Choosing High-Quality Cooking Knives

Having the right knives on hand can really make cooking a much better experience. When I first started cooking, however, I didn't know anything about knives or how important they were in cooking. I moved into my first apartment with a few butter knives and one paring knife, and then wondered why simple tasks like cutting, dicing, and slicing were so difficult. After several years of cooking, I finally gave up on all the crazy gadgets, choppers, and dicers, and invested in a high quality, multi-purpose knife. I've been enjoying the preparation phase of cooking ever since!

First, look for function and durability in a good knife. To select a good cooking knife, you should look for one that is balanced and feels comfortable in your own hand. When you are shopping for knives, see if the store has a sample set out, and pick up the knife to see how it feels. If you do a lot of cooking, or even a little bit of cooking, you will want to have a knife which is easy-to-handle and comfortable.

It is also a good idea to look for a knife that is made of high-carbon stainless steel with a blade that runs through the handle and riveted in place. These knives will be long-lasting and not fall apart over time. The high-carbon stainless steel will also resist corrosion while still sharpening easily, unlike regular stainless steel.

Don't despair if you don't have a large budget for quality knives. You can start out with just a few of the essentials. If you buy high-quality knives and care for them properly, they will last for a long time, and you can add to your collection as you go. The following are the essential knives you should look for first:

Bread knife. This knife has a serrated edge and is used for cutting through breads, bagels, cakes, and other foods which have rough outsides and soft insides.

Chef's or cook's knife. This knife has a wedge-shaped blade and is used for basic kitchen tasks like chopping, dicing, and mincing.

Paring knife. This knife has a short blade and is used for peeling and cutting things like fruit and vegetables.

Utility knife. This knife has a thin blade and is used for slicing soft foods like fruit and cheeses.

There are an endless variety of knives, and almost all of them have a useful purpose. However, the knives above will get you through most of your cooking chores. Knives like boning knives, carving knives, and fillet knives can always be purchased later as an addition to your kitchen equipment.

You can find high-quality knives at kitchen stores like Williams Sonoma, or you can even look at a department store. You don't have to spend a small fortune on your knives, but if you make sure that they are made of high-quality material and not cheaply constructed, you can invest in knives which will last for a very long time given the proper care.