Kitchen knives are one of the most important items in any kitchen. With them, it is possible to cut food precisely and to the desired size, something that is not always possible with chopping or grinding appliances.
To make the right purchase of a kitchen knife, it is important to consider factors such as the material of the blade and the handle. They will give us an idea of its useful life. Influence its effectiveness when cutting, peeling, slicing, fillet, or chopping since there is usually a suitable kitchen knife for each task.
The size of the blade also plays an important role, especially if you are a beginner. Since it influences the imbalance and the manageability of the knife.
These are just a few considerations to keep in mind before purchasing a kitchen knife. Next, we list the best kitchen knives according to our team of professionals.
Best quality-price kitchen knives: our recommendation
If you are looking for a value-for-money kitchen knife that fits your needs, experience level, and budget, these are the best options.
GEEKHOM Knife Set
The best set of knives to expand kitchenware
This is a set of 4 ceramic knives and a peeler, with good value for money. If you are looking to expand your kitchenware, this set of knives is very complete. This set is quite versatile due to the size and use of each knife:
- 6-inch chef’s knife, for preparing meat, chicken, and fish
- 12.7 shaving knife, ideal for cutting greens and vegetables
- 4-Inch Utility Knife
- 3-inch fruit knife, for cleaning, peeling, and chopping fruit
It has seemed to us that the ceramic of the blade is not excessively resistant, and could break if it is not treated properly. However, the knives include protectors that prevent them from being damaged when stored.
The peeler is also not very sturdy and can break if not treated carefully. However, it peels fruits and vegetables very easily.
In our tests, we have been able to verify that the edge of the blades is a bit thick. So they are probably not the best option for filleting or making fine cuts. They are light and easy to handle. Its plastic handle offers a good grip due to its ergonomics and design. They can be very appropriate if you have fine or small hands or for those who are just starting in the kitchen.
Advantage
⇒ Ideal for different uses
⇒ Light, good handling
⇒ keep the edge
Disadvantages
⊗ Not very resistant
⊗ The peeler is delicate
⊗ The blade edge is somewhat thick
Riviera Arches
A versatile knife for many uses
If you are looking for a knife to prepare different foods, the Arcos Riviera may be what you need. It has a 15 cm blade, thin and with a fine point that allows you to chop fruits, vegetables, and fillet meat quite precisely. Its forged stainless steel blade is highly resistant and long-lasting, so it can be used and stored without fear of damage. In addition, it includes a case to store it.
It has seemed to us that the edge is not uniform, near the handle it is thicker than at the tip. For this reason, it is probably not the best choice for peeling food.
The handle is made of polyoxymethylene (a synthetic material) and offers a comfortable grip due to its ergonomics and design. In addition, it is light (227 grams) and has a good balance, this makes it easy to handle and allows you to chop quickly.
Indeed, it does not keep its edge for long, so it must be sharpened with some frequency. However, it seems to us to be a very appropriate knife for day-to-day use in the kitchen due to its performance and versatility.
[i2pc show_title=”false” title=”Pros & Cons” show_button=”false” pros_title=”Pros” cons_title=”Cons” ][i2pros]Good grip and handling
Ideal for filleting, cutting, and chopping
Resistant[/i2pros][i2cons]Does not keep the edge
Not suitable for peeling
The edge is not uniform[/i2cons][/i2pc]
Universal Arches
The best knife for vegetables and vegetables
This knife is suitable for chopping vegetables and fruits due to its size, sharpness, and low weight, as it saves time and effort. Its NITRUM stainless steel blade is firm and resistant. It is 17 cm long and is suitable for chopping large fruits and vegetables such as melon, pumpkin, and pineapple, among others.
It is a good option when precision and uniformity in the cut are required. Plus, the blade’s mid-height gradient edge cuts through tough foods with ease.
It is not a suitable knife for boning, or cutting poultry, or fish as its edge can be undermined by rigid elements such as fish bones or cartilage. However, if treated properly, it can last for a long time without constant sharpening.
If you are looking for a kitchen knife to cut quickly, this will be very useful. It has good balance and a comfortable grip, which facilitates the performance of the beginner or professional cook.
[i2pc show_title=”false” title=”Pros & Cons” show_button=”false” pros_title=”Pros” cons_title=”Cons” ][i2pros]Good balance and handling
Keeps the edge over time
Allows fast cutting[/i2pros][i2cons]Not suitable for boning
Can be undermined by thorns or bones[/i2cons][/i2pc]
Homgeek
The best grip in a knife set
If you use both hands to chop, this Homgeek knife set is for you. The edge finish is symmetrical and uniform throughout the blade, allowing you to cut comfortably with either hand. This set includes two knives with different characteristics:
- A 7-inch (17.78 cm) chef’s knife with a smooth, pointed blade, ideal for chopping vegetables, fruit, and filleting meat.
