How to Select Kitchen Knives

Any way you slice it, knives are the most important tool in the kitchen. A sharp blade and sturdy handle will help you slice and chop more efficiently. Invest in quality knives such as Wustoff, Henkel or Global to take your culinary clout to the next level. Iron Chef, watch out!

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

1. Look for knives made from one piece of metal, meaning that the metal blade extends down into the handle. They'll be more durable and sturdy.

2. Get a handle on materials: Do you like the sleek feel of synthetic materials, the cool grip of metal or the warmth of wood? Hold the knives as if you were chopping to get a feel for their heft and balance.

3. Invest in an all-purpose 8- or 10-inch (20- or 25-cm) chef's knife, considered the workhorse of the kitchen, and a 2-inch (5-cm) paring knife. Individual knives run between $20 and $100.

4. Add a 6-inch (15-cm) chopping knife and a 4-inch (10-cm) boning knife, and a serrated bread knife to round out your collection.

5. Opt for an 8- or 10-piece knife set if you can afford it (they run from $300 to $700). The set comes with all the crucial pieces along with extras like a meat slicer, kitchen shears or a sharpener.

Tips & Warnings

• A sharp blade prevents accidents because it slices easily and effectively. A dull blade can cause clumsy slips that nick your hand or fingers.
• Swipe blades on a steel or stone before each use; you'll only need to pay for professional sharpening yearly.
• Dry blades completely to avoid bacteria growth in your knife block.

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[brentru]

on 11/22/2007 If you buy a good set of knives, make sure it has a holding block which has horizontal slots. If you have vertical slots and you put the knives in with the edge down, you are dulling the knives every time you put a knife in or pull it out.

on 11/22/2005 If you are looking to buy a whole set of good kitchen knives, shop in the department stores during the pre-Christmas sales. They can often be bought for 50% of the original price. Look for starter sets of about six knives with a holding block and a steel, they can often be relatively cheap.