The Makeup of the Knife

Parts of the Knife

• A knife is constructed of several parts

• Each part determines how the knife feels in the chef’s hand and how to best use it.

• It also determines how long the knife will last

1. The Blade

• The blade is the cutting surface of the knife

• A high-quality blade is made of a single piece of metal

• The blade has been forged or stamped into its shape

Forged vs. Stamped

• A forged blade is made from a single piece of heated metal that is dropped into a mold and then pounded and cut into shape.

• A stamped blade is made by cutting blade-shaped pieces from sheets of steel

Materials

• Usually made of stainless steel

• Some modern knives are made of a ceramic material called titanium

• These materials do not rust or discolor, but are difficult to sharpen

2. The Tang

• The tang is the continuation of the blade into the knife’s handle

• Can either be full or partial

• A full tang is the length of the whole knife

The Handle

• Knife handles are made of various materials, such as hard woods, textured metal, or composite materials

• Some are cushioned

• Some handles are attached to the blades using rivets– should be flush with the surface of the handle

Trying On

• Because you will be holding your knife for extended periods, get a knife that:– Feels comfortable in your hand– Is the right size– Has a good material for the handle