| Most cutlery sets are used by chefs because of | | | | or more pieces of knives. You can choose the |
| the many ingredients and different types of food | | | | best which will well-equip your kitchen needs. |
| they cook. Knives are a personal matter in the | | | | Three knives or four is just the right number for |
| kitchen, especially in preparing food. Below are | | | | home usage which includes an 8-12 in chef's knife |
| some factors to consider in finding the right | | | | (chopping), a serrated knife (for cutting) and a |
| cutlery set for your kitchen: | | | | paring knife (for slicing and peeling). |
| Hold the knife. Pick it up and hold like you own the | | | | Personal Preference. You can consider your |
| knife. Most stores allow customers to touch it. A | | | | specialization when it comes to preparing foods. |
| firm grip is very important. Feel if it is too heavy | | | | Most chefs need lots of varieties and additional |
| or too light. A comfortable handling and balance is | | | | pieces. For beginners, it is best to choose a lighter |
| likely to be the best knife. | | | | knife. Choose a set that has a storage keeper, a |
| Materials used. The blade of the knife is made | | | | wooden stock or a case for easy handling and |
| from 3 different materials. It can be stainless | | | | care. |
| steel, high-carbon stainless steel and ceramic. High | | | | Maintenance and care. Some knives easily corrode |
| carbon knives are a type of soft metal that | | | | when left unattended on a sink. You can then |
| tends to stay sharp for a long period of time. This | | | | choose the type that has less corrosion. You can |
| metal can rust or become stained easily. Ceramic | | | | look for low maintenance options if you're not |
| knives stay very sharp but are also breakable. | | | | willing to do honing. |
| However, a high carbon stainless steel knife is | | | | Consider knife types. Learn to differentiate the |
| forged and does not rust easily. | | | | uses of each knife in cutlery sets. |
| Methods used. Stamping, forging and multilayer | | | | Cook's Knife - These are more known as a type |
| are the three methods used in creating a knife. | | | | of Chef's knife. It is used for difficult jobs in the |
| Stamped knives showcases good performance | | | | kitchen. Generally, it ranges from 6 to 12 inches, |
| but lacks in heel and bolster. Forged knives are | | | | having curved blades. |
| less flexible and possess heavier bolsters and | | | | Bread knife - This is an 8 inch knife used for |
| heels as compared to stamp knives. It also has a | | | | slicing bread. |
| finger guard. However, multilayered knives are the | | | | Paring knife - This is an indispensable part of |
| best because of its hardness and flexibility. This | | | | kitchen cutlery that is being used for coring and |
| kind of knife is very too expensive to buy. | | | | peeling. It is 3 inches long. |
| Handles. The two types of handles include the | | | | Utility Knife - This is about 6 inches long and can |
| in-line as well as the off-set handles. In-line handles | | | | be used for odd tasks. |
| are said to go in line with top quality knife blades. | | | | The Utility Knife is of medium size - This knife |
| Off-set ones have the handle raised above its | | | | measures about six inches. You can use it for odd |
| spine. Either of the two may vary with its grip. | | | | tasks since it has no distinct purpose. |
| Handles should not be slippery. A wood handle is | | | | Steak Knife - This knife is about 5 inches long. It |
| much advisable but requires more care so as to | | | | is used for slicing steak. |
| avoid breakage. Handles can also be produced in | | | | Cleaver - This is a helpful knife used for chopping |
| plastic and stainless steel but it becomes slippery | | | | and cutting bones. |
| when it gets wet. Check for the knife warranty, | | | | Boning knife - This is a six inch knife used in |
| the tip can be replaced for free if you break it. | | | | removing bones from meat cuts. It snakes its |
| Get the essential pieces. Cutlery sets come in 3 | | | | way into the meat and it pops out. |