How to Use a Chef’s Knife
Whether you’re a professional or amateur cook, knowing how to use a chefs knife properly will save you a lot of time and effort, and be safer too. When you have a lot of meats, fish, or vegetables to go through, it’s helpful to know how to wield and maneuver the knife effectively.
The grip
Most people are used to gripping a knife by the handle—that’s what the handle is there for, right? Professional chefs actually learn to use a chefs knife by gripping the top of the blade with the thumb and forefinger, and wrapping the other fingers around the bolster. The tightest part of your hand should be at the thumb and index finger; the rest of the hand gently curls around the handle. This grip may seem uncomfortable or awkward at first, but it offers the greatest control and maneuverability.
The guiding hand
You may have initially balked at gripping the knife partially by the blade, but the hand that’s actually at risk of being cut is the guiding hand, which holds the food steady. There are ways to avoid cutting yourself, luckily. Keep your fingers curled inward, like a claw, with only the fingernails gripping the food. The edge of the blade can rest against your first knuckle to keep the knife perpendicular to the cutting board, but your fingertips will be safely out of the way.
Safety
Cuts are almost unavoidable if you spend hours in the kitchen and if you work quickly. Just remember to always cut away from yourself, and don’t go too fast until you’re comfortable with the grip and the chopping motion. Never secure the food with an awkward hand position that puts your fingers at risk or requires you to cut sideways.
Brittany Rowland researches new developments in Appliances, Kitchen and CE products features with a vigor to which few would aspire… but someone has to do it. See more about Brittany |
Related Knife Set Articles
How to Wash Your Knives
After a lot of busy work in the kitchen, chopping up and cooking food, you just want to enjoy the fine meal you’ve prepared and get the kitchen cleaned as quickly as possible. It’s tempting to throw your nice knives in the dishwasher along with all the other cookware, but you should resist the urge… [more]
The Importance of Chefs Knives
When it comes to preparing food, the knife is of utmost importance. For the greatest control and versatility, a chefs knife cannot be topped. Featuring a blade between 8 and 10 inches long, it’s expensive and requires special care… [more]
The Essential Knives You’ll Find in Most Knife Sets
Knife sets vary in the types of knives they offer. Typically, the more knives in a set, the higher the price rises. While it’s awfully convenient to have a versatile collection for all your cooking tasks, you also don’t want to get saddled with a bunch of frilly knives that you never use… [more]
Related Top 10 Lists
Top 10 Chef’s Knives
The finest quality chefs knives are guaranteed to last you many years and provide versatile function in the kitchen. We looked for a variety of factors as we selected our top 10 knives, including: Durable, strong forged steel… [more]
Filed Under: Chef's Knives