While a knife might seem like a simple invention, there is an unlimited number of variations that have been created over time. Some knives are even designed for specific purposes, such as cutting cheeses. If you've ever looked into purchasing a cheese knife or just seen one at a friend's house, you've probably noticed that some cheese knives have holes in it. Have you ever wondered why? We've researched to find an answer for you.
Cheese knives have holes in them to keep the cheese and knife from sticking together when slicing.
Keep reading below as we answer more frequently asked questions about cheese knives!
Do You Really Need Cheese Knives?
This answer requires some explanation, but in short: no. You do not need a cheese knife to cut cheese. However, if you plan on cutting lots of cheese or you just want the fastest and best knife to do the job, then you will want to invest in a cheese knife.
It also depends on what you are doing in the kitchen. If you work in a restaurant, you more than likely need a cheese knife because you'll be using it all day long. One important thing to remember is a cheese knife helps ensure you keep the shape of the cheese you are slicing. For example, if you use a regular knife with no holes and the cheese sticks to the knife, you may break the cheese trying to get it off. This can ruin the dish you are trying to make and cost you extra cheese.
If you are just cooking at home, chances are you do not need a cheese knife; however, they are useful to have.
What Does A Cheese Knife Look Like?
A cheese knife often looks similar to a regular knife, except for a few distinct characteristics. For one, a cheese knife has holes that are usually evenly placed throughout the knife, either in a line or some other organized pattern. Sometimes the holes are not circles. They can be squares or just about any other shape since the point of them is just to keep the cheese from sticking.
Another distinct look sometimes found on cheese knives is the tip of the blade. It is actually not a tip at all. A lot of times, it looks like a two-pronged fork. This is used for sticking the cheese to pick it up. The point of these added luxuries is to keep you from having to touch the cheese and instead make the knife do all the work.
What Other Kinds Of Cheese Knives Are There?
Different cheeses have different textures and thicknesses. For this reason, there are plenty of types of cheese knives.
Flat
The first type of cheese knife is a flat, spatula-like knife meant for cutting a cheese that is of medium thickness to get a thin slice. There is often one long hole for the cheese to travel through, which allows for air to hit.
Open Work
The second type of cheese knife is an open work knife. This is what was described above this section with holes, squares, or other shapes in it the blade. It also can have a cheese fork on the end.
Serrated
The third type of cheese knife is a knife without holes that has a serrated blade. This knife is for cutting soft cheeses. There are no holes because soft cheese has less of a chance of sticking to the knife.
Plane
Narrow plane knives are the thickest cheese knives and are for cutting some seriously huge pieces. It looks the most like a standard kitchen knife but can be much duller.
Spade
The last type of cheese knife is the spade knife. It gets its name from its shape. This is usually a small type of cheese knife meant for soft cheeses but is very versatile.
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How Do You Use A Cheese Knife Set?
Making the best use of your cheese knife set starts with knowing what cheeses you will be cutting. With this in mind, you will utilize your entire set by choosing the right knife for each kind of cheese.
You can use spatula knives to cut soft cheeses, flat cheese knives to cut cheese cubes, spade knives to cut smaller pieces, etc. Each knife will cut a particular type of cheese best, so just make sure you are using the right knife when you are slicing.
What Does A Butter Knife Look Like?
People often mistake a butter knife for a cheese knife because of its dull nature. Butter knives are much different, as they are usually a lot smaller coming in at under an inch tall. They do not have holes or a fork knife on the end. The end of a butter knife is round.
The reason people mistake them for cheese knives is that they are both dull.
What Does A Soft Cheese Knife Look Like?
A soft cheese knife is usually very thin, with a distinct curv\e to the blade. It also has very rounded edges since there is no need for sharp tips. When cutting soft cheeses, it is best to cut all in one swipe to preserve your slice of cheese and avoid breaking it up into smaller pieces.
Summary
Cheese knives come in many shapes and sizes, and while they may look like odd versions of the classic knife design, they are designed that way for essential reasons. Whether it's a cheese knife with holes, a fork for the tip, or a curved blade for softer cheeses, these knife sets are a vital part of every kitchen and can slice your prep time in half next time you are making a cheese platter or cooking your favorite meal.
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