Learning How To Choose Quality Cutlery

Any cook knows the importance of a good set of knives. Professional chefs treat their knives probably better than they treat their cars. Even a first year culinary student is urged to spend as much as he possibly can on a set of knives that will last him for the rest of his career. When Martha Stewart remodeled the kitchen in her Connecticut farm house, she is said to have spent a tiny fortune on specially made drawers that would protect her set of knives from dirt and the elements.

With all that said and done, some people might say, 'Why should I spend so much money on fancy knives if I have to protect them like little children?' The only way to answer that question is to assure you that the first time you use one of your new knives, you will be thankful you bought the set you did, and you'll wonder how you managed without them till now.

As with anything else, you get what you pay for. You can find a good quality set on sale in a specialty store for a few hundred dollars, and you find other sets that cost well in excess of a thousand dollars. Don't over buy, but in the same sense, don't skimp on what you need.

Knives are constructed in a variety of ways, and their construction will give you a good idea of their worth. A well constructed, quality knife will have a solid, full length tang. This is the piece of metal that starts at the blade and continues down through the handle. The handle actually appears to be attached to both sides of the tang. If you can't see the metal tang in the middle of the handle, chances are that the knife has a solid handle. Bad idea - it can break off all too easily.

Also look for the bolster, or commonly referred to as a thumb guard. This is part of the one piece of metal that includes the blade and tang. It's nothing more than an ergonomically placed 'bump' at the base of the handle. If the knife slips it will help prevent or at least minimize a serious injury.

Look for knives that say 'forged steel'. Forging is a process that has been used since the bronze age. The metal is heated and then shaped, rather than cut into shape. A forged knife produces one piece of metal throughout, with a handle securely attached around the tang. In effect, a quality knife is always no more than these two pieces.

When you buy your new set of knives make certain it comes with a sharpener. Custom sharpeners are made for that particular set. You can ruin a knife by using the wrong type of sharpener on it. If you are spending a considerable amount on your new cutlery, don't buy a set that doesn't come with its own sharpener.

Stay away from sets that come with steak knives. A good quality set of kitchen knives is meant for cooking tasks, not dining. If you need steak knives, but a separate set.

Annie is an expert furniture and interior design writer. Her current area of specialism is bed linen, corner sofa and glass coffee table