Let us guide you as you register for your ideal cutlery. These tips and resources will help you understand what to look for when choosing knives, as well as how to sharpen and clean the ones you select.
Food for Thought
- Hold different knives to see how they feel in your hand. Choose a style that feels secure, comfortable and well-balanced in your grip -- like an extension of your arm.
- Consider registering for a set of knives as well as individual knives. A set provides the basics, and individual knives offer versatility for special tasks.
- Add two of the same knife to your registry -- a chef's knife, for example -- so you and your spouse can work together in the kitchen.
- Be sure to include a carving knife and meat fork on your list if you plan to serve holiday meals.
- Register for good-quality steak knives. They usually come in sets of four, so be sure to add enough sets to accommodate all your guests.
- To keep all your cutlery in top condition, include a honing steel and knife sharpener on your list.
Knife Care
Honing: Your knife's blade develops imperceptible distortions over time. Honing straightens and realigns the blade. A handheld sharpening steel applied periodically will keep your knife in top condition.
Sharpening: With each use, a knife's blade becomes slighly duller. Sharpening restores the original angle of the blade. An electric sharpener is the easiest way to give back cutlery its razor-sharp edge.
Cleaning: Fine cutlery should never be washed in the dishwasher; the intense heat and radical temperature changes will dull the knife blade and may cause the handle to deteriorate. After each use, carefully wash knives by hand in warm soapy water, then rinse and thoroughly dry them with a soft towel.
Storing: Never keep your cutlery loose in a drawer or in containers with other utensils. Instead, store knives in a block or in a drawer with a special cutlery insert. This will protect the blades and keep sharp edges safely covered. Wall-mounted racks, magnetic knife bars or individual knife sheaths are other safe ways to store cutlery.
Using the proper knife for the job helps ensure the best results. Our sets include the most frequently used knives, each designed for a particular culinary task, as well as wood blocks for easy storage.
One of the most hardworking knives in the kitchen, the chef's knife is designed for chopping, slicing, dicing and mincing fresh fruits and vegetables.
A serrated bread knife cuts through crusty loaves without crushing or tearing. It's also ideal for cutting tomatoes and citrus fruits.
A utility knife is especially handy for peeling and slicing produce and for carving small cuts of meat.
This indispensable knife is handy for precise food-prep tasks such as peeling, slicing, trimming and dicing smaller fruits and vegetables.
Essential for keeping your knives razor sharp, a steel smooths and realigns the blade's worn edge.
A knife sharpener allows you to restore blades to their original factory-sharp condition.
You'll find innumerable uses for kitchen shears, from trimming pastry dough and snipping herbs to cutting twine and parchment paper.
Designed to keep cutlery organized and easily accessible, a block provdes safe storage while protecting knives' sharp edges.
This large fork holds meats in place during carving. It's also useful for serving, allowing you to easily transfer sliced meat onto a platter or dinner plate.
A long, narrow blade makes it easy to slice meat, poultry or fish into neat, even portions. Some blades have oval serrations that help prevent food from sticking.
The perfect partners for thick, juicy steaks and chops, these substantial knives have sharper blades than traditional dinner knives.
Cutting boards are available in wood or heat-resistant plastic. For safety and efficiency, use one board for meat and poultry, and another for produce and bread.
For the Well Equipped Kitchen
Cooks with specific interests or specialties may want to register for additional cutlery items. Here are our suggestions: