CONTACTStaffCAREER OPPORTUNITIESADVERTISE WITH USPRIVACY POLICYPRIVACY PREFERENCESTERMS OF USELEGAL NOTICE
© 2024 Pride Publishing Inc.
All Rights reserved
All Rights reserved
Scroll To Top
By continuing to use our site, you agree to our Private Policy and Terms of Use.
Photography by Nicolas Bloise
It's inevitable: The first time you're inspired to whip up, say, that colorful caprese salad you coveted on Pinterest, you start by wading through a drawer full of corkscrews to find a solitary knife with a dull six-inch blade.
Upon use, the tomatoes explode when sliced, and the mozzarella comes apart only after what seems like hours of prolonged hacking. Your caprese is "rustic," you tell yourself, but you know it could've been prepared more delicately with a chainsaw. Worry not -- you're no culinary monster; you just need the right knife. (Even Eric Ripert would have a difficult time cutting carrots into a fine brunoise without a decent blade.)
Here, we present a quick guide to the must-haves and how to use and maintain them.
From left: Classic 6" Utility Knife by Shun available at Crate & Barrel, $94.95, CrateandBarrel.com; 8" Classic Chef's Knife by Wusthof available at Williams-Sonoma, $129.95, Williams-Sonoma.com; 9.5" Chef's Knife by MAC available at Whisk, $185, WhiskNYC.com; 31/2" Paring Knife by Wusthof available at Williams-Sonoma, $39.95, Williams-Sonoma.com
The Power of a Good Knife
All Blades Are Not Created Equal. Here Are The Best.
Chef's knife
Invest in a hardy 10-inch chef's knife, perfect for chopping, slicing, and dicing. The blade should be made of stainless or carbon steel. Good mass-market knives are stamped; smaller-scale knives are typically forged. When shopping, handle a variety of knives in your palm. Even if you've never held a good chef's knife before, the ideal one should feel at ease in your hand. Shun Premier 8" Chef's Knife, $179.95; CrateandBarrel.com
Wusthof
This German company produces superbly made knives that are available in nearly every decent homewares store. They last forever, and you'll want to use yours every day. Wusthof.com
Middleton Made
This cult knifemaker in South Carolina makes each of his fine implements by hand. Unless you head to the Palmetto State you won't be able to test-drive them. No need. Some of the country's best chefs, including Sean Brock, have already done that for you. MiddletonMadeKnives.com
Global
Japanese company Global began making blades nearly 30 years ago, and it was one of the first to spark the American obsession with Japanese knife-making. The brand's modern design highlights its obsessive focus on detail and craftsmanship. Global-Knife.com
Photo courtesy of brands (Knives, Boards)
Steel Yourself
A sharpening steel is the best way to keep your knife's edge from dulling. Be warned: Learning to sharpen good knives at home requires lessons and regular practice. Draw each side of your Western-style knife at a 20-degree angle across the steel each time you go to use it. This hones the blade, realigning the edge so it cuts well and prevents you from having to sharpen your knives too often.
Zwilling J.A. Henckels Twin Profection Sharpening Steel, $100; Amazon.com
Photo courtesy of Henckels, Shutterstock (Knife Point)
Block Party
From fine art to hipster sea mammals, these six boards are a cut above.
From left to right: 14" Edge Grain Teak Cutting Board By Proteak, $27; ProteakStore.com - 22" Whale Hipster Cutting Board By Epricurean, $35; EpicureanCS.com - Folding Cutting Board By MoMA, $16; MoMAStore.org
From left to right: iBlock In Maple By Brooklyn Butcher Blocks, $150; BrooklynButcherBlocks.com - Original Gripper Cutting Board By Architec, $20; ArchitecProducts.com - 18 X 12" Maple Edge Grain Cutting Board By John Boos, $56; JohnBoos.com
How To Cut Cleverly
OK, so you've amassed an extensive blade collection that would put any Top Chef contestant to shame. Now what? Below, a knife naming guide.
Paring Knife
To: Peel an apple
Perfect for: Fruit salad
Utility Knife
To: Slice cheese, limes Perfect for: Cheese boards, G&Ts
Santoku
To: Chop and slice without food sticking to the blade. Perfect for: Anything!
Fillet Knife
To: Skin fish
Perfect for: Homemade fish sticks
Slicing Knife
To: Slice thin cuts of meat Perfect for: Salami, smoked fish
Cleaver
To: Hack through bone Perfect for: Releasing tension!
Photo courtesy of Shutterstock
Want more breaking equality news & trending entertainment stories?
Check out our NEW 24/7 streaming service: the Advocate Channel!
Download the Advocate Channel App for your mobile phone and your favorite streaming device!
From our Sponsors
Most Popular
38 Male Celebs Who Did Full Frontal Scenes
November 17 2023 5:18 PM
These are all the celebrities Who came out as LGBTQ+ in 2023
December 31 2023 12:19 PM
These Pics Prove Maluma Has Always Been a Certified Daddy
October 20 2023 1:13 PM
32 LGBTQ+ Celebs You Can Follow on OnlyFans
October 25 2023 3:15 PM
26 actors who showed bare ass in movies & TV shows
February 28 2024 1:50 PM
16 Times Celebrity Men Had to Say They Weren't Gay
February 29 2024 1:19 PM
15 Unforgettable Gay Kissing Scenes From TV & Movies
February 14 2024 10:20 AM
13 Queens Who Quit or Retired From Drag After 'RuPaul's Drag Race'
November 24 2023 10:11 AM
40 steamy celebrity Calvin Klein ads we'll always be thirsty for
January 04 2024 10:54 AM
The 15 Best LGBTQ+ Movies of 2023
December 04 2023 10:32 AM
Watch Now: Advocate Channel
Trending Stories & News
For more news and videos on advocatechannel.com, click here.
Trending Stories & News
For more news and videos on advocatechannel.com, click here.
Latest Stories
Meet the reality TV baddies competing on 'House of Villains' season 2
March 27 2024 3:48 PM
Meet Kristen Kish, the new out host of 'Top Chef'
March 27 2024 3:36 PM
24 albums that turn 10 years old in 2024
March 27 2024 2:43 PM
Breaking boundaries in gender-free fashion with Stuzo Clothing
March 27 2024 2:15 PM
Meet Phillip Davis, Johnny Sibilly's new BF who he just hard-launched
March 27 2024 12:49 PM
Meet Ricky & Cesar, 'Amazing Race 36's loveable gay underdog couple
March 27 2024 12:09 PM
March 27, 2024
March 27 2024 12:07 PM
Yvonne & Melissa weren't 'U-Haul lesbians' before 'Amazing Race 36'
March 27 2024 11:38 AM
Iconic comedy 'John Tucker Must Die' is getting a sequel, making Millennial gays very happy
March 27 2024 10:50 AM
'Barbie' star Hari Nef is starring in a biopic about this trans legend
March 26 2024 7:02 PM