Getting creative in the kitchen is one of my favorite past times, slicing and dicing my way through meals is part of the fun. Let's get to know knives a little better with this illustrative guide.
Knowing the right anatomy will help you when learning new skills and new knives, here is a diagram of the different parts of a knife.
Get to know all the types of knives and their main uses to ensure you are safe and efficient when chopping and slicing.
Blade: Thick and deep with serrated edge
Uses: Slicing your fresh, crusty bread loaf.
Blade: Thin, long narrow with a sharp point
Uses: Separating meat from a bone (use with carving fork)
Blade: Broad and curves upwards toward tip, perfectly balanced
Uses: Everything, from chopping to slicing fruits and veggies
Blade: Thick, wide and heavy
Uses: Chop through thick meats
Blade: Broad and curves upwards toward tip
Uses: Everything, from chopping to slicing fruits and veggies
Blade: Mid-sized and sharp sized, between paring and chef's
Uses: Various cutting, such as slicing vegetables
Blade: Small and sharp
Uses: Intricate work, when more control is needed
Blade: Small and serrated
Uses: Cutting steaks at the dinner table
Blade: Long and flexible
Uses: Deboning meats
Sharpening and maintaining your knives is really important. Keeping them clean and dry is normal care, but sharpening regularly will also help maintain your knives. Not only will they last you longer, but they will be safer and easier to use. Whether using a whetstone or an electric sharpener, a sharp knife will cut more cleanly and easier making you less likely to slip and cut yourself! Be smart and work safely when handling and keep your knives sharp.
I can personally recommend the Dalstrong Premium Whetstone for a super sharp and clean edge. There is a learning curve for these whetstones, but it's really worth the effort and you'll appreciate your knives that much more.
Just like any skill the more you use and practice with your knife skills the better your will get. So keep slicing, dicing, chopping and cutting it up! And contact Brittany Gardner for any culinary or food related illustrations and design work.
