If you are like most people, then you probably think of knives as just another kitchen utensil and that they are all one in the same. They have a handle and they cut things, nothing more nothing less. Though they do look very similar, they are often nothing alike when it comes to their other features. And knives can come from anywhere in the world, and each country has used knives for different things over the centuries. Kind of surprising, right? Well, it is in a way. But then again, different things come from all over the world in different styles so it is not all that surprising.
One the best knives out there is the Japanese chef knife, also known as the gyuto, and it has many different edges in comparison to the knives made in the west. The Japanese also went a step further and made their knife out of a harder steel which makes it more innovative than those manufactured in the western hemisphere.
There are some things to remember when looking at knives, whether you are looking at a Japanese chef knife or another kind of chef knife. The materials that make up knives fall into two main headings the sharp edge and the handle.
1. Sharp edge or Blades - the blades can be made of a number of materials, mostly carbon steel, stainless steel, titanium, ceramic or laminated. this may not seem important at first, but they affect the way how food is prepared and ease of maintenance. For example titanium knives are great for filleting because they are light and will retain their edge for a longer period of time.
2. The Handle -- you will also find handles that are made of a wide variety of materials. Common ones include wood, plastic, rubber, micarta, leather and stainless steel. We can all safely agree that the handle material will affect how easy/hard it is to hold the knife. Case in point; a wooden knife handle will be difficult to maintain because wood retains bacteria, but they are generally easy to hold. Compare that to a knife with a plastic handle, which you can easily take care of and clean, but they will be difficult to use if the handle or your hands happen to be wet or damp.
A chef's knives really are not a joke, and if you are serious about cooking they should not be a joke to you either. Every country's knives are their own beings, and now that Japanese chef knives have really made it big elsewhere in the world they are getting some attention. So for that cooking guru in your family this could very be a perfect gift for them. - 30289
One the best knives out there is the Japanese chef knife, also known as the gyuto, and it has many different edges in comparison to the knives made in the west. The Japanese also went a step further and made their knife out of a harder steel which makes it more innovative than those manufactured in the western hemisphere.
There are some things to remember when looking at knives, whether you are looking at a Japanese chef knife or another kind of chef knife. The materials that make up knives fall into two main headings the sharp edge and the handle.
1. Sharp edge or Blades - the blades can be made of a number of materials, mostly carbon steel, stainless steel, titanium, ceramic or laminated. this may not seem important at first, but they affect the way how food is prepared and ease of maintenance. For example titanium knives are great for filleting because they are light and will retain their edge for a longer period of time.
2. The Handle -- you will also find handles that are made of a wide variety of materials. Common ones include wood, plastic, rubber, micarta, leather and stainless steel. We can all safely agree that the handle material will affect how easy/hard it is to hold the knife. Case in point; a wooden knife handle will be difficult to maintain because wood retains bacteria, but they are generally easy to hold. Compare that to a knife with a plastic handle, which you can easily take care of and clean, but they will be difficult to use if the handle or your hands happen to be wet or damp.
A chef's knives really are not a joke, and if you are serious about cooking they should not be a joke to you either. Every country's knives are their own beings, and now that Japanese chef knives have really made it big elsewhere in the world they are getting some attention. So for that cooking guru in your family this could very be a perfect gift for them. - 30289
About the Author:
You can't prepare food like a pro without a good set of knives. Learn more about Japanese chef knives and discover the different types you could use in your kitchen.
