First-time buyers: What to look for when buying a knife set

Having sharp, functional knives at your disposable can really make or break any cooking experience. Whether you’re a seasoned pro, a novice cook just starting out or browsing for awesome gift ideas, anyone can benefit from having a set of quality knifes.

While things like affordability, sharpness, durability and endurance are super important points to consider, the chosen knives should always suit you and your specific kitchen needs. Knives are always a good reflection of your individual cooking style and habits.

The feel of a knife is very important and extremely personal, so don’t be shy to ask to hold a knife when you are out looking to buy a new set. A good quality knife will feel well balanced (the handle should not be significantly heavier than the blade) and, most importantly, comfortable to hold.

While this process can be daunting at times, it is important to remember that there are three quintessential knives you can’t go wrong with:

A chef’s knife

This is our go-to knife because it is by far the handiest knife you’ll find in a kitchen. It is great for slicing, dicing, chopping and mincing. It’s multi-functionality knows no bounds – it can be used on vegetables, meat, fish, nuts and even herbs. Ever wonder what the trick is to not crying when chopping onions? Try using a sharp chef’s knife – you’ll notice the difference immediately.

A paring knife

This small knife packs a real multi-purpose punch. It is great for precision or detailed work as well as peeling, trimming, cleaning, coring or garnishing fruits and vegetables. You also get serrated paring knives, which are great for cutting tomatoes and citrus fruits.

A bread knife

The serrated edge is perfect for cutting through items with a hard exterior and a soft interior like crusty bread and layer cakes.

So, when looking for a good knife set, make sure it comes with a sharpening tool and includes at least a chef’s knife, a paring knife and a serrated knife.

Other knives that add great value to a good knife set:

A utility knife

A smaller version of a chef’s knife. Perfect for light cutting of small vegetables and carving medium-sized roasts or poultry.

A sankuto knife

Like a chef’s knife but with a shorter blade, a sankuto knife only has three uses: chopping, dicing and mincing. It was designed for precision and is very useful for creating thinner cuts of meat, fish or vegetables.

A carving knife

Best for slicing joints of meat and poultry – with the wrong knife you risk shredding, tearing and hacking at the flesh when carving up your favourite roast dinner.

Lastly, when investing in a good-quality knife set, look for options that include warranty. This helps with peace of mind and really ensures you are purchasing high-quality items that have been designed to last.