Lifestyle

How to Choose and Take Proper Care of Your Kitchen Knives

May 31, 2018

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Though I don’t do a lot of food posts anymore, some of our long-time readers may remember a time when I was pretty involved in that niche of the blogging world. I was on a couple Ambassador panels, and whenever I’d go to a meet up with other food bloggers, it was inevitable that someone would bring up knives. I totally admit how nerdy that is, but it’s just what happens when it’s such a big part of what you do every day. And there are some really strong opinions about kitchen knives out there, let me tell you. And a lot of those strong opinions are at odds with one another.

How to Choose the Right Kitchen Knife

We’ve had a lot (like, surprisingly a lot) of you who have asked for details on choosing the right knife set and taking care of it when you’re just starting out, or when you’re wanting to get more serious about cooking, or when you’re ready to fully embrace your food nerd-dome. And while I’m more than happy to share my thoughts on all of this, one thing I won’t harp on is knife brand.

Don’t get me wrong, I have my favorite brand. This entire post is probably going to feel like a Wusthof commercial (even though they are not sponsoring this post) because that’s all I use now. But I’ve reached that point after using a variety of knives and determining Wusthof is what I prefer.

Wall Magnet Knife Strip

Through this post I’ll share things to consider for yourself when purchasing knives, link to some options at different price points, and list a few brands worth looking into. And hopefully, at the end, you’ll be a little closer to getting the knife that’s perfect for where you are in your culinary journey.

German VS. Japanese Steel
This is a big debate, and there are lots of little details people get hung up on with this. But for the average home cook, straight up, it doesn’t matter one ounce which one you go with. The basic idea is that Japanese steel is harder, so keeps an edge longer. It’s also more prone to chipping if you’re cutting through bones or stuff like that and should be professionally sharpened. German steel is softer, so it gets dull quicker. But it’s also less brittle and can be kept sharp by a novice knife owner with a little know how.

But when I say this, the tendency is for people to picture knives made of glass (Japanese steel) or salt water taffy (German steel). When in actuality the difference is minimal. German steel keeps an edge really well, and it takes some abuse for Japanese steel to chip. I suggest paying less attention to the type of steel, and more attention to the shape of the blade and handle, as well as your price point (Japanese steel tends to run more expensive).

German Steel Knife Brands

Epicure

Wusthof

Top: EpicureMid: ClassicEntry: Pro

Messermeister

Top: Royal EliteMid: San Moritz EliteEntry: Park Plaza

Zwilling J.A. Henckels

Top: Pro Holm OakMid: ProEntry: Twin Signature

Japanese Steel Knife Brands

Shun Fuji

Shun

Top: FujiMid: ClassicEntry: Sora

Miyabi

Top: BlackMid: KaizenEntry: Evolution

Global

Top: Classic ForgedMid: SaiEntry: Classic

Standalone Knives VS. Knife Sets
I’m often asked, “Which brand of knife set is best?” But in my opinion, that question is flawed from the start because knife sets are a bad move, regardless of brand. I totally get the appeal – if you’re not sure what you want, it’s nice to just buy a package of things that someone is saying you need. But the problem is, with knife sets, they always seem to toss in a few knives you never use, but discount the price to make it feel like you’re getting a deal.

I’d rather spend $450 for three knives I’ll use every day than spend $600 for six knives that I only use 3 of anyway. You know what I’m saying? And I’m much less concerned about my knives all matching than having the knives I want. And most knife blocks included are an eye sore that just take up counter space. And, do I need to keep going?

In short, skip the pre-assembled knife set and build up a collection over time. Start with one high-quality, versatile knife (an 8in Cook’s/Chef’s Knife or Santoku) and add on slicers, paring knives, boning knives etc..

Slicing

Not sure which knife to start with? If you mainly cut with up and down chopping movements, lifting the blade completely off the cutting board, go for the Santoku. If you rock chop (moving the knife back and forth, up and down without lifting the blade fully off the cutting board – shown in the picture above), choose a Cook’s/Chef’s knife.

