Different Types of Kitchens Knives and Their Uses

Every chef needs good knives, the necessary kitchen tools for slicing, dicing, chopping, mincing, and breaking down ingredients. Knowing the different types of kitchen knives and uses for each is key for everyone from home chefs to new home cooks. Navigating the market for kitchen knives can be overwhelming with so many options for styles and brands. These tools can be expensive and take up a lot of space in your drawer, so you need to know the essential knives for the tasks in your kitchen.

We break down the types of kitchen knives and uses for each in our guide to the best knives for any well-stocked kitchen.

Types of Kitchen Knives

·      Essential Knives

·      Nice-to-Have Knives

·      Specialty Knives

Essential Knives

Dozens of knives or other kitchen gadgets claim to make slicing, dicing, and chopping a breeze, but in our experience, there are just a few knives that can handle most kitchen tasks: a chef’s knife, a paring knife, and a bread and sandwich knife (or serrated knife).

Of course, if you frequently perform tasks in your kitchen that require specialized knives, then your list of essential knives might look different.

Chef Knives

Whether you need to break down that perfectly roasted chicken, finely mince garlic, or chop potatoes, a chef’s knife is your go-to knife for a wide range of cutting tasks. Purchasing a quality chef’s knife is a point of pride for many new chefs.

Paring Knives

What is a paring knife used for? A chef’s knife is a kitchen workhorse that the chef reaches for time and again, but it is too big and unwieldy for some jobs. From coring tomatoes to trimming the fat off meat, a paring knife offers more precision than larger knives. You can even peel potatoes with it.

Bread and Sandwich Knives

As the name suggests, these knives can help you make perfect bread slices or cut sandwiches in half without tearing the bread. These serrated knives also work perfectly for cutting tomato slices. Bakers can use them to split cakes into even, symmetrical layers.

Nice-to-Have Knives

These knives are helpful to most chefs, but they perform a more limited range of tasks than the essential knives we highlighted above.

Slicing Knives 

A long, rigid blade, this tapered knife is perfect for slicing large cuts of meat.

Boning and Filet Knives

Breaking down a large cut of meat is hard work. Boning knives make it easier. These flexible knives allow you to trim silver skins or remove the thigh from a whole bird.

Cleavers

Do you need to chop up meat and bones for stocks? Maybe you need to break down a large butternut squash or cut into a giant lobster. A cleaver is the right tool for the job.

Kitchen Shears

Although kitchen shears are not technically a knife, this tool is an excellent addition to your knife drawer. They can do everything from breaking down a whole chicken to trimming pie dough.

Specialty Knives

Do you frequently cook oysters, break down large cuts of meat, or cut into large blocks of cheese in your kitchen? There are specialized knives for many kitchen tasks. 

Steak Knives

Nothing beats a juicy steak. An enjoyable steak dinner requires a steak knife for easy cutting. We recommend getting something pretty since these knives take center stage at the dining table.

Oyster and Clam Knives

Oysters and clams are tasty, but opening their shells can be difficult work. Oyster and clam knives make easy work of prepping these mollusks.

Carving Knives

Big cuts of roasted meat are no match for a sharp carving knife. They are perfect for wowing your guests with tableside carving or at buffet carving stations. 

Butcher Knives

Processing meat is faster and easier with the right butcher knives: split, strip, and cut meat with these sharp, durable blades.

Skinning Knives

Butchers often need to remove the skin from the meat. This task can be hard on your hands and arms. Skinning knives save you aches and pains by making this process easier.

Cheese Knives

Looking for a stick-resistant knife? The design of cheese knives allows them to slice through blocks of cheese without sticking. Bakers love them for their stick resistance, too. They can cut through cakes and pies with minimal sticking.

Asian Cutlery

Perfect for Asian restaurants or anyone who prefers the stunning design and craftsmanship of Asian cutlery, these blades will cut thin slices of product or prep raw fish. Asian cutlery includes sashimi knives, deba knives, Asian cleavers, and santoku knives. 

Every kitchen needs the right set of knives for whatever tasks the chefs need to carry out. Start with the essentials, and then add to your collection as needed.