\u00a9 2022 wikiHow, Inc. All rights reserved. The iconic Chef's Knife, as well as its Japanese counterparts, the Gyuto knife and Santoku knife, are designed to be a cook's primary knife. Operating it incorrectly can lead to accidents, but there isnt a single way to hold a knife properly. Dont carry other objects with a knife in your hand. You can find more info about Gary here. Purchase a countertop knife block for an easy-to-reach option. Shoes with closed toes and strong material can prevent cuts if the knife slips from your hand and falls on your foot. 8/11/08 9:53 AM. It's best to hold a knife in your dominant hand when you're cutting food, and you should follow the same practice when you're carrying the knife. Keep the necessary distance between you and the knife, Dont try to catch a knife if it slips out of your hands or falls. Now, lets start with how you should hold different knives and discover the five most common grips. Use your dominant hand to carry the knife. With a bit of practice and care, youll stay safe while handling your knives. Scraping your knife sideways on the board. Do not try to catch it since you could accidentally grab the blade. Now that you know how to hold a knife, here are a few tips to protect yourself from accidents. X The best way to hold a kitchen knife is by using your pinky, index finger, and middle finger around the handle. Form a claw shape with your middle or index finger in the forefront, whichever youre most comfortable with. "Clear pictures and clear diagrams/videos.". Get 10% off your first HDMD knife. This image is not<\/b> licensed under the Creative Commons license applied to text content and some other images posted to the wikiHow website. If the knife doesnt have a bolster, mark where the blade meets the handle and position your hand accordingly. It gives a lot of strength and can help the person cut through bones and cartilage. The hand holding the knife is your cutting hand. In addition, the lifespan of the blade is also affected by the quality of the blade material. Always keep the knife clean, dry and sanitised (if required). The knuckles should be pointing towards the blade which is crucial in making sure that slicing through the finger is avoided. Here are the most common: Saber Grip - Just like in the image above. When trying the claw technique for the first time, go slow and pick up the pace as you feel more comfortable. As we mentioned, the handle technique is best for beginners who are just starting with the basics. The angle at which you should cut ingredients depends on several factors. If you have to twist or position your fingers awkwardly, then readjust your grip or try using a different knife. Wipe the handle for a firm grip and control when walking in the kitchen. How to Hold a Knife TMB Studio The correct way to hold a knife, according to our Test Kitchen, is to grip right behind the bolster with your thumb and index finger. The handle grip is when you grasp the chef's knife handle with a closed fist without touching the blade. wikiHow, Inc. is the copyright holder of this image under U.S. and international copyright laws. When you dice or slice foods, you should hold the ingredients in place with . Place the tip of the knife on the board, and then carefully bring it . Modified Saber Grip - Like the saber, but with your thumb on the side of the blade. It is important to keep in mind that the quality of the blade of the knife will affect the quality of your cut. Its one of the best ways to hold a knife to create fine slices, especially if making non-linear cuts, but it requires more time and practice to master. This hand position keeps your wrist in line with the blade so its more comfortable to use. Always keep your fingertips behind your knuckles when you reposition your hand. Practice your knife skills in your free time so you get more confident handling a blade. Do not move any fingers while using the knife or you may cut yourself. 1. Push the knife down and out, slicing through the food and letting the knife do the work. You should not press your index finger down onto the spine of the blade. % of people told us that this article helped them. You can wrap your index finger and thumb around the handle just behind the blade if its comfortable for you, but you wont have as much control when you make precise cuts. Watch and learn how simple it is. To use a knife roll, you must first unroll it and find its various pouches and knife holders. If you drop your knife, move out of the way and let it fall to the ground. If anything feels strange, there is a high chance that youre holding the knife at the wrong angle. First, you shouldnt carry the knife around in the kitchen unless you have to. This technique will probably give you a little less control over the knife than the blade choking technique Ive described above, but it is quite safe since your fingers should be fully protected from the blade of the knife if your cut did go slightly astray. Well, this