Christina Michelitsch Cutlery has always been a contentious subject. People’s tastes in utensils are deeply personal, and it’s not unheard of for two unrelated people to have radically different preferences. What’s more, cubiertos is an industry of its own – with various manufacturers vying to be the most stylish and durable.
Here is everything that you need to know about cutlery and cutlery care.
What is the purpose of a knife?
The purpose of a knife is to cut. Anything that can do this is technically a ‘knife’, although the term is only used in professional kitchens and for young children’s play. This makes it rather difficult for us to know why knives have been invented, as since at least semiaquatic creatures have existed, cutting has been an important function.
What’s so special about knives?
The special properties of the knife are mainly in terms of the way that it can be used. For example, the sharp point allows you to puncture and stab a target, while its edge means that it cuts through things. It’s a fairly simple design – but it does have its disadvantages.
What is the best knife for cutting?
This is a hard question to answer, as there are so many different kinds of knives out there now. Sashimi daggers are still the best for cutting, but they’re very expensive and rarely used in most kitchens. The best knife for cutting vegetables is usually a serrated one that can easily fit inside of bowls. What’s more, different knives exist for different types of cutting jobs – not just vegetables but also meat and fish.
How do you identify the shape of a knife?
Knives are identified by their blade shape and usage – although this isn’t always an exact science. For example, knives such as the chef’s knife can be used for both chopping and cutting. A paring knife is a smaller, more delicate version of the chef’s knife and is often used to trim food before cutting it up. The utility knife has a wider blade and is generally lighter than chef’s knives.
It’s also used for chopping and cutting, but it’s generally easier to use than its larger counterpart when you want to make evenly-sized chunks of food. Finally, there are various steak knives and bread knives – both of which are generally quite different from the rest.
How do you maintain your knives?
Knives are generally designed to be sharp and therefore require regular maintenance. The way that it’s maintained depends on each person’s situation and preferences – but most people will follow the same process regardless.