- An 8-inch (20.32-cm) Santoku knife with grooves that create air spaces between the food and the knife and prevent the food from sticking. It is suitable for cutting meat, fish, and vegetables.
In our opinion, it is not a suitable set for beginners in the kitchen, since its stainless steel blade is thin and not very resistant. So it requires gentle and delicate handling. In addition, they must be sharpened frequently as they lose their edge with use.
They are quite light, each weighing approximately 180 grams. If you are an experienced cook and require a knife to cut quickly, this is a great choice.
They are not easy to clean due to the wooden handle and can retain food odors if not cleaned properly. However, the wood with which they are made is light and offers an excellent grip, making these knives very comfortable to work with.
[i2pc show_title=”false” title=”Pros & Cons” show_button=”false” pros_title=”Pros” cons_title=”Cons” ][i2pros]Light
Nonstick Santoku Knife
Ideal for both lefties and righties[/i2pros][i2cons]They lose sharpness over time
Thin blade, not very resistant
Not easy to clean[/i2cons][/i2pc]
Tefal Ingenio Ice
The best knife for fine and precise cuts
This onion knife can make thin cuts thanks to its fine blade. It is suitable for preparing gourmet dishes, and salads, filleting meat, and making decorative cuts with fruit. The blade of this knife catches our attention for different reasons:
- It is made of a complete piece of stainless steel, so it has a high resistance
- It can go through large vegetables and fruits with ease as it is 20 cm long.
- It has a good edge near the handle, ideal for peeling fruits and vegetables
- Allows to maintain uniformity and precision in the cut
Its termination is fine-pointed —although not very resistant—, and not very suitable for cutting tendons or boning pieces of meat. However, the shape of the tip makes it easy to pierce the tubers.
The handle has no finger slots and is completely straight in style, so it may be uncomfortable if used for a long time. However, the material is soft to the touch and easy to clean.
If you are a professional chef looking for a lightweight knife to chop quickly, this is probably right for you as it weighs 200 grams and has great balance.
Although it is not a ham knife, its thin blade allows you to make fine cuts in pieces of ham. It is a good option if you usually cut salami, and serrano ham, among others.
[i2pc show_title=”false” title=”Pros & Cons” show_button=”false” pros_title=”Pros” cons_title=”Cons” ][i2pros]
Allows fast cutting
Lightweight
Ideal for making thin, precise cuts[/i2pros][i2cons]Little ergonomics in the handle
Low tip resistance[/i2cons][/i2pc]
Our recommended models
Among the knives analyzed, we have selected two that stand out for their performance in two categories
The best Spanish kitchen knife: Arcos Universal
Arcos has considered one of the best brands of Spanish knives and the Deba Universal knife is an example of this. Although it has a classic and conventional design, it offers good features for everyday use in the kitchen.
These knives are mainly characterized by the quality of their materials. The blade of this knife is made of NITRUM stainless steel, a material resistant to deformation and corrosion, a good option if we are looking for a knife that can last us a long time.
Both the polyoxymethylene ethylene blade and handle can withstand extreme temperatures (-40°C to 150°C) without breaking or deforming. Therefore, it is suitable for chopping food fresh from the oven.
This knife has stainless steel rivets that provide good fixation of the blade in the handle and prevent it from moving with frequent use and time. In addition, they have high corrosion resistance.
Although it is not the best option for cutting poultry or fish, it is ideal for chopping large fruits, vegetables, and vegetables due to the dimensions of its blade and its mid-height edge. In addition, it is light and allows you to cut quickly.
Best Professional Kitchen Knife: Homgeek
We have found the Homgeek set to be the best professional kitchen knives for different reasons:
- They are light
- They have good ergonomics
- Touch-sensitive
- They allow you to cut quickly and accurately
- Versatility to cut different foods
In our tests, we have found that they are suitable for chopping with both hands because the edge is symmetrical (at an angle of 17°) and not straight on one side like other professional knives. For this reason, they are ideal for left and right-handed people alike.
They are suitable for preparing gourmet dishes and making decorative cuts with fruits and vegetables due to their thin and uniform cutting edge.
It is quite a versatile set: if you need to chop vegetables, the chef’s knife allows you to make precise and uniform cuts, but if you need to cut or fillet meat, the santoku knife is more appropriate because its blade is non-stick.
Kitchen knife purchase guide
If you are going to buy a kitchen knife, in this guide you will find the most important details so that you can make the right purchase.
Blade material
Chef knife blades are made of different materials. This influences its manageability, lightness, and useful life. The most common knife blade materials are:
Stainless steel
It is the most used material for the benefits it offers. It doesn’t hold its edge when used frequently so needs to be sharpened periodically. But it has a long life and as its name implies, it doesn’t rust.
Carbon Steel
Its cleaning is not easy, since it must be dried after washing because it can rust. However, it retains its edge even after intensive use due to the properties of carbon.