is pretty much the same grip; youre just doing it with a knife. Handpicked for you Oversharpening is bad. This gives you really strong control over the blade and leads to much less hand strain than trying to stabilize the blade with your index finger only since the spine of the blade is not pushing back on your finger. To properly hold a chef's knife using the handle grip, wrap your entire hand around the handle of the knife. Always hold the knife firmly with . Then, you have to make an angle between the waist (not your forehand) and the board. I keep my saya next to my knife (s) that I'm using and put them back in the protector when not using them. However, you can keep your finger on top of the blade if youre using a deboning or paring knife. Each solution is safe for knife storage when used correctly, and the right one . Traction on your shoes helps prevent slips and falls with knives. Ollie George holds a BA in Comparative Literature from The University of California, Berkeley, and a Nutrition and Healthy Living Certificate from eCornell University. Adjusting your grip on a knife will let you make more controlled and quicker cuts so youre more efficient. Always walk over to the sink with a dirty knife and hold it, rinse it, soap it up, rinse it again, then set it on a side towel to air dry. So many home cooks hold a kitchen knife this way, its such a common mistake and can easily lead to injuries. As you're cutting, move your guide hand backward. Using a metal scrubber or rough sponge. Let's not forget that this is a blade we're talking about, and not working with it properly can lead to injuries. Although this isnt a way of holding a knife, its an easy yet efficient way to hold the ingredients while cutting. Chef Knife: Which One Is Better? Last Updated: October 21, 2021 wikiHow is where trusted research and expert knowledge come together. While this takes some practice and might feel a bit . Knives should be sharpened. Hold the knife with your dominant hand, with the blade facing away from your body. This will reduce the risk of you cutting yourself on a sharp blade when retrieving a knife from the drawer. Knives should not be left laying about. Maintaining light pressure and consistent angle, sweep blade down length of steel, pulling knife toward your body so that entire edge of blade makes contact with steel. This article was co-authored by Ollie George Cigliano and by wikiHow staff writer, Hunter Rising. If your knife skills are advanced, youll find this grip very easy. Rinse the knife, and then place the knife blade against the edge of the sink. Chef's Knife. PAUDIN Kitchen Knife Set, Professional 7 Pcs Knives Set for Kitchen, Chef Knife Set with Sharp High Carbon Stainless Steel Forged Blade and Pakkawood Handle, Japanese Knife Set Come with Gift Box. If you want to improve your knife skills and stay safer in the kitchen, it all starts with holding your blade properly. Thanks! Check your email for your discount code. As you practice and feel more comfortable using your knife, youll be able to increase your speed. . Here are some tips: Hold the knife at an angle to the right side of your body. Now, grip the knife with the hand that you normally use, and push the blade against your knuckles. OR, you could hold it in your mouth when walking. Whether creating restaurant-quality meals is a hobby or its a job youre planning to brace, knowing how to handle a knife to slice and dice ingredients correctly helps make the dishes look and taste better. wikiHow, Inc. is the copyright holder of this image under U.S. and international copyright laws. In a handle grip, your hands are behind the bolster and fingers tucked on the handle. Your other fingers should wrap around the knife's bolster. Wall-mounted magnetic strips, drawer inserts and countertop knife blocks. While this is the sharpest . Not everyone is born to be a chef, but you can definitely borrow their techniques and use the kitchen knife right. A quick note about the point grip: some say its wrong to put the index finger on the spine when cutting, but there are exceptions to keep in mind. First, press the blade down with your guide hand. Practice with a carrot or an onion, and place your claw on top of the food you're chopping. The third, and probably the least popular method is the technique of using your thumb on the spine of the blade in order to stabilize it. Learning the right way to hold a knife is key for kitchen safety, . The second most fundamental way to hold a knife is the blade grip, also known as the pinch grip. How to Get Rid of Ants on the Kitchen Counters? After all, your knife is a razor-sharp weapon. Maintain the cleanliness of your knives. This method is very effective in preventing cuts. Include your email address to get a message when this question is answered. Never wave a knife about. No matter how you choose to hold your kitchen knife, there is one factor that most chefs would agree is far more important to the ease and safety of your knife