Keep Your Knife Work Sharp With High-Quality Cutlery Made In The USA
Out of all of your kitchen tools, your knives are what make a difference in your finished dish. Whether trying out Japanese cuisine or cooking up your grandma’s secret recipe, the quality of your kitchen knives matters.
Razor sharp knives are a must in any home kitchen. They allow you to cook meals that make your guests wonder if you have a professional chef working in your kitchen.
But shopping for the right knives can be a challenge.
You already know that you want them to be made in America to support your local economy and you want a knife that will slice through the ingredients you need to make your favorite meal.
However, what other factors do you need to consider when shopping for a new kitchen knife set?
Let’s look at what you need to build a good knife set and the factors you must consider when choosing kitchen knives for your home.
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What Types Of Knives Do I Need In My Kitchen?
With so many multi-piece knife sets on the market, it can be challenging to identify which knives you need in your kitchen. And we aren’t talking about a cutlery knife and steak knives. You need HIgh-quality kitchen cutlery that’s made in the USA.
The truth is there are simply too many types of knives to choose from to allow you to buy one of every knife for your kitchen. This means there are specific types of American-made knives you need to ensure you can work well in your kitchen to cover the majority of your culinary needs.
Here are the top five knives you need in your knife block to cook up the most amazing meals.
- A high-quality chef knife: Known as the most versatile knife available, a good chef knife is a must-have in any home kitchen. This type of knife is suitable for slicing vegetables, breaking down meats, and chopping fresh herbs. That’s why it’s called a chef’s knife- it can easily do most cutting tasks! Professional chefs use a ten-inch chef knife, but home cooks should look for an eight-inch blade.
- A paring knife: A paring knife is much smaller than a chef’s knife, which makes it handy for smaller cutting tasks. Use it to peel fruits and vegetables, trim and clean smaller food items, or complete more precise, small-scaled cutting tasks.
- A strong serrated knife: Commonly referred to as a bread knife, a serrated knife is excellent for cutting items with a tough exterior and soft inside, like a loaf of bread. You use it with a sawing motion to cut foods smoothly.
- A boning knife: These cutting utensils have thin, sharp, flexible blades perfect for deboning fish or fileting chicken breast. Also known as a slicing knife, they are made to separate meat from the bone and make precise cuts used for tender meats to prevent ripping and tearing during the cutting process.
- A cleaver or butcher knife: Best known for chopping meats, a butcher knife is also great for cutting thin slices of meat or vegetables.
These are commonly known as the “core” set of knives every home cook should have in their kitchen. While these knives won’t cover every possible recipe, they do offer the widest range of cutting solutions you’ll encounter while cooking your favorite meal throughout the year.
In addition to having a great set of knives in your kitchen, you will also want a trusty American-made cutting board on hand to protect your kitchen countertops.
When looking for a cutting board, you should consider the board’s strength, and look for one that is easy to wash. In addition, it’s best to have one dedicated to raw meats and another for other foods to prevent cross-contamination.
Four Tips For Choosing The Best American-Made Knives For Your Home
Now that you know the exact knives you need in your knife block, you’re ready to make some crucial decisions.
Knife making is truly an art, so keep an eye out for artisan kitchen knives made in America. Here are five tips you can use while shopping for brand new kitchen blades to ensure you pick the best ones for your home.
1. Decide Between Forged Or Stamped Knives
As we discussed above, there are many types of knives to consider for your kitchen. However, there are two main types of kitchen knives: stamped and forge, which refer to how the knife was crafted.
Stamped knives are cut out or “stamped” from a large sheet of stainless steel. Once cut, it’s honed and heat treated to make it more durable. Stamped blades are flexible, allowing home chefs to maneuver around their ingredients. Made from high-carbon stainless steel, these are lightweight and comfortable to use.
Because they aren’t balanced like forged knives are, stamped knives are slightly more challenging to handle. Plus, this type of knife is less expensive, the flexible blade may bend and slip, putting you at risk for injury.
Forged knives are made from one bar of steel that’s heated and pounded by a highly trained craftsman or a machine. The steel molecules are shaped during the forging process, which results in a razor-sharp edge that lasts longer than their stamped counterparts.
2. Consider The Handle Construction
While the blade is essential, so is the handle you hold while cutting with the knife. Many inexpensive knives come with a basic plastic black handle, but you should always try to buy a knife with a metal handle to improve the ease and efficiency of cutting meats, cheeses, and vegetables.
From rosewood to titanium to aluminum handles, always choose one that’s ergonomic and easy to grip, much like the handle of a utility knife. Look for a curved shape that allows you to hold the handle securely and easily handle the knife.
A wood handle tends to be less slippery than a stainless steel knife handle when wet, which helps improve functionality and prevent kitchen accidents. If you opt for a smoother handle, consider purchasing American-made silicone covers to enhance the grip even when wet while making your favorite recipe.
A good kitchen knife also has a bolster, which is a small piece that protects your fingers as you are slicing and dicing. Look for rivets that secure the blade to the handle and a finger guard to keep the chef safe when chopping away.
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3. Learn How To Maintain Your Kitchen Knife Set The Right Way
Once you invest in a high-quality American-made knife set, you must learn how to maintain them properly. Not only does this ensure that your investment will last for years to come, maintaining your knife set will also prevent the knives from rusting or becoming brittle.
Many knives are not dishwasher safe and must be cleaned and dried right away to prevent rust. So always read the manufacturer’s instructions to ensure you care for your knives correctly to prevent unnecessary wear-and-tear on the knives.
Here are some general tips for maintaining your made-in-the-USA knife set.
- Sharpen regularly: Your stainless steel blade will quickly dull as you cut meats and veggies. Invest in a good knife sharpener and hone them once every few months as needed.
- Hand wash after each use: Keep your knives sparkling clean by hand washing them with mild dish detergent right after using them. Dry them with a soft cloth so water does not have the chance to rust your blades or handles.
- Safely store your knives: To maintain their blade and keep your family safe, place them on a magnetic strip or in a knife block for safekeeping. Only store them in a drawer if you are using a blade cover.
If you take the time to care for your American-made kitchen knives properly, you’ll protect your investment and have a high-quality knife set for years to come.
4. Invest In High Quality, American-Made Pieces
It’s no secret that the best knives are constructed in America. That’s because masters train the artisans who craft kitchen cutlery in the art of knife making.
Many American-made knives are hand-crafted and use locally sourced materials that must pass rigorous quality testing standards. This means that a skilled American worker is supporting their family with a decent living wage to pay close attention to the details of your coveted kitchen knives.
American companies often provide a lifetime warranty, meaning you’ll receive a repaired blade or complete replacement if anything happens to your knives!
Buying knives made in the USA ensures you receive a great local product; these knives also help support the American economy.
Since America still produces massive amounts of steel, many American knife makers use American steel to craft their products. This means your knife is made in America, and the materials are sourced here too!
When you invest in the best-made-in-America knives, you are setting a standard for your home. You’re showing your friends and family that you aren’t afraid to spend a little more to ensure your product lasts for years and years.
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Buy A Knife Set That’s Made In The USA To Elevate Your Kitchen Skills
Every home chef knows the power of a good set of knives. You need the right tools to help you prepare everything from light snacks to heavy-duty holiday meals.
Use The American List to quickly find the best kitchen knife set on the market, or just buy one high-quality knife to add to your kitchen collection.
We’ve taken the time to curate lists of kitchen products, clothing, travel accessories, and home decor that artisans proudly made in America.
So sit back, grab a beverage, and discover your new favorite brands and American-made products.