What Are The Best Kitchen Knives You Can Buy
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This Wüsthof 8-inch chef's knife is razor-sharp and super versatile. It was one of the only knives in our test that could cleanly slice tomatoes, chop onions, cut up carrots, bone a chicken and create thin ribbons of basil. This German classic is fully forged and has a full tang (meaning the metal of the blade runs through the whole handle), which helps it feel perfectly balanced and ergonomic in your hand. It's dishwasher safe (a rarity for cutlery), but we recommend hand-washing to extend its lifespan.
One of the sharpest knives we've tested, Global's Santoku is made from a single piece of stainless steel, so there aren't crevices where the blade meets the handle that could trap food. The blade also has hollow indentations along the blade, so foods don't stick as they're cut. This Japanese knife excelled at all tasks but wowed us with its ability to power through chicken bones.
All of our testers were equipped with kitchen knives to hack, chop and slice their way to their findings. We judged their sharpness from straight out of the box to how it fared after long-term usage. Besides sharpness, we judged kitchen knives based on how they felt in hand (did they feel sturdy and durable), how they felt to use after long bouts of cutting and how easy they were to hone and resharpen. Another important factor for judging kitchen knives was price. Higher price tags don't necessarily mean a knife is better, so for the blades that cost a pretty penny, we wanted to make sure their usage and longevity were worth the price.
This knife's base thickness is 2.5 millimeters, which is more than 20 percent thicker than our top pick, the Tojiro Gyutou. This makes it more of an all-purpose knife (starches and hardy vegetables are not an issue), but also means it doesn't glide through softer fruits and vegetables as gracefully. The higher carbon content in the blade makes small rust spots commonplace if you don't wash and immediately dry the knife after use (unlike true carbon steel knives, though, highly acidic items like lemons or limes don't immediately stain the knife). After using this knife for more than a year, it's the best higher-end knife we recommend. We also like Mac's 25-year warranty against material and construction defects.
When we first tested this knife, we thought the price was a mistake. The feel and look is that of a more premium knife, and given Mercer's track record with making strong-value chef's knives, that's not a huge surprise. The edge is taper-ground, meaning it's thicker at the base than it is near the tip. This makes for easier honing and a more stable blade (which is of enhanced importance when dealing with budget materials). We also appreciate the bend of the heel on the knife, which creates ample room for a pinch grip.
Many of the best knives we tested fold attributes from Japanese knife design into Western knife design, and Misen's budget-friendly blade is no exception. The bolsters at the base of the blade slope and allow for an easy pinch grip. Most traditional Japanese knives will not come with this, opting instead for the handle of the knife to move directly into the blade, which can be awkward for cooks used to having a designated spot to grip. Curving down from the top and up from the bottom, the blade shape itself is also Western in origin and makes rocking the blade up and down on the cutting board easier.
The shape and handle are rooted in Western design, but the thinness of the blade is Japanese, and this makes the Misen knife one of our top recommendations. Thicker, clunkier knives at this price point can, after a month or two of use, start to feel more like a chisel than a knife; tools to break vegetables open with. The extremely thin build of the Misen knife makes for an experience more akin to surgery than brute force.
Very, very similar to our best overall pick, the Tojiro knife, Mercer Culinary's MX3 is a thin Japanese-style knife with a hardwearing stainless steel core and a sharp (and sharpenable) high-carbon steel exterior. It's also full-tang and comes with a limited lifetime warranty. A strong backup option if the Tojiro knife is sold out, which happens every now and then.
Eytan Zias has been running The Knife House in Portland, Oregon, since 2007, selling and servicing knives. In 2021, Zias got into the business of manufacturing knives with his new brand Steelport. As of now, Zias is only manufacturing an 8-inch chef's knife, made, of course, in Portland, and it's a doozy.
While a good chef's knife will cover a lot of ground in your kitchen, it's not the perfect tool for every culinary task. So to better equip yourself to handle any countertop cutting duties that come your way, we recommend picking up a more robust kitchen knife set.
From slicing a pork loin to dicing a pineapple, knowing how to work with the essential kitchen knives is critical to success in the kitchen. Equipping yourself with the proper knives is key, says Brendan McDermott, chef-instructor and resident knife skills expert at New York's Institute of Culinary Education.
