Most knife experts will advise you never to buy a knife set. I’m here to say that a proper knife set is a chef’s best friend and a kitchen’s best asset. messer kaufen How to decide if a knife block is right for you, find the perfect knife set and take care of it for a lifetime.
Who is a knife set really for?
The kind of person who really gets the most out of a knife set is someone who loves to cook up beautiful meals from fresh ingredients, has a kitchen they love, and really basks in how cozy and comfortable or elegant it is and stylish she is. A knife block is great for someone who is very busy and doesn’t mind preparing dinner but knows that the prep work needs to go more smoothly to make it more enjoyable. If they had more time or it was easier to prepare, they would use fresh produce for every meal. A knife set is best for someone who doesn’t have a lot of time to research and wants to find their new tools efficiently.
Then why are so many people against knife blocks?
If you’ve asked about buying a knife set, you’ve probably been told – don’t do it! Why is that? Well, most knife experts are true knife lovers. In most cases they are knife collectors. They know all about steel grades and edge geometry and patina and forging techniques and, well, everything there is to know about a knife. While this is all very useful information, it is far more than even the greatest chef bothers to know.
These knife experts have tested hundreds of knives, and they all have very firm opinions as to what is the best knife in each knife category. Someone who has the time to read hundreds of reviews of every type of knife they need will have a mismatched set of the best knives in the world. However, if you don’t have a lot of time and want your knives to match, it’s really in your best interest to buy a set.
The other argument most knife experts make is that the sets are filled with “filling knives you’ll never use” or that “all you’ll ever need is a chef’s knife.” I will say it once and for all. Yes, you can get by with just one chef’s knife, and yes, you will use your chef’s knife more than any other knife you have. But try carving a pumpkin with your chef’s knife, removing the scales from a fish, or slicing a loaf of freshly baked Italian bread, and you’ll find that while you don’t do these jobs very often, you do them when you do want the right knife for the job. It’s like your stand mixer. While the paddle attachment does 95% of the work, you still need the whisk attachment for whipping cream and the dough hook for dough.
How do you choose your knife set?
The chef’s knife is the most commonly used, so you should choose your set mainly on that. You can find tons of information on how to choose a chef’s knife, but here’s the most important thing – the handle must be comfortable in your hands and the blade should be made of decent steel. How do you recognize the steel? The simplest answer is, if it’s a well-known company, they probably use decent steel. If you really want a valuable opinion, call the professional who will sharpen your knives and ask for a recommendation. If you ‘re planning on shopping online and can’t go to the store and hold the knives in your hand, look for a handle that appears ergonomic and doesn’t have hard corners that can cause calluses.
In second place is the appearance of the set. Now I’m not being vain, but really, being able to display your knives in a beautiful block right on the countertop adds a real touch of skill to any kitchen. So choose a set you can be proud of. You’ll probably see it every day, so make sure it goes well with the kitchen’s look and feel and be happy to see it in your home.
Finally, you should also consider the other knives included in the set. Why isn’t that first on the list? There are no “useless” knives. The most important thing when it comes to the knives in your block is knowing what tasks to use them for. If it’s in your block, it probably has a special purpose and is worth taking some time to figure out how to use. Ask a salesperson, a fellow chef, or do a quick online search for each knife in your set and how it should be used. This will save you hours of frustration in the kitchen trying to use a santoku to debone a fish. If your knife set doesn’t come with a sharpening/grinding steel, you’ll need to buy one and learn how to use it to take care of your knives. Your steel doesn’t need special storage, but if it’s not included in your set, you’ll need to consider that an extra cost.
How do you maintain your set?
A knife set should only be cared for in two ways. Always insert completely dry, clean knives into the block to prevent bacteria getting inside and when you vacuum, carefully remove the knives from your block and vacuum out any messer kaufen debris that may have fallen into the slots to prevent your knives from being scratched or dented. Otherwise, care for each knife as it normally should. Hand wash your knives, only use them on wooden or rubber cutting boards, and use each knife for the right job. Your chef’s knife should be sharpened after every half hour of use and professionally sharpened at least once or twice a year.
Any additional bonuses?
This is actually why I love knife sets so much. A properly selected and well cared for set will last a lifetime, becoming your best friend in the kitchen and maybe one day a family heirloom.
