Knife Basics, How To Select The Best Knife For Your Needs
Selecting the correct knife for your needs is an important part of buying a knife. Below you will find a guide to this process.
General questions to ask yourself before selecting a knife
- Are you looking specifically for knives to be used in the kitchen?
What you need: See the Kitchen Cutlery section below for a complete discussion about the knives you should have in your kitchen. Check out our selection of individual kitchen knives and complete block sets in the Kitchen Cutlery section of our store. - Will the knife be used primarily for everyday uses such as opening boxes, cutting twine or opening letters?
What you need: Select a folding knife with a 1½ to 3 inch blade. You may also want to select a knife with other tools such as scissors, screwdrivers, etc. depending upon your needs. Browse our Folding Knife section. - Are you, or the person you are buying the knife for, an outdoor enthusiast who engages in activities such as backpacking, hiking, camping or climbing?
What you need: Select a folding knife that has a 2 to 4 inch blade that is partially serrated (combo-edge). The serrated area of the blade will make the knife more versatile and allow easier cutting of rope and other tough materials. You may also want to select a knife or multipurpose tool with other tools such as pliers, wire cutters, screwdrivers, a can opener, or a file for making minor repairs during outings. Check out our wide selection of folding knives and multitools
If extreme strength and unfailing reliability are essential, a partially serrated (combo-edge) fixed blade knife may also be right for this application. However, a fixed blade knife does not offer the option of more tools as discussed above. Browse our wide selection of fixed blade knives. - Will the knife be used for field dressing game or cleaning/filleting fish?
What you need: Select a strong, straight bladed (no serrations), large-handled fixed blade knife for field dressing game. Cutting through tissues requires a strong knife that is easy to grip. Some knives even have a guthook on the back of the blade to ease the dressing process.
For fish cleaning and filleting, select a fillet knife for the job. Choose the size of the knife based upon the size of the fish you will be working with. Browse our Fixed Blade Knife selection. - Do you need a tactical or survival knife you can depend on any time?
What you need: A fixed blade knife is the most dependable type of knife. It does not have any pivot points or locking mechanisms to become jammed with debris or broken from heavy use. A full tang blade offers the most durability and strength a knife can give. Choose a straight blade or combo-edge blade based upon preference. Browse our Fixed Blade Knife selection.
Features to Consider
Folding blade (includes pocket knives)
These knives are compact and safer to carry, a blade lock offers more safety and dependability.
Fixed blade
Dependable and always ready for use. Not as easy to carry as folding knives. They have built-in strength that no folding blade can match.
Other tools and gadgets
Multipurpose tools offer the ability to have a miniature toolbox in your pocket or bag. Depending on the model, they may have pliers, wire cutters, a wire crimper, straight and/or serrated blades, a file, bottle/can openers, multiple screwdrivers, scissors, a saw, tweezers, wrenches, a corkscrew, an awl, a ruler, a wire stripper, an LED flashlight, a whistle, and/or a ball point pen.
Ease of opening and closing (folding blades and pocket knives)
There are multiple choices for blade locking mechanisms. Some offer one-handed opening and closing, some do not. See folding blade locking mechanisms part of this page for a description of the most common types.
Blade types and shapes
Straight blades (no serrations), serrated blades (fully serrated), combo-edge (partially straight, partially serrated on the same blade), and the blade shapes discussed below all have specific uses. Consider what the knife will be used for and see the general questions to ask yourself before selecting a knife section above.
Knife weight
A lighter knife, possibly made from composite or other lightweight materials, may be preferable to a heavier knife depending on the application.
Balance
The knife should be well balanced during use. The blade should not be excessively heavy or light as compared to the handle. Some kitchen knives and fixed blade knives have bolsters to add weight where the handle meets the blade. This adds to the overall heft of the knife and also helps with balance.
