A kitchen knife is praised on their blade quality; steel material, hardness, edge retention etc. but the handle of a quality kitchen knife has just as big a role to play when it comes to ease of use and performance.
When buying a knife (especially when one is custom made) the handle is where each knife becomes best suited to its user. It determines the comfort and longevity of the kitchen knife, whilst offering the opportunity to add a quirky detail adding a unique touch.
A lot of attention goes into the material of the handle, which whilst is important, often overshadows the importance of a well designed handle shape. These details are overlooked because if you're only picking up a kitchen knife to do short tasks, it is likely you won't notice how uncomfortable or difficult to control a knife is. However, if you have a big meal prep ahead of you with lots of chopping, trimming meat and so on, you will notice that a
poorly designed knife makes for hard work!
Below I will outline some knife handle styles and materials which are designed for ease of use, comfort and performance.
Kitchen knife handle Materials
The material of a knife handle really comes down to personal preference with each option having their pro's and con's:
Stainless steel - A knife with a stainless steel handle is a common option, especially with "department store" style knife sets. They offer great longevity as they are unlikely to be damaged and dishwasher friendly (in most cases). However they are rarely well balanced and can be slippery in the hand especially as things get wet or messy as you're using it.
Plastic - A plastic handle is by far the most economical option due to the low cost of the material itself, although often the least desirable aesthetically. They are often durable and in most cases dishwasher friendly. The lightweight material can make the knife easier to hold and potentially offer a better balance to the overall knife.
Wood - Hardwood and Burl wood is the most traditional material for a knife handle with a wide range of unique and desirable textures, patterns and colors to choose from. The aesthetic and hardness of the wood itself will depend heavily on the species. They offer a better balanced knife due to their appropriate weight in comparison to the blade when compared to heavier stainless materials. However being a natural material, they do take a little extra TLC; I recommend washing and drying the handle immediately after using it, and applying a small amount of oil every now and again to stop the wood from becoming dry.
Stabilized wood - This is wood which has been pressurized with resin to increase the strength of the wood and to preserve it which greatly increases its longevity. This process is often done with dye, which creates really eye-catching and unique pieces to choose from. Just like unstabilized wood, it requires some TLC, is not dishwasher friendly and is recommended to be dried soon after using. However the stabilization makes it less likely to dry out, crack, chip or become damaged.
Other natural materials - Other natural materials include antler, bone, Fossilised Mammoth Tooth and much more. These materials often provide a great grip (especially antler) which makes the knife comfortable and stable to use, often balancing well against a kitchen knife blade. All natural materials are more sensitive to the elements and for that reason need to be stored dry and are not dishwasher friendly. However, natural bone-like materials are incredibly resilient against damage or accidents which improves their longevity.
I may mention "dishwasher safe" on these materials, but I beg you... please don't put your knife in the dishwasher!
The grip
A knife with a "grip" shaped handle offers great support for big and heavy tasks. The heel of the handle provides an edge to stop your hand from slipping, along with the bulbous centre to give your hand extra material grip onto.
Teardrop
The teardrop handle has always been our best selling design (knows as our Freyja series) thanks to its comfort and ease of use. The smooth shape ending with a large "bulb" at the heel makes it easy to grip and ergonomic to use. This style also makes it incredibly versatile as it is suitable for many chopping styles and hand sizes, so it suits everyone in the household.
Straight Grip
The straight grip like shown on the Loki chef knife below is based on a popular minimalist Japanese style. The simple handle offers great balance with the blade thanks to the smaller handle, whilst prioritizing comfort. The straight shape makes it versatile for the whole family to use, especially those who struggle with a tight grip or want something a little "lighter".
There is no perfect handle for everyone, and it essentially comes down to personal preference and cooking style when choosing what is right for you.
The key things to consider are choosing a material which is best suited to your kitchen (e.g. if you're on the careless side try a stabilized wooden handle instead of natural wood so that it can withstand being banged, scratched etc.), and a handle shape to suit your cooking style.
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