There’s nothing quite like savoring a delicious cheese plate accompanied by a glass of wine with friends or family. And while the cheese selection is undoubtedly crucial, having the right set of cheese knives can make all the difference.

Whether you’re a cheese connoisseur or simply enjoy the occasional cheese platter, it’s essential to have the right tools to cut popular cheese varieties the right way. But with so many different types of cheese knives available, it can be challenging to know which ones to choose.

That’s why we’ve put together the ultimate guide to choosing cheese knives. From the different types of cheese knives to their functions and features, we’ll cover everything you need to know to make an informed decision.

So, whether you’re a seasoned cheese lover or a newbie, get ready to upgrade your cheese game with the right set of cheese knives!

What is the benefit of a cheese knife?

A cheese knife is a specialized tool designed for cutting and serving cheese. It typically has a sharp, pointed blade that is used for slicing through hard or semi-soft cheese without damaging the texture or structure of the cheese.

There are several benefits to using a cheese knife:

1. Precision: A cheese knife allows you to cut cheese with precision, ensuring that each slice is even and the cheese maintains its shape.
2. Versatility: Cheese knives come in a variety of shapes and sizes, making them versatile tools that can be used to cut different types of cheese, from soft and creamy to hard and crumbly.
3. Presentation: A cheese knife can help you create an attractive cheese plate or board, with neatly sliced cheese arranged in an appealing way.
4. Avoiding contamination: By using a dedicated cheese knife, you can avoid cross-contamination between different types of cheese, as well as other foods.
5. Safety: A cheese knife is designed to be used safely, with a sharp blade and a handle that allows for a secure grip. This reduces the risk of injury when cutting cheese.

Overall, a cheese knife is a useful tool for anyone who enjoys cheese, whether you’re serving it at a party or simply enjoying it as a snack at home.

Why do cheese knives have holes?

Cheese knives often have holes in the blade to prevent the cheese from sticking to the blade while cutting. Cheese can be a very sticky food, especially when it is soft or semi-soft, so the holes in the cheese knife allow air to flow through the blade, which reduces the surface area that comes into contact with the cheese.

This helps to prevent the cheese from sticking to the blade, making it easier to cut and reducing the risk of the cheese becoming squished or deformed during the cutting process.

Additionally, the holes in a cheese knife may also serve as a way to allow the cheese to be aerated as it is cut. This can help to enhance the flavors and aroma of the cheese by exposing it to more air, which can help to release and intensify its natural flavors.

All in all, the holes in cheese knives serve both functional and aesthetic purposes, helping to make the process of cutting and serving cheese easier and more enjoyable.

Why are cheese knives so small?

Cheese knives are typically smaller than other knives because they are designed to serve a specific purpose. Cheese knives are used to cut through cheese without causing it to crumble or break apart. In order to achieve this, cheese knives have a shorter blade than a typical kitchen knife, which allows for more control and precision when cutting.

Additionally, many cheese knives have a specialized shape that allows them to be used for a specific type of cheese. For example, a cheese knife for soft cheese may have holes in the blade to prevent the cheese from sticking to the knife, while a cheese knife for hard cheese may have a pointed end to make it easier to break off pieces of cheese.

In summary, cheese knives are small and specialized because they are designed to be used for a specific purpose – cutting cheese without causing it to crumble or break apart, while also being able to accommodate the varying textures and shapes of different types of cheese.

Why is a cheese knife shaped that way?

A cheese knife is shaped in a specific way to make it easier to cut and serve different types of cheese.

Most cheese knives have a sharp, pointed tip, which makes it easier to break into hard or aged cheese without damaging the texture or structure of the cheese. The blade of a cheese knife is usually thinner than a regular kitchen knife, allowing for more precise slicing and cutting.

The blade of a cheese knife may also be curved or angled, which helps to facilitate a smooth slicing motion, especially when cutting through soft or semi-soft cheeses. The handle of a cheese knife is often wider and more ergonomic than a regular kitchen knife, providing a comfortable grip for the user.

Finally, some cheese knives may have small holes or notches on the blade, which help to prevent the cheese from sticking to the blade as it is being cut. Overall, the unique shape and design of a cheese knife make it an essential tool for any cheese lover or connoisseur.

What are the different types of cheese knife?

There are several different types of cheese knives, each designed for a specific type of cheese. Here are some of the most common types of cheese knives:

Heart knife:

This knife is called by a few names: almond knife, spade knife or parmesan knife. Whatever you title it, the sharp, pointed tip and a curved blade that makes it easy to cut into hard cheeses like Parmesan.

Narrow plane knife:

This knife has a flat blade with a sharp edge that is used to slice thin, even pieces of cheese. It is ideal for softer cheeses like cheddar or Gouda.

Chisel knife:

A chisel knife is a type of cheese knife with a flat,

wide blade that is used for cutting hard and semi-hard cheeses like cheddar, gouda, and parmesan. The blade is typically sharp and sturdy, allowing you to apply a lot of pressure when cutting through dense cheeses.

 

Slim blade cheese knife:

A slim blade cheese knife is a type of cheese knife with a long, narrow blade that is

used for slicing and serving soft cheeses like brie,

camembert, Boursault, and goat cheese. The blade is typically thin and flexible, allowing you to easily cut through the soft cheese without crushing it.

Pronged cheese knife:

A pronged cheese knife is a type of cheese knife with a forked tip that is

used for picking up and serving cheese slices. The prongs are typically sharp enough to hold onto the cheese without damaging it, and the blade may also have a serrated edge for cutting through harder cheeses.

