Best Kitchen Knives

Dalstrong Content Team

Best Kitchen Knives

Overview

Sharp kitchen knife with red handle next to an assortment of vegetables and uncooked chicken on a wooden table

Are you building your culinary toolbox and searching for kitchen knife ideas?

Do you need a kitchen knife to keep up with the growing culinary demands of your menus?

Just want a newer, better, cooler knife in your kitchen?

We can help with that!

It’s a fact: The best kitchen knives make cooking quicker, easier, safer — better. So let’s get started and take a look at everything you need to know.

1. The Most Important Knives Every Kitchen Should Have

Quantum 1 Series 4" Paring Knife

We’ll begin with covering the most important knives every well-equipped kitchen should have.

First and foremost, your kitchen needs a chef knife. A bona fide culinary MVP, the chef knife responds to the call of nearly every duty. Its all-purpose functionality makes it the centerpiece of your knife arsenal, and the one knife pros and at-home cooks alike know will always rise to the occasion. For fruits and veggies, meat and fish, herbs and aromatics, the chef knife makes the grade every time.

You’ll also need two specialty knives to build a well-rounded collection of kitchen knives, including:

Paring knife : Think of a paring knife as the chef knife’s mini-me. Its smaller size and thinner, narrower blade make it more adept at handling delicate tasks with precision while still getting a nod for versatility. It’s a compact superhero made for smaller fruits and vegetables where it shines for peeling, hulling, coring, slicing, skinning and trimming. It’s also makes light work of deveining shrimp.

Bread knife : Not just for bread, a serrated bread knife is a masterful multi-tasker for everything from slicing roasts and brownies to sawing into melons and other thick-skinned fruits. For cake bakers, it’s also handy for slicing through soft layers and getting that just-perfect level top on your cakes. But back to bread. If you’re a bread fan (and who isn’t?), you’ll need a knife made to carefully crack those crusty outer layers of your loaves without tearing up the delicate interior.

A chef knife. A paring knife. A bread knife. This hard-working trio of kitchen knives will check the majority of boxes as trusty companions for your kitchen adventures.

So why are there so many knife types? As with anything, the more specialized work you do, the more tools you’ll need to do that job right. Specialty knives are all about working smarter, not harder. When you’re ready to start branching out, you’ll know. Or go ahead and add one to your list today and start experimenting!

2. What To Look For In Your Kitchen Knife

Shadow Black Series - 6" Filet Knife - NSF Certified

If you’re a knife aficionado, you might’ve heard a thing or two about the Wusthof Classic Knives, Mercer culinary, the fibrox pro chefs knife or even the Shun Classic. And while those are all valid options, we pride ourselves in thinking outside the box. That’s why we came up with this resourceful guide of forward-thinking, out of the box products to help you pick the best kitchen knives for your collection. That's why you can't go wrong with a Dalstrong bread knife.

Knowing what to look for in your kitchen knife is key to your success with it in your kitchen. There are so many variables! For at-home chefs, here are the most important factors to consider. While most choices depend on your own preferences, a couple have clear-cut advantages.

Let’s cover all the bases to help you find the just-right knife for you:

Function

Can you use a multi-purpose kitchen knife, or do you need a specialty knife? The pros know specialized tasks need specialized tools. If you’re a frequent flyer in the areas of more sophisticated techniques or unique dishes, you’ll need a knife engineered for purpose. On the flip side, try thinking about what you don’t need so you can eliminate those choices. If you’re vegan, you won’t have much use for a fillet or boning knife, right?

Style

Are you conservative or flashy? If you want a knife that’s all business, there are plenty of fish in the sea. And if you’re pining for a showstopper, they’re out there! From rivets and engraving to beyond-the-status-quo styling and cool colors, you can find a knife with the drop-dead good looks to really get your motor running.

Blade Material

Should you choose steel or ceramic? That’s an easy one. Steel! Ceramic knives are extremely fragile and prone to breaking, they’re not very versatile and they’re extremely difficult to sharpen. For durability, versatility and longevity, choose steel.

