The Cutting Edge

When you want kitchen knife sets that really work you need to do a little bit of legwork, even if that means browsing and shopping online. There is so much cutlery and knife set information available at the click of the mouse you really don’t even need to leave the comfort of home to do your research. 

  

Take a look at the websites of the major knife manufacturer’s like JA Henckels and Wüsthof® – they have both been around since the 1800s so they have had over a century to perfect the art of knife making and you can enjoy the results. Learn about the construction of knives and why a full tang is important, what materials mean and how design is a factor.

Armed with that knowledge you can then dig deeper to find the cutlery set or even a specific knife that is exactly right for your needs. How the knife feels in your hand is also quite important – you must be able to grasp it comfortably and be able to use it on a regular basis for extended periods of time without fatigue. The handle should not only fit your hand, you want it to stay in place and not slip when wet or greasy.

The overall knife construction should be such that it appears seamless with no sunken rivets or loose blades; where the blade connects to the handle it be a snug fit. Any irregularities in the knife or rough spots on the blade have the potential to harbor germs and breed bacteria.

Knives should never be placed in the dishwasher as the heat of the washing and drying cycle compromises knife construction. Professional chefs generally use a damp cloth to clean their knives and then towel them dry before storing.