Their edges are not as sharp as carbon steel, though, and they are harder to sharpen. Many purists prefer knives made from carbon steel, which makes for very strong blades and edges that stay sharper longer. However, these need to be seasoned to prevent rust and to make them more resistant to acidic compounds like those found in lemons. Essential knives for an extra edge – the precise stainless-steel blades slice through any cooking prep task with ease – from chopping carrots to dicing onions.
Whereas in a commercial setting, having dedicated areas for cutting meats, seafood, and vegetables will keep everything hygienic and be more efficient. Once more based on the Cuisinart Classic design, the Nitrogen series reimagines the handles for a more ergonomic grip. This is especially evident in the Nitrogen santcoku — a Japanese style knife that greatly benefits from the balance provided by a thicker handle. Many of the best knives aren’t even made of steel.
If you’re starting a collection from scratch, a chef’s knife should be your first addition. From there, add a paring knife for doing more detailed work. From there, check out my guide to essential kitchen knives for the at-home cook to see if you need any more for the style of food you want to cook. Utility knives are mid-sized knives used for miscellaneous cutting. The blade is anywhere from 4 to 7 inches, larger than a paring knife but not as larger as a chef’s knife. The utility knife is good for cutting larger vegetables and sandwich meats that are not large enough for a chef’s knife.
For this price, you’ll be hard-pressed to find any major brand that can compete. The closest competitor is Victorinox, though their Fibrox Pro chef knife still comes in at nearly twice the price of a Cuisinart chef knife. None of Cuisinart’s knives require more than these basic care and maintenance steps. It’s worth noting as well that though Cuisinart’s knives are advertised as dishwasher safe, hand washing them is always recommended. This will give the knives greater longevity and longer edge retention. They provide a balance to the weight of the blade.
The Cuisinart Advantage 12 Piece Color Knife Set includes 6 stainless steel all-purpose knives with colorful non-stick coatings and blade guards. The non stick surface helps keep foods from clinging to the super sharp stainless steel Cookware Sets blades and color coding helps avoid cross contamination during food prep. The workhorse of the kitchen knife set is the chef’s knife, which allows you to glide through dense vegetables and tough meats or mince just about anything.