Utility knives: true all-rounders

Features of a utility knife

You use the utility knife for almost all tasks in the kitchen. In terms of size, a utility knife is smaller than a chef's knife but bigger than paring knife. The blade is, on average, 15 cm, straight and enhanced with a sharp tip. As such you can use it to cut ingredients but also to peel fruits and vegetables. The blade is made from stainless steel, carbon steel or a combination of both. Stainless steel is maintenance-free, while carbon steel can be sharpened to razor-sharpness. The perfect materials for an all-rounder in the kitchen. The handle of a utility knife stands out. It is designed as such to make it feel great in hand, even when completely drenched in fruit and vegetable juices.

How to choose the best utility knife

Despite the fact that it's called a 'utility knife' it is important to know what you can use this knife for. You can use the knife to cut, chop and peel. What will you use this practical knife for?

Blade

The blade varies from 15 to 20 cm long. Choose the length you need for the task at hand. Too long is impractical when working on small accurate tasks, and with a blade that is too short you always feel yourself asking for more blade. The shape of the blade can vary, like a narrow blade for precise cutting tasks or a broader blade for chopping tasks.

Compact

Because of its compact size and versatile character, a utility knife is always great to have around. You don't have to switch blades when preparing a meal, which saves time and effort.

Utility knives: switch between knives

Not in the mood to constantly switch knives when preparing a meal? A utility knife is the perfect solution. It might not be as perfect for individual tasks such as a tomato knife, carving knife, or peeling knife, but it does enable you to keep working.

Maintenance

To properly maintain your utility knife, it is key to properly clean it after use, using a mild soap. Besides cleaning, you should also sharpen your utility knife on a regular basis. How often you should sharpen your knife depends on how often you use it.