The most indispensable kitchen tool.
A good kitchen knife is debatably the most indispensable kitchen tool- and with good reason. A good knife can make quick work of almost any ingredient and with proper honing and maintenance, will last decades if not a lifetime. A Sharp knife is the safest way to cut – A dull knife requires more force to make a cut, and makes the possibility of cutting oneself more likely. You should not be putting much force behind your knife to get the results you want – If you are, bring your knives into the shop and we can discuss proper maintenance and care with you! A slicing motion, or a single cut downward is the correct way to be cutting -one should never “saw” or move the knife back and forth to complete a cut. This is going to hack up whatever you are trying to cut, as opposed to cleanly slicing through. (Particularly with meats!)
We suggest 3 essential knives that everyone should own: a Paring knife, a Chef Knife and some type of serrated knife. These three definitive knife styles are perfect to cover kitchen basics no matter what one is cooking. A good Chef knife is probably most important – We call a sturdy Chef knife a “workhorse”, meaning that you can do almost anything with this knife. From cutting up a whole chicken or dicing up a hefty squash to mincing herbs finely. The Size and shape is suitable for a plethora of tasks. A paring knife, is made for smaller work and easier to wield than the hefty chef’s knife. It is perfect for coring an apple and other precise work. Serrated knives (either a bread knife or a utility knife) are great for things like bread, Tomatoes & lemons. These and other items either have a thick skin or delicate one- either way we do not want to be squishing the item as we cut. The serrations enable the knife to cut without squishing, and also retain an edge much longer than a straight edge knife.
At Artichoke, we discourage buying knives in sets – While you may buy a 13 pc knife set for a great deal, over time you may find that you are only using 4 of these knives. That is why we recommend starting with our “Holy Trinity” of a paring, chef & serrated Knife and building a set to suit your needs.
Everyone cooks differently & everyone cuts differently – That is why we want customers to be able to step in our test kitchen and feel their way to the perfect knife for them. Vegetarians & Vegans have different knife needs than butchers & Meat-lovers. Up-and-Down choppers like the feel of a different knife than those that cut by rocking back and forth.
These differences make every customer individual, and we want to help you build your own set of kitchen knives that are perfect for the way that you cut & cook. Whether you’d like everything from the same company, or you want to mix and match brands and styles, we are here to help find the perfect knife for you!
Zwilling Pro.
Zwilling Pro features a unique curved bolster that acts as an extension of the hand, supporting the professional pinch grip, with thumb and index finger on the blade. Making it safe for cutting and ensuring less fatigue. The blade was designed with a broad curve in the front to facilitate the rocking motion of Western cutting, while the straight back is ideal for the Asian chopping motion. The full length of the blade can be used when cutting and can be sharpened from bolster to tip.
Zwilling Pro 6” Chef or 8” Chef
Wüsthof Classic.
Located in Western Germany near the banks of the Wupper River, Solingen has been home to master blacksmiths for over 2,000 years. It’s even long renowned as “The City of Blades.” The many creeks and spillways of the river were perfectly suited to provide power for the production of blades in the 18th and 19th centuries. It was then, in the year 1814, when Wüsthof first got its start in Solingen.
Wüsthof 6” Cooks or 8” Cook
Messermeister.
Messermeister is the combination of two words, “messer” meaning knife and “meister” meaning master. Messermeister has been making the highest quality knives in Solingen, the cutlery capital of Germany for 4 decades, and is 100% woman-owned! They are not only gorgeous, but the quality and balance is superb, and the feel in your hand of the olive wood or walnut handles is simply incomparable.
Messermeister Oliva Elite 8” or Royale Elite 8”
Miyabi Birchwood.
Bring honor to every meal with Miyabi Knives. These superior knives are a product of centuries-old techniques, top-quality steel, and a contemporary hardening process that ensures amazing precision with every slice. Made in Seki, Japan—an ancient center of samurai sword-making— by skilled artisans, these blades are the perfect balance of beauty and utility. They feature true Damascus steel construction, with 101 layers surrounding a Cryodur-hardened SG2 microcarbide steel core. The result is a delicate Damascus pattern merged with a Rockwell hardness of 63.
Miyabi Birchwood 8” Chef
Kikuichi.
750 Years of Quality and Tradition.
For more than 750 years, Kikuichi Cutlery has been producing knives with the same commitment to quality and craftsmanship as their samurai swords. Kikuichi’s knives are not manufactured in a large factory, instead, their production method is similar to the old guild style of manufacturing common in Japan and Europe. In this production method, artisans specialize in a specific part of the production process to create a single knife. Bladesmiths, Sharpening masters, Handle makers, and Finishing experts all contribute to the production process. A minimum of 4 master craftsmen work on each knife before it is ready for the hand etched Kikuichi logo and the chrysanthemum symbol.
Nickel Warikomi Damascus.
The Nickel Warikomi Damascus series may be the most nimble knives you ever hold. This thin and agile 45 layer damascus blade has a edge of AUS10, one of the finest modern Japanese blades available. Matched with a Rosewood handle and Ebony ferrule this series is beautiful and functional, and destined to be the showpiece of any kitchen.
Kikuichi Nickel Warikomi Damascus 8” Chef
Kikuichi Kurouchi Carbon Clad.
The Kuro series is a heavy ironclad knife that feels substantial in the hand while the Walnut handle is smooth and warm. The White #2 Carbon edge with soft black iron cladding provides a distinctive look as the final layer of iron has an oxide coating to help prevent rust. Heavy and solid, these knives are heavy duty workhorses.
Kikuichi Kuro Series 7” Santoku
Edge Knife Works.
Tradition in a modern world. We love beautifully hand-forged knives, and are particularly impressed with the high degree of craftsmanship, balance, and materials found in these kitchen knives from Edge Knife Works in Northern Kentucky. Each knife is unique, reflecting the artisan process of designing the form, crafting the blade, fashioning the handles, and attaching them with brass rivets.
Edge Knife Works 8” Chef (Available in Black & Natural)
Henckels Classic Precision.
High-quality German stainless steel strengthens this durable, Spanish-made knife. It features a razor-sharp blade that’s ideal for everyday use. With a seamless transition from blade to handle, Classic Precision knives’ fully forged construction provides balance as the rounded spine and curved triple-rivet handles encourage tireless cutting. Cut with confidence, with this essential kitchen cutlery by the leader in value-driven knives since 1895.
Henckels Classic Precision 6″ Chef
Kyocera Ceramic.
Developed and manufactured in Japan, Kyocera’s proprietary blade technology has become the benchmark in many key industries and is considered the leading brand in ceramic knives and kitchen tools. Kyocera advanced ceramic blades offer superior edge retention, holding their edge longer than traditional kitchen knives. Because they are ceramic, Kyocera knives and kitchen tools won’t brown foods, won’t transfer a metallic taste or smell, and will never rust. Half the weight of traditional knives and kitchen tools, Kyocera’s products provide a new experience in cutting fruits and vegetables. Perfectly balanced and lightweight, these ceramic knives reduce fatigue during repetitive cutting tasks and make meal preparation easy and fun.
Kyocera Ceramic 6” Chef
Have a Knife Day!
Stop by to try the knives in our collection. While we only displayed our chef’s knives here, we have full lines available for purchase in-store.