5 knives every gentleman needs in his kitchen
Stock your block with this quintet of blades
Whether you’re an expert in molecular gastronomy or a novice at the stove (or somewhere in between), it always helps to have the right set of tools at your disposal. And, although pots and pans are essential when it comes to cooking up a storm, a perfect collection of knives can help you transform a dull piece of veg into an edible piece of art.
To help you in your pursuit of culinary greatness, we’ve compiled a list of the very best blades you need right now…
Glestain Indented Blade Gyutou 8.2”
Glestain knives are immediately recognisable by the unique, scalloped design of their blade. Not only do the dimples look elegant, but they also reduce surface tension between the knife and food, thus preventing any produce from sticking while you’re chopping and dicing. Better still, thanks to the Acuto steel from which it’s made, the Glestain maintains its strength and sharpness longer than most models. Little wonder, then, why it’s a kitchen staple piece across the globe.
Perfect for: mincing herbs, chopping vegetables and pretty much everything else.
Aritsugu Yanagi
Aritsugu is a Kyoto-based brand that specialises in hand-made knives. This particular model is a yanagiba – a type of knife that professional sashimi cutters use when making delicate and precise slits on the surface of fish – and has been produced by hand-forging high-carbon steel with iron. The fact that Daisuke Nakazawa (the former apprentice of Japanese sushi legend Jiro Ono) rates the Aritsugu Yanagi should be enough of a reason for you to purchase one.
Perfect for: slicing sashimi, sushi, cooked meats and filleting fish.
Wusthof Classic Ikon steak knife
After the cooking comes the feasting. And if a fillet steak is what you’ve sizzled up in the kitchen, make sure that you’ve got the right set of utensils in order to avoid making a dog’s dinner out of that prime cut of meat. These top-notch Wusthof’s should do the trick. Built with a comfortable, contoured handle, a nice stainless finish and a bolster at the butt of the blade for added balance, these will be your go-to dining table essentials for years to come.
Perfect for: steaks and other lean meats.
Victorinox paring knife
While gargantuan cleavers and macho steak slicers reign supreme in the kitchen, many forget about the paring knife. But despite its minute size, it’s definitely one of the finest and most dependable tools you can have in your drawers. This little beauty by Swiss brand Victorinox is made with an exacting angle to hold a sharp edge longer and ensure maximum cutting performance, while its Polypropylene handle is ergonomically designed for a non-slip grip.
Perfect for: peeling, hulling, cutting and chopping fruits and veg. Also, quite handy for cutting the string off your roast chicken.
Global stainless steel bread knife
The trusty bread knife will never let you down. After all, what other utensil can slice right through the tough crust on your favourite loaf of sourdough? And, thanks to its toothed blade, it’s particularly useful when handling foods with waxy surfaces, such as tomatoes and peppers. If you’re looking for some inspiration, then Global’s stainless steel offering is the best you’ll find on the market. Made from a single piece of CROMOVA 18 – a specially blended, high carbon hand-forged stainless steel – this must-have kitchen accessory guarantees durability. Moreover, the blades are ice-tempered, hardened and honed to a razor-sharp Japanese-angled edge, and the hollow handle is also delicately weighted with sand to ensure perfect balance.
Perfect for: cutting bread and slicing food products such as pineapples, citrus fruits and watermelons.
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