A properly selected universal knife can replace various types of special tools for cutting in the kitchen. Usually it is purchased for many years, so saving on it is not recommended.
One for all
Knives are an integral attribute of any kitchen. Of course, you can’t do without special devices when you need to cut bones or cut frozen foods. But to perform the simplest operations, it is quite possible to use a single knife for all occasions. Equally successfully coping with cutting fish, meat, slicing vegetables, he is able to replace even the standard cook three.
A universal knife does not have to belong to a well-known brand. Often, a knife made by the hands of a craftsman who has put his soul into his product can far exceed the products of famous brands in terms of performance. Therefore, it is hardly worth chasing fashion, brand and price. The main thing is that the knife is liked and convenient to use.
Types of universal knives
These kitchen tools differ in many ways. They can have a different length and shape of the blade, and the blades are ceramic, titanium or stainless steel. For the manufacture of handles use both metal and wood or high-quality plastic.
Consumers praised Japanese-made kitchen tools. For example, every universal Hatamoto Color knife undergoes additional cryogenic processing, which increases its flexibility and uniformity of structure. The smooth back of the handle provides comfort when working with this tool, and the grainy inner surface helps to hold the tool even in a wet or oily hand, which eliminates injury.
The Japanese Santoku knife (manufacturer Gipfel) is capable of cutting, chopping, and crumbling. The name itself in translation from Japanese means "three types of use." The invention in the form of grooves on the working part of the blade does not allow sticking to slices of the product at the time of cutting. Such a tool copes with cutting meat, fish, mushrooms, vegetables. Santoku - these are quite affordable and at the same time very convenient modern universal knives (the photo can be seen below).
What to look for when choosing
A good kitchen knife has certain parameters and characteristics that you should pay special attention to when choosing a tool. The quality of the cut largely depends on the material from which the blade is made. It must be high quality stainless steel. Its hardness and anti-corrosion properties are affected by various additives (chromium, molybdenum, silicon, etc.). Parameters such as hardness and brittleness of the blade must be balanced. It is important that the blade does not blunt for a long time.
When choosing, you need to pay attention to the absence of inclusions and stains on the blade (this does not apply to Damascus steel).
Particular attention should be paid to the handle. Made of wood, it is convenient, on the one hand, but not practical, on the other hand, because wood is not a very resistant material, and with prolonged use, cracks can form on it, in which dirt will accumulate over time. Moreover, from frequent contact with water, poorly treated wood begins to lose its shape.
Handles made of high-quality plastic are more practical. True, they do not always look quite aesthetically pleasing and presentable.
But the knife is more durable, the handle of which is made of stainless steel. A feature of such tools is a more significant weight compared to others.
It is believed that the best universal knife should be sharp, light in weight and keep sharpening for a long time. These parameters correspond to tools with a zirconia ceramic blade. Their only drawback is the increased fragility.
Knife sharpening
In order for the acquired universal knife to meet all expectations, close attention should be paid to its sharpening. It can be bilateral or one-sided. The first option is the most popular, especially if the knife is intended for use at home.
Of great importance is the characteristic of the blade. A cutting edge with a hardness of up to 60 units will require the use of a diamond grinding tool for sharpening. Choosing a universal knife, this should definitely be considered.