How to Handle a Chef Knife

A chef knife, also known as a "French knife," is a sharp utensil used to cut, slice and prepare food. Although it was once a special knife designed only to cut through large pieces of meat, it is now widely considered a general cooking tool that can be used as an all-purpose knife, and a necessity in the home kitchen. For best results, keep your chef knife sharpened and stored in a knife block when you aren't using it.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Chef knife
• Cutting board

1. Grip the blade of the knife with your thumb and forefinger of your cutting hand, just above knife handle. This positioning of your fingers allows the knife to become like an extension of your hand, which will provide you with greater control.

2. Cut on a non-slip cutting board that is placed on an even surface at a height that is comfortable for you. This will prevent accidents by ensuring your hands don't slip off the table or counter.

3. Hold the item you are cutting with your non-cutting hand, usually your non-dominant hand. Curl your fingers under like you are gripping a small object between your palm and the cutting board. Place your thumb and pinkie finger behind your other fingers. This will keep your fingers out of the way and prevent injury.

4. Rest the knuckles on your non-cutting hand against the side of the knife blade for stability and to protect against injury. Move your hand away from the food as you cut, allowing your hand to help measure the size of the cuts you are making.

5. Rock the knife from back to front, rather than chopping up and down. Ideally, the knife should never leave the cutting board once you initiate a particular cut. Rocking the knife will prevent accidents as well as cut the items more quickly.

Tips & Warnings

• Clean chef knives by hand with a sponge and mild dish detergent. Store chef knives in a wooden knife block to prevent damage to the knives and injury to your hands.
• Keep all knives out of the reach of children.

References

• University of Nebraska: Be Sharp, Use a Chef's Knife
• Chef Talk: How to Use a Chef Knife

Resources

• Savvy Vegetarian: How to Use a Chef Knife

Who Can Help Sponsored

• How to Lose 30+lbs Guaranteed. Try it Free.