Best kitchen knife guide
Cut through your daily meal prep like butter. Find your perfect kitchen knife right here.
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Buying a knife online
Seasoned chef or novice cook - a good knife is an essential kitchen tool regardless of skill level. It is illegal to sell kitchen knives to anyone under 18 years old, but you're in the right place to learn all you need to know to select the perfect knife for you. Collect your order in-store once you've found what you're looking for.
Finding the best kitchen knife
There are many different types of kitchen knives available, each with their own purpose. Discover a wide range of kitchen knives tailored for both beginners and experts. Explore this guide to find the perfect set for your culinary needs.
Best knife blade materials
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Stainless steel knives
Stainless steel knives are resistant to rust and staining. They also balance durability and flexibility, making them perfect for daily use. They are easy to sharpen and keep their edge for a long time too.
High carbon stainless steel knives
Knives with high carbon stainless steel blades typically stay sharp longer than stainless steel ones, and are great for a smooth and precise cutting experience. They need to be cleaned and dried carefully after each use, as they’re more prone to rust due to a lack of chromium which is what keeps stainless steel knives rust resistant.
Kitchen knife types
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Chef's knife
One of the most versatile knives to have in your kitchen, a chef's knife features a wide blade and fine tip. It can be used for almost any cutting job.
Carving knife, slicing knife and boning knife
Carving knives are generally used for slicing meat into thin, uniform slices. Their blades are long and slender with a sharply tapered point, perfect for navigating around bones. Slicing knives are generally designed to handle boneless cuts of meat. Boning knives are narrow and sharp for precise removal of bones from fish, poultry and meat.
Bread knife
The long, serrated blade of a bread knife can slice through even the crustiest of loaves. To protect the user's hand, the blade is usually offset from the handle.
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Paring knife
A paring knife is a short-bladed knife used for intricate work like peeling, slicing and deseeding small items. Its handle is slightly longer than other knives, allowing for more precise cuts.
Utility knife
An all-purpose knife, a utility knife is similar to a chef’s knife but smaller. It’s ideal for more delicate cutting tasks that don’t require a wide or heavy blade.
Santoku knife
A Santoku knife is a Japanese general use knife valued for its precision in cutting. It has a short, wide blade with a straight edge, curving downwards at the tip.
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Knife blocks
Knife sets usually come with their own storage block of some sort. These typically have slots cut into them for drainage and airflow. This keeps your knives dry and protects their blades. They also free up space in the cutlery drawer, and ensure that your knives are always within arm's reach when you need to whip up a meal.
Caring for your kitchen knife
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How to sharpen a knife
Kitchen knives are an everyday utensil, and they get dull with time and use. It’s important to sharpen them regularly so they stay sharp and cut effectively. There are many ways you can do this, from sharpening rods and stones to electric and pull-through devices.
Knife storage
Storing knives properly keeps them sharper for longer. If you're strapped for counter space and a knife block isn't an option for you, you may want to consider getting a cutlery tray to house your knives.
How to clean your knives
Stainless steel knives can be washed under running water and left to air dry. High carbon stainless steel knives are more prone to rusting and staining, so always rinse and dry them after use. Unless otherwise indicated, kitchen knives shouldn’t be washed in a dishwasher.
Finding the best chopping board
Chopping boards come in a range of materials each with different benefits. Wood is known for its anti-bacterial properties, plastic for how easy it is on the blade, steel for its durability and tempered glass for its stain resistance and smoothness.
How to use and dispose of a kitchen knife safely
Basic safety tips to prevent kitchen knife accidents:
•Avoid using blunt knives. It takes more force to cut with a dull knife, which makes the blade more likely to slip. Keeping your knives sharp means easier cutting and lower risk of slipping and injury.
•Avoid wobbly or slippery cutting surfaces. Secure, stable chopping boards are the way to go. But if you can’t replace an unstable cutting board right now, slide a damp towel under your current one so it stays put.
•Maintain a proper grip while cutting. Remember to curl your fingers inwards to make a sort of “claw” to hold your food in place as you cut. This keeps your fingertips away from the sharp knife blade.
When disposing of old kitchen knives, wrap them up in newspaper, cardboard or bubble wrap, and secure the wrapping in place with tape. This reduces the risk of harm to anyone handling them. Check with your local council for guidance on the disposal of sharp objects, or take your knives to a recycling centre that accepts scrap metal. Here's a handy guide if you have more questions.
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FAQs about kitchen knives
How do I return knives?
Changed your mind about the knife you just bought from us? We've got you covered; just head to our returns support page to find all the help you need.
How to choose the right knife for a beginner?
It can be confusing trying to pick the right knife when you're just getting started on your cooking journey. Avoid getting overwhelmed by the endless options out there, and pick a knife that you're likely to use for a wide variety of functions. A chef's knife, a Santoku knife or even a utility knife is a great starting point. They can each handle several types of densities and textures from meat to veggies to fruits. Once you feel more confident in your knife skills, you can graduate to more specialised tools like paring knives or boning knives depending on your needs.
How do I choose the right knife for my needs?
There are four main things to consider when selecting the best knife for your needs.
- Knife type – For example, chef’s knife for versatility, santoku knife for precision, paring knife for detail.
- Cooking style – Is your food more plant-based or meat-centred? Do you bake a lot?
- Blade material – High-carbon stainless steel offers durability and ceramic blades are light, for instance.
- Comfort – How does the knife feel in your hand? Look for a balanced weight and an ergonomic grip on the handle
What age do I need to be to buy a kitchen knife?
You need to be 18 or older to purchase a knife in the UK. You may be asked to provide valid photo ID for age verification purposes at checkout, on delivery, or when collecting in store. Delivery is to the account holder only. For specific queries, you may want to refer to this helpful guide on basic laws around knives.
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