Cook’s/Chef’s Knives

Wusthof

Top: Classic Ikon – $179.95Mid: Legende – $109.95Entry: Pro – $26.95

Shun

Top: Fuji – $399.95Mid: Classic – $109.95Entry: Sora – $79.95

Other

Top: Messermeister – $199.95Mid: Global – $111.96Entry: Victorinox – $44.95

Santoku Knives

Wusthof

Top: Epicure – $189.95Mid: Urban Farmer – $99.95Entry: Gourmet – $49.95

Shun

Top: Fuji – $399.95Mid: Kanso – $114.95Entry: Sora – $79.95

Other

Top: Miyabi – $279.95Mid: Zwilling – $99.95Entry: Victorinox – $64.95

Comfort & Design
With steel manufacturing becoming more advanced across all brands, the comfort and design of a knife is a bigger factor, and one that many companies have been slow to catch on to. Some of the most expensive knives out there, made with the highest standards possible in regards to their blades, have slapped on a round stick as a handle and, in my opinion, harmed the overall experience of using the knife.

I mentioned earlier that I don’t get hung up too much on brands that people choose, but this is where I’m going to make my little plug for Wusthof, because from my experience, they’re totally leading out on the comfort of their handles. Their Epicure line is, without question, the most comfortable group of knives I have ever used. They are well worth the price for someone who cooks as much as I do. But long before they sold these knives, I’ve had their Classic Ikon and Classic knives, and they’re always ahead of their comparable counterparts on comfort.

Handle Design

That said, there are still very comfortable knives available at a variety of price points, from a variety of brands. There’s also plenty of room to get knives that look cool as well, but be careful not to get pulled too far into that. I would still put comfort first.

Most Comfortable Knives

Wusthof

Top: EpicureMid: LegendeEntry: Pro

Shun

Top: HikariMid: KajiEntry: Premier

Other

Top: NesmukMid: GlobalEntry: Victorinox

Knife Care
Of course, regardless of price point, a knife that isn’t cared for won’t last long. Along those same lines, a knife cared for, even if it’s less expensive, can last for a decade or longer. My knife set from culinary school cost me $150. Granted, that was a deal I got through my school, but still – one of my current knives costs more than that entire set. But I used that set for almost a decade, because I was meticulous with the care I gave it. Here’s what to keep in mind:

Storage
Knives should be secured somewhere, so the blades don’t bang up against something else. Knife blocks, though sometimes ugly (IMO), do the job, but my personal preference is a magnet strip on the wall. If you must use a drawer, purchase an organizer that will keep them stable. The one we have is from IKEA and made specifically for our cabinets, but there are options on sites like Crate & Barrel or Williams-Sonoma.

Knives in Drawer

Magnetic Knife BarIn-Drawer OrganizerKnife Block

Cleaning
Never put a knife in the dishwasher. For real, promise me right now that you’ll wash all your knives, carefully, by hand. I don’t know the science behind it, and there are people who, since they can’t explain it, say it’s not a big deal. I don’t know if it’s the harsh detergents that eat away at the blades edge, or the intense heat, or the high powered jets, or whatever. But what I do know is, a sharp knife goes into the dishwasher, and a dull one comes out. Use soap, warm water, and your fingers (approaching from behind the blade), and take your time. Just give the knife the respect it deserves.

Washing a knife by hand

Sharpening
As mentioned earlier, if you have Japanese steel knives, opt for professional sharpening. Most kitchen supply stores can do that for you and it only costs a few dollars each knife (usually). If, however, you go with German steel, you can keep your knife razor sharp, all on your own.

Knife sharpening

You can use the electric type sharpeners. They do a decent job, and are pretty fast. But they’re also a bit aggressive, and frequent sharpening can really do a number on the blade over time. I use a whetstone, and it’s my preferred method because I can feel what’s happening with the blade as I sharpen it.

