I just lately realized that the way in which I’ve all the time held my kitchen knife is absolutely unsafe! Study what to keep away from, plus how one can maintain your knife safely proper right here.
A couple of weeks in the past, I wrote this publish about some great benefits of utilizing a rubber reducing board. That publish featured just a few totally different photographs of me reducing meals, and after studying it, a number of eagle-eyed OGT readers left feedback and despatched emails to tell me that I used to be holding my knife all flawed!
Earlier than then, I truthfully had no thought that there have been proper or flawed methods to carry a knife! So with the assistance of my daughter Britta, I sought out the knowledgeable recommendation of our favourite skilled chef, my son-in-law Neil. He taught us so many helpful tips on knife security that I knew I needed to share them with all of you, and that’s what I’ll be doing in at this time’s publish!
So I owe a giant “thanks” each to Neil for setting me straight, and to these readers who drew my consideration to this matter! Immediately’s publish wouldn’t exist with out you, and now we’ll all profit from realizing how one can maintain and use our knives safely!
A Fast Assessment Of Knife Phrases
It’s onerous to explain or perceive how one can maintain a knife if you happen to don’t know which phrases to make use of! So earlier than we soar in, let’s shortly evaluate some primary knife phrases you’ll see used all through this publish:
- Blade – The entrance part of a knife that has a sharpened edge.
- Deal with – The again part of a knife the place it’s meant to be held.
- Bolster – The space the place the blade meets the deal with.
- Backbone – The unsharpened prime fringe of the blade.
How NOT To Hold A Knife
The technique I used to be beforehand utilizing to carry a knife known as the “finger grip,” and in keeping with Chef Neil, it’s a basic instance of how not to carry a knife! With this grip, your index finger is positioned alongside the backbone of the blade, and that’s precisely what makes it such a knife security no-no.
Whereas perching your index finger alongside the backbone might give to a way of management over the blade, the added strain on the backbone could cause your finger to slide, and even tip your knife to 1 facet or the opposite.
Slipping and tipping are under no circumstances fascinating when dealing with a pointy knife, so now I do know to simply say “no” to the finger grip! As a substitute, swap your grip to one of many safer strategies outlined beneath. 🙂
How To Hold A Knife – 2 Secure Grip Choices
Choice #1 – The Deal with Grip
When utilizing the deal with grip, your total hand grips the deal with behind the bolster. It is a stable and cozy grip, making it a good selection each for newcomers and other people with small arms.
The greatest limitation of the deal with grip is that doesn’t provide a lot management by way of precision reducing and slicing. For extra management, think about using the subsequent possibility!
Choice #2 – The Blade Grip (AKA The Pinch Grip)
The blade grip (additionally known as the “pinch grip”) is the popular grip of many skilled cooks and cooks. When utilizing this grip, your thumb and forefinger relaxation in opposition to the blade in entrance of the bolster, whereas the center, ring, and pinky finger are wrapped across the deal with.
With the blade grip, your thumb and index finger are positioned on the steadiness level of the knife. This provides you extra management over the tip of the blade, and since you don’t have to make use of as a lot power, it’s higher on your knife in the long term.
Bonus Tip – Use “The Claw” To Defend Your Fingers
Holding your knife safely is necessary, but it surely’s equally necessary to carry your meals safely too! Holding your meals safely helps maintain your fingers out of hurt’s attain whereas utilizing your knife.
The greatest manner to do that is through the use of a grip known as “the claw.” Hold the meals in place along with your fingers curled, in order that your finger ideas are protected and the center part of your fingers are perpendicular to the reducing board.
When utilizing “the claw” to carry your meals, the center part of your fingers act like a security guard. You’ll be able to’t actually minimize your self until you elevate the blade above your knuckles, so simply ensure that to maintain your knife near the reducing board and your fingers curled.
Which grip do you utilize to carry your kitchen knife?
Classes
Meals & Recipes Brilliant Concepts
