Knives are arguably the chef's most essential tool in the kitchen. Whether you are a professional chef or simply enjoy cooking at home, it is important to choose a knife which is most suited to your needs. There are many different brands of kitchen knives available, each unique. When choosing a knife there are many aspects to think about such as suitability for the job in question, handling, comfort, sharpness, durability, and of course the cost of the knife.
How will you decide which knives you need when looking at a range? Think about what tasks you will need to use a knife for. Remember different cutting jobs require different blades and knife sizes - using the proper blade is safer and makes preparation easier. In a typical home kitchen there is not always a need for specialist knives such as palette knives or filleting knives. The most essential knives are a small 5cm to 9cm peeling knife for small round fruit and vegetables, a 8cm to 13cm paring knife for peeling and slicing larger fruit and vegetables, a 10cm to 16cm utility knife for general peeling and slicing, a 16cm to 24cm cooks knife for chopping and dicing, and a 20cm bread knife. Also, a carving knife and carving fork are always a good idea for the Sunday roast!
What about cost? There is huge variance in price between different brands, though usually a high quality knife will more than pay for itself over the years. More expensive brands such as Global or Henckels are made of harder steel which is sharper and maintains its sharpness longer than cheaper knives. These will cut far more easily and last a life time even under rigorous use, washing and sharpening. These makes are designed for optimum balance and comfort, though this is often down to the your own preference. However, even budget knives come with sharp blades and most are suitable for everyday use at home. If you are an infrequent visitor to the kitchen, a budget knife set will be adequate for your needs.
If you are serious about getting the best out of your knives you must also acquire knife sharpener, sharpening steel or whetstone, as knives are at their most effective when sharp. A sharp knife needs less effort to cut and makes the job easier and safer. Have a look at the Knife Care Guide for more information on maintaining kitchen knives.
The comparison chart below lists some of the features of the main knife ranges we stock:
| Range | Description | Features | Pricing |
| Tojiro Senkou |  | 'Heston Blumenthal's Favourite Knives'. Manufactured using the same techniques as used in the construction of 'floating mist' style Samurai swords. | - Deluxe micarta handles
- 37 or 63 layers of ‘Damascus’ folded steel
Handles inlayed with steel for engraving
| Professional |
| Wusthof Classic |  | Traditional skills and the latest robotics are used to create the Classic series of knives from Wusthof. | - Precision forged high carbon steel
- Riveted handles
| Professional |
| Global |  | A renowned range of Japanese knives harnessing the best materials and most modern design concepts. | - CROMOVA 18 stainless steel
- Dotted grip steel handles
| Professional |
| Kyocera FK |  | Ceramic knives that are sharper and stronger than conventional steel knives, yet are lighter in weight. | - Black Zirconia blades
- Smoother surface than steel
- Maintains a sharp edge longer than steel
| Professional |
| Kasumi Titanium |  | Made from molybdenum vanadium coated with titanium, affording the sharpest edge possible by the combination of steel and titanium. | - Winner of Excellence in Houswares 2004
- Blue, Gold or Grey blades available
| Professional |
Henckels Twin Profection |  | The ultimate Henckels knife, with aesthetics and power in perfect unison. The unique blade geometry and Sigmaforge construction are an innovative combination. | - Wedge shape for optimal stability
- Ice hardened FRIODUR blade
| Professional |
Henckels Twin Cuisine |  | The perfect synthesis of a modern knife with a synthetic handle and a traditional knife with a full horizontal tang and blades made of a special steel. | - Anti-slip synthetic handles for secure grip
- Full length horizontal tang
| High End |
| Henckels Professional 'S' |  | This traditional range is manufactured with J.A. Henckels SCT technology. A large range with all the knives required by either the professional or amateur. | - SCT construction
- Riveted handles
| High End |
Henckels Four Star |  | A modern range of knives from J.A. Henckels designed with perfect handling in mind. Seamless transition between blade and handle. | - SCT construction
- Moulded handles
| High End |
I.O. Shen Mastergrade |  | The centre layer of Rockwell stainless steel provides the ultimate cutting edge and a distinctive handle is specially designed for balance and stability. | - Triplex steel blades maintain a razor sharp edge
- Tai tang is an integral part of the handle
| High End |
Henckels Twin Fin |  | A full metal knife that combines Zwilling J.A. Henckels traditional and contemporary construction techniques, combined with an asymetric handle design. | - Full metal, one piece moulded blade and handle
- Special carbon steel, ice hardened blades
| High End |
| Stellar FM |  | Stellar FM is a popular, range with razor sharp blades that are hot dropped forged from single blanks of surgical steel. | - Fully forged stainless steel
- Diamond blasted steel handles
| Mid-Range |
| Stellar Sabatier |  | Stellar Sabatier is instantly recognisable as the professional chef's traditional choice of knife. | - Fully forged stainless steel
- Riveted handles
| Mid-Range |
Henckels Twin Pollux |  | The perfect choice for the demanding newcomer: well-shaped and with a sharp cut. The modern interpretation of a classic three-rivet knife design. | - Quality Henckels special steel blades
- Ergonomic full tang 3 rivet handle
| Mid-Range |
| Robert Welch Signature |  | Each knife has been individually constructed for its specific task in food preparation. The handles and blades are set at the best angle to minimise fatigue. | - Fully forged and robotically engineered
- 2009 Red Dot Award Winner for product design
| Mid-Range |
| Raymond Blanc by Anolon |  | Anolon brings innovative excellence to this cutting edge, range of quality knives. Hand crafted to the most exact standards. | - Fully forged, full tang construction
- Ergonomic handle design
| Mid-Range |
| Jamie Oliver by DKB |  | Jamie's knife range features sculpted handles for maximum comfort, and are constructed from dishwasher safe Japanese steel, guaranteed for 25 years. | - Full tang Japanese MoV stainless steel blades
- Chunky bolster provides superb balance and weight
| Mid-Range |
| James Martin by Stellar |  | Each knife styled to exacting specifications. Moulded compound anti slip handles and blades constructed from Molybdenum steel with a lifetime guarantee. | - Taper ground to allow constant successful sharpening
- Safe, anti-slip handles
| Budget |
| Judge Sabatier |  | A traditional range of professional quality knives, ideal for everyday kitchen use.
| - High grade stainless steel
- Riveted handles
| Budget |