Article by Eli Montgomery
If you are a chef or just aspire to cook like one, you need a knife that can slice, dice, mince, cut meats, smash garlic, chop vegetables, chop nuts and do it all well. Many chefs refer to a high quality chef knife like this as a French knife. All in all, a chef knife can be used for just about any job in a kitchen, but some chef knives perform some jobs better than others.<img class="alignright" style="border:0 none;float:right;padding-left:10px;padding-bottom:10px;" src="http://www.chefknifereviews.com/chef_knife.jpg" alt="chef knife" width="240" height="294" />There are some key characteristics you should be looking for when trying to pick the best chef knife for you and your kitchen. The most important attributes are the length and type of blade, the material the knife is made of, where the knife originates from and how the knife is constructed. High end chef knives will list all of these attributes for you to look over and review, so make sure you pay close attention to them while you search for the perfect chef knife for you.High quality chef knives are most commonly made from carbon steel, stainless steel, titanium, ceramic or laminated materials. Most often you will find that the best chef knives are constructed from stainless steel, carbon steel or titanium. Each has its own special benefits and qualities associated with it.The origin of the knife is usually either of Japanese origin or US origin. Chef knives that originate from Japan are usually considered the highest quality, such as santoku or gyuto type chef knives. This is not the most important thing to worry about when buying a chef knife however, but it is good information to know.One of the most crucial factors you should consider is the length of and type of blade of the chef knife. Carbon Steel blades are easier to sharpen and can hold an edge longer while Stainless steel has a little more trouble holding an edge, but is much less corrosive than carbon steel. High carbon stainless steel however is probably the best blade you can get because of its superior sharpness and ability to hold an edge for a long time.The length of blade on a chef knife will typically be 6-inches, 8-inches or 10-inches. Obviously the most versatile is the 8-inch blade. However, if you will be using your chef knife for smaller more precise cuts, a 6-inch blade will be preferable, while for larger cutting jobs will be much more suited with a 10-inch blade.One last thing to consider when choosing a chef knife is the knife handle. The majority of chef knife handles are made of wood, plactic, steel or rubber. My personal choice may be different than yours, but a good fit and comfort in holding are the most important. Generally rubber handles will be the easiest to grip comfortably. Respirine-C and Kraton are two common materials used for handles with a rubbery feel.There can be some other factors to consider when choosing a chef knife for yourself, but what I have covered here are the most important ones. It is also a good idea to find out what other people think about any chef knife you are considering buying. To read up on a number of in depth reviews, you should check out Chef Knife Reviews.Happy chef knife hunting and I hope this helps you find a great chef knife that works for you.