If you're equipping your kitchen and wondering \"what kitchen knives do I need\", keep reading to discover the four essential knives every home cook should own, plus how to use them, how not to use them, and what price point yields the best-quality blade.
A chef's knife is the go-to tool for more than 90 percent of daily kitchen tasks, McDermott notes, including most slicing and dicing of fruits, vegetables, meats, and fish. And while a chef's knife may be the \"king of the kitchen,\" it should not be used to butcher or carve poultry, to remove the skin of large vegetables such as butternut squash, or, as some people have tried, to puncture a hole in cans. The broadness of a chef's knife blade makes it unwieldy for tasks better suited to a smaller knife.
If you're willing to make an investment in a knife in your arsenal, this is where to do it. Of all the knives you own, McDermott recommends spending the most on your chef's knife and suggests a price of about $100 for a high-quality chef's knife. \"Remember that knives are heirlooms,\" he says. \"And the good ones should last forever.\"
Choose blades that are full tang (one full piece of metal with the two handle pieces pinned to the sides) versus half-tang (a piece of metal that extends the full length of the knife, but only part of the width, or does not extend the length of the knife and is instead glued into the handle). Full-tang knives are more balanced, sturdier, and longer-lasting than half-tang models. Our test kitchen also generally prefers forged chef's knives, which are made from a single piece of forged steel, heated and pounded into the desired shape. The other option is a stamped blade, which is cut out of a large sheet of steel and is usually lighter, a quality considered undesirable in a chef's knife.
Avoid using paring knives to cut very hard vegetables, such as carrots, celery root, or parsnips. These smaller knives don't carry enough weight to easily slice through the foods, which may prompt you to increase the pressure or tighten your grip as you're cutting. \"If you find yourself applying pressure at any point, you're doing something wrong,\" McDermott says. Forcing the cut is a signal that you aren't using the right blade for the job, and it can be dangerous, too, causing the knife to slip.
There's no need to spend a lot on a paring knife. McDermott recommends spending about $20 for a good-quality paring knife. Steer clear of ceramic knives and opt for a metal blade for a longer lifespan. We like these inexpensive, colorful Kuhn Rikon Paring Knives.
Serrated knives may be most commonly associated with slicing bread, which is why they are also called bread knives. But according to McDermott, the toothed blade can take on almost any job not suited to the straight blade of a chef's knife.
Serrated knives should only be used for slicing, rather than chopping, foods. Using a sawing motion with the knife allows the teeth along the blade to grip and cut through ingredients, which is also why a serrated knife should not be used to slice smaller items such as fresh herbs, garlic, or berries.
As its name implies, a boning knife is the best blade for cutting up or boning fish, meat, or poultry of any size, whether a 3-inch-long anchovy or a 150-pound side of pork. \"Most knives are designed to cut straight lines,\" McDermott says. \"But when it comes to anything with a ribcage and joints, there is no such thing as a straight line in the body, so you need a blade that can move and flex.\" A boning knife gives you that leeway.
While a honing steel isn't a knife, it's still an essential tool for your knife block. A honing steel is designed to keep your knives at their peak sharpness for as long as possible. \"A honing steel is likely the second most important tool in the kitchen after a chef's knife,\" McDermott says. Running your knife along a steel realigns the teeth (or fibers) on the blade, which leads to a sharper edge and thus a cleaner cut. Knives should be honed every time you use them, but because honing doesn't actually sharpen the blade, McDermott suggests home cooks have their knives professionally sharpened once a year.
A honing steel is often included when knives are purchased as sets; however, they can also be purchased individually. In that case, McDermott recommends either a ceramic or steel model that costs about $25.
Finding the best kitchen knife is no simple matter. Chefs' knives are used in different ways for dicing veg, slicing salad, carving meat and cleaving joints and come in different thicknesses, types of steel, lengths and styles. Should you go for a Japanese or German-style knife Carbon steel or stainless steel It's a lot to take in.
