Stainless Steel Knives

It’s hard to imagine working in the kitchen without properly sharp and ergonomic knives. If you don’t want to spend a fortune on a functional set of different types of blades, you can opt for the most popular stainless steel kitchen knives. This material is not used most often for the production of Japanese knives, but also pots or cutlery for a reason. It has many practical advantages, and most importantly – an excellent price-to-quality ratio.
What is stainless steel?
Steel can be called stainless if it contains at least 10.5% chromium. Stainlessness is resistance to rusting in humid air. It’s also associated with resistance to the acids you can find in the kitchen. A stainless steel knife therefore doesn’t react with acids found in fruits, for example. It also doesn’t leave a metallic taste in dishes. The chromium content in stainless steel protects the material from oxidation and thus from corrosion. The smoother the steel, the better the stainless effect. If the steel surface becomes rough, it may be susceptible to rusting, which is why knives are polished very carefully. This is also important in the context of how easy they are to keep clean.
Features of stainless steel knives
As a rule, stainless steel used for the production of kitchen equipment is enriched not only with chromium but also with carbon. Thanks to these compounds, it becomes even more practical, harder, and more resistant to damage. The steel is always subjected to thermal treatment at very high temperatures, which increase its hardness. The process of producing steel knives is not the easiest, as it requires the use of an optimal tempering temperature – too high a temperature would lead to the blade shattering. A good stainless steel knife is therefore both hard and resistant to mechanical damage. What’s more, it’s not subject to corrosion, so it remains easy to maintain and hygienic. Rust should never come into contact with food, as it has a negative impact on health and well-being. For this reason, so many kitchen accessories are made from this steel.
Stainless steel knives – what are their advantages?
Kitchen knives are chosen primarily for their affordable price and the high quality that correlates with it. The steel blade is resistant to mechanical damage, such as breaking, cracking, scratching, chipping, or other defects. What’s more, the steel is also insensitive to temperature and does not deform under its influence. Thanks to this, a steel knife can be used to cut very hot dishes, such as roasts taken directly from the oven. Stainless knives are suitable for cutting meat, fruits, and vegetables. They are therefore fully universal, especially since they come in many variants to choose from – a stainless steel chef’s knife, bread knife, or paring knife are a must-have in every kitchen.
How to choose the best stainless steel knife?
When buying knives made of popular “stainless steel,” you should pay attention primarily to their durability, that is, the ability to withstand loads due to pressure. The hardness of stainless steel kitchen knives is measured on the Rockwell scale (HRC). The harder the knife, the more resistant it is to abrasion. It’s worth remembering, however, that a very hard knife – although it stays sharp longer – is also more difficult to sharpen on your own. In addition, some high-end knife models should be less hard (and thus brittle) and more flexible. The elasticity of steel is its ability to return to its original shape after deformation. This is a desirable feature for thin knives, for example for filleting. In addition to the blade, an important part of the knife is the handle: you can primarily choose between natural wood and plastic.
How to care for a stainless steel knife?
High-quality Japanese knives don’t require any complicated maintenance. They can be washed in a dishwasher and stored in a humid environment. You don’t need to wipe them dry or rub them with oil. They are therefore very easy to maintain, ideal for those who don’t have time for complicated kitchen equipment care. We particularly recommend these knives for people who appreciate the highest quality of workmanship in kitchen gadgets and accessories. Some of them are made only to individual order, and one copy of such a knife can cost around 2,000 – 3,000 zlotys and more.

Also check out our kitchen knife ranking
Also check out other types and kinds of Japanese knives:
Masamoto Knives Masashi Yamamoto Knives Masahiro Knives Masutani Knives Sujihiki Kiritsuke Petty/Pairing Honesuki Boning Knife Bread Knife Slicing/Sashimi Knife Fish Filleting Knife Sushi Knives Aogami #2 Aogami Super AUS-8 AUS-10