The types of knives in the Wusthof Classic series are about as complete as one could want. When you consider buying quality kitchen knives, then the Wusthof Classic Knife Set or the Wusthof Classic Ikon Set is the best value.
Now let’s look at the various basic knives for the kitchen and their general purpose.
The Chef Knife
The Wusthof Chef knife is probably the largest and the most important type of knife you can have in the kitchen. Some refer to it as the Cooks Knife, French Knife, or a Carving Knife. The popular Wusthof version is eight inches long. It has the all-important full tang, meaning that the blade goes all the way through the handle giving it great stability.
The Chef’s Knife is typically used for:
- Slicing, chopping, and dicing food (always use a cutting board).
The Paring Knife
Paring knives are typically around 2 ½ – 3 ½ long. It is without a doubt the most used knife in anyone’s kitchen. The Paring Knife is generally best for:
- Peeling and coring fruits and vegetables
- Cutting small pieces
- Slicing and trimming
The Sandwich Knife
Sometimes called a Utility knife, the Sandwich knife is normally 6” long. It is most used for:
- The right size for slicing meats and cheeses
The Boning Knife
The boning knife is generally 4 – 6 inches long and has a somewhat flexible blade. Its’ uses are:
- The flexible blade makes it perfect for cutting meat away from the bone.
- Some use it for general cutting; however, it is not its intended purpose.
The Bread Knife
This is a serrated knife that has pointed serrations which provides a longer life and better control in the cutting process. They typically do not need sharpening for an extended period of time. It is important to use a sawing motion when using this knife. It is used for:
- Cutting sandwich buns
- Cutting loafs of bread
- Cutting cake
Kitchen Shears
A good set of kitchen shears to go with your Wusthof Classic Knives Set, are a virtual necessity in today’s kitchen. The Wusthof shears are designed to easily come apart for cleaning which is not always the case with other shears. You can use kitchen shears for;
- Helping the de-boning process
- Trimming cut flowers
- Cutting up bunches of fruit such as grapes
- Other general cutting purposes
There are many other types of knives available in the market like hunting, field dressing and backpack knife, most have a specific purpose and are either longer or shorter in length than other similar purpose knives. It is important that you review both your cutting skills and needs in the kitchen before making a choice on the knives that are best for you. The types of knives listed above will take care of about any cutting job in the kitchen.
Regardless of the types of knives you choose make sure that they are the best that you can afford. You will find that better knives like the Wusthof Classic Knives Set or the Wusthof Classic Ikon Knife Set will keep a sharper edge longer, be easier to use, and are safer to use. With proper care, the Wusthof knives will last a virtual lifetime.
