Whether you’re an avid cook or just starting, every kitchen needs a good set of knives. When shopping for a kitchen knife set, there are many factors to consider when choosing the best knife set for your set. These factors are critical in selecting knives with the best comfort, functionality, and other characteristics that make them easy to use in the kitchen.
Here are some essential things to consider when buying a knife set.
6 Things to Consider When Buying the Knife Set
1. Types and pieces of Kitchen Knife Set
If you’re planning to buy a quality kitchen knife set, you may want to look at the different types of kitchen knives first. So, here’s a short list to get you started:
Most of the time, it makes sense to buy a smaller core set – a chef’s knife, a boning knife, and a steak knife – and then evaluate.
– Chef’s Knife
Your kitchen is not complete without a good chef’s knife. They are versatile, but these knives are also very easy to use and maintain. You can cut almost any kind of meat and vegetables with a quality chef’s knife.
– Boning Knife
This kitchen knife is known for its slender and paper-thin blades. Since the blade is very flexible, you can easily cut meat from meat bones and other fragments.
– Steak Knife
The primary purpose of a steak knife is to help you cut through the steak meat. Because steaks are usually rare or medium rare, you’ll want a knife with a strong blade so it can cut through a wide variety of meats successfully.
2. Material
Manufacturers make knives from different materials. Understanding these materials, including their pros and cons, is essential when looking to know how to buy the correct knife set.
– Stainless steel
It is a common and popular manufacturer of materials used to make kitchen knife sets. It is easy to sharpen and has anti-rust properties.
– Carbon steel
Carbon steel is the traditional material most artisans use to make knives because of its ability to produce high-quality and durable products. These knives offer optimum functionality and durability. They are great additions to your cutlery set, and you can use them for various purposes.
– Damascus steel
When choosing a knife set, these knife sets offer attractive and aesthetically pleasing pieces due to the materials and mechanisms that blacksmiths handcraft and the artwork they use to make them. But most of them are very expensive. When choosing them, also watch out for counterfeit products.
3. Ceramic
When finding the best knives for your low budget, ceramics offer the right choice. These knives cost less, are rust-resistant, and you rarely need to sharpen your knives. However, it’s important to note that they break easily, and you’ll be hard-pressed to maintain them.
4. Weight
Most experts recommend that you choose a set that is light in weight so that it is easy and comfortable to use when you do your kitchen work. Depending on the weight, choosing a knife that is neither heavy nor light is crucial.
5. Comfortable
The comfort of using the knife set must be considered when using it. It’s best to choose a knife with a rubber handle that provides extra grip or has a specific feature that fits your hand.
6. Balance
The balance between the blade and handle should be a priority when choosing your set. Consideration must be given to choosing a knife that provides the proper weight balance between the two parts.
To ensure balance when choosing a knife, place it on your index and middle fingers, right next to where the blade meets the handle.
Handle types
Considering the correct handle type is critical to getting the right knife. When choosing the correct knife set, you can choose from various handle types.
The following are common handle types:
– Wooden Handle
When buying them, it is crucial to understand that you need to oil them with a specific handle oil. Technology allows most manufacturers to add a lightweight clear plastic coating to protect them and increase their durability.
– Plastic Handle
The plastic handles on the knives are smooth and stain-resistant thanks to the grooves on the knives. They are the right choice if you are looking for slightly textured knives that provide a secure grip when performing different cutting operations in the kitchen.
– Left-Handed
Left-handed knives offer the best option for left- and right-handed users, thanks to the double bevel. No matter what you do with them, dual angles provide the right balance when using them, as they offer both sharpness and angular characteristics.
However, when choosing them, the sharpness of both sides must be considered, as some of them, like bread knives, are only sharp on the right side.
You’ll find plenty of quality options when it comes to the best cooking knife sets. That’s why it’s even more important to consider the factors we recommend before making your choice. Now that you have a basic understanding of picking a kitchen knife set, you’re better positioned to make an informed decision.
