If you ever wanted to cook like a chef, have a goal to be a chef or you are a chef, you know that one of the most important tools a chef can have is a high quality and versatile chef knife. Many chefs refer to a high quality chef knife like this as a French knife. All in all, a chef knife can be used for just about any job in a kitchen, but some chef knives perform some jobs better than others.
While looking for a chef knife that will fit you and your needs in the kitchen, there are a few key attributes you will want to pay attention to. You will want to know what the knife is made of, the origin of the knife, what type and length of blade the knife has and the construction of the knife. High end chef knives will list all of these attributes for you to look over and review, so make sure you pay close attention to them while you search for the perfect chef knife for you.
Chef Knife
The most common materials that high quality chef knives are made of are stainless and carbon steel, titanium and laminated or ceramic materials. Most often you will find that the best chef knives are constructed from stainless steel, carbon steel or titanium. All three of these materials have benefits and specialties that are specific to them, so do your due diligence.
The origin of the knife is usually either of Japanese origin or US origin. A couple of common chef knife types that originate from Japan are gyuto and santoku. However, western chef knives are getting much better and origin is becoming less important.
One of the most crucial factors you should consider is the length of and type of blade of the chef knife. Carbon Steel blades are easier to sharpen and can hold an edge longer while Stainless steel has a little more trouble holding an edge, but is much less corrosive than carbon steel. One of the highest quality types of blade you can get is a high carbon stainless steel blade, which has superior sharpness and will hold an edge for very long periods of time.
The length of blade on a chef knife will typically be 6-inches, 8-inches or 10-inches. If you are looking for versatility, the 8-inch blade should be your choice. However, if you will be using your chef knife for smaller more precise cuts, a 6-inch blade will be preferable, while for larger cutting jobs will be much more suited with a 10-inch blade.
One last thing to consider when choosing a chef knife is the knife handle. The majority of chef knife handles are made of wood, plactic, steel or rubber. My personal choice may be different than yours, but a good fit and comfort in holding are the most important. I have found that rubber handles are usually the easiest and most comfortable to grip. Respirine-C and Kraton are two common materials used for handles with a rubbery feel.
There can be some other factors to consider when choosing a chef knife for yourself, but what I have covered here are the most important ones. Overall, it is also important to see what other people are saying about their experiences with different brands and styles of chef knives.
Above all, make sure you find the perfect chef knife that works for YOU.