If you are looking to spend more time in the kitchen then you’ll obviously need to purchase a number of knives to make your time more enjoyable and efficient. Of course, you can do this by identifying and purchasing a range of stand-alone knives designed to perform specific tasks, however one of the most convenient options is to purchase a knife set.
By doing so you can save on time and money. However, you need to ensure that the set you purchase contains, not only all the knives you’ll need to perform the majority of tasks, but also those of a high standard to make your job that much easier.
Quality over Quantity
When it comes to purchasing a knife set, especially as an amateur in the kitchen, many can’t resist the urge to purchase a set with a considerable amount of knives. This is not necessarily the smartest move as many of these knives serve little to no purpose and merely end up gathering dust.
Instead, it is best to purchase a knife set that contains only the most essential of knives, and those of a high quality. Especially if you are just starting out, or looking to take up cooking on a more regular basis as part of a new years resolution.
So what knives are those that you need to ensure are part of the knife set that you’ll need to purchase? And what is meant by high quality when it comes to kitchen knives?
What Knives should be part of your knife set
In essence, there are 4 knives that are extremely valuable members of a knife set and those that feature prominently in the best kitchen knife sets of 2022. The commonly included knives are:
- A Santoku Knife
- A Chef Knife
- A Utility Knife
Santoku Knife
The Santoku Knife is a precision knife that is most typically used to slice, dice and chop delicate meats, veggies, and seafood. Its light, thin design makes it easy to handle and this is why many often prefer it to the chef’s knife for those precision kitchen cutting tasks.
Chef Knife
A popular favorite for many, the chef’s knife is an extremely versatile knife that is used for many small and large kitchen tasks from cutting herbs & spices to slicing up denser meats.
Its effectiveness can be attributed to its length and sturdy design which makes it ideal for daily use.
Utility Knife
Given the effectiveness of the santoku and chef knives, the 3rd essential member of any kitchen knife set needs to be useful at accomplishing less frequent, yet more rigorous tasks. For example, peeling, and cutting apples is a common chore for most parents of young children so having a smaller knife on hand that can perform this task and not using your go-to kitchen prep knives to perform this is advantageous. That is what makes the utility knife so effective.
Other Knives that make up a quality knife set
You’ll find the 3 knives listed above in most knife sets, but what other knives are commonly included? This will largely depend on the size of the knife set (4 piece, 5 piece, 6 piece) but in general, don’t be surprised to also find one or more of the following:
- Cleaver knife
- Fillet knife
- Steak knife
- Serrated Bread Knife
- Paring Knife
What makes a good quality knife set
Put simply, a good quality knife set is quite easy to identify. Firstly, it will not be cheap. That is not to say that purchasing one will break your bank account, but you get what you pay for and that is certainly the case when it comes to items you’ll be using on a regular basis.
Secondly, the quality of the materials gives the buyer good insight into the lastability of the purchased knife set. This is why most satisfied purchasers will generally pull the trigger on a product made of a premium type of steel. This is why Damascus steel knives are such a popular choice given their long-lasting, highly durable design and manufacture.
In Summary
So what should you look for when choosing a knife set? Essentially it comes down to a small amount of considerations. Applying these factors in your decision is likely to leave you with a knife set that you’ll be able to use for years on end.
Look for a knife set that possesses at least a santoku, utility, and chef knife. Ensure that you select a knife set that is durable and therefore one made from a high-grade steel such as Damascus.
Happy shopping!