Japanese Chef Knives – What You Need to Know

One of the most notable aspects of Japanese chef knives is the fact that they are constructed out of the best steel materials available. In recent times, Japanese chefs’ knives have been growing in popularity amongst professional chefs seeking to achieve high standards of excellence in food preparation tasks because of their cutting ability, sharpness and swiftness. It is because of this that many chefs, housewives and business people today opt to purchase Japanese chef knives as a great alternative to the pricier European chef knives.

For a great set of Japanese chef knives which are handcrafted and popularly used in restaurants and hotels around the globe, you should expect to spend anywhere between $68-80 which will enable you to enjoy both fine quality and durability. The paring knife is one of the most useful of the Japanese chefs’ knives that you could have in your kitchen. This is ideal for use in de-veining shrimps, deseeding jalapenos, as well as slicing small quantities garnish. This knife is light, easy to use and comes in a length of 180mm, with a 1.5mm thick blade and measuring 55gm in weight.

Another great knife that is a must have amongst the Japanese chef knives is the Santoku knife which is a general all purpose knife used in chopping up bigger vegetables such as potatoes, cabbages and pumpkins. This knife is able to cut, slice, dice as well as mince up your ingredients very fast which makes it a must have in any self-respecting chef’s home.

Caring for Professional Chef Knives

In order to have your professional chef knives last you a lifetime, you will need to properly care for and maintain them. This will involve learning how to properly clean, store and use your professional chef knives.

You may either hand wash or dish wash your professional chef knives. Although manufacturers often state that these knives are dishwasher safe, this could however prove to be a gamble. This is because dishwashers may cause the items inside to bang against each other which could cause a nick in the blade, thus damaging your knives. The best option would therefore be to hand wash your knives in soapy water and then dry them out as soon as is possible. A great tip for preserving the wooden handles of your knives would be to apply some mineral oil on them occasionally, as well as to always store them away from moisture which could result in their deterioration in time.

It is also important to store your knives in a way that will ensure that your investment remains protected for a longer time to come. The most ideal storage solution would be to have them placed in a storage block which is typically how a set of such knives would be purchased. This way, you will have your knives easily accessible for cooking, while also remaining protected from damage. A knife tray also makes for another great storage option which can fit inside a drawer thus leaving your knives always organized and ready for use.