If you’re setting up your kitchen, you’re likely running into all sorts of utensils, including a knife set too. We know it can be overwhelming! If you’re scratching your head, wondering which knife is for what, don’t worry. We’re here to help!
In this quick guide, we’ll break down the different types of kitchen knives and their purposes.
Chef Knife
Just like a carpenter has their trusty hammer and a painter has their favorite brush, every chef needs a solid chef knife. This is the heart of your kitchen, whether you’re cooking at home or running a restaurant. If you invest in a high-quality chef knife and give it a little TLC, you’ll never have to worry about replacing it.
The blade of a chef knife is long, triangular, pointed, and slightly curved. It lets you use that rocking motion to finely chop your ingredients with ease. Chef knives come in various sizes, from compact 6 inches to a hefty 12 inches, but for most home cooks, an 8-inch blade hits the sweet spot. It’s just the right length to handle a variety of tasks without feeling unwieldy.
Bread Knife
We all know that one trusty bread knife. Yes, the one we use for buttering and feel safe letting the kids handle. These knives are long with serrated edges, perfect for slicing through both soft and crusty bread without squishing it. When you use a bread knife, think of it more like a saw than a chef’s knife. That gentle sawing motion helps keep the bread intact.
But this knife isn’t just for bread! It’s versatile and works wonders on other baked goods like cakes and pastries. Plus, it’s your best friend for cutting large melons, where straight blades often struggle.
They are also great for slicing tomatoes! The serrated edge makes quick work of delicate skins without crushing the fruit inside. And if you need to break up chocolate bars for baking, your bread knife is up to the task.
Kitchen Shears
Now, I know kitchen shears aren’t technically knives, but trust me. They can be just as handy! These are basically a pair of scissors designed with thick, strong blades to tackle all sorts of food prep. From snipping fresh herbs to sectioning chicken, prepping shrimp, or even octopus, kitchen shears are a must-have in any kitchen. Personally, I’ve got a pair at home, and I can’t tell you how useful they are, especially for slicing pizza!
Some shears are designed specifically for quickly cutting green onions or other herbs and might even have more than one blade. Just keep in mind that those blades tend to be thinner and less durable. And, they can be trickier to sharpen than regular shears, which are already a bit picky about the type of sharpeners that work on them.
Paring Knife
The paring knife might be one of the smallest and simplest knives in the kitchen, but don’t underestimate its power! This little gem is perfect for those smaller tasks where a chef's knife just feels too bulky.
With a thin blade measuring between 3 and 4 inches long and a pointed tip, it’s ideal for paring or skinning fruits and veggies. Its compact size makes it super versatile, making it your go-to for intricate tasks like trimming excess fat from meats or even deveining shrimp.
You’ll also find a few styles of paring knives out there: the sheep’s foot, spear tip, and bird’s beak. Each one has its own special features, so you can pick the one that fits your needs best.
Boning Knife
Let’s talk about the boning knife! With its narrow 5- to 7-inch blade, this knife is your savior when it comes to removing meat from bones. Its thin, sharp blade allows you to cleanly separate meat without wasting a bit. Unlike stiffer knives, the boning knife’s flexible blade lets you maneuver around joints and contours with ease.
The narrow tip fits into those tight spots where a wider knife just can’t go. But keep in mind, while it’s fantastic for getting every last morsel of meat off the bone, it doesn’t have the chopping power of heavier knives.
This knife is a specialty tool, so it’s not essential for the average home cook, but if you’re a seasoned chef who often breaks down poultry and meat, it’s definitely worth adding to your collection.
Cleaver
When it comes to heavy-duty tasks like chopping through bones or tackling dense vegetables, a cleaver is the tool you want.
Its thick, heavy blade is built for powerful chopping and cutting motions. You’ll often see cleavers in action in Chinese cuisine, where they excel at hacking through bones, jointing poultry, and even smashing garlic cloves. If you need a knife that can handle the tough stuff, a cleaver is a must-have in your kitchen!
