Which knives do I absolutely need in my kitchen?
Having the right selection of knives in the kitchen can make the difference between a tedious cooking experience and a more efficient, enjoyable preparation. There is a huge range of specialty knives made for every imaginable task in the kitchen, but when you get down to the basics, in most cases three knives are enough to cover 99% of cutting tasks: a chef's knife, a smaller utility knife (often called a petty knife) and a bread knife. In this blog post, you'll learn why exactly these three knives are enough and why they form the indispensable base of every kitchen.1. The Chef's Knife – The All-Rounder
The chef's knife is the most important and versatile knife in your kitchen. It usually has a blade length of around 20 cm and can handle almost any cutting task, from chopping vegetables to cutting meat to mincing herbs.- Why you need it: A good chef's knife is suitable for almost any task. It has a wide, strong blade that is great for chopping large quantities of vegetables. The spine of the blade gives you enough stability to cut up hard foods like pumpkin or carrots. At the same time, the blade is sharp and precise enough to handle fine tasks like slicing onions or herbs.
- The ideal blade length: A chef's knife with a blade of around 20 cm is the ideal size for most kitchen tasks. This length offers the perfect balance between control and cutting surface - long enough to easily handle large foods, but short enough to work precisely.
- What features to look for: Make sure the blade is well balanced so that the knife is comfortable to hold. A sturdy handle and high-quality steel that stays sharp for a long time are also crucial for functionality.
2. The all-purpose knife (Petty) – For the fine tasks
The second knife you absolutely need in your kitchen is a utility knife, often called a petty knife. This knife is smaller than a chef's knife, with a blade length between 12 and 15 cm. It is ideal for precise cutting work that would make a chef's knife too large and unwieldy.- Why you need it: The petty or all-purpose knife is perfect for smaller cutting tasks where the chef's knife is too big. Slicing fruit, peeling vegetables or cutting up small pieces of meat are typical tasks where this knife shines. The petty is also unbeatable for delicate work such as removing fat or tendons.
- The ideal blade length: A blade of about 12-15 cm offers enough precision for fine tasks and at the same time lies securely and comfortably in the hand.
- Versatility: This knife is like the little brother of the chef's knife and can also handle tasks that require speed and precision, such as chopping garlic or slicing small amounts of vegetables.
3. The bread knife – For crispy crusts and soft interiors
The third knife in your basic toolkit should be a bread knife. A good bread knife has a long, serrated blade that allows you to cut through bread crusts without crushing the soft interior.
- Why you need it: If you've ever tried to cut bread with a smooth knife, you know how easily the bread gets squashed or cut unevenly. A serrated bread knife effortlessly cuts through crispy crusts without destroying the soft interior. But the bread knife isn't just for bread - it can also easily cut larger, hard fruits and vegetables like melons or pumpkins.
- The ideal blade length: A bread knife should have a blade of at least 20 cm to cut large loaves or fruits effortlessly. The serrations on the blade prevent slipping and ensure an even cut.
- Versatility: In addition to bread and melons, a bread knife is also good for tomatoes, cakes or even soft cheeses that could easily be crushed under a smooth knife
Why are these knives enough?
With a chef's knife, an all-purpose knife and a bread knife, you are well equipped for almost all cutting tasks in the kitchen. These three knives together cover about 99% of the work you have to do in the kitchen:
- Large, medium and small cutting tasks: The chef's knife takes care of all the rough work and processing of large foods. The petty or all-purpose knife handles more precise, smaller tasks, and the bread knife is used for harder crusts or delicate foods.
- Saves time and space: Instead of owning a variety of knives for every task, these three knives give you flexibility while saving space and money. They are functional, efficient and tailored to the most important kitchen tasks.
For whom are these knives not enough?
Conclusion:
A chef's knife, a utility knife and a bread knife form the solid foundation of any well-equipped kitchen. With these three knives, you have the most important tools to work precisely, safely and efficiently, without unnecessary utensils. So if you want to invest in high-quality knives, start with these three and you will quickly notice how much easier cutting in the kitchen becomes.
In our next blog post, we would like to shed some light on what other knife shapes there are and for which users they are useful.