Using my Shun Whetstone

Essentially, a whetstone is compressed sand of varying grit, from rough to smooth. You begin with the rougher grit, grind off any dings or edges, then finish with the finer grit. It takes longer, but is a great way to stay in touch with your knives. I know that sounds super nerdy, but it’s true. As I sharpen my knife, I can feel bumps along the blade, and I can feel as they gradually work themselves out until the blade is straitened again. I am able to tell if my knives are taking too much abuse, and I like knowing how they’re faring. If I’m going to spend $200 on a single knife, by George I’m gonna take care of it.

Finer grit on Shun

But, whichever sharpening option you go with, always make sure you have a good quality honing steel to finish off. Once a knife is sharpened, and before each time you use the knife, give it a few runs along the honing steel to straiten up the microscopic blade edge. Cross the knife over the steel, rest the blade directly on it, and pull them away from each other while running the steel along the entire blade edge.

Honing Steel

WhetstoneElectric SharpenerHoning Steel

So hopefully this information is at least a little helpful to anyone trying to decide which knife they should buy, either as a first knife, or an addition to their growing collection. Really, there are so many options available, from a variety of quality brands, who all have their manufacturing process honed in (hah!). And with proper care, you can make any of these knives last for years, even decades.

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What do you think?

  1. Courtney says:

    This is so great! Also: Shun offers free sharpening/repair of their knives for the lifetime of the knife. We sent our 4 knives in with a chip in one, and it came back looking fantastic with no chip, and they were all super sharp! Even the serrated one, cause I have no idea how to sharpen those. We also sent in my mom’s set of 6, and hers came back beautiful as well. We both had been disappointed in the chipping/fragility of the knives, but now that we know they’ll repair and sharpen them, we’ve never been happier.
    Check their website, but it’s great and super easy.

  2. Andie says:

    Thanks Chris! So after checking out whetstones I’ve determined there are several different grits available (by several different brands). There seem to be as many sharpening options as there are knife options! How do you know which ones are best? How do you pick a combo? I have a Wustof classics collection that I love but have never sharpened them myself and would love to learn how. Thanks for your helpful post!

  3. Monika says:

    I’m down to two santoku knives and a paring knife in my everyday life. I have the rest of the knife paraphenalia: bread, fillet, serrated this and that but find myself reaching for a santoku and paring knife most of the time. Clients-I cater-are always surprised when they see only two knives with me. But it’s a waste, as you aptly pointed out, to buy things you don’t use. It did take a while for me to figure out just how much I DON’T need. And, yes, my three knives are Wusthof. A wet stone is my favorite, easy, low tech way to keep them sharp. I grew up in Eastern Europe and my grandfather had a wheel that I manually turned and poured water on while he sharpened the household knives… more than 40 years ago.

  4. Liz says:

    I have the entry 8″ Victorinox Fibrox chef’s knife and use it ALL. THE. TIME. It’s the only knife I contributed to my partner’s collection of Henckels. But so, a question: when do you know it’s time to replace your knives? And, HOW do you dispose of old knives properly (aside from donating to Goodwill, etc)?

    • Chris says:

      If the knife stops cutting and the blade is chipped to a point where you can’t sharpen the chips out, then it’s time to replace. But if you’re able to keep it sharp, and chip free, keep it!

      Getting rid of knives – I’ve never really given it thought. I’ve always given my knives away, but they’ve been in good shape. If you’re not wanting to just toss it in the garbage, that’s definitely something to research.

  5. Melanie says:

    I was just thinking about knives and sharpening them a few days ago! Great timing :) I would love to see a video tutorial on sharpening a knife. I’m sure they exist on YouTube but i would love to see your process!

  6. Sally says:

    What are your views on the handheld v-shaped sharpeners that have a coarse and a fine pull-through slot (I’ve got a red Wusthof one) rather than your method? – asking for a friend….

    • Chris says:

      Haha, I don’t hate on those. My mom has used one for years. But my mom’s knives also have a tough time stay sharp and the blades are kinda chewed up from consistent use. I prefer the whetstone, but do what works for you.