Blade Length

Is there such a thing as too long — or too short? Yes — and no. This one is all about preference and how you’re using your knife. If you’re working with big, beefy briskets and colossal melons, you’ll need a long blade. Then there’s the comfort factor. If you have small hands, or you’re intimidated by the idea of controlling a longer blade, stick to something shorter. Many types of knives have a variety of length options, empowering you to choose your own adventure.

Tang

Got tang? This feature has a clear winner: full tang. When the metal of the blade extends into the entire length of the handle — known as full tang — you get a slightly heavier knife that’s better balanced to give you more stability and control.

Hardness

What’s up with hardness? The hardness level of steel is an indicator of how sharp a blade can get, and how long it will stay sharp. Using the Rockwell Scale, we recommend knives with a minimum rating of 56. Anything less won’t hold its cutting edge well — and nobody likes a dull kitchen knife.

Weight

Does weight matter? In this case, it does, depending on what you’ll be doing with the knife. It’s not rocket science: Heftier knives are better for heavier jobs, while lighter knives are better for more delicate work. The tougher the ingredient or the task, the more weight you’ll need to get the job done efficiently. Beyond task toughness, weight is a personal decision based on what feels good to you.

Grip

How does the knife feel in your hand? You want a knife that’s comfortable for you, one whose handle fits securely and snugly in your palm and doesn’t move or slip around. It should also have a just-right weight in your hand. Different shapes, styles and even materials will change the way the handle — and, in fact, the whole kitchen knife — feels.

Balance

Want to know what the pros know? A well-balanced knife makes cutting easier, with less stress on your arm, wrist and hand. Think of a seesaw’s leverage point. When the seesaw is equally balanced, it’s a breeze to use. The same is true for knives, which should be front-to-back balanced for the very best performance.

Budget

What’s in your wallet? Like everything else in life, a kitchen knife can run the gamut from cheap to holy-cow. And, like everything else, you tend to get what you pay for. So, avoid cheap like the plague and make the investment in a knife that will perform — and last. The good news is you can find a great knife for a moderate price. The more premium features you add, the more premium the price becomes.

Our advice

Get the best quality knife you can afford. And if you’re limited, stick to investing in a versatile knife you can use for a variety of tasks and techniques. Buying a knife set can also give you more blades for your bucks, just don’t spring for a massive set that has more knives than you’ll realistically use.

Learn more about where Dalstrong Knives are manufactured here!

3. Best Chef's Knives

Not surprisingly, there’s a trio of this most-reached-for knife on our list of the best kitchen knives. Each has its own unique features to give you choices —and serious chops in your kitchen. (See what we did there?)

1. Dalstrong Gladiator Series 8” Chef Knife with Army Green Handle

The most versatile knife in the kitchen, the chef knife is every cook’s BFF. A must-have multi-tasker, the chef knife is a real workhorse that makes quick work of a multitude of tasks and techniques from delicate to heavy duty. Of all the best kitchen knives, the chef knife the one you’ll reach for time and time again. Luckily you simply can’t go wrong with this 8inch chefs knife. Its ultra-sharp edge, wide blade and satisfying weight will make you look, feel and perform like a pro in your quality kitchen.

PROS:

This knife’s premium, high-carbon steel blade not only gets an A+ for slicing and dicing, it’s wide enough to easily scoop food from board to bowl, pot or pan.
The ergonomic, ambidextrous knife handle is designed for maximum comfort and maneuverability, so it feels and functions as good as it looks.
As your kitchen BFF, this knife takes “forever” to heart with excellent wear and stain resistance plus triple rivets to ensure it will stand the test of time.

CONS:

Looking for a little less? Check out the Gladiator Series 7” Chef Knife, which is an inch shorter and also sports a narrower blade.
Army green may not be your style. No worries! This chef knife’s colorful kin also rank among our top sellers: crimson red, glacial white and Dalstrong blue.

