How to Choose a Good Chef Knife
- 1). Choose a brand of chef knives that is well known in the cooking industry. A few brands that are popular include: Sabatier, MAC, Global, Misono and Kershaw.
- 2). Choose a chef's knife that has a wide enough blade to give you maximum leverage when chopping. A blade that is too thin in width will be difficult to rock back and forth.
- 3). Make sure that the knife is made from steel, not ceramic materials. Ceramic knives cannot be sharpened and don't give you the same razor sharp cut as a genuine steel knife. A steel knife may cost more, but will last longer.
- 4). Find out if the knife is forged, meaning handmade, or pressed and cut out of a mold. A hand-crafted (forged) knife is preferred by many chefs.
- 5). Choose a knife that has a bolster (bulge) between the knife blade and the handle to protect your hand from slipping when chopping up your food. It also gives you better balance when cutting.
- 6). Pick a chef's knife that isn't too heavy to handle. A weighty knife will slow down your prep time and can cause your hand and arm to start hurting over time.
- 7). Examine or get information about the handles of the knives that you are considering. Find a chef's knife that has a good, non-slip, ergonomic handle. If you cook a lot, you will find that your wrist goes through a lot of wear and tear when using these knives---invest in a good knife to reduce the risk of carpal tunnel symptoms.