We tested a range of Western and Japanese-style kitchen knives in the 30-300 range at home over a period of four weeks, using them for a variety of kitchen tasks like dicing an onion, finely slicing radishes, deseeding chillis
How to Deal with People Who Just Don't Listen
Dealing with people who don't listen can be frustrating. Whether it's a colleague, friend, or family member, communication can break down. This guide provides practical strategies to improve interactions and foster better understanding.
Understand Why They Don’t Listen
First, try to understand why the person isn’t listening. There could be many reasons. They might be distracted, stressed, or simply not interested. Recognizing the root cause can help you address the issue more effectively.
Common Reasons People Don’t Listen
Distractions: External or internal distractions can prevent people from focusing on what you're saying.
Stress: High stress levels can make it difficult for someone to pay attention.
Lack of Interest: They might not find the topic engaging or relevant.
Personality Traits: Some people naturally have shorter attention spans or prefer to talk rather than listen.
Understanding these reasons can provide insight into how to adjust your approach.
Be Clear and Concise
When communicating, clarity is key. Avoid long-winded explanations. Get to the point quickly. Use simple, direct language.
Tips for Clear Communication
Organize Your Thoughts: Before speaking, think about what you want to say.
Use Simple Language: Avoid jargon and complex words.
Be Direct: State your main point early in the conversation.
Clear communication helps ensure that your message gets through, even to those who are prone to tuning out.
Engage Their Interest
Make your message interesting. Use stories, examples, or questions to engage the listener. Connect the topic to something they care about.
How to Engage Listeners
Tell Stories: People love stories. They can make your point more memorable.
Ask Questions: Engage them by asking for their opinion or thoughts.
Relate to Their Interests: Find a way to link your message to something they care about.
Engaging their interest can make them more likely to listen and understand.
Active Listening
Model active listening. Show that you are paying attention when they speak. This can encourage them to do the same when you talk.
Active Listening Techniques
Eye Contact: Maintain eye contact to show you are engaged.
Nod and Acknowledge: Nodding and using verbal acknowledgments like "I see" or "Interesting" can show you are listening.
Reflect and Summarize: Reflect back what they have said to show understanding.
Active listening can create a reciprocal environment of attention and respect.
Use Visual Aids
Visual aids can help convey your message more effectively. Use charts, graphs, or slides if the situation allows.
Benefits of Visual Aids
Clarify Complex Information: Visuals can make complex ideas easier to understand.
Hold Attention: They can keep the listener engaged.
Enhance Recall: Visuals can help people remember your message.
Using visual aids can be especially helpful in professional settings or during presentations.
Set the Right Environment
Choose a conducive environment for communication. Find a quiet place free from distractions.
Ideal Communication Environment
Quiet and Private: A quiet place without interruptions is ideal.
Comfortable: Ensure the physical comfort of both parties.
Minimize Distractions: Turn off phones and other potential distractions.
The right environment can make a significant difference in how well your message is received.
Be Patient and Persistent
Patience is crucial when dealing with people who don’t listen. Repeat your message if necessary, but don’t become frustrated.
Strategies for Patience and Persistence
Stay Calm: Keep your composure, even if you feel frustrated.
Repeat Key Points: Reiterate your main points if they seem to be missing them.
Be Consistent: Stick to your message and continue to communicate it clearly.
Persistence and patience can eventually break through the barriers to effective communication.
Address Their Concerns
Sometimes, people don’t listen because they have unresolved concerns. Address these directly.
How to Address Concerns
Ask for Their Concerns: Directly ask if they have any issues or questions.
Acknowledge Their Feelings: Validate their feelings and show empathy.
Provide Solutions: Offer solutions or compromises to their concerns.
Addressing their concerns can help remove obstacles to effective listening.
Practice Empathy
Put yourself in their shoes. Understand their perspective and show empathy. This can create a more cooperative communication environment.
Empathy Techniques
Listen Actively: Show you understand their point of view.
Acknowledge Their Feelings: Recognize their emotions and respond appropriately.
Be Respectful: Treat their opinions with respect, even if you disagree.
Empathy can foster a more open and receptive communication dynamic.
Use Non-Verbal Cues
Non-verbal communication can be powerful. Use body language, facial expressions, and gestures to reinforce your message.
Effective Non-Verbal Communication
Maintain Eye Contact: Shows you are focused and engaged.
Use Gestures: Hand movements can emphasize key points.