2. Shogun Series X 8” Chef Knife with Crimson Red Handle

The chef knife’s one-two punch of versatility and power make it the master of the kitchen domain, and this knife rises to the occasion with showstopping style. This Shogun chef knife ranks among our best kitchen knives for its premium engineering and distinctive workmanship. It’s expertly crafted over 60 days with precision techniques that make it a true pro-level performer. From its cryogenic-tempered super-steel core to its superior hardness rating, it’s flat-out tougher, stronger — and sexier. Yes, sexier. Just look at that blade and tell us it’s not some serious eye candy.

PROS:

Crafted over 60 days, the high-carbon blade has an ultra-premium Japanese steel cutting core for unrivaled strength and sharpness, and is extra wide for best-in-class functionality and knuckle clearance.
This knife’s rock-star good looks will take center stage in your kitchen. The stunning hammered Tsuchime finish is hand-polished to reveal Dalstrong’s distinctive ‘Tsunami Rose’ pattern.
With power, precision and premium-level performance, this knife will be the prized possession in your collection.

CONS:

Its premium-quality price point knocks it out of the running for a budget-friendly option. (That being said, it’s well worth the investment.)
You’re either a fan of the hammered Tsuchime finish — or not.

3. Shadow Black Series 9.5” Chef Knife – NSF Certified

The third chef knife on our list of best kitchen knives, this battle-ready chef knife is angling for a fight and cleared for kitchen combat. At 9.5”, it’s made slightly longer than the 8inch chef's knife standard — perfect for those who regularly go big or go home in the kitchen. While every cook needs the hard-working chef knife in their arsenal, not every cook can pull off this aggressive, muscular menace. Can you?

PROS:

Designed for form as well as function, its distinct geometric shape and sleek dark styling combined with its ruthlessly sharp edge make this one seriously bad-ass knife.
The black Vader-esque titanium-nitride coating does more than look cool, it adds corrosion resistance, toughens the blade and boosts its non-stick performance.
The tall blade height offers ample knuckle clearance for superior safety and speed.

CONS:

You may prefer something a bit less in-your-face formidable.
Not comfortable with the added length? Scale back with the top-performing Dalstrong Gladiator Series 8” Chef Knife with Army Green Handle also on this list.

4. Best Paring Knife

The Frost Fire Series 3.5” Paring Knife

The paring knife is all about precision. And this one delivers on the precision promise. Its small-but-mighty lightweight blade is razor sharp, making it a top performer in tight spots, from hulling strawberries to deveining shrimp. The Frost Fire series is known for sexy, stylish, ice-sharp knives carefully engineered for performance and elegantly designed for comfort — with a look that’s a real dazzler.

PROS:

Made of high-carbon, high-chromium steel with added cobalt, the scalpel-sharp blade is sandblasted to boost its non-stick performance — so you get the job done better, faster, finer every time.
Its strategically tapered bolster provides perfect balance for maximum comfort and safety, offering excellent finger protection and encouraging a relaxed, easy grip.
The ergonomic white resin handle gets high marks for steadfast functionality as well as va-va-voom style.

CONS:

While this classic blade is all-in as a multi-purpose performer, some cooks prefer the bird’s beak blade for delicate work. The Crusader Series 3” Bird’s Beak Paring Knife Peeler – NSF Certified is a terrific option if you want a knife with high quality german steel.
Want a little more blade length? T he Crusader Series 4.5” Paring Knife – NSF Certified should fit the bill.

Dig deeper: Learn more about the best paring knives and compare 10 on our blog Best Paring Knife.

5. Best Bread Knife

The Frost Fire Series 8” Bread Knife

Poet Robert Browning said it best: “If thou tastest a crust of bread, thou tastest all the stars and all the heavens.” At-home bakers are churning out loaves more than ever before — a trend we hope is the new normal in our post-COVID world. Whether you’re kneading or not, you need a knife that can expertly handle your masterpiece’s unique textures, from soft, pillowy insides to the crustiest of outsides. This razor-sharp serrated knife is engineered for success with everything from baguette and brioche to soda bread and sourdough.