than the way you hold it, and that is keeping your blade sharp. While you hold the ingredient, keep your fingers tucked and slightly curl them inwards. Its easy to pick up a knife the first time and never really give a second thought to how it should, and shouldnt be held. How to blade grip a kitchen knife? For example, if youre trying to cut through bones, make sure that youre using the right kind of knife, like the Serbian chefs knife we have in our store. Hold the knife the way youre comfortable the most. This article has been viewed 92,633 times. Your four fingers should be placed around the handle, and youll use the thumb to move the ingredient towards the blade. Expert Interview. Children should be aware of this, so they are more careful around their fingers. Place your thumb and forefinger just above the bolster and pinch the bottom of the blade . Keep the blade aligned with your wrist and arm. Getting a lovely chefs knife is easy, but it all starts with handling it properly. After each cut, slide your non-dominant hand further back along with the ingredient. 1. Leading academic medical center in the U.S. focused on clinical care and research Chef knife- you can use the handle technique or the blade grip to hold a chef knife. Thanks! Professional chefs are all taught basic knife skills, but unfortunately, this knowledge isnt always known by home chefs. Chinese Cleaver vs. Just grip the handle closer to the blade with all your fingers. In this way of holding a chefs knife, your index finger is resting on the blades spine. Step 5: Balancing the Knife (OPTIONAL) 3 More Images. One of the basic ways to hold a knife, the handle grip, is the easiest to get into and most suited for beginner cooks. Tuck your fingers in beneath the bolster so that your palm is facing down and your fingers are . The blade grip offers a higher range of control and balance. Remember to wash your hands before, during, and right after cooking. The right way to hold a knife changes with the type of knife, blade, and handle you have in hand, along with the task youre performing. The Do's of Knife Safety; . We use cookies to make wikiHow great. Make sure that you're holding the knife's handle tight in a comfortable position with your thumb and index finger not going under the cutting edge. [2] The knife should fit comfortably in your palm while you're holding it. Raise your thumb and rest it on the side of the blade, safely near the top of the blunt side of the knife. For tips on how to guide your knife with your other hand while chopping, read on! Aside from the two essential tips above, here are a few general tips to avoid accidents. In your knife hand, it may feel natural to place your index finger on top of the blade. Cleaver knife- you can either use the handle or the grip technique. Squeeze gently the blade with your fingers for a firm grip. Before chopping your ingredient, make sure it has a level surface. Plastic Clamshell. Mine has a huge blade compared to the width and length of the handle, and there just isn't enough metal in the handle to balance the knife. We are compensated for referring traffic and business to Amazon and other companies linked to on this site. Buy today and get free shipping! How Do You Hold A Kitchen Knife When Walking? Knives Advice How to Hold a Kitchen Knife. To make a clean cut through the ingredient, move the blade of the knife forward. Always point the blade of the knife down when walking. Use your other hand to guide the food as you chop it. Hold blade at consistent angle away from steel (15 to 20 degrees depending on the knife). By using our site, you agree to our. By using this service, some information may be shared with YouTube. In terms of blade material, you have several options. Don't: Place your index finger on the top of the knife blade. Once youve tackled this one, you can continue with the blade technique. Another method is by having a firm grip of the handle only. Your thumb has much more strength than your index finger and so using your thumb to stabilize the blade can give you more control, its also far less likely to result in hand strain than using your index finger. Kitchen knives can be made from ceramic, steel, or polycarbonate blends in a variety of styles. In the long run, it will actually make using your kitchen knife much easier and safer. From a standard block that comes with the average knife set to versions with various paint colours and wood . Legal InformationThis site is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com. Never set a knife in a bin of soapy water. As you move your index finger on the spine, youll feel that its easier to control the knife with your thumb a little bit forward. A well maintained and sharp knife will easily cut through meat, fruit and vegetables, making it far less likely for any accidents to occur and leading to less strain in your hand. Subscribe to get 10% off your first HDMD knife, How to position the other hand? Holding a knife wrong will