Picking the right knife depends on the task. But you should know the different kinds of blades that are available in the market. You don’t want to get the wrong knife for the kitchen because a little slip here or there and you might lose a finger.
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The Different Knife Blade Materials
It’s important to know which material can take a little additional force and which ones are all about skill. So, here’s a look at the most popular blade materials.
Stainless Steel Blades
This is the most popular material used to make knives everywhere. Stainless steel consists of chromium, iron and alloys made of carbon. This combination makes it strong and highly resistant to corrosion and rust.
You can never have enough of that in the kitchen. That also means you won’t see any discolouration which is a huge plus.
The chromium ensures that the knife doesn’t get stained. It’s also the thing that gives your kitchen knife its shine. Of course, chefs also like it because stainless steel knives are trendy.
And overall, it is known to look good and be durable and strong. It’s also easy to clean and sharpen, which makes it a very good choice. And compared to ceramic or carbon steel knives, these models don’t chip so easily. But they also don’t get as sharp as ceramic or carbon steel knives.
As a result, these knives are known to lose their edge sooner than the other models. That means you’ll have to sharpen them more often than the others. There’s also the matter of the alloys. There are many commercial choices these days which means the quality of steel isn’t a guarantee.
Titanium Blades
Titanium is one of the strongest materials in the world. So, if there was a Captain America in the real world, this is what his shield would be made of. But in the kitchen, you will like a titanium knife because it is extremely resistant to rust.
It’s also non-magnetic if that matters to you. That it is resistant to rust is also why a lot of diving knives and pocket blades are made of titanium.
Now, it’s important to know that it’s not very effective in the kitchen when compared to a ceramic knife or a steel knife because it doesn’t hold the edge very well and it’s not as sharp as you’d like your kitchen knife to be. But if you’re a collector, this one’s a keeper. See if you can find one in dark grey colour because that’s a winner.
Some titanium knives are advertised as the ones made for chefs but those are never all titanium. Typically, it’s a titanium coating on a steel knife. That might not be the worst thing in the world, but it’s certainly false advertising.
Knives with titanium blades tend to be more brittle compared to steel knives. So, that’s another drawback. And despite all this, titanium knives are expensive because it’s a rare metal compared to steel.
Ceramic Blades
These blades are made of aluminium and zirconium dioxide which makes them very much like carbon-steel knives. They are a lot harder than your typical steel blades. So, that’s good news.
These knives are non-magnetic and non-metallic. You want to check what else is added to them because sometimes other materials are added to improve the blade’s durability.
These knives are a hit with many chefs because they are lightweight and some come in interesting patterns which makes them good-looking knives. They also don’t rust easily and don’t have to be sharpened as often as steel blades. And finally, ceramic knives are more affordable.
The problem though is that, these knives are relatively more brittle than carbon steel and regular steel knives. They are good for veggies but not so much for frozen foods or bones. When you do have to sharpen these knives, you need special tools. Ceramic knives are fragile and must be handled carefully.
Damascus Steel
Finally, we have knife blades made of Damascus steel. They are the combination of multiple alloys that are put together through the hammering process. They are strong and have a long and fascinating history.
Back in the day, it was used to make weapons like swords and knives. That’s why these knives are very strong, sharp and durable. These days though, they are more liked for their aesthetics.
That’s because these knives go through an intricate process of crafting. They are celebrated for having sharp edges and are known to stay so for a long time. Durability isn’t something you should worry about with Damascus steel.
So, chefs who want sharp knives can use them as well as collectors who want pretty knives.
Knife Blade Materials: In Conclusion
If you want something as a keepsake, you should go for titanium, ceramic or Damascus steel blades. If you want a strong, everyday blade that’s rust- and corrosion-resistant, you want a stainless-steel knife. That’s the most efficient one in the kitchen.
