I’ve always loved cooking and baking, and most of the time, I’ve focused on choosing the best ingredients and trying to improve my cooking skills. But until recently I didn’t pay much attention to my kitchen tools, I mean as long as it does the job, it doesn’t matter what the quality or brand is. Or does it?
Today I wanted to talk to you about knives. Kitchen knives are often overlooked, and if you are anything like me, you probably got a kitchen knife wooden block with five knives as a wedding gift and used them ever since.
But buying a good quality kitchen knife can make all the difference when you are portioning fine slices of meat, filleting a fish or just want to cut up carrots quickly.
Here are just a few reasons to help you re-think your next purchase.
1. Quality Material
Cheap kitchen knives are usually made from inexpensive materials, which will wear off quickly, chip away or can be difficult to sharpen. Kitchen knives made with cheap materials also have much thinner blades which can bend and cause a serious accident.
2. Comfortable & Practical Design
Another sign of a cheaply made kitchen knife is that the blade is inserted into the knife handle, but it doesn’t run through the whole handle. This means that it can dislodge and you might end up with two parts in your hands when you expect it least!
A good quality knife, such as traditional Damascus knife, which are the real hand forged damascus cooking tools in town, has a blade running directly through the knife handle, which makes the use very safe and comfortable at the same time. Cheaper kitchen knives can also have a very uncomfortable handle. Even if you are not a professional chef who uses their knife for a prolonged time, you should be still feeling comfortable using your knife.
3. Long Lasting & Excellent Value for Money
If the reasons, I’ve already mentioned didn’t sway you from buying a cheap or basic knife, then with my next reason, will definitely convince you. Cheap knives are very difficult to sharpen, which makes them practically useless. Because they often have a thin blade, there is not much that can be sharpened.
On the other hand, knives made from a strong, durable metal like, for example, Damascus steel knives can be sharpened time after time without any problem. Compared to a standard knife made with stainless steel, Damascus steel normally holds its edge longer and is much harder to break.
Most people buy inexpensive knives because they don’t see the need to spend more on something that they use every day. But the reality is that buying a cheap knife every year and throwing it away because it breaks or stops cutting well can be much more expensive than buying a decent quality knife that will last you a decade.
Looking after your knives
If you decide to treat yourself to a set of knives, you’ll also need to make sure you look after them well. You can’t just keep them in the cutlery drawer or chucked them in the kitchen cupboard. Most professional or good quality knives are best kept in their original box or pouch.
More specialist knives, such as Damascus steel knives can tarnish or rust, if not looked after properly. Make sure you clean and dry your knife after each use and use a specialist wax or oil to wipe your blade with before returning it back to its leather pouch.
It’s best to avoid using anything abrasive to clean your knife to make sure that the blade doesn’t get scratched. Soft microfiber cloth is best both cleaning and polishing the knife blade.
If you look after your knives well, they will last much longer and make your every day cooking much easier.