How to Pick a Chef Knife

Although the task of picking a chef knife seems difficult on the surface, especially when you don’t know where to start. There are several factors you should consider before making a purchase, such as budget, intended purpose, and maintenance. But once you recognise your requirements and clearly define what you need from your new knife, knowing how to pick a chef knife becomes far less complicated.

Consider budget & Material

The first thing you should consider when determining how to pick a chef’s knife in your budget. There are thousands of variations of knives out there that will be time-consuming to sift through. But if you know your budget and decide just how high you’re willing to go, choosing a chef knife becomes far less taxing. Your budget will eliminate the possibility of purchase for certain types and brands of knives, as well as materials you may have considered.

You could buy a ceramic, titanium or stainless steel chef knife with an endless budget. However, if you have set a limit for yourself, you may find that steel is your only option. Something to note about stainless steel knives in comparison to other types of chef knives is that inexpensive options will require far more sharpening than their costly counterparts. So when it comes to your budget, if you choose a cheaper knife, you should consider browsing knife sharpeners too to keep up with maintenance and minimise dulling.

Study Maintenance requirements

A great method of how to pick a chef knife is to thoroughly research the maintenance requirements of the chef knife you’d like to buy. The maintenance of your knife will largely depend on the material your chef knife is made from and although hot soapy water may be sufficient for stainless steel, the same can’t necessarily be said for other types of knives. For example, carbon-based steel knives should never be soaked in water, cleaned with soap of any kind, or left to air dry, as rust can quickly cause your knife to deteriorate and rust.

Furthermore, you should consider how often your chef knife will need sharpening and have a steady supply of knife sharpeners on hand to keep your blades sharp and safe. Although it may seem counterintuitive, a dull knife is more dangerous than a sharp one, as blunt knives increase the likelihood of slipping and hurting yourself. A great way to test whether your knife needs sharpening is by cutting a sheet of paper and evaluating the ease of the cut. If you experience difficulty, it’s time to bring out the knife sharpeners. Sharpen your knife until you can cut through the sheet of paper cleanly and effortlessly.

Review Purpose

When deciding how to pick a chef knife, you should consider what you will use it for. Knives have differently shaped blades to achieve better results in certain types of cuts. For example, a knife with a narrow blade will be more suited to slicing, and those with a wider blade will be better for chopping. Some knives include curved blades to make them more effective when quickly cutting soft foods. Understanding what you will use your chef knife for can also help you decide on the weight you require. If you quickly cut brittle ingredients more often, a light chef knife will be more effective than a heavy one. Alternatively, if you need to cut through thick, hard vegetables and bones, a heavy knife will help you to do so. Considering the purpose of the knife will help you to effectively decide how to pick a chef knife.

Research different brands and regional differences

Branding is important when it comes to knives. Various brands bring different levels of quality and price points, which can be helpful when deciding how to pick a chef’s knife. Particular brands will provide you with cost-efficiency and high-quality products. But others may have an exceedingly expensive price point that isn’t worth the product. You should invest some time into determining what fellow chefs think of particular brands and how well the products they bought worked for them. This tip is especially helpful if you can’t see the knife before purchase.

Furthermore, knives from different regions will include various features that may benefit you but may hinder your performance. Research can help you understand these regional differences and realise whether a European or Japanese knife will suit your needs.

How can Creeds Direct help?

Here at Creeds Direct, we have a variety of chef knives suitable for a range of purposes. Whether you need a dough knife or you’re looking for the renowned Victorinox chef knife, we have everything you could need. We offer tracked next-day delivery on orders placed before 1 pm because we know you need to keep your kitchen running as normal, and a satisfaction guarantee. If you need help or specialist advice on how to pick a chef knife from our team of bakery professionals, please don’t hesitate to contact us!