  7. Stephanie says:

    What a timely post. I was just at Williams Sonoma with my husband and telling him we should invest in better knives, Wustoff specifically, and I literally mentioned “they are Chris’s favorite.” My husband does not read design blogs so he asked me who Chris was, and I told him you were the one in the podcast that we’d listen to together on car trips. Thanks for the great information!!

  8. Tracie says:

    Thank you :D – I learned a lot as well as confirmed I knew a little something basic about knives. Really appreciate the time you took in your explanations.

  9. Kim says:

    Woweewow yes yes yes, this post.

    So few laymen understand knife basics (myself included until about a year ago and I got into it) and I feel it is the most important kitchen skill by far. Thank you for bringing this info to many people who may not know.

    Sharp knives are so much safer and I would argue cut down on prep time by half (versus dull knife)

  10. Peggy says:

    Such a useful post! A good knife will never let you down as long as you handwash it and keep it properly sharpened. I’ve had Wusthof Classic knives for 36 years as well as a couple of Shun Kaji knives. They’ve endured every type of slicing and cutting and well as three teenage “cooks” back in the day. The only ones I’ve had to replace are the bread knife and a meat slicing knife. Good knives are the best investment you can make for your kitchen. One thing to consider when buying, do you cut in a “rock and chop” motion or an “up and down” motion? Certain knives are designed for certain motions of cutting.

  11. Andi says:

    We went with Whustof Epicure when we put together our wedding registry! They were so much more comfortable than anything else (for us)! Sounds like I need a whetstone. I’ve just been using a honing steel every so often. Good to know, thanks for the tips!

    • Chris says:

      I only use the whetstone on my knives maybe twice a year, but it’s worth it for those times. The honing steel will keep knives working great for months between sharpening.

      • Kat Sherby says:

        Oooh! That’s great info! I thought it was at least a monthly thing. I’ve got an old honing knife that belonged to my parents. I wonder if that will suffice or if I should get a new one? I have no idea what brand it is, but it seems quite nice. I recently purchased 2 Wusthof classic 6″ chef’s knives, and I’m going to get a few paring knives, one other knife and the magnetic knife holder. I love the kitchen scissors too and I’ve been using those for 15+ years. I love and appreciate this post Chris. Timeless! ????????

  12. Katie Loecken says:

    I’m curious on your thoughts on your magnetic knife bars. Do they dull/ scratch your knives as you pull them on and off?

    I’ve been dying to get a few of my favorites onto my wall, but I’ve been thinking I need to go with a wood bar.

    • Chris says:

      No scratches thus far, but I’m careful not to slide my knives around on the magnet. A wood one is a good option, though not quite as strong. Heavier knives, especially if there are lots of other knives also on the magnet, may be prone to sliding off.

      • Kim says:

        We have a magnetic knife bar and love it! My husband (who can – let’s just say – be pretty rough on things) uses it with ease and we haven’t noticed any issues like nicks or scratches. If anything I think the steel may be harder than the magnet material, so the magnet might get nicked more easily than the knife, although we haven’t seen any evidence of that whatsoever after 2 years. Anyways a $15 wall magnet would be much cheaper to replace than a fancy knife!

  13. Kim says:

    Thank you for this detailed post. Just ordered some Wusthof pros, which was in my price range, so thanks for including entry level knives! Now, if I can overcome my fear of sharpening…

  14. Saltwater says:

    Stainless steel knives. Meh…

  15. Blu says:

    Guilty of putting my knives in the dishwasher *lowers head in shame* I have the same Calphalon knife set since college (12 years) and I’m wondering if its too late to start sharpening?

    http://www.liveloveblu.com

  16. Courtney says:

    Thank you so much, Chris! This information is very much appreciated.

  17. Summer says:

    Thanks for the very informative post! You helped make purchasing knives not seem quite so daunting. Is there’s a chance you would be willing to do a few short clips on your Instagram of how to sharpen and hone the knives?

  18. Julie says:

    This is a fantastic post – so helpful! Thanks for taking the time to put this together and share your knowledge with us!

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