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If cheese is the favorite food in your home, you must be having at least one cheese knife in your arsenal of kitchen knives. However, did you know that each type of cheese demands a different kind of cheese knife?
If you comprehend this much and find that your kitchen has stored a variety of cheeses, it simply makes sense to buy some additional cheese knives. The best cheese knife is the one that cuts both soft and hard kinds of cheese gently without damaging it. These are versatile cheese knives.
So, would you like to add one such knife to complement an existing cheese knife? Is it so that you are buying a cheese knife for the first time? Regardless of your goal, this guide will help you in purchasing the right cheese knife.
2024’s 3 Best Cheese Knives Reviewed
Prodyne CK-300 Multi-Use Cheese Fruit and Veggie Knife
This is the most versatile cheese knife that can handle other foods such as fruits and veggies (peeling). When it comes to cheese, it is versatile too. This is because it can cut all types of cheeses into thin pieces, except for the too hard ones.
The 5.5-inch long blade is made up of stainless steel and possesses a distinct surface with a super sharp serration lasting lifetime. Such a blade controls friction such that no cheese or other food sticks to it.
The handle is 4.5-inch long and is made up of lasting Bakelite material. There are three rivets to ensure you cozy and safe grip along with lasting performance.
Pros
- Versatile
- Super sharp edge lasting for long
- Least cutting friction
- Durable handle
- Affordable
Cons
- Not for too hard cheeses
The Cheese Knife OKP2
With a handle and blade, each being 4-inches long, this cheese knife is ideal for small to medium hands. It is versatile enough to slice semi-hard and soft cheeses. The credit goes to the distinct blade design that makes it both a soft and hard cheese knife.
Another commendable feature of this knife is its ability to resist stains and heat up to 430 degrees. The nonstick knife also has a handle that ensures a comfortable and soft grip.
Pros
- Versatile
- Heat resistant up to 430 degrees
- Ridges on the blade for no sticking impact
- Safe to use in dishwasher
Cons
- May be unsuitable for large hands due to short size
LUNAR Premium 6-Piece Cheese Knife Set
Consider buying this set of stainless steel cheese knives if you are looking for a budget yet a reliable set. In this 6-piece set, you get four different cheese knives, a cheese fork, and a cheese spreader. The different knives are chisel knife, thin knife, pronged knife, and heart knife.
All these knives possess a stunning polished handle that fits any hand. You get a premium feel due to which this set is giftable too.
Pros
- Different cheese knives included
- Sleek design
- Premium stainless steel quality
- Soft finished handle
- Affordable
Cons
- Not safe in the dishwasher
Types of Cheese Knives
Making a recipe that contains varieties of cheeses requires far more than serving some pieces. It requires the know-how of the different cheeses to be used. Even more significant is to use the best cheese knife for making precise and uniform slices and cubes.
Broadly, two types of cheeses are available, namely, soft and hard. Each differs in terms of texture and consistency. Even more important is to know that both types demand different cheese knives.
Comprehending these two types of cheeses makes it easier for you to pick the most suitable cheese knife. Based on the types of cheeses, cheese knives are broadly classified into:
- Soft Cheese Knives: Typically, have flat, big, and serrated blades with holes. A few models come with a ridge atop the blade so that no residue or sticky matter is left after slicing. Other models tend to have a forked end for cutting and serving. The blades of most of these knives are made using stainless steel so that there is no bacterial contamination while handling sticky cheeses such as Feta.
- Hard Cheese Knives: Usually come with a sharp and thick blade that is strong and short. They are capable of enduring the abuse inflicted by a hard cheese such as Gouda, Parmesan, and Pecorino Romano.
There exists a variety of cheese knives in the market. The classification, as mentioned above, is a broad one. Cheese knives are also classified as per their functionality and design. It is of least significance whether you buy only one cheese knife or a full set having all these knives. However, you should be aware of all of them.
There are knives to handle cheeses with varying levels of hardness, which include soft, semi-soft, and semi-hard ones. Usually, the more the blade, the harder the cheese it can handle. Based on functionality and design, the following are the different types of cheese knives:
- Pronged: This is a multipurpose slicer ideal for handling soft cheese, although it cuts semi-hard cheeses with a sharp blade. It has two prongs for picking the cut chunks, serving them, and splitting the blocks. It is reliable for use on a cheeseboard.
- Perforated: This is typically a slicer having a blade with holes so that the semi-soft cheeses do not stick or rip.
- Cleaver: Comes with a big slab of the blade for dealing with hard cheese.
- Cheddar Cleaver: This is a knife designed for cutting cheddar cheese. You can even use it to cut other types ranging from semi-soft to hard cheeses.
- Chisel: It is a knife with a flat blade that is wide and cuts hard and flaky cheeses to get big chunks. It is ideal for use on a cheeseboard.
- Parmesan: This is a knife with a large belly but a short and pointed blade, a design for cutting hard cheeses such as Parmesan.
- Cheese Plane: Is similar to flat shovel and features an open slot close to the bottom. It is useful for shaving thin pieces of semi-soft cheeses such as Fontina and semi-hard ones such as alpine-style ones.
