Ask any chef what they’d save if their house was on fire, and most would brave the flames to save their precious knives. By far the most important tool any cook can have in the kitchen, a sharp knife makes food a joy to prep, is much safer to use than a dull blade and allows for more accurate and detailed slicing, chopping, prepping and dicing.
While owning one good quality all-round knife (usually a cook’s or chef’s knife) is much better than having several dull or poor quality knives at your disposal, a full set really opens up your options when it comes to cooking at home. If you like the idea of filleting fish, dabbling in a little butchery or carving a leg of lamb like a pro, then you need the tools for the job. Read on to discover the differences between some of the most common knife types in the average chef’s set, what to look out for when buying knives and how to care for them once you’ve got them home.