While various gadgets invariably take over social media, good knives will always be at the top of any food fanatic’s wishlist. A fundamental tool, a great knife can combine beauty and functionality, and for anyone looking to upgrade their kit, a new knife in their stocking – well wrapped, of course – is certain to bring a smile to their face this Christmas morning.
Knives have undergone something of an explosion in popularity over the past number of years. As home cooking has become a more serious endeavour for many of us, so too has consideration of what tools we use. Being sent home in 2020 and having to constantly cook from scratch was further reason to invest in good tools. Thanks to the significant growth in food-related media across the likes of TikTok and Instagram, we’ve ingested more cooking how-to videos and recipe content than ever before. Combined with shows such as The Bear taking over our collective psyche, it’s no wonder that good knives, from the artisan to the more accessible, have become so important to cooks.
When purchasing a kitchen knife, the first thing to consider is what sort you need. A chef’s knife is always a good bet – this is the knife you would want if you could only have one. The blade of a chef’s knife generally measures between 15 and 30 centimetres (six to 12 inches); a 20cm (8in) blade is a good option as it’s versatile without being unwieldy.
Any cook worth their salt will have had their eye on a Japanese knife, and a santoku-style blade takes the top spot. Usually with a blade of between 13 and 20 centimetres, these are suited to single downward slices. You’ll find that they typically have thin, light blades, while European-influenced versions usually have divots on the blade. Regardless of which you opt for, Japanese-influenced knives are a good investment.
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Small but mighty, the paring knife is another must-have. With their short blades and handles, they can do it all. You might see these listed as petty knives, office knives or utility knives, but regardless of the name, they are incredibly useful.
Often mixed up, but not at all the same, carving knives and bread knives are hugely convenient. The former, which is sure to come in very handy for slicing the turkey and ham, usually has a thin blade, with indents that help stop food from sticking to it. By contrast, bread knives are longer, with serrated edges that transform loaves with ease.
With its very sharp tip, a boning knife is another brilliant option. It has a stiff blade, so you can easily separate meat and bone with minimal fuss. You might find fully flexible blades also called boning knives, but these are traditionally known as filleting knives and are typically used to prepare fish.
A simple, trustworthy knife will always get the job done, but there’s been a movement towards more specialised blades over the past few years, so others to consider are oyster knives, cleavers and cheese knives. The options are endless and here are a few suggestions for the cook in your life this Christmas.
HexClad six-piece Japanese Damascus Steel Knife Set with Magnetic Knife Block
€459 from hexclad.eu
This HexClad set includes a chef’s knife, bread knife, santoku knife and two paring knives, as well as a honing steel to keep your collection sharp and a magnetic walnut knife block.
Global G-2 Cook’s Knife
€175 from anthonyryans.com
A favourite of many chefs, Global consistently performs, and this Japanese chef’s knife is a bestseller for a reason.
Stout Oyster Knife
€100 from roryconnerknives.com
One of Ireland’s most influential knife makers, Rory Conner has been crafting since 1990. This oyster knife combines a stainless steel blade with a handle made of 1,000-year-old Irish bog oak that’s fashioned to look like a pint of Guinness for both functionality and fun in one tiny package.
Zwilling JA Henckels Pro 18cm Santoku
€139 from Brown Thomas
German brand Zwilling is very highly regarded and this santoku blade is a workhorse that will bring serious skill to any culinary project.
Kai Shun Flexible Filleting Knife
€194 from Triggerfish Cookshop
Loved around the world, Kai Shun is a hugely reputable brand and this filleting knife offers a pakkawood handle and a flexible steel blade that’s perfect for delicate tasks.
Neven Maguire Knife Sharpener
€10 from Dunnes Stores
The Cook with Neven Maguire range is very good and this knife sharpener will keep the edge on your knives until you’re brave enough to graduate to a sharpening steel or whetstone.
Wüsthof Classic 23cm Bread Knife
€122 from Brown Thomas
Reliable and beloved, Wüsthof is a brilliant brand and this bread knife is the perfect addition to any collection.
Custom Irish knives
Hard to come by but worth the effort, there are artisans around the country making exceptional knives that are coveted by chefs and homecooks alike – look out for Hugo Byrne, Sam Gleeson, Lew Griffin, Sam Dunn and renowned maker Fingal Ferguson. Your best bet is to keep an eye out for one-off sales or newsletter drops, but if a custom knife is in your budget (upwards of €400) then try to reach out via their websites or Instagram.
