A chef has several things in their arsenal from the proper clothing to the best utensils to get the job done. However, it can sometimes be difficult to get the right things for your kitchen, especially if you are just starting out as a chef. Finding ideal knives is one of those things.
Choosing the best knives for your professional kitchen involves a little more than just choosing a brand. Each chef has their ideas about the best knives, but if you’ve never bought yourself a set of kitchen knives, then you might be at a loss of things to look for in a great set of knives.
There are a few things you should consider as you shop for the best knives for chefs. From the size of the knives to the weight, you can find a few things below to help you find the best set of knives for your kitchen.
The Weight
One of the first things to consider in your kitchen knives is the weight of the knives. Not all knives weigh the same, and to properly prepare your food, you need to get a set of knives that have your ideal weight. You don’t want a knife that is too heavy or too light to get the job done.
The best way to ensure that you are getting the best weight is by trying out several different knives of various weights until you find one that feels comfortable in your hand. You want one that is heavy enough to cut through food easily, but you also want to maintain the ability to maneuver the knife with skill.
You simply need to try a variety of knives with various weights until you find the one that feels most comfortable.
The Size
The size of your knife set is important as well since you will be using it to slice, dice, and chop on a regular basis. You need to find a set that has the right versatility for your kitchen. In other words, you need a knife set that has a variety of sizes. Most of the knives come in 6-inch, 8-inch, and 10-inch blades, each one being necessary for several things.
The 6-inch blade has the agility needed in a paring knife; while the 8-inch knife is the most common for everything. The 10-inch blade can easily cut through several volumes, but its large size might feel intimidating to many people.
The Balance
Another thing you must consider in a great set of chef’s knives is the balance. This is especially important for those who use knives on a regular basis. Every knife has a balance point, and some people might ignore the balance of a knife. However, it is extremely important.
The balance is essentially in the hand of the user. You will need to test out several knife brands, much like with the weight, to get the optimal balance for your needs. To test the balance, you should hold the knife by the handle. If it feels unbalanced to you, then you should keep looking.
Unbalanced knives, whether side-to-side or overall balance, are much more difficult to cut with.
The Style
While an average person might not consider the style of their knife set, a professional will know how important this is to your cooking. There are several different styles of knives that every professional chef will consider when purchasing their own set.
The style you choose will purely depend on the weight, size, and balance that you prefer since each style has their own. Many of the knives can handle difficult tasks, while others might not be up to the job. You can find more about knife styles before purchasing your own set for your kitchen.
Conclusion
Before you can start working in your kitchen as a professional chef, you will need to purchase a set of professional knives. However, finding a great set of knives to fit your lifestyle and needs is not always easy. There are a few things that you should consider before buying your knives.
The balance is important to get a great set of knives. You need to make sure that they are balanced according to your comfort levels. The same can be said about weight. If you purchase a set of knives that is simply too heavy, you will not be able to maneuver them very well.
When looking for great knives, you should also consider the size because a set of knives that is too large will feel uncontrollable, and a set that is too small will feel too light for your needs. The style is the last thing to consider in your kitchen knives.
You want a style that best suits your cooking style. This can easily be considered once you’ve tried several different knives and styles, and you can confidently find your ideal knife set for your kitchen.