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I’ve spent a lot of time around chefs. And got hundreds of free and greatly discounted meals. Thanks. One thing I learned from them and my own personal home use was that there’s maybe three or four knives that stand out. Chef Knife, pairing knife, bread knife, and Santoku knife.
I’ve got a craftsman tool chest on wheels. And I can tell you that 90% of the tools won’t get used. I also know chefs who have the same type of knife tool chest on wheels. I’m willing to bet that they also don’t use most of what’s in it.
But here is what other items are used.
There are dozens of specialty knives made for individual tasks and geared toward enthusiastic home cooks and chefs. If you’re looking to expand beyond the basics, here are a few more blades you’ll find sold solo and in common cutlery sets.
Boning knife: Designed for prepping poultry and meats, this knife has a sharp, maneuverable blade that gives you precision control as you separate the flesh from bones and cartilage. The curved blade follows the contours of bone and flesh.
Utility knife: A utility knife is another all-purpose blade. Size-wise, it’s somewhere between a chef’s knife and a paring knife, usually 4 to 7 inches long. You can find utility knives in straight and serrated blade styles. A serrated style is a useful addition if you already own a chef’s knife and paring knife.
Cleaver: While cleavers might bring butchers and horror movies to mind, these big, bad knives are actually quite friendly in the kitchen. Characterized by a short, stocky blade, cleavers pick up where boning knives leave off, chopping through bone and tendon with ease.
Carving knife: Typically between 8 and 15 inches, a carving knife does just what’d you expect. It’s intended for cutting thin slices from large cooked meats. Thinner than a chef’s knife, it can precisely shave poultry, ham and roasts.
With these basic knives in your kitchen, you’ll be able to tackle most any culinary technique. These are just a few of the standard knives you’ll find in most off-the-shelf sets, but there are dozens of specialized varieties out there.
Once you’ve assembled a team of knives to tackle any task, you’ll need to keep your kitchen knives razor-sharp. Don’t forget to store your knives the right way, too. With the right tools at your disposal, you’ll be confidently whipping up delicious meals in no time.
