Cutlery Showcase

Cutlery Sets

A good set of cutlery is perhaps the most important part of a busy kitchen. When you have the right tools to do the job, every task goes quickly. The appropriate set of knives truly gives you an "edge" in the kitchen that makes food preparation so much easier - and that means less time hovering over a cutting board and more time to spend with family and friends!

Whether you're searching for individual pieces or complete sets, you'll find many exciting choices to start or complete your collection. For the basics, you'll need a chef's knife in both large and small sizes, a paring knife and a bread knife, which is serrated. The chef's knife will typically be used for most cutting and chopping, especially larger items. A paring knife, with its shorter blade, is perfect for most fruits and vegetables. Good serrated knives are not only for breads. They're also an excellent choice for any type of food with a harder outer shell or skin and a softer inside, such as tomatoes.

Of course, you'll want to own several other types of cutlery. Keep in mind that these will probably become a part of your countertop display as well. In fact, you should never stack knives in drawers; it's best to keep them in custom wood blocks or on magnetic holders. Always wash them by hand and never rest them on their tips. You'll find that most storage blocks feature horizontal slots. This arrangement helps protect the blades.

The handle material will set the tone for your personal style. These are available in wood - rosewood is a common and beautiful favorite - as well as composites, rubber and stainless. The shape and heft is also an important factor, but each of these should provide a long-lasting and comfortable grip.

You'll also find all-purpose utility pieces invaluable for everyday food preparation. Utility knives are longer than paring knives and just as versatile. Other slicers include filet and boning knives. The highly popular cleavers are also called "striking" knives and are most often used for heavier cuts of meat and poultry. Santoku knives also continue to gain recognition for their style and ability to handle thinner slicing, including meats and julienned vegetables.

A sharpening, or honing, steel is also an essential as you'll want to keep blades in tiptop condition. You should use it either before or after each chopping or cutting task. These are best selected as part of a set, so you'll have the right steel for the types of knives you purchase. The steel should be harder than the blade, for instance, to keep an appropriately sharp edge.

Most cutlery falls into two categories: Eastern style and Western style. Each has its advantages, but both are equally versatile in the kitchen. Eastern type blades are hard and thin. They're lighter to manage and generally hold sharper edges, which can require more attention when sharpening. Western designs are heftier and made from softer material. They're easier to sharpen and are low maintenance by comparison. Which you choose should be weighed by personal preference.

While all cutlery is not created equal, it's perfectly acceptable to own different styles and designs as you compile your own set. For instance, you may certainly want to own a sharper blade in a paring knife and select a beautiful Western-styled chef's knife that requires much less maintenance over its lifetime.

The Cutlery Set Store provides many options at affordable price points. From novice to gourmet, and every type of cook in between, there is a wide selection to meet everyday and specialty needs.