Knife Guides
Everything we know about kitchen knives, written down. Sixty guides on steel, shape, sharpening and care — no fluff, no filler, just the answers we give customers every day. Every knife we make is backed by a 99-day home trial and a free lifetime guarantee, so you can test any of this advice in your own kitchen.
Damascus and steel, explained
What the pattern actually is, what the numbers on a spec sheet mean, and why two knives that look identical can perform completely differently.
- Deciphering the Mystique: The Damascus Pattern
- What Is Damascus Steel? The Complete Guide for Knife Buyers
- Damascus Steel vs. Stainless Steel: Which Is Best?
- Is Damascus Steel Good?
- How Is Damascus Steel Made?
- A Closer Look at Real Damascus Steel
- Discovering the Best Damascus Knives
- Types of Steel for Knives
- A Deep Dive into the Best Steel for Kitchen Knives
- Why Carbon Steel Knives Are Loved by Professional Chefs
- What Is the Rockwell Hardness Scale?
- Best Hardness Rating for Kitchen Knives
- Understanding Knife Materials and Edge Retention
See the steel for yourself in the Damascus Dynasty, Feather Forge and Kaiju series.
Knife shapes and comparisons
Gyuto, santoku, bunka, nakiri, kiritsuke. Which shape does what, and which one you actually need.
- Santoku vs. Bunka vs. Chef Knife
- Nakiri vs. Chef vs. Santoku vs. Bunka
- Demystifying Japanese Knife Types: Nakiri, Bunka, Gyuto and Sujihiki
- Facts You Need to Know About a Bunka Knife
- Best Nakiri Knife: Top Picks for Precision Vegetable Cutting
- The Different Types of Knife Blades
- Paring Knives: Small Blades with Big Impact
- 10 Paring Knife Uses You May Not Know
- Unlocking the Full Potential of Your Bread Knife
- Why Does a Fillet Knife Need to Be Flexible?
Shop by shape: chef knives, Japanese specialty knives, paring knives, bread and serrated knives, utility and fillet knives.
Cleavers
The most underrated knife in most kitchens, and the one our customers ask about most.
- The Ultimate Guide to Chinese Cleavers
- The Art of Meat Cleavers: From Blades to Balance
- Best Cleaver Knife: 6 Razor-Sharp Cleavers
- Everything You Didn’t Know You Could Do With a Cleaver
Browse every cleaver we make, including the Snažan Heritage Cleaver that started the brand.
How a knife is built, and how it feels
Tang, balance, handle material, forged versus stamped — the details that decide whether a knife is a pleasure or a chore to use.
- Knife Anatomy 101: Know Your Heel from Your Spine
- Understanding Knife Anatomy: Parts and Terminology
- Full Tang vs. Partial Tang Knives
- Knife Tangs Explained: Full, Hidden and Rat-Tail Designs
- Why Knife Balance and Weight Matter
- What Are the Best Handle Materials for Knives?
- Hand-Forged vs. Stamped Knives: Which Is Better?
- Best Hand-Forged Knives: All You Need to Know
- Top Qualities of a Good Cooking Knife
Sharpening, honing and rust
A sharp knife is a safe knife. Here is how to keep yours that way, and how to rescue one that has been neglected.
- Sharpen Your Knife Like a Pro
- Sharpen vs. Hone: When and How to Maintain Your Blades
- How to Use a Sharpening Rod
- Why Your Knives Are Getting Dull (and What to Do About It)
- How to Effectively Get Rust Off Your Knife
- How to Remove Rust From Kitchen Knives
Choosing a knife or a set
What is worth paying for, what is not, and how to build a set that earns its place on the counter.
- Cheap vs. Expensive Knives
- Do You Really Need a Whole Knife Set?
- The Only 3 Knives You Need
- The Best Budget-Friendly Knife Sets for New Homeowners
- New Home Buyer Kitchen Essentials
- Best Knife for Cutting Meat
- Best Knives for Brisket Slicing
- Carving Knives: Choosing the Best for Meats and Poultry
- Choosing the Best Knife for Turkey Carving
Ready to buy? Start with knife sets and deals or the butcher and slicing knives. Every purchase includes the 99-day home trial and free lifetime guarantee.
Technique and safety
Grip, speed and control. The habits that make prep faster and keep your fingers where they belong.
- Knife Skills 101: Tips for Safe and Precise Cutting
- How to Hold a Knife Like a Chef
- How to Cut Vegetables Faster and More Safely
- How to Split or Butterfly a Fish
- 6 Basic Knife and Kitchen Safety Rules
Storage, sheaths and display
How you store a knife between jobs does as much for the edge as how you sharpen it.
- Why You Need a Sheath for Your Knife
- 5 Ways to Display Your Knives as Kitchen Art
- Advantages of a Magnetic Knife Strip
Protect your edge with a fitted knife sheath.
Looking for something else? Every article we have published lives on the blog.