| Are you ready to upgrade your mismatched | | | | you do most, and then choose a knife that will be |
| kitchen knives, bought haphazardly, for a new set | | | | best suited to these actions. |
| of kitchen knives? If so, then you may be | | | | Not only the shape, but also the composition of |
| wondering what to look for in a kitchen knife set. | | | | the knife can affect its use in your kitchen. |
| There are many different kinds of kitchen knives, | | | | Today, knife blades are made from a wide |
| and the distinctions can be confusing to anyone | | | | variety of materials; it is important to learn the |
| who isn't a chef. | | | | differences to choose the right set of knives for |
| The first thing to learn when looking at kitchen | | | | your kitchen. |
| knives is the differences in the knife shape. The | | | | As with any tool, the brand name will probably |
| most common knife is a chef knife or French | | | | have some influence over the knife set you |
| knife. This knife has a long, wide blade, and it can | | | | purchase. There are many excellent well-known |
| be used for most kitchen tasks. A paring knife is | | | | brand names, like Wusthof, Henckels, Sabatier, |
| a smaller version of a chef's knife; it is most | | | | and Victorinox, as well as many other |
| often used for slicing vegetables and other | | | | lesser-known names offering high quality knives. |
| precision tasks. In a full set of kitchen knives, you | | | | You can buy your knives one by one, or select a |
| should also find a serrated bread knife, a small | | | | set that includes a knife block. These sets can |
| paring knife, and perhaps a few other styles, | | | | often save you money versus buying the knives |
| depending on how much you use the knives in | | | | individually. On the other hand, if you do not have |
| your kitchen. | | | | a lot to spend, focus on purchasing a few |
| Another common kitchen blade is the drop point | | | | high-quality knives over an entire block of |
| blade. The tip of the blade is very narrow for fine | | | | lesser-quality blades. |
| slicing or other work requiring precision. A clip point | | | | The benefit of purchasing a full set of kitchen |
| or bowie-style blade has a fine tip that penetrates | | | | knives in a block is that they will be stored |
| well. It can be used for poking holes in tough | | | | correctly. Storing knives loose in a drawer can be |
| material. Unlike the drop point blade, it is less ideal | | | | dangerous, and will also damage the blades as |
| for precision cutting or chopping. The tanto is | | | | they bang against each other. If the set does not |
| another popular kitchen blade, identifiable by the | | | | come in a block, it should at least come with |
| geometric slope of the tip. The tanto blade, due | | | | sheaths over the blade of each knife, which can |
| to the thickness at the tip, can sustain prying, | | | | be kept on the blade while the knife is not in use. |
| stabbing, and other heavy use. | | | | A good knife set can make preparing your food |
| There are many other blade shapes, too, including | | | | easier, more enjoyable, and safer. Quality knives |
| meat cleavers, tomato knives, and utility knives. | | | | will last a lifetime with adequate sharpening as |
| When determining which knives you need to | | | | they become dull. |
| purchase for your kitchen, identify which activities | | | | |