EmailGo with two or three quality knives rather than a big set
Shopping for some new knives? Fight the urge to buy bulk. If you have a couple of good knives, experts say you don't need several cheaper sets. In fact, an 8-inch chef's knife, reviews agree, is the most important knife in your collection of cutlery. Many experts, including chef Cat Cora of the Food Network's "Kitchen Accomplished," say a knife like this can handle most kitchen tasks.
Nevertheless, you'll probably want to add a flexible 3.5- or 4-inch paring knife to your collection, experts say, because these picks are handy for smaller jobs like coring or peeling veggies. A serrated bread knife can also be helpful for slicing bread and soft foods. If you buy knives in a set of three, you'll generally get a chef's knife, a paring knife and some kind of utility knife (but probably not a bread knife). Santoku knives, another popular option, are Japanese products with shorter, thinner blades. These picks are beginning to replace chef's knives for lighter kitchen chores.
Additionally, while consumers may be tempted to purchase more convenient no-maintenance knives, several reviews we found say they are not the best buy. Instead, the most highly rated knives we saw possess fine-edged blades -- which means they'll require sharpening. Other things for shoppers to keep in mind:
- Learn the lingo. Try to acquaint yourself with some key technical terms before you buy your knives. For instance, the tang is the metal that extends through the handle of the knife, while the bolster is the thick neck of metal between the tang and the blade. This helps protect your fingers from the edge and gives the knife added weight, helping balance the handle.
- Be blade savvy. Knife blades can come in many configurations. For instance, products with steel blades can rust in high humidity and discolor when used on acidic foods, while some stainless-steel knives can be difficult to sharpen.
- Don't be afraid to be hands-on. Buying an expensive knife won't do you much good if you don't feel comfortable using it. The size and strength of your hands, combined with your individual experience handling a particular knife, are important considerations.