Paring knife - a great multi-use knife. The smaller size is perfect to carry out delicate tasks like peeling, trimming, and removing seeds, and also makes light work of harder foods like potatoes. There’s no such thing as an ideal weight of knife; it comes down to personal preference. Most experts would agree that a chef’s knife, for example, should have some weight behind it, but you don’t want a knife that’s so heavy it strains your wrists. Our Can Opener is another essential tool for any kitchen, with a smooth-turning mechanism that makes it easy to open cans of all sizes. The durable stainless steel construction ensures that this can opener will last for years to come, while the compact size makes it easy to store in a drawer or utensil holder. Wooden handle: Some pure wood handles will need oiling with a dedicated knife handle oil. Most modern wooden-handled knives have a light clear plastic coating to protect them. When washing, avoid prolonged soaking. Or, hold the handle out of the water and wash immediately.

Grapefruit knife: Channel your inner Downton Abbey with this blade that looks a bit like an artist’s knife. Handy for separating fruit from peel, or gesturing sadly about the decline in the British aristocracy. Half tang: The blade extends half way along the handle. If too much force is applied, a half tang knife can snap, as only glue is binding the knife and handle. The tang refers to the unsharpened, unexposed part of the blade that extends down the handle. There are three main tang types: Bread knife: You’ll probably be familiar with this one, but did you know the reason the edges are serrated is so that you can slice cleanly through the bread without crushing it? Including our 8 Inch Chef, Utility and Paring Japanese Steel Blade Knives, discover the Circulon: Kitchen Knife Set - 3 Piece, three versatile knives combined in to one beautiful, hard-wearing set. Expect to be impressed - even with daily use.Made in Germany - Punched from special stainless steel, Robust handle in 3-rivet design, durable, Corrosion resistant, Hand cleaning recommended Cheese knife: Not really an essential (depending on how much cheese you eat), but it does make you look fancy if you’re throwing a dinner party. Does what it says on the tin. A panel of testers use each of the knives to slice up carrot batons and then discuss their results to reach a consensus on the most to least comfortable handles. Ease of use Full tang The steel extends through the full handle. In these knives, the balance tends to be towards the handle. Knifemakers say that this type of tang makes a more robust knife. Handle This is the part of the knife you hold. Most handles are designed to be held in either hand. It should be comfortable to grip.

A sharp knife is a safe knife. Those that are blunt or unsharpened require more force to cut, which increases the likelihood of slipping and causing injury. Plastic: Plastic handles tend to be smooth and free from grooves that can trap dirt. Some plastic knives are also slightly textured to offer a more secure grip. Keep them well away from heat sources when cooking to avoid melting the handle. While some brands claim their knives are dishwasher safe, we’d always advise against this to keep them in top condition. Look after your knives well and they can last a lifetime. It’s important to clean and sharpen them properly, as well as store them safely and securely. Carving knife: This is a longer, thinner version of the chef’s knife that lets you cut more precise slices of meat, especially roast meats. This is the one you whip out during Sunday lunch.Finally, any serrated knives were used to slice beef tomatoes, cube aubergines and cut lemons into wedges. To sharpen knives with whetstones, you need to soak the stones first and keep them wet as you sharpen. Chef’s knife: The closest thing to a multipurpose knife out of the four, this got its name for a reason. The blade will be between 6 and 14 inches long and 1 and a half inches wide, curved toward the tip. You can cut meat, such as large cuts of beef, or you can chop vegetables with it.