry and prone to cracking over time. If the materials used require some extra effort to maintain, it may not be worth it to acquire such a knife irrespective of how stunning it looks.
Take handles, for example, they are made from a wide array of varying material including wood, metal, and plastics among others. Different materials offer varying experiences with regard to the grip, feel, and comfort. Therefore, holding the different handles will allow an individual to make a more informed decision as he can feel first-hand which handles are better than others.
Forged or Stamped blades
Knife blades are built in two distinct methods, forging and stamping. It is important to understand the differences between these methods and these two types so as to make an informed decision. Although stamped knives are machine-made, they are believed to be inferior to forged knives with regard to quality. As such stamped knives are priced at lower costs than forged knives. However, you may find stamped knives that are of good quality and ideal for both personal and professional use. Therefore, depending on the amount an individual is willing to spend, he or she can get quality stamped knives with high-quality materials and well-designed blades.
On the other hand, forged blades require the skills of a craftsman to construct, especially in shaping and finishing the blade. Therefore, forging takes more time and it is a bit complicated. However, the knives are built from high-quality materials to complement their detailed production process. They tend to be easier to use and offer superior performance. The only downside to forged knives is that they tend to cost a little bit more expensive. However, their design and qualities are worth the extra bucks.