There
are a multitude of knives are available on the market, anything from individual
knives in a variety of shapes and sizes to a whole block of knives. Many
manufacturers aim to make you believe you need a different knife for every occasion;
however in reality it is completely unnecessary. Whilst for some, they may see
having an array of 50 different knives in their kitchen impressive, this is a
huge expense and for most, 3 knives are all you need.
For
an everyday home, a chef’s knife, a paring knife and a serrated knife are more
than enough to cover the basics and provide you with a solution for all
culinary needs.
Firstly
the most important knife would be a Chef’s knife also known as a cook’s knife
for being the most versatile, general purpose knife in your kitchen. If you
were to be limited to only owning one knife – this would be it. It is available
in a range of sizes however the most popular being 8”, 9” or 10”and your
selection is dependent on your hand size, weight and balance.
The
second essential knife is a Serrated knife, more commonly recognised as a bread
knife. It has a distinct dimpled edge perfect for cutting bread but also
suitable for anything with a slightly resistant skin for example citrus fruits.
The most popular lengths would be 7” or 8” however they are available in
smaller sizes for a more precise cut.
The
final vital knife you require for your kitchen is a paring knife. At just 3 ½
“- 5” it is best for precise, detailed cutting and trimming. It has a fine blade
and is perfect for cutting segments, coring apples, slicing soft foods and
small items. The blade should to be slightly flexible however the weight and
balance are not important with such a small knife.
As
with all straight edged knives, chef’s knives and paring knives will need to be
regularly sharpened to ensure they remain in the finest condition. A steel is a
great way to do this as it scratches the blade slightly to sustain the
sharpness.
Selecting
the right knife can be complicated but a beautiful example of professional
standard knives would be the Richardson Sheffield
range. These knives are available individually and offer a wide variety of
styles and sizes making it easy to find the perfect one for you. Richardson Sheffield knives are high quality
however great value for money so a perfect way to start your collection.
About
Table Top Traders: We are a Weymouth-based company that specialise in trading
luxury cutlery and kitchenware online. We strive on improving customer choice
and offer quality goods like Arthur Price
cutlery, Roy Kirkham, Dartington, Caithness, Chasseur, Royal Brierley and Amefa to name but a few.