PROS:

We can’t say enough about the oohs and aahs evoked by this bread knife’s styling, from its slender honeycomb-patterned handle to the tip of its unique “frosted” blade.
A steadfast and sturdy serrated blade is a must among the best kitchen knives. You’ll applaud this knife’s razor-sharp edge and non-stick finish when it glides through that beauty of a fresh-baked loaf in your kitchen.
This serrated bread knife is lightweight and balanced in your hand, so you can focus on your work and not the knife (but with a knife this stunning, go ahead, have a peek!).

CONS:

When you use your bread knife for slicing into mammoth roasts and massive melons, as some do, you may want a max-sized model. The Shogun Series 10.25” Bread Knife is a saw-toothed goliath.
If this price point isn’t a fit for your budget, try the more moderately priced Gladiator Series 10” Serrated Bread Knife

Check out our blog to learn even more about choosing the best bread knife with an up-close and personal look at our handy guide on the best bread knives out there.

6. Best Fillet Knife

The Frost Fire Series 6” Fillet Knife

When precision is on the line, this stand-out fillet knife is unrivalled for its sharpness and showmanship. Its thin, flexible engineering, carefully curved tip and oh-so-perfect upward-curving blade do the delicate work of scaling, skinning and slicing a fish into perfect fillets with a surgeon’s exactness — all without doing damage to the delicate meat. This tough-but-tender knife is a must-have for all anglers as well as at-home chefs who like to get their fish on in the kitchen.

PROS:

Working with fish is wet business, so this sealed white resin handle, which is highly impervious to moisture, not only makes for easy clean-up today but promises lasting durability.
Efficiency is the name of this game. This frosted-look blade has a precision-sandblasted finish for a non-stick surface that easily slides through meat to preserve its integrity.
Stylish and sleek, this fillet knife is pure high-performance elegance that pairs well with every catch on your menu.

CONS:

If you prefer a fillet knife that can do double duty for boning as well, try the Omega Series 6” Curved Boning & Fillet Knife
Its 6” length doesn’t quite cut it for some chefs. Check out the extra inch of the Gladiator Series 7” Flexible Fillet Knife

7. Best Utility Knife

Shogun Series 6” Utility Knife

Among the best kitchen knives you can have, a good utility knife is like your favorite pair of jeans: versatile, comfortable and guaranteed to make you look good. This fiercely fashionable Japanese knife more than gets the job done.

For cooks who prefer putting their utility knife to work as a smaller chef knife, its slightly curving belly allows for those signature rocking cuts. And for cooks who tee it up as a larger paring knife, its longer blade also makes for a longer can-do list. When you’re looking for something a little lighter, heavier, narrower, thicker, smaller or larger than another knife, this all-purpose knife is always a perfect fit.

PROS:

Like your best jeans, this knife is a real head-turner in the kitchen thanks to the blade’s stunning hammered Tsuchime finish and distinctive engraved “Tsunami Rose” pattern.
The high-carbon blade boasts an ultra-premium Japanese steel cutting core that gives you scalpel-like sharpness and unparalleled performance when faced with all manner of culinary challenges.
This knife honestly feels as good as it looks. It has a natural, comfortable pinch grip and tapered bolster for perfect balance plus an ergonomic non-slip handle.

CONS:

Perhaps not surprisingly, this premium-quality utility knife comes with a premium price.
Prefer a serrated utility knife? Try the Crusader Series 5.5” Serrated Utility Knife – NSF Certified if you're in the market for German knives.

8. Best Knife Bock Set

Gladiator Series 18-Piece Colossal Knife Set with Block – White Handles

Looking for an entire set of the best kitchen knives with its own knife block? This rock-star 18-piecer is one-stop wonderful, giving you nearly every knife you need to work — and wow — in your kitchen. Plus, it’s a real looker that’s oh-so-worthy of everyday display in a handmade walnut knife block that keeps your knives within easy reach.

If you’re a knife aficionado and adventurous in the kitchen, you’ll love the versatility of a collection that gives you an option for almost every task and technique. It even comes with a honing steel to help you keep your blades in fierce fighting shape.

Want to learn more? Get the scoop on sharpening with a honing steel as part of our blog on How To Sharpen a Knife.