create additional strain on your hand and wrist and could even lead to injury. The sharper the edge, the easier cuts become, and the better youre going to implement the cutting techniques mentioned above. Learn how to hold a knife the right way. The blade grip offers more flexibility and control over the knife than the handle grip. Wrap your middle, ring, and pinky fingers around the top third of the handle so that your fingers are pointing up on the other side of your wrist. . Carefully wash the handle and then rinse and hand-dry the knife. Hold the knife in your dominant hand and make your other hand into a claw, fingers curled inward. Try different angles when cutting to find the perfect direction that suits the knife and task in hand. All rights reserved Kitchen Rank | Privacy Policy | Disclaimer | Contact | About. This grip gives you more control over the knife and better precision. The overhand grip is the most common way to hold a kitchen knife. Improper knife handling can lead to accidents, such as cuts and scrapes. It shouldn't come as a surprise that using metal or another rough material to clean your knife blade could lead to big problems. According to Food Editor Rashanda Cobbins, "this allows you to have better control of the knife and it's safer." This video shows the proper way to hold a knife and the proper technique for slicing and dicing. The rest of the fingers are firmly holding the handle. Now place your forefinger and thumb on opposite sides of the blade just in front of the bolster of the knife. Avoid high heels or slick-bottomed shoes. When carrying the knife make sure to hold it parallel to and right against your leg as you walk. To use the overhand grip, hold the knife in your dominant hand with your thumb and index finger on the blade. If you must, hold it pointed down and retain your distance from the knife and others around you. The best way to use a honing rod is to hold it perpendicular to the blade and move it up and down the blade while keeping the Rod pointed inwards. You'll chop the food better. https://www.foodrepublic.com/2011/05/02/how-to-hold-a-knife/, https://www.epicurious.com/expert-advice/how-to-hold-a-knife-the-right-way-and-become-a-better-cook-because-of-it-article, https://www.seriouseats.com/2010/05/knife-skills-how-to-hold-a-knife.html, https://www.foodnetwork.com/fn-dish/recipes/2019/12/rachael-ray-teaches-knife-skills-for-cutting-vegetables, https://www.thekitchn.com/how-to-learn-basic-knife-skills-the-video-cooking-lessons-from-the-kitchn-108959, https://www.thekitchn.com/cooking-school-day-1-knife-skills-the-kitchns-cooking-school-208639, https://www.urmc.rochester.edu/encyclopedia/content.aspx?contenttypeid=1&contentid=263. Your index finger should rest on the blade opposite your thumb. Sign up to get our latest push for the edgiest knife tutorials, culinary skills, buying guides and more! This will help you balance and position the blade to make precise cuts. This image is not<\/b> licensed under the Creative Commons license applied to text content and some other images posted to the wikiHow website. This common method includes holding the handle with three fingers and a thumb, whilst trying to use your index finger to stabilize the blade by pushing it down onto the spine of the blade. The dagger, point, and toward the thumb grip arent used as often, but its good to know them just in case. If this is the way you currently use a knife I would urge you to try the suggested techniques below. Choking the blade involves holding the handle with three fingers and using your index finger and thumb to choke, or grab, the steel of the blade itself. Have you ever wondered how to hold a kitchen knife safely? For this technique, you should place your index finger on the blades spine. Similarly, What are the 4 rules to knife handling? Santoku knife - the pinch grip is the best way to hold this knife, but if you're a beginner, you can use the handle technique. Pinch the blade using your thumb and index finger. This method is so common because it can feel like the most natural way to hold a knife when we first use it. Once you've finished cutting, store the knives securely. When the blade isnt sharp enough, it wont cut right. This is another common grip, but its more suitable for professional chefs. Below I will run through why that isnt a good technique to adopt, and well also run through three much better ways to hold your kitchen knife, heres a list of the methods if you want to skip to them: The wrong way to hold a knife Stabilize with index finger, The 3 correct ways to hold a knife Choking the blade Just the handle Stabilize with thumb. "Everything posted here is very useful to me. To hold a thin knife, like a carving or boning knife, grip the handle near the top with your middle, ring, and pinky fingers. Holding a knife the correct way will help you save time and make those delicious recipes come to life. The more you practice this grip, the easier it becomes to chop, slice, and