Knives can either be factory-made or handmade. No doubt, before the introduction of advanced machines, all types of knives were crafted by hand. But in this era, advanced technology and machines make various knives. Now, if you love collecting various knives or want to add new ones to your knife set, you must be wondering which type of knife you should buy. Either factory-made is better? or Investing in a hand-forged knife is a good option for you. If you are thinking and want to make the best decision, then this piece of writing is just for you.
Read on to know what this article will cover:
- Manufacturing of factory-made and handmade chef knives
- Buying handcrafted chef knives
- Price range of handmade cooking knives
How Factory-made and Handmade Chef Knives Are Made?
Both factory-made and handmade chef knives undergo a common process known as forging. When people hear the word forging, they usually refer to handmade knives. Forging is defined as heating the metal and changing its shape into the desired one. It is an important process; without it, the knife would become brittle and weak.
It should be noted that there is a great difference between hand forging and forging. The knives that are made by hand go through a hand-forging process. It is done by taking an ingot (an ingot is a metal block), heating it, and then applying pressure on it by hammering it. After that, they are molded into the desired shape. A variety of techniques are used in hand-forging. The adoption of a particular technique depends on the manufacturer.
Another method of hand-forging is pouring melted metal into a cast. This is done to obtain a unique shape. In this and the aforesaid technique, metal is pressed and rolled. This is important to ensure the maximum durability and strength of the knife. Once hand-forging is done, the smith then does the process of sharpening and polishing of the blade.
On the other hand, the knives that are crafted in bulk in the factory went through an automatic process. The entire process from beginning to last is entirely automatic. Machines take care of everything. There is no role of any smith in the factory-made knives.
Why Should One Invest in Handmade Kitchen Knives?
There are more than enough reasons to invest in handmade kitchen knives. Best handmade kitchen knives are highly appreciated among professional chefs because they are more diverse in design and shape and are highly durable. Handmade kitchen knives for sale are designed to last long. They are sharp and can be resharpened.
They are less likely to break easily and are highly resistant. They can be customized according to your requirements. Furthermore, you have the freedom to change the design or change the color, material, angle, and shape of the blade.
Moreover, investing in handmade cooking knives because such knives are sturdy and much sharper compared to mass-produced knives.
What is a Custom Handmade Chef’s Knife?
The Chef knife that is made according to your requirements by hand is called a custom handmade chef’s knife. During the manufacturing of a custom handmade chef’s knife, every process from forging to polishing is done by hand. That’s the reason kitchen knives made by professional smiths are costly. During the manufacturing of a custom chef’s knife, you have the freedom to select the material, design, handle, length, and thickness of the blade, and vice versa.
Furthermore, you can also make amendments to the design during the manufacturing of custom knives.
Is It Good to Invest in Handmade Chef Knives?
If you love customization and want a personal knife for your kitchen tasks that is built according to your requirements and hand size, then it is worth investing in a handmade chef knife.
Custom Handmade Chef Knives Vs. Factory Knives
There is a great difference between custom handmade chef knives and factory knives. Custom handmade chef knives are prepared according to your given design. They are one of a kind and unique. No other person can have a knife with the same design.
On the other hand, factory knives are made in bulk. A single design is applied to hundreds of knives. And these knives are accessible to everyone. In short, custom handmade chef knives are 100 percent unique knives.
List of Best Handmade Chef Knives:
Some best handmade chef knives available online are listed hereunder:
- Spicy American Oak Sujihiki 230 mm
- Wrought Copper Nakiri 202 mm
- Blenheim XL Nakiri 180 mm
- Graphite Nakiri 165 mm
- Lynx Small-Game Cleaver 167 mm, etc.
What is the Price range of custom handmade chef knives?
The price range of custom handmade chef knives varies on various factors. As they are customized, they are very costly compared to handmade chef knives. Their price can range from $50 to $350 or even more.
FAQs
What is the purpose of a chef’s knife?
A chef’s knife is a highly versatile knife capable of performing every major task related to cooking. It is used for slicing, chopping, cutting, mincing, and dicing of large food ingredients.
Which one is better, a handmade or factory-made chef knife?
If you want a chef knife as per your requirements, then you should prefer a hand-made knife. Because it allows customization. If you have no issue with mass-produced knives and want to do the usual home cooking tasks, then it’s best to stick with the budget-friendly factory-made chef knives.