Buying knives might seem like a no-brainer, but it is actually really important to get the right knife for your hand. Here are a few tips on how to pick the right knife for your kitchen.
(image: DFD)
Size, contour and material of the handle
It should fit comfortably in your hand. If you have smaller hands, a slimmer handle will likely offer a better grip and be easier to use. The material of the handle shouldn’t feel too slippery or rough.
Weight of the knife
It shouldn’t be too heavy or light for you. Your hand will tire easily with a knife that’s too hefty while one that’s too light may not be suitable for handling hardier foods like pumpkins and watermelons. Also consider what you’re comfortable with – some prefer a heavier knife as it falls with more force while others prefer a light one that is easier to manoeuvre.
Balance between the handle and blade
For a chef’s knife, the handle should not be much heavier or lighter than the blade, while for a pairing knife, the handle can be slightly more weighted than the blade as that makes peeling easier. Get a feel of the knife at the store: hold the knife in your hand and make a cutting action, preferably on a chopping board. Buying knives online is not advisable unless you are unfamiliar with the knife.
Length of the blade
The blade should not feel overly long or short for you. Chef’s knives come with blades that are between 15cm to 24cm while paring knives have blades ranging from 9cm to 15cm.
Be sure to pay attention to these details.
This article was first published in Simply Her, 2015. Our experts for this article are: