THE RIGHT KITCHEN KNIVES FOR THE JOB
WHICH KNIFE DOES WHAT
Our experts help you pick the best kitchen knives
Beaked blades and fluted, straight edges and serrated: what exactly are these for? Our knife specialists give you the lowdown on 12 different essential Victorinox kitchen tools. Because it’s one thing to be able to choose from a wide range of kitchen knives, but quite another to know exactly what they can all do – and some things may surprise you. Have a look at our tips and get the best out of your chef skills.
A key investment for any busy kitchen, this hardworking utility knife can handle chopping, dicing and slicing of all kinds. This knife takes on not just fruit and vegetables but can also tackle meat like a pro. From the fine slicing of herbs to carving your roast, the Office Knife is compact yet chef-level capable and is a true all-rounder.
Our tip: Leaving home and setting up your own kitchen for the first time? This is the knife you should start with.
This blade is exceptionally on point for fish. Long, lean and slightly tapered, it is flexible enough to negotiate a myriad of fish bones with A-game agility. The result is a clean, perfectly filleted dish that looks beautifully presented on the plate. We offer two blade sizes, 16 cm and 20 cm. The rule here is to choose a knife that is approximately 5 cm larger than the fish you are filleting. This means the 16 cm blade is better suited to trout or mackerel, while the 20 cm blade is ideal for medium to large fish like salmon or catfish.
Our tip: The length and flexible blade of a Filleting Knife also make it an excellent choice for peeling an orange.
The fluted edge and straighter blade make the Santoku Knife a trusted kitchen all-rounder. The flutes ensure that food doesn’t stick to the blade when cutting, making slicing anything from meat, fish, vegetables to fruit feel effortless. The straight edge blade is suitable for chopping, slicing and dicing, helping you to cut more precisely but with ease.
Our tip: We offer this knife both with and without fluted blade. While the non-fluted blade might make long-term sharpening easier, we recommend the fluted edge, for the ease and precision it gives to any slicing task.
Freshly baked granary bread with salted butter, ciabatta with balsamic and extra virgin olive oil, sourdough rye with ham and cheese: bread has so many delicious guises. So, investing in a knife that knows how to tackle your daily loaf is key. Built to last, our Bread Knives slice adeptly through thick crusts, thanks to the wavy edge blade. For those who need help cutting the perfect slice, the Dux knife has an adjustable guide to help you slice bread or even salami or cucumber.
Our tip: Baked goods are this blade’s domain but try it on a pumpkin and you’ll be in expert hands.
The Carving Knife is another kitchen workhorse which can handle pretty much anything that lands on your cutting board. It’s ideal for more compact joints such as guinea fowl, poussin or duck. For larger cuts of meat, we recommend an extra-wide blade. The longer blades are also ideal for precisely cutting carpaccio, for example. The Carving Knife is also adept at handling all kinds of fruit and vegetables, making it another kitchen must-have. Its ergonomic handle means it’s super easy to use and the straight edge cuts with impressive precision.
Our tip: It may have earned its culinary stripes for carving meat, but this adept blade works just as well on soft fruit and vegetables. Why not try it on a pineapple?
Fusing exceptional balance with a smart structure, this knife is strong and can hit the culinary ground running. It excels at carving larger-scale joints such as rump of beef, shoulder of lamb or turkey thanks to its extra-wide blade, which helps you cut through big pieces of meat with ease. For some restaurant-style theater, use it to carve on a beautiful chopping board centerpiece at the table.
Our tip: The best things don’t always come in small packages. Extra width lends this blade precision and power. If you really want effortless slicing, take the fluted edge version of this blade.
The smallest knife in our kitchen, the Paring Knife is a multitasker that can chop, slice, peel, dice and core. Choose the wavy edge for fruit with soft flesh, such as kiwis or peaches, so you don’t bruise the flesh. The straight edge is good for citrus fruits and pears. Also works well for chopping herbs and preparing garnishes. We offer three blade sizes: 6cm, 8cm and 10cm – enabling you to pick the best blade for the task at hand.
Our tip: The version with the more rounded tip is good for coring apples or cutting out the eyes on potatoes. The pointed tip is ideal for very precise cutting things like fondant icing, so you can take your cake decoration skills to the next level.
This little blade’s success lies in its curvy contours. A super sharp wavy edge enables intricate cuts on the finest surfaces. Slice tomatoes without squashing their delicate centers. Chop chipolatas, salami and specialty sausages without ruining their neat, precise form. You’ll wonder how you lived without it.
Our tip: The wavy edge of this blade is also ideal for spreading butter or jam onto freshly baked bread.
Which other things do I need to consider when I’m choosing a kitchen knife?
Stamped or forged blade? Wood or synthetic handle? How does the handle need to feel in my hand and what do all the different blades do? We take you through all your options.
Is my knife still sharp enough? What’s the difference between sharpening and honing a blade? How do I sharpen my knife and which tool should I use? Our experts give you all the answers you need to keep your blades cutting perfectly.
Can I put my knives in the dishwasher? How should I dry and store them? And what kind of cutting board is best? Maintenance tips from Victorinox specialists will make sure your knives last as long as you need them.