Facial Expressions: Your expressions can convey emotions and reinforce your message.
Non-verbal cues can enhance the impact of your words and make your message clearer.
Practice Effective Feedback
Give and receive feedback effectively. Constructive feedback can help improve communication and listening skills.
How to Give Feedback
Be Specific: Provide clear examples of the behavior or issue.
Be Constructive: Focus on solutions, not just problems.
Be Timely: Give feedback soon after the event.
How to Receive Feedback
Listen Carefully: Pay attention to the feedback without interrupting.
Ask Questions: Clarify any points you don’t understand.
Act on Feedback: Use the feedback to improve your communication.
Effective feedback can enhance mutual understanding and improve listening habits.
Set Clear Expectations
Set clear expectations for communication. Let the person know what you need from them.
Setting Communication Expectations
Be Direct: Clearly state what you expect in terms of listening and engagement.
Explain Why: Explain the importance of their attention and participation.
Agree on Rules: Establish mutual rules for communication, like no interruptions.
Setting clear expectations can help ensure both parties are on the same page.
Manage Your Emotions
Keep your emotions in check. Stay calm and composed, even if the other person is frustrating you.
Emotional Management Tips
Take Deep Breaths: Calm yourself before responding.
Pause Before Speaking: Take a moment to gather your thoughts.
Stay Focused on the Issue: Avoid letting emotions derail the conversation.
Managing your emotions can help maintain a productive and respectful communication environment.
Know When to Walk Away
Sometimes, despite your best efforts, the person may still not listen. Know when it’s time to step back.
Signs It’s Time to Walk Away
Repeated Disregard: They continually ignore or dismiss your points.
Escalating Tension: The conversation becomes heated and unproductive.
No Progress: Despite multiple attempts, no improvement in listening.
Walking away doesn’t mean giving up. It can be a strategic move to prevent further frustration and revisit the issue later.
Seek Mediation
In some cases, bringing in a neutral third party can help. Mediation can provide a structured environment for both parties to be heard.
Benefits of Mediation
Neutral Perspective: The mediator can provide unbiased insights.
Structured Process: Mediation provides a clear framework for discussion.
Conflict Resolution: Helps resolve underlying issues preventing effective communication.
Mediation can be particularly useful in professional or high-stakes personal relationships.
Improve Your Communication Skills
Continuously work on improving your own communication skills. The better you communicate, the more likely you are to be heard.
Ways to Improve Communication Skills
Practice Active Listening: Focus on truly understanding others.
Take Communication Courses: Learn new techniques and strategies.
Seek Feedback: Regularly ask for feedback on your communication style.
Improving your communication skills can make a significant difference in how effectively you convey your messages.
Encourage Open Dialogue
Promote an environment of open dialogue. Encourage the person to share their thoughts and feelings.
Promoting Open Dialogue
Ask Open-Ended Questions: Encourage detailed responses.
Show Appreciation: Thank them for sharing their thoughts.
Be Non-Judgmental: Create a safe space for honest communication.
Open dialogue can build trust and make the person more willing to listen.
Be a Role Model
Lead by example. Demonstrate good listening and communication practices.
How to Be a Role Model
Practice What You Preach: Show the behaviors you want to see.
Be Consistent: Maintain good communication habits consistently.
Mentor Others: Share your skills and strategies with others.
Being a role model can inspire others to improve their listening and communication skills.
Conclusion
Dealing with people who don’t listen can be challenging, but with the right strategies, you can improve communication. Understand why they don’t listen, be clear and concise, engage their interest, practice active listening, use visual aids, set the right environment, be patient and persistent, address their concerns, practice empathy, use non-verbal cues, practice effective feedback, set clear expectations, manage your emotions, know when to walk away, seek mediation, improve your communication skills, encourage open dialogue, and be a role model. Implementing these strategies can lead to more productive and fulfilling interactions.
Practice Empathy
Put yourself in their shoes. Understand their perspective and show empathy. This can create a more cooperative communication environment.
Empathy Techniques
Listen Actively: Show you understand their point of view.
Acknowledge Their Feelings: Recognize their emotions and respond appropriately.
Be Respectful: Treat their opinions with respect, even if you disagree.