PROS:

So. Many. Knives. This monster set includes one each of a 9” carving/slicer, 9” bread knife, 8.5” Kiritsuke chef knife, 8” chef knife, 7” Santoku knife, 7” Nakiri knife, 6” boning knife, 6.5” utility knife, 6” serrated utility knife, 3.5” paring knife, 2.75” bird’s beak paring knife and 10” honing steel, plus six 5” straight-edge steak knives all in a gorgeous knife block.
Each one of these knives is full tang and triple riveted for long-lasting performance you can count on through all of your culinary adventures.
There’s a tremendous amount of bang for your buck when you buy in bulk like this — seriously, do the math.

CONS:

If you’re not sure you’ll use the full complement of knives in this collection, start with a less-massive set. Check out the Gladiator Series 8-Piece Knife Block Set
An 18-piece block takes up more room on your counter than smaller sets and may not be as well suited for kitchens with limited space.

9. Best Steak Knife Set

The Frost Fire Series 4-Piece Steak Knife Set

This steak knife set is dressed to impress. Combine wow factor with functionality and you can see what makes it perfect for any table. Its sleek design easily goes from dinner party to backyard barbecue and gives you an edge for both style and performance. But don’t be fooled, these knives aren’t a one-trick pony. They get bonus points for versatility. A well-made steak knife with a straight edge like this one can pull double duty as a smaller-scaled utility knife for prepping everything from cheese, tomatoes and, yes, even steak.

PROS:

Made of high-carbon, high-chromium steel, the blade’s sandblasted finish enhances its non-stick properties, giving you clean, smooth cuts every time.
The stunning honeycomb handles are lightweight, slender and ergonomically shaped, so the knife feels like it’s gliding in your hand.
The ratio of handle length to blade length gives you maximum power and control with a comfortable, secure grip.

CONS:

Some folks prefer a restaurant-look serrated knife to tear into their steaks.
High-quality features like a full-tang knife blade come with a higher price tag that may not suit all budgets.

10. Best Carving & Slicing Knife

Gladiator Series 10” Slicing & Carving Knife

A robust knife created for serious carnivores, this all-star knife is a meat-lover’s essential for everything — cutting, carving, chopping, trimming, slicing, stripping, splitting and breaking down large pieces. It gets the award for Top Cutting Experience with its ultra-sharp edge, curved blade that creates single-motion leverage and perfectly positioned divots that reduce friction. This slicing knife will be your MVP whether you hunt game, raise chickens or simply want to carve a turkey in style.

PROS:

A precision powerhouse, this carving knife goes the distance with a full-tang, high-carbon steel blade that’s tapered for both hardness and flexibility.
Efficiency is the name of the game from start to finish, thanks to this carver’s ultra-sharp edge, full-tang strength and low-maintenance clean-up.
The ergonomic military-grade G10 handle is a long-hauler that lasts and lasts.

CONS:

For some cooks, the 10” length can be too much to handle. Try the 8” version.
For other cooks, the 10” length isn’t enough to get the job done. Check out the monumentally mighty Shogun Series Extra-Long 14” Slicing & Carving Knife.

11. Best Cleaver

Shadow Black Series 9” Cleaver Knife – NSF Certified

This beautiful beast of a cleaver tackles the tough work in your kitchen like the brute it is. Ruthlessly sharp, this top seller gets aggressive with all manner of meats, bones and dense vegetables, and yet is agile enough to slice, dice, mince, mash and tenderize whatever is on your menu. From blade to handle, its superior styling and midnight black titanium coating show off its sinister strength and give all-new meaning to the phrase “bad to the bone.”

PROS:

Made from high-carbon stainless steel, the blade is precision-forged and meticulously hand-sharpened to give you premium performance with an edge that’s ready, willing and able to attack anything you put in its way.
This cunning cleaver comes to fight, like the F-117 Nighthawk Stealth Fighter its deep-cover darkness and geometric angles were inspired by.
Not only engineered for optimum flexibility and functionality in your kitchen, this cleaver is designed for durability with best-in-class edge retention and both stain and corrosion resistance to keep it combat-ready for the duration.

