Choosing the Right Knife

Choosing the right knife is a far more complicated process today than it was a century ago. The knife is the oldest and most adaptable tool mankind possesses. Throughout history, knives have changed and evolved along with humanity's needs. Not all knives are suitable for every task anymore, which is why our knife buying guide begins with a purpose.

The Knife: A Specialized Tool
The specialization of the modern knife is what makes a knife buying guide necessary. Many knives are designed for the specific needs that no doubt led to the knife's invention thousands of years ago: hunting, fishing, skinning, boning, and gutting.

But the heavy-duty knives that procure wildlife for our kitchens are no longer the knives used to prepare that wildlife for consumption. Cutlery knives and specialized kitchen knives have blades and features specially created for the more delicate duties of the contemporary cook. Still other knives are designed for those who enjoy outdoor activities besides hunting, such as camping, hiking, or rock climbing.

Choosing the Right Knife Features
With those diverse purposes in mind, our knife buying guide offers some tips on the qualities and features to look for when choosing a knife:

Size
A knife has two parts - a blade and a handle - and size is an important consideration for both. Outdoor knives used for hunting and other activities should generally have blades of 4.5 to 5 inches. The longer blades that would be cumbersome outdoors are ideal for kitchen work. A cutlery knife or chef's knife might have a blade anywhere from five to 14 inches in length, though eight inches is the commonest kitchen knife length.

As for knife handle size, a good rule of thumb (literally) is to choose a handle about 1/2-inch larger than your grip.

Knife Designs and Materials
Knives are divided into two basic design categories: fixed blades and folding blades. A fixed blade will be strong and reliable, but requires a sheath for protection and storage. A heavy-duty fixed blade knife is a smart choice for hunters.

There are several different types of folding blade knives: pocket knives (i.e. Swiss knives), lockback knives, and one-handed knives that can be closed and opened with one hand. A folded blade knife is safe, compact, and convenient, but more conducive to lighter duty tasks.

Most knife blades are made from stainless steel, a material with sufficient strength and resistance for most basic tasks. Some heavy-duty knives use carbon steel, which is easier to sharpen, but is also higher maintenance.

General Knife Tips

Outdoor
A knife with a thicker blade is best for heavy-duty tasks. A serrated edge makes it easier to cut through dense materials such as wood, rope, and bone. For outdoor uses, rubberized knife handles will often outperform wooden handles.
Indoor
Kitchen knives are generally designed as either Eastern or Western style, i.e. Japanese or American. Japanese kitchen knives are lighter and thinner with sharper angles. They're superb cutters, but also high maintenance. American kitchen knives are thicker, heavier, and duller, but ideal for repetitive chopping tasks.