In most cases, a knife that feels graceful and comfortable in your hand might feel unpleasant and clumsy to someone else. Therefore, it is crucial to first recognize your personal preferences before you go shopping for that ideal chef’s knife that will make all the mincing, chopping, slicing and dicing more precise and effortless. Since finding the perfect knife set might be difficult, here are some quick guidelines on what to look for in chef’s knives:
- Balance
The perfect balance in kitchen knives is usually determined by the palm of the user. You can easily determine the balance by holding the knife by its handle and judging if its weight is falling towards the blade or back to the handle. When it comes to the blade, the knife should not teeter towards one side or the other. An unbalanced knife will make you use too much effort. - Weight
You will need to try a number of slicing knives to find the perfect knife weight. One school of thought says that a lighter chef’s knife is much easier to use and allows you to move more freely and skillfully. On the other hand, some people hold the belief that a heavy chef’s knife cuts through foods easier due to its great force. Nonetheless, pick a style that seems suitable to you. - Size
A 6-inch chef’s knife is preferred for its agility but, may feel intimidating when cutting through something large. An 8-inch chef’s knife is considered a favorite among home cooks due to its versatility. Moreover, 10-inch slicing knives are known to cut more volume but may be overwhelming. Find a knife size that doesn’t strike fear into your heart.
How to Test Your Knife
According to the experts, you can test your vegetable knife by using it to:
• Cut carrots into thin strips
• Slice winter squash
• Dice an onion
• Carve a melon
If you have no trouble completing these tasks with a knife, it just might be the ideal chef’s knife for you.