- Spreader: Is fundamentally a butter knife but is used for spreading cheese only. It is a fat and short knife designed for spreading highly soft varieties of cheese.
- Fork: It is a fork with a short handle and two long prongs. It is ideal for picking up large cheese chunks, serving them, and holding them.
- Cheese Wire: It is designed for slicing soft, semi-soft, and fresh cheeses such as mozzarella without crushing them. A professional-grade model is ideal for handling hard cheeses.
- Flat: It is designed for cutting, shaving, and chipping hard cheeses into cubes. It is a shorter version of a cleaver and is useful for serving pieces of hard to semi-soft cheeses.
- Narrow-bladed: Features a narrow blade for spreading cheese over the cooked food.
- Gorgonzola: Is designed for spreading creamy forms of cheeses and cutting through the rinds due to its sharp, rounded blade. It can handle soft, crumbly, and semi-soft cheeses.
Each cheese knife has its uses. Slicers are for making thin slices of hard cheeses that will not crumble. Small cleavers are also suitable for hard cheeses due to their heavyweight. Knives with holes with less blade area are the best for sticky cheese.
In short, knowing the types of cheeses, you usually consume can make it easy for you to choose the right kind of cheese knife. If you consume hard cheeses such as Parmesan, a mini cleaver or a Parmesan knife is ideal. Similarly, for soft cheeses, a knife with holes or a wire cheese cutter is just fine.
How to Choose The Best Cheese Knife for you
Once you decide which type of knife is ideal for you, it is essential to choose the best one out of the diverse collections. For this, you need to know the features or factors that would help in getting maximum comfort and productivity. Keeping this in mind, the following are the factors to consider:
Design
Different types of knives for handling cheeses are available in a variety of designs. However, you should choose the one that is most suitable for your task. For example, a soft cheese knife made for cutting soft cheeses should have a thin blade with an open surface and holes.
Similarly, for hard cheeses, knives with thicker edges are the best. For picking and topping, fork-shaped designs are ideal.
Material
Cheese knives are usually made up of plastic, resin, and stainless steel. Of all these materials, the stainless steel material seems to be the best choice for these knives.
This is because it is highly resistant to corrosion, prevents food contamination by not reacting to food, and is durable. At times, this build material is coated with a non-sticky ingredient or chrome to ensure additional power of corrosion resistance. You can also expect a sharper cutting performance and zero oxidation.
Resin is stronger than plastic due to which it is relatively a better option, although both possess similar characteristics. Plastic is likely to crack.
Handle
An essential factor in analyzing is how secure and comfortable the handle of a cheese knife is. Cheese slicing needs precision. While retaining it, you will be frustrated to see your strained wrist if the handle is just not ergonomic or up to the mark.
There are cheese knives with ergonomic specifications such as indents and holes for a strong but comfortable grip. You should look for these models, as they will not slip from your hand.
There is no doubt that comfort is the priority for many of us, especially when it comes to using a cheese knife. For maximum comfort, a knife with a large handle is ideal. To be more specific, the handle that fits your hand is the right size.
Generally, the handle should be around two-thirds of the blade’s length for enjoying an ideal balance while using the knife. A soft handle is recommended for having a perfect grip for safety, although it may not be as sleek as other handles.
Spokes
Spokes are essential if you consume aged cheeses more than the fresh ones. Existing on the tip, spokes make it simpler to make pieces such that the splitting happens spontaneously without affecting the flavor. Most people prefer only one cheese knife, but that is a universal one with spokes and a versatile design adjusting well to most cheeses.
Heat Resistance
Okay, this feature may not come to your mind. However, it is an important one, as it is common to handle melting cheeses. If that is what you love the most, then it is critical to choose a cheese knife that is resistant to heat even at 400 degrees.
FAQs
Should I choose a set instead of just a single cheese knife?
Well, it depends on your preference. There is no rule that you must choose a set. However, buying a cheese knife set has its benefits. Most sets come with a minimum of three to four knives, including those that work well for semi-soft, soft, semi-hard, and hard cheese. So, if you have a set, you can pick the most suitable knife for your cheese.
Why cheese knives have holes?
There is an important reason why holes exist in cheese knives. They exist because they help in decreasing the surface area to which your cheese can stick. Thus, after slicing, there is hardly anything left on such knives.
It is a natural tendency of soft cheeses to stick to surfaces due to which a soft cheese knife with holes is an efficient option. These holes facilitate the formation of air pockets for detaching the cheese from the blade. In some knives, ridges generate a similar effect.
How to clean a cheese knife?
An ideal way to clean a cheese knife is to use your hand and warm, soapy water. It is an easy way to access every corner of the knife to remove any residue. A few cheese knives are dishwasher-safe. Thus, they are more convenient than those that are not.
Conclusion
Choosing the best cheese knife is dependent on the type of cheese you consume. It also depends on how good is the blade and steel quality. You should choose the one that is durable, productive, and versatile.
Hi, I am Jay. I am the creator of Knife Guides, your one-stop site for everything related to knives. I am a computer engineer by profession, knife aficionado by passion. Here I work with a group of people who’ve always had a passion for knives and blades. Over the years we’ve kind of become experts and decided to share our knowledge and ideas. I am also an avid hiker and enjoy offshore gamefishing.