All About Professional Chef Knives

The Ultimate in Versatility

A chef knife, also called a French knife, is used for cutting, chopping, slicing, and mincing. It is the knife most commonly used in household kitchens. The blade of a chef's knife is anywhere from 6 to 12 inches long, with an 8-inch blade being the most popular. Several inches thick, the curved blade of the chef's knife allows for a rocking motion while in use, perfect for mincing and fine chopping.

Plenty of Materials

Chef's knives can be made out of a variety of materials. Most blades are made out of stainless steel, and professional chef's knives tend to be made from high carbon steel, which are able to retain a sharp edge for a long period of time. Knives can also be ceramic, but these are less common.

Knife handles can also be made from wood, plastic, or steel. One popular type of handle consists of ergonomic polyurethane, which is comfortable, sturdy, and long lasting. Many professional chef's knives come with stainless steel handles.

The Making of a Blade

There are two different ways that the blade of a chef's knife is made: they are either forged or stamped. While a stamped blade is cut from a roll of steel, ground down, and then sharpened, a forged blade involves an intricate process which includes heating the steel at a high temperature to refine the grain. Most professional chef's knives are made of forged steel, which often produce a full-tang design, because they tend to be higher in quality.

Put It to Good Use

Chef's knives can be used on so many different foods, but they are most commonly used to chop and dice vegetables. The flat side of a chef knife blade can also be used to break chicken bones and crush garlic. And because the blade is fairly wide, it can also be used for scraping remains into the garbage or for scooping up vegetables to put in a pan.

Top of the Line

There are many excellent manufacturers of professional chef's knives, including Henckels, Kershaw, Forschner Victorinox, Kitchen Aid, Chicago Cutlery, and Calphalon. Look for professional chef’s knives online, in specialty stores, and in department stores.

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