Blade Shapes
Clip Point
A clip point blade has a concave or straight area removed near the tip and on the back of the blade. This allows the point to be lower and makes for a sharper blade point. These types of blades usually offer very good slicing abilities.
Dagger/Double Edge
This blade has been sharpened on both edges, which leads to a sharpened point at the tip. It has a spine that runs the full length of the blade that gives it strength. This type of knife is generally used for self-defense.
Drop Point
A drop point blade has a tip that is lowered slightly. The lowered tip retains strength and allows good control of the knife during use. This blade type usually features very good slicing ability.
Hawkbill or Hook Blade
This blade is shaped like a sharply curved hook. The sharpened cutting edge is located inside the curve allowing tough materials to be cut.
Scimitar
This type of blade is curved. It has the sharpened edge on the outside curve of the blade and often has a needle sharp point. The sharp point allows precise work in tight spaces.
Sheepsfoot
The top of this blade curves abruptly downward to meet the tip. This design leaves virtually no sharp point at the tip. This type of blade is typically used for slicing.
Tanto
The sharp point of this blade is in the same line as the thick back of the blade allowing a very strong point. The inherent strength of this design remains the same though the front edge may meet the bottom edge at an angle or a curve. This blade is typically more resistant to breakage especially at the tip because of its design.
Trailing Point
The point of this blade curves slightly up so it is out of the way of whatever is being cut. This type of blade is designed for slicing applications.
Folding Blade Locking Mechanisms
Folding knives have blades that unfold for use and fold back into the handle for safe storage when not in use. The blade locking mechanism is essential to any folder so equipped (not all folding knives have this feature). It is what provides the ability to lock the blade open when it comes time to use the knife.
Releasing the locking mechanism enables the blade to be folded safely back into the handle. There are many types and variations of mechanisms available. Key features to look for in a locking mechanism include ease of use (under all potential uses), reliability (certainty it will not fail unexpectedly), and strength.
Types of Blade Locking Mechanisms
Lockback: This locking mechanism is on the back (top) of the handle. It is a basic, functional mechanism and has been used throughout the knife industry for quite some time because of its ease of use. To release the lock, a bar in the back of the handle is depressed into the handle, releasing the locked blade. This locking mechanism requires two hands to safely close the blade although the blade may still be opened single-handed if desired.
Locking Liner: This mechanism has been in the knife world for a long period of time and has gained in popularity over the past several years because of its reliability and ease of use. The locking mechanism is an integral part of the handle liner. Placing your thumb on the front part of the liner and pushing it out of the way of the blade allows closing of the knife. This type of lock allows one-hand opening and closing of the blade with a thumb stud or thumb hole.
Frame Lock: This lock operates much like a liner lock, only the lock is a part of the handle frame. The unlocking mechanism is on one side of the handle. It offers one-hand opening and closing with the use of a thumb stud or thumb hole. When the blade is opened, the lock bar moves into the handle opening and locks against the blade. Pushing the lock out of the way of the blade releases it from its locked position so it can be closed.
Axis Lock (Benchmade exclusive): This patented locking mechanism has been touted by some as quite possibly "the strongest folding lock ever." It is simple to operate and very functional. This lock mechanism allows totally ambidextrous use of the knife. Another advantage of this type of lock is that the blade can be readily opened or closed without ever having to place a finger in the path of the blade. Benchmade offers several models utilizing this patented marvel.
Assisted Opening Knives
Relatively recently, an entirely new category of knife was created that has made knives with this technology the ultimate in one-hand convenience. These knives have generically come to be known as assisted opening knives.
To open the blade, the user simply has to release the safety and push on the blade release ridge or thumb stud. After overcoming some initial tension, the internal spring mechanism completes the blade opening very quickly. This type of knife generally uses a liner lock to lock the blade open. Closing the blade is identical to normal liner lock equipped knives except for the fact that a safety must be engaged to keep the spring-loaded blade from opening inadvertently. Benchmade, Buck, Kershaw and SOG all offer knives with this exciting technology.