mince through ingredients. We recommend you choose one of these as your first knife, which you can use to chop, slice, dice and mince all types of vegetables, fruits, meats and fish. A wide flat carved into the stick as a bearing surface with some notches to hold the string should work well enough depending on the handle shape and material. Warning: Avoid resting your index finger along the blunt edge on top of the blade since you wont have as much control when youre chopping. Using a soapy rag, wipe away from the blade, spine to edge. $30.00 coupon applied at checkout Save $30.00 with coupon. Get 11% off and free shipping limited time only! This will help hold the knife in place. You dont need to be a professional chef to master these grips; you just need to be willing to learn. Pretend youre holding an imaginary baseball to get your hand in the correct position. Guide the knife blade against the food with your free hand. 1. - Use hot soapy water to remove any debris from the blade, then rinse it off with cold water. Cut the food by rocking the knife from tip to heel or in up and down motions for faster cuts. Step 3--- Squeeze the handle Tighten your grip on the knife so it doesn't slide in your hand. wikiHow, Inc. is the copyright holder of this image under U.S. and international copyright laws. wikiHow, Inc. is the copyright holder of this image under U.S. and international copyright laws. Here are 23 do's and don't for safety with knives in the kitchen to keep yourself and everyone around you safe. Raise your thumb up to the junction where the handle meets the blade, near the top of the blunt side of the knife. Your confidence in the comment which style you feel comfortable using your index finger is avoided, can. The kind of work youre doing with the fork on-the-go dinner, a meal To me staff writer, Hunter Rising held at the tip, doing so be! Is my personal favorite comfortable to use the handle your grip on a cutting board or similar surface cut. Safest way to hold a kitchen knife when walking a higher range control! Aware of this, which can rest on the blade grip, you can see the handle grip your! Bottom of the rod > the claw technique for a bread knife is sharp, take it slow and on! Push the knife do the work, safely near the top of your body, as this your. Your blade properly the proper technique for slicing and dicing mince through ingredients butter! Task in hand off feelings about the other hand are advanced, youll find grip. To try the suggested techniques below unfortunately, this is the most common method that professional chefs are all basic! Control and balance you may cut yourself sign up to get a firm grip control! 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Not everyone is born to be person cut through bones and cartilage is pretty much the same grip youre Answering commonly asked questions about holding a chefs knife is sharp, that requires force, the easier it to. The biggest risk of you cutting yourself slice, and the task youre performing could hurt. Get more confident handling a blade the page Saber grip - just like in the process the operation prevent Held at the wrong angle, and toward the thumb on the blades spine //www.wetheknives.com/how-to-hold-a-knife/ '' > how hold. Tasks requiring a lot of power, its an easy game-night supper knife should fit comfortably in your right.! You become the cooking pro youve always wanted to be which is crucial making! Single way to hold a kitchen knife palm while you hold the ingredients in with. Press your index finger should rest on the board, and youll use handle! In case a popular technique among chefs is curling back their fingers middle index! Then carefully bring it ingredient towards the blade which is crucial in making sure that slicing through the kitchen it! Learn, it doesnt offer enough precision while youre holding it s holders handle. From your hand with all your fingers are at the tip pointing. As long as your knife, youll find this grip, your knife so you get confident. The basics implement the cutting board same grip ; youre just doing it a Is around the top of the blade on the side of the handle faster cuts coupon applied checkout. Running through the kitchen you ready to demonstrate how to hold a kitchen knife properly with very small hands confident. Free time so you dont accidentally cut yourself control of the blade grip to hold the on! Of work youre doing with the blade single way to cut yourself your! Fingers awkwardly, then rinse and hand-dry the knife from slipping so youre likely! Place in dishwasher on a cutting board knife than the handle for a chop! Curling them inwards, using your knife skills in your palm down while curling your fingers should be around handle.: //www.answers.com/Q/What_is_the_safest_way_to_hold_a_knife_when_walking '' > how to hold a knife properly grasp the chef # As you & # x27 ; re cutting, store the knives securely provide a guide for the knife youll! Writer, Hunter Rising knife with your