Ceramics
This material has become very popular and has caught the attention of many cooks. Among its most outstanding features are:
- Retains sharpness regardless of frequency of use
- High price
- They can break easily
- Cleaning is quick and easy
- do not rust
- They have elegant finishes, they are decorative
High carbon stainless steel
Their maintenance is not easy and they can have an unaffordable price. However, they have a long useful life and preserve the quality of the sharpening even after the passing of the years. They withstand high temperatures and do not rust.
Stainless steel with alloy steel
They are robust and resistant, so they are also heavier, less manageable, and difficult to sharpen. However, they can last a long time and be used frequently. They are suitable for chopping a wide variety of foods.
Handle material
The material of the handle influences four important factors of a kitchen knife:
- Useful life
- Ergonomics
- Ease of cleaning
- Manageability
The most common materials used in the manufacture of kitchen knife handles are:
- Polyacetal (POM): Also known as polyoxymethylene, it is a plastic with high resistance and long useful life. They offer good manageability and cleaning is simple. The ergonomics are also good although it depends on its thickness and size.
- Wood: among the most common is pakka wood. These handles offer an optimal grip and good handling as they are quite light and sensitive to the touch. However, if the wood does not have adequate treatment, it could present porosity, which makes it difficult to clean and reduces its useful life.
- Stainless steel: This material offers great durability because it is robust and resistant, although it is a bit heavy. The grip is intermediate since it can slide easily. It is easy to clean and does not require much maintenance.
Read another article about Which are the best Japanese knife
Edge type
Two types of knife edges can be found:
Smooth edge
They are the most common because they allow different tasks to be carried out: cutting, peeling, and filleting, among others. In addition, ideal for beginners and kitchen experts as they offer good manageability and high control when working. They can be easily sharpened and allow you to cut with great precision.
Serrated edge
They are not suitable for peeling food as they are geared towards more specific use such as slicing bread, cakes, and soft or low-strength foods. They also do not require regular sharpening as their ability to cut is defined by the teeth. However, the cuts they offer are not very precise since the control is regular.
Sheet size
The size of the sheet is a characteristic that influences several factors when working:
- Balance or balance: several kitchen experts agree that a knife offers a good balance when the length of the blade is equal to that of the handle. Since the center of gravity is located at the junction of the blade with the handle, this allows chopping quickly and accurately. However, for this to be true, the weight of the handle and the blade must be approximately equal.
- Versatility when chopping: a knife with an elongated blade allows you to cut vegetables, vegetables, and large fruits easily and quickly. However, there are jobs where a knife with a small blade is more convenient due to its manageability, for example, peeling and clean tubers.
Weight
The weight allows for determining the resistance, manageability, and quality of a knife indirectly.
A light knife may have low strength but is easy to handle and use, especially for beginners. However, its useful life depends on the treatment and care given to it.
On the other hand, a heavy knife can be awkward to work with, difficult to sharpen, and inefficient for fast cutting. However, in general, the useful life of these knives is long because they are made of resistant materials.
Knife set or individual knife?
Buying a set of knives is a good option when you need to expand your kitchenware since these sets usually include peelers, scissors, and knives of various sizes, ideal for different jobs and types of food. However, the knives that come into play do not always promise to be of high quality.
Individual knives, on the other hand, are often of high prestige and quality, since they are made with good materials. The problem is that they are designed for a particular class of food or use. Therefore, they are not appropriate when you want to have several options at hand.
Types of knives
Knives are classified according to their application and the type of food for which they have been designed. Using the right knife allows you to save work, and time and avoid accidents. Among the types of knives are:
- Onion knife: It is the most common because of its versatility since it allows you to cut, peel, and chop a wide variety of foods. Its size can vary from 15 cm to 20 cm.
- Santoku: it is characterized by a sharp blade with slits on some of its faces that make it non-stick. It is ideal for chopping vegetables, meat, and fish. The blade creates air spaces that prevent food from sticking to the knife and allow a better glide.
- Filleting tool: Its long, thin, and flexible blade allows you to fillet fish and meat. With this type of knife, you have precise and fine cuts.
- Cheese: it has a wide blade with large perforations that prevents it from sticking when going through hard cheeses. You can cut cheese easily and precisely.
- Ham holder: It has a thin, elongated, and flexible blade that allows cuts to be made to the ham without having to use an appliance.
- Breadmaker: Also known as a bread knife, it is characterized by having a serrated and elongated blade that allows uniform cuts in bread.
- Boner: As its name implies, it is used to detach the meat from the bone and separate tendons. Its thin blade with a slightly curved tip makes it easy to debone pieces of meat.
- Lace: This knife is designed to peel fruits, vegetables, and vegetables. It is characterized by its pointed blade and elongated handle.
- Ax: It has a large blade and a thick handle. It is used for butchering animals such as chicken, turkey, hen, and beef pieces.
Leave a Comment