Serrated knives are Japanese knives that come with serrations. They are staples in most kitchens. Newbies think that serrated knives are all the same but there are different types of serrated knives you can choose from. Each type of serrated knife differs in terms of design and performance. It is also suitable for specific tasks. Continue reading as we give you a closer look at the different types of serrated kitchen knives available. We will also explain what makes them unique and help you choose the right knife for your needs.
Bread knife
This is a classic example of a serrated knife. It has a long and thin blade. It also has sharp serrations that make it great for slicing through bread. The best thing about this knife is that it can slice through bread without crushing it. The serrations on the knife help it saw through the tough bread crust whilst the length of the blade allows for strokes. This results in a clean cut.
Tomato serrated knife
This is another common type of serrated kitchen knife. It has smaller serrations than a bread-serrated knife. The smaller serrations allow it to make cleaner cuts on delicate veggies and fruits such as tomatoes without damaging them by squishing them.
Steak knife
This is a shorter knife than a bread knife but it comes with sharp serrations. It is designed to glide through meat easily without shredding or tearing it. The serrations on these Japanese knives help grip the meat and cut smoothly.
Paring knife
This is a tiny, sharp serrated kitchen knife used for peeling small fruits and slicing them. It is also ideal for slicing vegetables. The serrations on the knife are sharper and smaller than a tomato knife. This allows for more precision and control.
You should consider the tasks you will be using your knife for when choosing a serrated knife. A bread knife is great for slicing bread but it doesn’t work well on meat or tomatoes. You should therefore do your research and select a knife that fits your unique needs.
Other uses
Serrated kitchen knives are essential tools in your kitchen. They can be used to cut through tough skins and crusts. But people aren’t aware that there are other uses for these knives.
Chopping vegetables
Serrated kitchen knives can be great tools for chopping vegetables that have harder exteriors and softer interiors. This includes potatoes, butternut squash, and eggplant. The serrations provide a sawing motion that can slice through the tough skin of vegetables.
Caving fruits
Serrated kitchen knives can be used to carve certain fruits such as pineapple or watermelon. The serrated edges grip the slippery surface of the fruit. They cut through the tough exterior easily.
Cutting meat
Serrated Japanese knives may not be ideal for cutting meat but they can still be used in certain situations. You can use them when cutting meat with a tougher exterior or crispy skin such as pork belly, duck or roast beef.
German Kitchen KnivesGerman kitchen knives will always come with a full-tang, as well as a bolster.
If you’re unfamiliar with what a full-tang blade is, it’s when the blade goes through the entire knife, including the handle.
This provides additional strength, which is especially beneficial when chopping harder vegetables.German Chef’s knives rate between 56–58 on the Rockwell hardness scale, indicating they are slightly softer than Japanese chef’s knives.
On rare occasions, you will see a best German kitchen knife with a 14-degree angle on each side.Japanese Kitchen KnivesWhen it comes to Japanese kitchen knives, most of them lack a bolster.
Japanese kitchen knives have more hardened steel blades than their German counterparts.
The Rockwell rating of a Japanese kitchen knife blade ranges between 56–62.While it may first seem that being made with different tangs leads to confusion over the quality of the blade, every Japanese tang is made using stronger and harder steel than those found in German knives.
