What are the differences between these knives?

S

SoeSach

Joined
Apr 28, 2014
Messages
8
Parer knife, utility knife, santoku knife, Chef's knife. That might sound kind of silly, but i am buying knives and I don't really know why I need so many. What do each of them do and is it really that big of a difference than just using one?
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I only own an 9" utility knife/chef's knife and a paring knife as a quality cutlery in my kitchen.

As per using them, i use the utility knife almost for every task so i dont need that many of a knife.

I believe utility knife is often called as chef's knife. And santoku is utility knife, japanese style. It is often broader and slightly heavier to the blade than an utility knife which is more balanced. CMIIW.
 
In defense of the OP, I'd much rather come here even to ask such broad knife questions, than Google random articles, and I'm a Google expert. The neighborhood watch calls me "The Googler."
 
SoeSach said:
Parer knife, utility knife, santoku knife, Chef's knife. That might sound kind of silly, but i am buying knives and I don't really know why I need so many. What do each of them do and is it really that big of a difference than just using one?
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There's no set pattern so they vary between make and country of origin.
A paring knife is small and thin, maybe 2.5-4 inches long and about .75 inches wide, and is used to trim and peel vegetables.
A utility knife is whatever knife the manufacturer wants to call a utility knife. I've seen them range from what would normally be called a steak knife to basically a short chef's knife.
A chefs knife is what they used in the movie psycho. It's usually from 6-10 inches long and about 2 inches wide and is used for the vast majority of the work in the kitchen.
A santoku is a japanese chef's knife and is basically the same only it has a sheeps foot drop to the point.

My advice is to get either a chef's knife or santoku and a paring knife. You really don't need more than that but you can always add to it later. Those 2 are really the basics of what you need a knife for in the kitchen.
 
RedLynx said:
In defense of the OP, I'd much rather come here even to ask such broad knife questions, than Google random articles, and I'm a Google expert. The neighborhood watch calls me "The Googler."
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Exactly. If we're not here to talk about knives than what's the point? Or does this take away from the "tank folder" discussion? :p
 
Shotgun said:
Exactly. If we're not here to talk about knives than what's the point? Or does this take away from the "tank folder" discussion? :p
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I dunno. I guess I just expect people on here to know the broad differences between different basic knife patterns. Or if not, at least look up to get a working understanding. It's kinda like getting on thehighroad.org and asking "hey gaiz - wut end does the bullit come out of?"

and what tank folder discussion are you talking about?! Is it the one with the massive handle scales or the one with the monolithic blade? Or is it the framelock with the solid inch-thick milled titanium handle? Why was I not informed?! You guys know I need to stay up to date on every blade that can survive a 40,000 foot drop from an airplane after dissecting a Buick!!!! ;)
 
AntDog said:
I dunno. I guess I just expect people on here to know the broad differences between different basic knife patterns. Or if not, at least look up to get a working understanding. It's kinda like getting on thehighroad.org and asking "hey gaiz - wut end does the bullit come out of?"
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I think it'd be more like going to THR and asking, "what's the difference between traditional and polygonal rifling?" EVERYBODY knows which end the bullet comes out of. Go to the mall and ask a few people what a santoku is. It'll be a good time.

Message boards are great places to ask these kinds of questions. Answers are likely to include more information and insight than Google inquiries often yield.
 
RBid said:
I think it'd be more like going to THR and asking, "what's the difference between traditional and polygonal rifling?" EVERYBODY knows which end the bullet comes out of. Go to the mall and ask a few people what a santoku is. It'll be a good time.

Message boards are great places to ask these kinds of questions. Answers are likely to include more information and insight than Google inquiries often yield.
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Sort of my take on it also. I mean, for example, a poster could say "here's what [x knife] is used for. I've been collecting them and using them hard for about 10 years, I find that [insert brand] is a much better quality knife that this other one you listed, and it yields higher results. This particular knife sharpens easier and holds an edge longer. This one is also best for this type of cutting, this type of food prep. But it doesn't work so well on this type. For that, use these other knives I'll recommend, here's why:"

I find this extra info both interesting and useful.

In short, Google will give me the basic facts on knives for which I'm looking. It's the place where knife info can be found. Bladeforums is the place where knives rock our faces off.
 
RedLynx said:
Sort of my take on it also. I mean, for example, a poster could say "here's what [x knife] is used for. I've been collecting them and using them hard for about 10 years, I find that [insert brand] is a much better quality knife that this other one you listed, and it yields higher results. This particular knife sharpens easier and holds an edge longer. This one is also best for this type of cutting, this type of food prep. But it doesn't work so well on this type. For that, use these other knives I'll recommend, here's why:"

I find this extra info both interesting and useful.

In short, Google will give me the basic facts on knives for which I'm looking. It's the place where knife info can be found. Bladeforums is the place where knives rock our faces off.
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Well said, sir.

I'm not at BF because I know everything about blades. I'm at BF to learn from people who know more than I do. It would stand to reason that this is true of others, as well.
 
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