Knives

Knife, the most important kitchen equipment, has a sharp blade attached to a handle. This tool is used for a variety of cutting and chopping work. Shape and size of its blade depends on the design of the knife and can be long, narrow or triangular. The blade of a knife is usually pointed and may have one or two cutting edges. The tang is an extension of the blade into the handle.

The handle of a knife is usually made of non-slip materials that helps to get a better grip. Blades are generally made of various types of steel alloys, such as stainless steel.

Types of Knives
Knives comes in a variety of shapes and sizes depending upon the specific task it is made for.

Bench Knife Boning Knife Bread Knife Cake Knife Calm Knife Carving Knife Cheese Knife Chef's Knife Chestnut Knife

Chinese Kitchen Knife Cleaver Knife Devein Knife Fillet Knife Grapefruit Knife Manche a' Gigot Mincing Knife Oyster knife Paring Knife

Prep Knife Santoku Knife Serrated Knife Slicing Knife Steak Knife Tomato Knife Tourne Knife Utility Knife

History of Knife
Knives have been used as weapons, tools and eating utensils since prehistoric times. In the Middle Ages, people used to carry knives with sharply pointed ends to spear food. Knives were later adopted for table use. Knives were still used as weapons. In 1669, King Louis XIV of France declined the use of knives in order to reduce violence.

This led to the emergence of blunt end knives. These blunt knives had a lasting effect on American dining etiquette. Further knives came into a complete picture and several other shapes and sizes of knives were designed.

Types of Materials for Knife

• Ceramic Knives - These blades are used in home but are very uncommon. The material is both strong and brittle.
• Chromium Knives - These blades are prone to rust and pitting.
• High Carbon Stainless Steel Knives - These are important because of their rust and stain resistant quality.
• Plastic Knives - These are more popular these days as they keep veggies from changing color as they're cut.
• Stainless Steel Knives - These blades are highly resistant to corrosion and are widely used.
• Titanium Knives - These are lightweight and durable. They stay sharper longer and are relatively easy to sharpen.

Construction of Knife

• Forged : In the process the material is treated in different steps to enhance its hardness, density and flexibility.
• Stamped : These knives are cut or stamped from flat metal. These are lighter in weight and usually not well balanced.
• Sintered : Ceramic and other metals are sintered or melted and mixed together to form a stronger alloy and thus a stronger knife.

Knife Blade Shapes

• A normal blade has a curving edge and a flat back.
• A curved, trailing point knife has a back edge that curves upward.
• A double edged has two edges that cuts in either direction.
• A clip point blade has a blade with the tip clipped to make tip thinner and sharper.
• A sheepsfoot knife has a straight edge and a curved dull back.
• An American tanto style knife is thick towards the point.

Knives exist in several styles

• Fixed Blade Knives - A fixed blade is a knife in which the blade does not fold and extends most of the way into the handle.
• Folding Knife - A folding knife allows the blade to fold into the handle. Most folding knives are small working blades, pocket knives are usually folding knives.

There are types of knives that are widely used in your everyday life. Some knives are also versatile. Knives are either kitchen knives or fighting knives. Some may also play a dual role.

Knives are specific to a particular function or activity. Depending on the functions knives are classified as:

Bread knife Hunting Knife Stockman's knife Diver's knife Utility knife

Survival knife Cheese knife Chef's knife Oyster knife

Applications of Knife

• Bread knife used for easily cutting all types of breads.
• A machete is a long wide blade, used to chop through brush.
• A diver's knife is adapted for underwater use.
• Used for cutting all fruits and vegetables.