We all have a kitchen knife, it is one of the kitchen utensils that need the most care and its use is often wrong within our countertops.
There are different kitchen knives that we do not know how to use, it is not necessary to be an expert to know in depth the types of knives that exist, something that is necessary for us to keep the sharpness of our utensils; Here we are going to explain in detail each type of existing knife.
From the ham knife, to the boning knife, through the kitchen ax and the damascus chef knife, we are going to analyze each kitchen knife so that, as a good cook, we know which are the best for making precise cuts and their function when preparing your food.
What kitchen knives should you have at home as basic?
You should have at least four knives at home as basics: A chef’s knife, a smaller knife for paring, fruit and vegetables, a medium knife for cutting onions, herbs and small chores, and a bread knife.
Also, you should have an inexpensive kitchen knife that you can use for slightly more difficult times, like splitting crab or lobster. Cheaper knives are smoother and often hold up better to handling.
Chef’s knife or cook’s knife
A good chef’s knife is the knife you can cut most things with. This is our favorite to recommend and it will always be ideal to invest in it.
The chef’s knife should have a wide blade that’s strong and stiff enough to make all kinds of cuts, whether it’s something small like slicing through an onion, or through a chicken leg. A large knife provides good stability and does not cut at an angle.
The handle should be comfortable enough to hold and a good size so your hand doesn’t slip down. It’s also important that you don’t hit your knuckles when cutting with the knife.
There are chef knives in different sizes and with a different material depending on the brand. The best will depend on your tastes.
Paring knife or paring knife
The second knife that we will talk about is a small paring or paring knife that, in addition to peeling as its name indicates, is used for many other things, such as making fine cuts of fruits and vegetables called damascus bowie knives.
It is basically a vegetable knife and when choosing it, check that the handle is not too small, it should fit well in the hand that will be cutting.
Bread knife or serrated knives
A serrated knife is number three of the essentials. It is mainly used for bread or other things that cannot be cut with too much pressure but must be sawn. The serrated knife should also have a handle where your knuckles won’t hit the cutting board.
Kitchen-axe
Unlike an ordinary chef’s knife, the kitchen ax is rectangular in shape and has a solid, sturdy blade with a length of about 15 cm, perfect for cutting ribs, chops and smaller animals such as lamb and rabbit.
It is one of the most used types of knives by professionals, as it has a well-balanced combination of handle and blade. This makes it easier to cut hard objects like bones and tendons.
Ham knife
A ham knife is a knife with an extra-long, thin blade used for cutting thin, even slices of ham, roast beef, brisket, and other large pieces of meat. The tip of the knife is usually rounded to avoid damaging the meat. Many ham knives also come with olive grinds which are little air pockets that keep the meat from sticking to the blade. The ham knife can also be used as a salmon knife as we will see a little later.
You just have to keep in mind that a ham knife usually has a much more rigid blade than flexible salmon knives.
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