Please note that due to the fact that the user must release a lock and manually overcome resistance to cause the blade to open, these knives are NOT classified as switchblades (which are illegal in the USA). However, we are not aware of all laws in all jurisdictions and therefore suggest you check locally to make sure assisted opening knives are legal in your area.
Kitchen Cutlery, What Knives Should You Have In Your Kitchen
Any kitchen, no matter if it is your home or a restaurant, should have a full selection of knives. Food preparation without the proper knives can be frustrating and a chore. On the other hand, having the proper knife ready to use when needed can speed the process and make cooking more of a pleasure.
Below is a list of the minimum set of knives every kitchen should have:
- 3 or 4 inch paring knife
- 6 to 12 inch chef's knife
- 7 to 10 inch serrated slicer
Optionally:
- 5 to 6 inch utility knife
- 5 to 6 inch boning knife
- special purpose cheese slicer
- cleaver
- 6 to 12 inch fillet knife
Equip your kitchen in our Kitchen Cutlery section.
Our suggestions
Useful Knives suggests you start with the basic three kitchen knives listed above, you can always add other blade types as you find a need for them. You can also purchase one of our block sets, which will contain most or all of the knives described above. Block sets also make great house warming gifts. To view our complete selection of kitchen knives and block sets, visit our Kitchen Cutlery page.
How to Use Each Piece of Kitchen Cutlery
Paring Knife
This type of knife is used for peeling, coring, and slicing small objects. It's blade is typically 3 to 4 inches long; as such it offers very fine blade control when in use.
Chef's Knife
This knife is probably the most often used tool in the kitchen. These knives do a little of everything from vegetable and meat slicing to chopping. Available with a blade length from 6 to 12 inches long, a chef's knife offers extreme versatility. It has a broad blade and narrow handle, which makes it easy to grasp and well balanced. You can slice almost any food on a cutting board with a smooth, continuous rocking motion. Butcher knives are heavy-duty chef's knives designed for cutting meat.
Serrated Slicers
This type of knife is usually 6 to 12 inches in length, and is used for slicing large objects such as loaves of bread, turkey breasts, roasts, etc. The serrated edge also eases the process of slicing difficult-to-cut fruits such as tomatoes. Use an even-pressured sawing motion and make sure not to squash what is being cut with the hand that's holding it.
Utility Knife
These knives are similar to paring knives, only slightly larger at 5 to 6 inches in length. Many have narrow profiles, which are handy for close work such as separating melon slices from the rind and similar tasks. The slim blade means there is less area to which food can stick. A utility knife would do a great job slicing cheese.
Boning Knife
This type of knife is designed for cutting meat from bones. It has a narrow profile and is usually somewhat thin and flexible.
Cheese Slicer
This knife blade is designed to reduce the tendency of cheese to stick to the side of the blade. This can be accomplished in a variety of ways depending upon the model chosen.
Cleaver
This is typically a large knife used to cut through bone and to take care of other heavy-duty meat cutting and chopping chores.
Fillet Knives
This type of knife is from 6 to 12 inches long and generally has a narrow, flexible blade designed to fillet a fish. It is generally kept extremely sharp for easy cutting.
Proper Knife Use
Most knives are designed exclusively for cutting. Using them for other purposes, such as throwing, pounding or chopping may create an unsafe condition. Do not use the cutting blade as a can opener, chisel, pry bar, screwdriver or for any heavy work for which your knife was not designed.
Strong impacts or twisting forces may damage the knife or locking mechanism, and could result in the blade folding or otherwise failing during use. In addition to creating an unsafe condition that could cause severe injury, all these uses may void the manufacturer warranty. When using lock blade models, always check to assure the locking mechanism is engaged prior to and during use. Keeping your blade sharp will also reduce risk of injury, as a sharp blade is safer to use than a dull blade because it requires less pressure to make a cut.
