Kitchen Knife Design – Type, Blade, Edge, Weight, Ergonomic 2022

What is the one thing essential to every kitchen? According to us, the most important thing we need in every kitchen is a good knife. When you have a good kitchen knife, not only does it make things easier and faster.

But,

Also makes it enjoyable. Imagine having a blunt kitchen knife or one that’s too brittle. Does it not fill you with frustration? We know it does.

Kitchen Knife Design

Nowadays, we have hordes of kitchen knives in the market. You can have the best German or the best Japanese knives, choose one among different brands, etc. But first you will need to be sure about the knife design. For example, you can have a knife worth a few hundred dollars, but it still wouldn’t feel right in your hand if it is not the one for you. You will try to find faults in the piece just because it doesn’t suit you.

Therefore, we have brought this article for you. We will discuss the basic kitchen knife design a kitchen knife must possess.

Type of knife

Among the first things you need to pay attention to, is the type of kitchen knife you want. There are several types of types, each specific to its own purpose.

For example, a chef’s knife is a pretty versatile knife. And it is great for cutting and chopping vegetables and cutting poultry, meat and fish. But it should be avoided with cooked foods.

When you want to slice out meat with precision, a carving knife comes in handy.

Whereas there is a specific bread knife just for slicing bread and other baked goods.

You can find other knives which are great for other specific purposes.

Blade steel quality

Different brands have come with their own versions of alloy steel to make the best knife blades. But the most popular steels used are high carbon steel and stainless steel. High carbon steels are great for sharpness and can be sharpened repeatedly. But they also rust easily.

Whereas stainless steel is rust resistant yet not as sharp as the high carbon ones. A combination of the two works great.

Brand specific alloy steels can also include a specific percentage of chromium. And chromium is great for preventing corrosion.

Edge sharpness

Another thing you will need to notice in a kitchen knife is the sharpness of the edge. Usually when the edge of the knife is narrow, you will get a good sharpness. But a very narrow edge can render the knife brittle. So what you should look out for is an edge angle between 10 to 16 degrees.

The best option for you would be Japanese knives. As these offer a better edge than the German ones. And also come with sharpeners sometimes (Check out best electric sharpeners for Japanese knives.

Good weight balance

A good kitchen knife must have a balanced weight. This means that the blade of the knife and handle should have equal weight distribution. And this helps in handling your back-and-forth motions when you cut a knife. We consider a full tang kitchen knife design to be the best option. These full tang designs have the metal of the blade extend into the handle. So there is better balance in your knife.

Ergonomic

Another one of the important features of a kitchen knife is its ergonomic factor. When you cut with a knife, you should be able to do it with ease. Hence, an ergonomic handle is very necessary. Handles with grips, anti-slip technology, oval shaped or D-shaped are great for your use. So always pay attention to these before you choose among others.

FAQs

Q1.Are Japanese knives sharper than German?

Yes, Japanese knives are lighter and sharper than their German counterparts. Because of their sharpness angle edge being 10 to 16 degrees, they offer more finer and precise cuts.

Q2.Should I go for harder steel quality knives?

If sharpness and precision are your priorities, then yes. Because the hard steel can go up to smaller edge angles. But also they become more brittle and prone to chipping.

Q3.What type of knife should I buy first as a beginner?

Probably the best type of knife in the initial days of your culinary experience is a chef knife. As chef knife is kind of versatile. And you can use it for almost everything.

Conclusion

In conclusion, a good kitchen design plays a significant role in you having a pleasant experience in the kitchen. And that is why you must pay attention to it before you choose one for yourself. All wonderful chefs claim that a good kitchen knife is a gateway to your culinary future. And we cannot help but agree with it.