5 KNIVES EVERY HOME CHEF NEEDS
You’re not in college anymore. Get some real knives.
The knife Drawer Problem:
It’s Time to Retire the Bayonet.
Every college house has one: the “I just gained independence and now I have to cook” assorted knife drawer. It comes complete with:
Four rusty IKEA steak knives
Two Dull Amazon Basics chef knives
One WWII bayonet tip passed down from your red-blooded, steak-and-eggs-loving grandfather (Thanks for the USAA membership, Papa.)
WWII knives today.
SHARPNESS > QUANTITY
Yes, these five knives will change your kitchen game. But if they’re all dull, they’re just expensive kitchen props. You’re better off owning one sharp chef’s knife than a whole drawer of neglected blades.
I’ve seen $300 knives that couldn’t slice through memory foam. If you want a paperweight, go to the train tracks and grab a rock. If you want a knife, keep it sharp.
People often ask me: “Is a cheap knife worth sharpening?”
Well, a dull knife isn’t worth having. Either get it sharpened or toss it.
THE CORE FIVE:
You Really Only Need These Knives.
Let’s be real: cooking with one dull chef knife and your grandpa’s deer skinner isn’t “resourceful”—it’s reckless. You can’t build a solid kitchen with just one tool. Try slicing tomatoes, peeling garlic, and carving chicken with the same blade and see how fast dinner turns into a crime scene. Having the right knife for the job makes cooking faster, cleaner, and way less frustrating. Trust me. Your food (and your fingers) will thank you.
There are just five essential knives every home chef needs. Everything else is noise. Let’s break it down:
1. ThE Chef’s Knife: The Beyoncé of Your Kitchen
Who can sing, dance, act, and is trusted by all of America? Your chef knife…and Beyoncé.
Beyoncé is your all-purpose superstar. She’s the first knife off the wall (get a magnetic knife strip—you're an adult) and the last one rinsed in the sink.
With 8–10 inches of blade and legs for days, this knife does 80% of the work.
Why you need it: Chops, dices, slices, and even kind of juliennes when you're trying to impress someone on a date.
MY CHEF KNIFE RECOMMENDATION:
Cangshan Kita 8” — $130
2. THE PARING KNIFE: THe tiny ninja assassin
We’re getting into the role players now.
The paring knife is the gritty defender taking on all the tedious tasks Beyoncé won’t touch. Small, precise, perfect for peeling, trimming, and delicate slicing.
Why you need it: You can’t peel an apple with a machete. (Hey, stop that. You just thought about trying it. Let it go.)
MY PARING KNIFE RECOMMENDATION:
3. The Bread Knife: The State Flower of Iowa (you read that right)
The bread knife is misunderstood but vital. It’s got a serrated edge that tears through bread, tomatoes, cake, or anything with a tough exterior and soft interior.
If you’re using your bread knife on tomatoes because your chef’s knife squishes them, it’s time for professional knife sharpening. (hit me up)
Why you need it: Saves your sourdough (and your dignity.)
MY BREAD KNIFE RECOMMENDATION:
4. THE BONING KNIFE: Sixth Man of the Year
The team is down 10. It’s late in the third. Suddenly, you need to trim a slab of meat. All hope is lost—until …
“YIPPEE-KAY-YAY, MOTHER Ffff—”
*I swear, if there’s a ten-year-old reading this, I’m gonna lose it.The boning knife checks into the game, trims all the meat, and jump-starts the team's comeback. You won’t need your boning knife for every meal but when you do, he’s the only one you can count on.
Flexible and thin, this knife is ideal for meat, poultry, and fish.
Why you need it: Break down proteins at home like a champ. Get money. Look cool.
MY BONING KNIFE RECOMMENDATION:
Victorinox Fibrox Pro Boning Knife (The go-to for butchers.) — $35
5. The Utility Knife: The Middle Child Who Finally Gets Credit
This one’s the overlooked MVP of the drawer. It lives somewhere between the paring and the chef’s knife and quietly handles all the oddball tasks that don’t fit cleanly into anyone else’s job description.
Analogy: If the chef’s knife is Batman, this is Robin. (But cooler. And with better snacks.)
Why you need it: Sandwiches, fruit, avocados, rogue wedges of cheese. This is your go-to for anything that makes you go, “What knife do I use for this?”
MY UTILITY KNIFE RECOMMENDATION:
Victorinox Utility Blade (Trusty and underrated.) — $45
*Author’s Note: What’s really great is my sister (who has to edit this post) is the middle child.*Editor’s Note: I am a goddess among boys. Bow before me and weep, you mere mortals.*Author’s Note (Again): Anyway. Utility knives. They’re great. Let’s move on.HONORABLE MENTIONS:
Knives That Are Probably in Your Drawer Right Now
Honing Steel
Keeps your edges straight between mobile sharpening visits.
Santoku Knife
A nice alt to the chef’s knife, but not mandatory.
Cleaver Knife
Awesome if you break down meat or star as the villain in a horror movie.
Steak Knives
Great for eating. Stop cooking with them.
TLDR:
You only need five knives.
Get a chef’s, paring, bread, boning, and utility knife.
Dull knives = sadness and ER visits.
Use them. Love them. Sharpen them.
Be the knife you wish to see in the world.
AND IF YOU’RE In the Dallas area and Need Your Knives Sharpened? We’ve Got You.
We offer professional mobile knife sharpening across Central Texas for home chefs and commercial restaurants and businesses.
No gimmicks. No dull blades. Just razor-sharp edges from people who give a damn.
📍 Drop-off and pick-up options available.
🔪Contact us to book