Empathy can foster a more open and receptive communication dynamic.
Use Non-Verbal Cues
Non-verbal communication can be powerful. Use body language, facial expressions, and gestures to reinforce your message.
Effective Non-Verbal Communication
Maintain Eye Contact: Shows you are focused and engaged.
Use Gestures: Hand movements can emphasize key points.
Facial Expressions: Your expressions can convey emotions and reinforce your message.
Non-verbal cues can enhance the impact of your words and make your message clearer.
Practice Effective Feedback
Give and receive feedback effectively. Constructive feedback can help improve communication and listening skills.
How to Give Feedback
Be Specific: Provide clear examples of the behavior or issue.
Be Constructive: Focus on solutions, not just problems.
Be Timely: Give feedback soon after the event.
How to Receive Feedback
Listen Carefully: Pay attention to the feedback without interrupting.
Ask Questions: Clarify any points you don’t understand.
Act on Feedback: Use the feedback to improve your communication.
Effective feedback can enhance mutual understanding and improve listening habits.
Set Clear Expectations
Set clear expectations for communication. Let the person know what you need from them.
Setting Communication Expectations
Be Direct: Clearly state what you expect in terms of listening and engagement.
Explain Why: Explain the importance of their attention and participation.
Agree on Rules: Establish mutual rules for communication, like no interruptions.
Setting clear expectations can help ensure both parties are on the same page.
Manage Your Emotions
Keep your emotions in check. Stay calm and composed, even if the other person is frustrating you.
Emotional Management Tips
Take Deep Breaths: Calm yourself before responding.
Pause Before Speaking: Take a moment to gather your thoughts.
Stay Focused on the Issue: Avoid letting emotions derail the conversation.
Managing your emotions can help maintain a productive and respectful communication environment.
Know When to Walk Away
Sometimes, despite your best efforts, the person may still not listen. Know when it’s time to step back.
Signs It’s Time to Walk Away
Repeated Disregard: They continually ignore or dismiss your points.
Escalating Tension: The conversation becomes heated and unproductive.
No Progress: Despite multiple attempts, no improvement in listening.
Walking away doesn’t mean giving up. It can be a strategic move to prevent further frustration and revisit the issue later.
Seek Mediation
In some cases, bringing in a neutral third party can help. Mediation can provide a structured environment for both parties to be heard.
Benefits of Mediation
Neutral Perspective: The mediator can provide unbiased insights.
Structured Process: Mediation provides a clear framework for discussion.
Conflict Resolution: Helps resolve underlying issues preventing effective communication.
Mediation can be particularly useful in professional or high-stakes personal relationships.
Improve Your Communication Skills
Continuously work on improving your own communication skills. The better you communicate, the more likely you are to be heard.
Ways to Improve Communication Skills
Practice Active Listening: Focus on truly understanding others.
Take Communication Courses: Learn new techniques and strategies.
Seek Feedback: Regularly ask for feedback on your communication style.
Improving your communication skills can make a significant difference in how effectively you convey your messages.
Encourage Open Dialogue
Promote an environment of open dialogue. Encourage the person to share their thoughts and feelings.
Promoting Open Dialogue
Ask Open-Ended Questions: Encourage detailed responses.
Show Appreciation: Thank them for sharing their thoughts.
Be Non-Judgmental: Create a safe space for honest communication.
Open dialogue can build trust and make the person more willing to listen.
Be a Role Model
Lead by example. Demonstrate good listening and communication practices.
How to Be a Role Model
Practice What You Preach: Show the behaviors you want to see.
Be Consistent: Maintain good communication habits consistently.
Mentor Others: Share your skills and strategies with others.
Being a role model can inspire others to improve their listening and communication skills.
Conclusion
Dealing with people who don’t listen can be challenging, but with the right strategies, you can improve communication. Understand why they don’t listen, be clear and concise, engage their interest, practice active listening, use visual aids, set the right environment, be patient and persistent, address their concerns, practice empathy, use non-verbal cues, practice effective feedback, set clear expectations, manage your emotions, know when to walk away, seek mediation, improve your communication skills, encourage open dialogue, and be a role model. Implementing these strategies can lead to more productive and fulfilling interactions.