Kitchen Knife Sets That’ll Last a Lifetime
Great kitchenware can make cooking a joyous activity. You need three things to be a great cook- fresh ingredients, persuasive techniques, and a few high-quality tools. The right equipment tends to make the job much better. A knife is a single most crucial tool in the kitchen and is used to create virtually every dish. It is fun using a sharp knife for cutting. Also, it implies more safety, control, less slippage, and consistent slices.
The most crucial piece of technology that our species has ever invented is the knife, with a purpose to fulfill the universal need for survival. Archeologists have discovered sharp cutting tools as old as 2.6 million years. Initially, knives were made from cracking stones to get a sharp blade kind of edge. It allowed our predecessors to hunt, defend, harvest, and process food. Stone-age was followed by metal-age, which brought about changes in the way knives were made. But, it had a significant drawback. Metal blades were neither much sharp nor did they last longer as compared with stone blades. Hence came in sharpening tools of iron, which meant durability and unbeatable strength. Iron alloy steel, which is made up of rubbing carbon, is most commonly used at present times to make knives and other sharp weapons.
Steel and Feel
For an amazingly everlasting experience with the knife you use, you need to select the knife you would love to use by digging into the cutting edge science. There are a lot of knives and knife sets available in the market, but to select the best one out of them, you need to focus on two most important things: steel and feel. Generally, harder steels are better as they are capable of holding a razor-sharp edge for a long time. Earlier, you had to choose between harder carbon steels, which rusted with any moisture, or the softer stainless steel. Due to the advancement in technology, high carbon stainless steel is available that is very hard and still resistant to rust. Secondly, merely possessing the knife of best quality steel is not at all-sufficient. If it is not comfortable to hold, you are unlikely to make use of it. Blade length of 8″ or 10″ with a proper ‘pinch’ grip makes the knife feel balanced in your hand and give support while cooking. Go for a good knife, take its proper care, and it will serve you well.
Tread on Eggs
A knife is the type of tool that, if taken care of properly, will last you a lifetime. To yield the best results, every knife needs a little bit of care and attention. Here are a few tips and tricks to keep your blade sharp:
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- Clean: Never wash your knife in the dishwasher as the harsh detergents and general banging around may prove to be bad for you. Wash by hands with soap and water.
- sharpen: Regardless of how good a knife is, it is likely to turn blunt with use eventually. You can either use a whetstone and do the sharpening yourself or send it out to the pros.
- Storage: Don’t just throw your knife set in the drawer without any protection. Always remember to cover the blade of your knife with a blade guard.
- Cutting board: Using a chopping and cutting board plays a vital role in keeping the edges safe. Rubber and end-grain boards are the best quality ones. Whereas, marble and glass-cutting boards should be avoided as they are too hard for the blade’s sharpness.
Top Kitchen Knife Sets
It is imperative to have the right knife available in your kitchen. It is essential to ensure your safety. Many of you might ask, “How can an authentic and expensive tool, which is sharp, keep you safe”? Here is a valid explanation: If you spend enough to buy a perfect culinary set, you get a convenient and comfortable knife, which is less likely to slip, and your fingers will be saved from coming in line.
In order to help you find the perfect knife set, many studies have been conducted on the reviews of actual customers who have purchased and used them. We have all the variety, from budget-friendly to an upgraded one or the one with near-perfect ratings. A knife set should be packed with at least a chef’s knife, the serrated knife, and a paring knife- which are the essentials.
These three are frequently used for carving chicken or slicing cheese. Knives come in both types: forged and stamped. Forged ones are crafted out of a single piece of steel and then bolstered to provide a transition between handle and blade, which makes the knife durable during the whole process. On the other hand, stamped knives are cut from a steel sheet in the same way as a cookie-cutter, which makes these knives a lot lighter and relatively cheaper.
Here are some of the top kitchen knife sets as per customer reviews:
Mercer Culinary Genesis 6-piece Knife Block Set (Forged): Best overall knife set
Mercer is a brand accepted for use in almost every culinary school due to its extreme sharpness and balanced design. These knives are very sharp and stable for chopping due to their design and the taper-ground edges. They have German-forged blades with an easy-grip handle, which makes them recommendable. All the incoming students in culinary schools are advised to use this set. The set includes:
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- 8-inch Chef’s knife
- Bread knife
- Boning knife
- Utility knife
- 3.5-inch utility knife
These are all that are required by a home cook. All of them come in a sleek glass block, which is tempered to keep the knives safe. They are comfortable to hold and very much durable. This set has an impressive rating of 4.7 stars from about 900 reviews. Its MRP is $182, but on Amazon.com, you can buy the whole set for $164.
Cuisinart 15-piece Stainless Steel Hollow Handle Block Set: Best Budget-Friendly Knife Set
Cuisinart is very well known for its high-quality kitchen appliances, and the same has been the case with its knives. The high-carbon stainless steel and hollow handle make them light enough to be easily used for slicing, chopping, and carving without tiring out. The set has 15 pieces, including steak knives (6), a 7-inch Santoku knife, and kitchen shears, all under $50. The collection also has a sharpener to keep your knives maintained. This set is available at Amazon.com for $42 while its original price is $47.
Global 7-piece Kabuto Knife Block Set: Best Professional Grade Pick
These knives are made up of Global’s signature Japanese stainless steel, with a single piece of metal, and the handle is dimpled later on for a comfortable grip. Its blades are most suitable for slicing tomatoes and dicing onions as they are sharpened with 50/50 symmetrical beval. The 5.5-inch Nakiri knife is to be used for chopping while the 4.5-inch utility knife for dicing cheese and other small fruits. These knives are beautiful, comfortable to hold, and sharp, giving it a 4.7-star rating on Amazon with a price tag of $349.
Victorinox Fibrox Pro 4-Piece Knife Set: Best Set for Newbies
New cooks should always start leaning from the exemplary basics. It is one of the favorites of professional chefs like David Chang. The entire blade can be used for chopping, slicing, and dicing as it is Swiss-made with a bolster less edge. The handles are so comfortable that they have a perfect non-slip grip even when wet. These knives are durable, versatile, and strong. It has received five-star reviews and costs $130 on Amazon.com. The set includes all kinds of knives a person needs to cook flexibly:
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- Chef’s knife
- Bread knife
- Utility knife
- Paring knife
Wüsthof Classic 7-Piece Slim Knife Block Set: Best German Steel Set
German-made blades are known to hold an edge for a more extended period and also don’t require sharpening quite often, unlike Japanese knives. The set has hand-honed high carbon-steel blades and well-balanced handles. The ultra-slim block, which comes in four different colors, is ideal for saving your kitchen space. It is one of the most popular Wüsthof sets with a superb rating of 4.6 stars. The ergonomic design, durability, and sharpness of the blades are highly talked about in the reviews. Spending $350 on it is worth it!
Shun Classic 6-piece Slim Knife Block Set: Best Japanese Steel Set
Japanese Chef’s knives are lightweight, super sharp, and beautiful, and among all Shun bags, the top rank. These knives are handcrafted in Seki with 34 layers of stainless Damascus. They are razor-sharp as well as resistant to corrosion. The sturdy and moisture resistant ebony wood handles make them comfortable in hand. Users love this set for their performance and looks, giving them a 4.6-star rating. These cost $400 on Amazon.com