CONS:

While a cleaver is a warrior in the kitchen, you may be looking for even more versatility from your knives.
If you’re in close touch with your softer side, you may prefer a cleaver with a less menacing presence. The smaller, more traditionally styled Gladiator Series 7” Cleaver Knife will give you all of the beauty with a little less of the beast.

Dig deeper on the subject of cleaver knives on our blog: The 10 Best Cleaver Knives.

12. Best Chef-Cleaver Hybrid Knife

Phantom Series 8” ‘The Crixus’ Chef – Cleaver Hybrid Knife

What do you get when you cross the highly versatile chef knife with the heft and width of a cleaver knife? You get a barely street-legal warrior that regularly goes above and beyond the call of duty in the kitchen. Named for the tough-as-nails Gladiator Crixus, this knife is first-rate fearless and sensationally savage. A maverick for meat lovers, its curved profile cleanly slices through flesh, skin and sinew while its weighted front gives you added power to chop, section and portion. Not into meat? Not to worry. It makes quick work of fruits and veg too.

PROS:

A fun and functional disruptor, this knife’s innovative dual-performance design and precision engineering give you nothing less than kick-ass versatility in your kitchen.
Mercilessly sharp, the expertly honed blade edge is extra hard, exceptionally flexible and carefully tapered for minimal drag, so you get clean, precise cuts with minimum effort — and maximum results.
The traditional Japanese D-shaped knife handle, made of stunning black Spanish pakkawood tucks perfectly into your hand for the ultimate in comfort and control.

CONS:

Sometimes you want a chef knife to be a chef knife.
On the flip side, sometimes you want a cleaver knife to be a cleaver knife. Check out the The Shadow Black Series 9” Cleaver Knife – NSF Certified mentioned above.

13. Best Knife For BBQ / Grilling

Shogun Series 8” BBQ Pitmaster & Meat Knife – Forked Tip & Bottle Opener

This pitmaster knife is for grillin’, chillin’ and killin’ it. Its striking one-of-a-kind design makes it as craveable as the deliciousness coming off your grill or out of your smoker. The look of this BBQ butcher knife is heat, spice and even something a little nice: a bottle opener built into the blade. While it may be the life of the party, this knife also gets the job done. Pre-game, it’s a power player for butchering and prep. And post-game, it’s precision engineered for remarkable results — the scalpel-sharp blade glides through briskets, steaks, ribs, roasts and more.

PROS:

Protect all those hard-earned juices thanks to the blade’s 13 strategically placed dimples that minimize suction as well as stuck-on food for a smoother, cleaner cut.
The unique forked front end is functional as well as fierce, giving you the power to nimbly flip and turn meats as well as transfer them from grill to plate with some serious swagger.
The ergonomic military-grade knife handle is not only highly impervious to heat and moisture for go-the-distance durability, it’s also designed for superior hand control and comfort. Southpaw bonus: It’s ambidextrous.

CONS:

A Japanese knife this epic comes with a premium price.
Will your meat or your knife be the star of your BBQ show?

14. Best Charcuterie & Cheese Knife Set

Gladiator Series 4-Piece Charcuterie & Cheese Knife Set

This 4-piece pairing is an impressive accessory for your best charcuterie and cheese boards. Not just-for-company, it’s just as comfortable for TV time, too. This versatile stainless steel set goes from classy to cazh, with its 4 knife blade styles covering the bases for hard and soft cheeses, meats and sausages, fruits and vegetables, breads, spreads, chocolate and everything else in today’s wildly creative charcuterie collections. Whether you need to slice, split, spread, scoop or serve, these perfectly proportioned, expertly engineered knives team up to get it done in style.

PROS:

Ultra-sharp and wear-resistant, each of these 3.75” knives is made from a single piece of high-carbon steel that’s been hand-sharpened and precisely tempered for maximum performance and durability.
The knives’ stain-resistant blades and easy-clean wooden handles make quick work of washing up.
The set includes a mini cleaver knife, forked cheese knife, soft cheese knife and serrated cheese knife spreader, each with its own PerfectFit sheath to stay party-perfect in between outings.