 

Cheese spreader:

This knife has a flat, dull blade that is used to spread soft cheeses like cream cheese or goat cheese onto crackers or bread.

Soft cheese knife:

This knife has a short, stubby blade that is perfect for cutting through soft cheeses like brie and Camembert. It is often used to slice the cheese into wedges.

Cheese fork:

This knife has two prongs and is used to hold the cheese in place while it is being sliced with another knife.

Cheese cleaver:

This knife has a wide, rectangular blade that is designed to cut through hard and semi-hard cheeses like cheddar and Swiss.

Cheese plane:

A cheese plane is a type of cheese slicer that is used for slicing thin, even slices of hard cheese like Havarti, cheddar and swiss, as well as other cheeses like gouda, parmesan, Jarlsberg, and comté cheeses.

The cheese plane typically consists of a flat blade that is set at an angle to the handle, allowing you to slide

it across the cheese and produce thin slices.

Cheese grater:

A cheese grater is a tool used for grating cheese into small, fine pieces. Cheese graters come in various shapes and sizes, but they typically consist of

a metal surface with sharp, raised edges that you can rub the cheese against to grate it. The size of the grated cheese can be adjusted by using different sides of the grater with varying hole sizes.

In conclustion, choosing the right cheese knife depends on the type of cheese you are serving and the desired presentation.

FAQs about cheese knives

1. What knife for crumbly cheese?

When it comes to cutting crumbly cheese, a cheese knife with a narrow blade and a forked tip would work best. The narrow blade helps in making precise cuts, while the forked tip can be used to hold the cheese in place while cutting.

Alternatively, a wire cheese slicer can also be used for cutting crumbly cheese. The wire helps to cleanly slice through the cheese without breaking it apart.

It’s important to use the right tool when cutting cheese as using the wrong knife or utensil can cause the cheese to crumble and break, making it difficult to cut and present nicely.

2. What knife to cut brie?

For cutting Brie cheese, a soft cheese knife or a butter knife would be the best choice.

A soft cheese knife is designed with a long, narrow blade and a sharp edge that makes it easy to cut through the soft texture of Brie cheese. The blade is usually offset from the handle, which allows for better leverage and makes it easier to slice the cheese without compressing it.

A butter knife, while not specifically designed for cheese, can also be used to cut Brie cheese. The dull edge of a butter knife won’t crush the cheese as it is being sliced, and the shape of the knife is perfect for cutting through the soft cheese without tearing or breaking it.

Regardless of which knife you use, it’s important to make sure that it is sharp and clean before cutting into the cheese. This will help you get clean, even slices without causing the cheese to stick to the knife or break apart.

3. Can I cut cheese with a butter knife?

Yes, you can cut cheese with a butter knife, but the type of cheese and its texture will determine how easy or difficult it is to cut with a butter knife.

Softer cheeses like Brie, Camembert, or goat cheese can be easily cut with a butter knife because they have a softer texture that won’t require a lot of pressure to slice through. In fact, a butter knife can be an excellent tool for these types of cheese as the dull edge of the knife won’t crush the cheese as it’s being cut.

However, harder cheeses like cheddar, gouda, or parmesan will be more challenging to cut with a butter knife because they have a firmer texture that may require more force to slice through. In these cases, you might need a sharper knife, like a chef’s knife or a cheese knife, to cut through the cheese smoothly.

So, while a butter knife can be used to cut cheese, it’s important to consider the texture and hardness of the cheese before deciding on the best knife to use.

4. What is the purpose of a butter knife?

The purpose of a butter knife is to spread butter or other spreads, such as jams, jellies, or cream cheese, onto bread, toast, or other food items. Butter knives are designed with a dull edge and a rounded tip to make it easy to spread butter or other spreads without tearing or damaging the food item.

Butter knives are usually smaller than other types of knives, and they are often made of stainless steel or other materials that are easy to clean and maintain. Some butter knives may have serrated edges or decorative patterns on the blade, but the overall design is intended to be simple and functional.

In addition to spreading butter, some people may also use butter knives for other tasks, such as cutting soft foods like avocados, slicing cheese, or serving delicate desserts. However, it’s important to keep in mind that butter knives are not designed for heavy-duty cutting tasks, and using them for these purposes could damage the knife or cause injury.

5. Should you sharpen cheese knives?

Yes, you should sharpen cheese knives to ensure they can effectively cut through cheese. Over time, cheese knives can become dull due to use, which can make it more difficult to cut through cheese cleanly and precisely. A dull cheese knife can also cause the cheese to stick to the blade, making it more difficult to cut and present nicely.

Sharpening your cheese knives regularly will help ensure that they can make clean cuts through the cheese without damaging it. However, it’s important to note that not all cheese knives can be sharpened in the same way. For example, soft cheese knives may require a different sharpening method than hard cheese knives.

If you’re not sure how to sharpen your cheese knives, it’s a good idea to consult the manufacturer’s instructions or seek the advice of a professional knife sharpener. This will help ensure that you sharpen your cheese knives properly and don’t damage them in the process.

Conclusion

Choosing the right cheese knife is the best way to ensure that you get the most out of your cheese plate.

While there are a wide variety of different types of cheese knives available on the market, it can be difficult to know which ones are best.

That’s why we’ve created this guide to help you choose the right cheese knives for your needs. We hope you find it helpful! If you would like to customize your cheese knives, please feel free to send us an inquiry.