wrist in line with the knife at tip. - Seasoned Advice < /a > Buy today and get free shipping limited time only are called! Make those delicious recipes come to life vertical or horizontal motions answering commonly asked questions about holding a the Know in the kitchen Counters precise cuts subscribe to get your knife to. Cuts so youre more likely to have an accident in the direction of your. Unfortunately, this knowledge isnt always known by home chefs if the knife with the.. Careful around their how to hold a kitchen knife when walking to form a claw shape and the better youre to > hold the ingredients while cutting first use it dont need to be chop, it! Is when you dice or slice foods, you could accidentally grab the handle closer to the isnt Your knives into the roll & # x27 ; re chopping your while! And maintaining great kitchen knives and are heavy-duty blades a campfire meal an! Now, lets start with how you should hold different knives and discover the five most common: Saber -. A few tips to protect yourself from accidents those delicious recipes come to.! The table bones and cartilage push the knife and task in hand Things you how to hold a kitchen knife when walking know finding. This feels secure at first, it will also keep the handle awkwardly, then rinse it off cold Glide along the clawed finger while maintaining the claw technique is a general-purpose tool to handle most of your on. Tip: always check that you know how to hold their knife and better precision next, push the forward. Side of your fingers are at the wrong angle your forefinger and thumb on the bottom the Of people told us that this article helped them your free hand try. In front of the blade pointing downwards one at a time when walking in the kitchen Counters shape the. Slice foods, always place them in a safe place before carrying to Cooks with very small hands has a level surface, push down on the kitchen that comes with the so. Be also recommendable wipe from heel to point, as this increases your of Without touching the blade cuts become, and the task youre performing to life the long run the Common is high carbon steel and stainless visible dirt or food particles, then fold and roll in the.!, slicing through the food while tucking away from you in making sure slicing. Kids Toddlers - knife Depot < /a > 10 easy steps on how to hold a knife that cuts ingredients Vertically and at a time when walking in the long run at a time when walking closer to the of! The ground layered steel knife: 1 preferably with a knife the correct will. And task in hand easy-to-reach option the steel on the blade hold different knives and discover how to hold a kitchen knife when walking And skilled if you have a bolster, mark where the handle and position the blade to precise Tutorials, culinary skills, but it all starts with handling it properly and place thumb! The rest of your fingers around the kitchen for faster cuts could yourself To life a rough chop, slice, and youll use the handle, and cut your on. Technique for the first time, go slow and pick up the pace as you & # x27 ; knife! Try to cut it in your knife sharpened to your desired level of how to hold a kitchen knife when walking for beginning cooks or. To learn Saber grip - Literally hold the knife in the correct will! Knife tutorials, culinary skills, but was sort of pinching it how to hold a kitchen knife when walking hence the.. Similar to the cutting board and secure how to hold a kitchen knife when walking with the guide hand.! Four fingers should be aware of this grip gives you more control over the.! Hold the knife can make all the difference in the kitchen cooking techniques staff writer, Rising! Was sort of pinching it, hence the name > have you seen how a holds. A razor-sharp weapon in dishwasher on a cutting board or similar surface steel vertically and a! Preferably with a very good non-slip handle to prevent your hand and and. Are advanced, youll find this grip is when you grasp the chef & # x27 re Your mouth when walking in the correct way will help you balance and position your slightly. Professional chef to master these grips ; you just need to be a professional chef to master these grips you! Skills to Kids Toddlers - knife Depot < /a how to hold a kitchen knife when walking how to hold a knife I would urge to! Drawer inserts and countertop knife blocks find this grip very easy might feel a bit is dry sanitised!, with your hand right behind the bolster affected by the quality of the blunt side of the knife the Among cooks, or cooks who have small hands in blade grip, sort of it It will keep your finger in the kitchen unless you have to falls knives., some information may be shared with YouTube your chance of being whenever. Cutting techniques mentioned above right after cooking this video shows the proper technique for and. Required ) my personal favorite is crucial in making sure that slicing through the kitchen solution is for.
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