Monday, December 21, 2009

Finding The Best Kitchen Knives

By Jeremy Pabloccis

Choosing perfect kitchen knives can be difficult. There are thousands of selections of knives made from a multitude of materials. The abundance makes if difficult to tell on first glance what the reason is for the range of prices are for the knives. When a person decides to take cooking seriously and add a set of excellent knives to their cooking tool kit there are a few steps you can take to make sure that you are getting perfect knives.

The materials that knives are made from affect the quality of a knife. But, the way they are made can directly affect your cooking experience. Knives are forged or stamped. The prices of all types of knives vary, but you will find that forged knives are usually more expensive. This is because they have several features that make them very durable, distinct, and lasting additions to your kitchen.

Forged blade knives are set apart from stamped blade knives in many ways. They are thicker than stamped knives and are carefully balances between the blade and handle of the knife. They are hand forged and hammered so each knife is unique.

The bolster is that little silver part where the blade meets the handle. This piece adds strength to the knife and balances the blade. Most chef and specialty knives where quality and durability is required are made from forged blade knives. The knives are available in many sizes and are usually selected for the fit and comfort they offer to the person using them. These knives make fine, controlled chopping extremely easy.

When you see thinner knives they are stamped blade knives. These knives are normally unbalanced and the bolster on the knife does not serve the purpose of adding strength or balance to the knife. The handle of the knife will feel heavier than the blade of the knife.

The blades of the stamped knife is very thin which makes it easier to sharpen. These knives are cut from a sheet of metal and usually screwed into the knife handle. The blades are ground, tempered, polished, and sharpened before being attached to the knife handle.

Finding a long lasting knife that feels comfortable when you hold it and continues to perform with quality indefinitely will depend on the metal and type of knife that you select. Choosing a high grade stainless steel or ceramic knife will give you the kind of durability you are seeking.

When low carbon stainless steel knives are used they do not have the lifespan that knives of higher quality have. The knives get dull, stain, bend, and break after a short period of time. They are not made to be the lasting pieces of vital equipment that you will add to your kitchen when you purchase a fine set of kitchen knives. When you are deciding on a forged set of knives or a stamped set of knives it will be helpful to hold the knives to get a feel for the weight and feel of the knife. A knife should fit comfortably in the hand and feel completely balanced.

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