Having a good knife kit is essential for any kitchen. However, knives do not perform as expected unless they are sharp.
Maintenance of a knife is just as important as choosing the right knife to buy. Opting for knife sharpening services in Canada on a regular basis can ensure the sharpness of your knife for optimal usage.
Sharp knife vs. dull knife
The major task of a chef knife is to chop efficiently. For instance, a Nakiri knife is designed to cut vegetables, while a Petty knife is ideal for peeling fruits, vegetables, or cutting herbs. These knives can perform as per the requirement only if they are sharp.
If a knife has gone dull, not only does the performance decrease, it imposes danger. A dull knife does not cut through food well and might slip and cause injuries to the cook.
Japanese knives
Japanese knives are the sharpest knives that are available across the world today. They are well known for their quality craftsmanship and sharpness.
A few popular types of Japanese knives include Nakiri, Santoku, Petty, and Gyuto. Each of these knives perform different functions, with some being multipurpose.
The blades of Japanese knives are traditionally made from either stainless steel or carbon steel, both of which have their own pros and cons. Stainless steel resists corrosion and therefore does not rust easily. However, carbon steel can rust easily, but taking precautions such as drying it immediately after washing, can avoid that. Out of the two materials, carbon steel is much sharper.
The handles of Japanese knives are usually made of wood that provides an authentic look and better grip.
A well made knife remains sharp for longer, but this depends on the usage. If you use the knife quite often, you may need to get it sharpened more often than if you don’t use it frequently. In any case, using a sharp knife is essential for safety as well as better performance.
You can extend the sharpness of your knife by investing in a protective, magnetic or leather saya, or case for the blades. These cases come in various sizes, and you can buy one that is the right fit for your knife. You can also buy knife polishing accessories to keep the knife looking brand new.