Knives are among the most important kitchen tools for a chef to have. But, chefs are not the only ones who need to keep a good set of knives on hand. Even in your own kitchen, you need to make sure that you always have a sharp knife ready, as it can make cooking a lot easier and more convenient. A carving knife set, which consists of 8-inch to 15-inch long knives that are used to carve thin and precise slices of meat, is a very useful knife set to have in your kitchen. Carving knives of good quality may be a bit pricey, but they will certainly give you more than your money’s worth because they can last for a very long time.
In shopping for carving knives, you need to make sure that each knife is well-constructed, easy to sharpen, comfortable to hold, and balances well in your hand. The quality of a knife may depend on the type of metal used for its blade. Carbon steel, a carbon and iron alloy, can be sharpened very easily. However, it corrodes and discolours easily as well. Stainless steel is another metal commonly used for knife blades. It does not rust, corrode, or discolour, and is very durable. It is, however, more difficult to sharpen than carbon steel. High-carbon stainless steel effectively combines the best features of these two types of metal. It sharpens easily and does not corrode or discolour.
Another material that is now being used for knife blades is a ceramic known as zirconium oxide. They are extremely sharp, rustproof, non-reactive, and very easy to clean. The best thing about them is that they remain sharp for several years. But when the time comes to sharpen these knife blades, you will have to have it sharpened by a professional. The disadvantage of this material is that it can be very expensive and it also lacks the flexibility of metals. Take note of the pros and cons of each type of material so you can choose a carving knife set that best suits your kitchen needs and preferences.
You may also want to take the knife tang into consideration. This is the portion of the blade that fits inside the knife handle. The best carving knives are those that are constructed with a full tang running the entire length of the knife’s handle. Try handling each knife included in a set to make sure that the handle feels comfortable in your grip. Most knife handles are made from hard wood infused with plastic and then riveted to the knife tang. Other handles are made of molded polypropylene, which is permanently bonded to the knife tang without need for rivets.
Each knife in a set has a particular purpose, as it is required for a variety of cuts and types of meat. Therefore, the best carving knife set is one that does not only consist of top-quality knives, but also provides you with as many carving knives as possible. A good collection of carving knives will certainly give you some very memorable cooking experiences.
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