Ever wondered how the pros make it look so easy? Slicing, dicing, and preparing food like a whizz all while telling you how to do it. Inspired and ready to give the recipe or technique that they demonstrated a bash you eagerly get your ingredients and tools ready. Sadly most of us home cooks struggle to replicate their seemingly easy yet epic displays mostly due to the quality and state of our knives. We simply do not own the right chef knives for each job!
A good set of knives is essential for any cook, whether you’re a professional chef or a home cook. Quality knives that are sharp and fit for the intended purpose can make all the difference in the kitchen, allowing you to work quickly and safely. In this article, we’ll explore the different types of knives that are used in the kitchen, and each task that they are best suited for. This is all you need to know about chef knives and includes information on the different knives chefs use such as the chef’s knife, Santoku knife, carving knife, bread knife, utility knife, boning knife, paring knife, tourné knife, meat cleaver, and bread knife.
For each of the categories of knives, we will link to an article that will include 5 to 10 knives we recommend to deliver the results that you desire. The selection we have put together for each type of knife takes into account quality, aesthetics, weight and feel, user ratings, tests conducted by this team as well as the all-important price aspect.
Chef Knives – The ultimate guide to the best knives & tools of the trade!
Chef’s Knife
This is one of the most important chef knives in the kitchen, and it’s often considered the workhorse of the kitchen. It’s a versatile knife that can be used for a wide variety of tasks, including chopping, slicing, and mincing. These knives typically have a blade length of around 8 to 10 inches and a curved edge that allows for a rocking motion when chopping. They’re often made from high-carbon stainless steel, which provides a sharp and durable blade. Check our list of the 10 highly rated Chef’s Knives.
Santoku Knife
This is a Japanese-style knife that’s similar to the chef’s knife but has a shorter, wider blade. It’s a versatile knife that’s great for chopping, slicing, and dicing, and it’s often used for cutting vegetables and herbs. The blade of this knife is typically around 5 to 7 inches long and has a straighter edge than a chef’s knife. For many, these Japanese Chef knives are preferred over the normal Chef’s knife. Check out our top-rated list of Santoku Knives.
Carving Knife
A long, thin knife that’s used for slicing meat, poultry, and fish. It has a narrow blade that allows for precise cuts, and it’s often used for carving roasts and ham. The blade of this knife is typically around 8 to 12 inches long and has a sharp point at the tip. Our selection of carvings knives to slice that roast perfectly.
Utility Knife
The utility knife is a smaller, all-purpose knife that’s great for a wide variety of tasks. It’s often used for cutting fruits and vegetables, trimming meat, and slicing sandwiches. These knives typically have a blade length of around 4 to 7 inches, and they have a straight edge that allows for precise cuts. Find your perfect utility knife with our 10 most-rated utility knives.
Boning Knife
An essential tool for any chef or home cook. Its long, thin blade allows for precise cuts around bones, making it ideal for deboning and filleting proteins like poultry, fish, and meat. The flexibility of the blade also makes it perfect for separating the skin from flesh without damaging delicate parts of the food. This knife is a great way to save time and energy in the kitchen, allowing you to create delicious dishes with ease.
The blade is typically around 5 to 7 inches long and has a sharp point at the tip. The knife was developed as a way to remove bones without damaging the meat and skin of poultry and other livestock by butchering. The term “boning” refers to the knife’s ability to make precise cuts around bones while filleting refers to removing a fish or flesh from its bones. Both these tasks require time-consuming work with other knives and are easily accomplished with the boning knife’s long, thin blade. Read our article Easily Debone that Perfect Cut of Meat with a Quality Boning Knife to find your boning knife today!
Paring Knife
The paring knife is a small and versatile knife that is primarily used for peeling and trimming fruits and vegetables. It has a short, straight blade that allows for precise cuts, making it an excellent tool for removing the skin from fruits and vegetables or trimming them into decorative shapes.
The blade of the paring knife is typically around 2 to 4 inches in length, making it easy to handle and maneuver around small and delicate produce. Due to its small size and precise blade, a paring knife is an essential tool for any chef who wants to create beautiful and visually appealing dishes. This is one of the must-have chef knives. Here is our essential list of quality paring knives for you to consider.
Tourné Knife
Roughly 3 inches in length and have a slight curve that makes them perfect for turning vegetables into a tourné cut, which is a small, barrel-shaped cut with seven sides. This cut is often used for garnishes and adds a touch of elegance to any dish.
The unique shape and design of the tourné knife make it easy to maneuver and control, allowing for precise cuts and shaping of vegetables. The knife’s small size also makes it easy to handle and is a great option for those who struggle with larger, heavier knives. Overall, this knife is a useful tool for any chef who wants to add a touch of creativity and sophistication to their dishes. See our top 5 picks of Tourné Knives.
Meat Cleaver
This is a large, heavy knife with a rectangular-shaped blade that is used for cutting through meat and bone. The meat cleaver is a versatile knife that can handle tough cutting tasks that other knives may not be able to handle. The weight and size of the meat cleaver allow it to be used for chopping and smashing, making it an ideal tool for breaking down larger cuts of meat.
The broad blade of the cleaver also allows for easy transfer of the cut meat from the cutting board to the pan. While it may not be a knife that is used on a daily basis, a meat cleaver is a valuable tool to have in the kitchen, especially for those who frequently cook meat.
Bread Knife
This knife has a serrated knife that’s used for cutting bread and other baked goods. It has a long, thin blade with serrated edges that allow for easy slicing through bread crusts without crushing the soft interior. Bread knives are typically around 8 to 10 inches long, and they come in a variety of serration styles.
All you need to know about Chef Knives and what Professional Chefs use.
In this video, professional chefs show us their knives and hopefully help you select the perfect set of knives for use in your kitchen.
Invest in quality chef knives today!
Investing in high-quality, sharp chef knives can significantly improve your cooking experience. With the right knives, you can easily and effortlessly prepare food, save time, and create beautiful dishes that are visually appealing. While the price of quality knives may seem expensive, it is a worthwhile investment that will last for decades if well looked after.
Taking care of your knives by cleaning them regularly and sharpening them when necessary will ensure they remain in top condition for years to come. Remember, a good set of chef’s knives is an investment in your culinary skills and can make all the difference in the kitchen. So, whether you’re a professional chef or an amateur cook, invest in high-quality knives and experience the difference for yourself.
Please note that this article contains some links from which a small commission will be earned should your or someone else purchase.