CONS:

Can you find a 4-piece charcuterie set with a smaller price tag? Probably. Will it be as durable and reliable as this one? Probably not.
If you’re looking for a themed set with painted or polka-dot handles, keep going. This set is fashionably functional, but far from funky.

15. Best Pizza Wheel & Cutter

Dalstrong Orbit Razor Pizza Wheel & Cutter

From pepperoni to pineapple, pizza is a bona fide obsession. Whether you’re tucking into your favorites at lunch, dinner or even breakfast, you need a sharp, reliable pizza wheel at the ready to cut that perfect piece. This super-sharp, easy-glide cutter makes speedy work of thick and thin crusts alike. And it gets bonus points for versatility with quesadillas, flatbreads, fudge, blondies — and so much more.

PROS:

For performance that lasts, this cutter is has a precisely tempered extra-thick stainless steel blade that delivers best-in-show durability and resilience.
Its double-bevel wheel design adds precision to help you get a just-right slice every time.
It’s a low-maintenance kitchen favorite you’ll reach for over and over, with a hygienic design that makes for easy cleaning and its own PerfectFit sheath to keep its sharp edge in fighting shape.

CONS:

On a limited budget, a premium cutter may not, well, make the cut for kitchen must-haves. Put it on your wish list.
The traditional black handle may not captivate you. We know, we’re stretching here. It’s just really that awesome.

Want to be a pizza pro at home? Check out our blog on Homemade Pizza Recipes.

16. Frequently Asked Questions

Shogun Series 12" Chef Knife

How do I keep my kitchen knife sharp?

For peak performance and safety, you need to keep your knives at their sharpest. Simply put, a sharp knife will always do its best work — so you can, too!

First and foremost, give your knives a fighting chance by always using a proper cutting surface that helps protect the blade and keep it sharp. A wood board is best, and teak is among the kindest to your blade, like our sustainably sourced Teak Cutting Board.

For actual sharpening, the method you choose depends on the knife, the blade, your skills and your personal preference. But here’s a quick overview. A popular knife sharpener is a sharpening stone, AKA a whetstone, which is superior for sharpening at a range of angles and can handle a variety of knife types.

Another oft-used tool is the sharpening steel, known as a honing steel, which is fab for between-use sharpening but isn’t meant for long-term edge retention. A manual pull-through or electric knife sharpener will also help keep your knives ship-shape, and this type gives novice users the best chance to achieve pro-level results.

For a deeper dive on knife sharpeners, read our blog: Best Knife Sharpeners.

What is considered the most important knife in the kitchen?

Hands down, the most important kitchen knife is the chef's knife. It’s truly a jack-of-all-trades kitchen knife that tackles both heavy-duty tasks and delicate techniques with best-in-show results.

Slice a tomato? Check. Chiffonade basil? Check. Bone a chicken? Check. Dice a carrot? Check. Chunk a squash? Check. Carve a roast? Check. Mince garlic? Check…. You get the idea.

Keep in mind, a specialty knife is often better suited for a specific purpose — like a boning knife or a paring knife. But the chef knife’s vast versatility makes it every chef’s culinary wingman.

Do I need a knife block for my kitchen knives?

If you love your knives and want them to last, don’t toss them in a drawer willy-nilly without protection. Ever. There are several ways to safely store your knives — a knife block is just one. If your kitchen knife set came in a knife block you like and it fits on your counter where it gives you easy access, awesome, you’re all set. But if not, read on for the skinny on more options.

Keep your knives within reach with a magnetic knife holder, blade wall, block or wall strip, which does double duty for protection and as a brag board for your collection. A specialty drawer dock will also protect those edges while keeping your knives away from small hands, assuming you can add a child-proof drawer lock.

If your knives do live where they rattle around in a drawer, always use a sheath to protect the blade, your fingers and your investment.

Shop Dalstrong Kitchen Knives Today

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Written by Amy Gerhart Favreau

An East Coaster who’s creative in the kitchen and at the keyboard, Amy’s recipe for happiness combines fresh food with family, friends and fun.