00-00 Cutting Edge.qxp_Grid 21/10/2023 13:59 Page 1
FOCUS ON: KNIVES
A CUT ABOVE Inset: Ekau has recently launched specialised knives tailored for various culinary tasks.
W
hether the buyer is a home chef, hobby chef, or professional, the important attributes of a kitchen knife remain constant. Paul Shelley, managing director of Haus Marketing and Distribution outlines two of these: “Firstly, it should be about the material and quality and how that material is used to create the knife. The material can be varying qualities in steel, and some of those factors enhance the next option a consumer should look at – sharpness. “Sharpness is 100% important, it’s affected by the thickness of the steel. What angle
Although there are a few key factors which combine to make an excellent knife, and don’t change from year to year, there are certainly innovations and new launches aplenty in the sector. Cooking shows and celebrity chefs also highlight the importance of a good set of knives and help to drive sales. PH chats to some key suppliers to find out the latest. that blade is sharpened at will also have an influence on the initial cutting steel. Subject to the investment, you want the knife to be sharp, for the edge to remain sharp for a long time, and for the blade to be easy to resharpen. The harder the steel, the longer the edge will last, but the harder it will be to resharpen. Finding that balance is what knife brands talk about all the time.” The feel of a knife is also an important consideration. Howard Bradley, commercial director at Dexam, offers: “Comfort is key; every knife should act and feel like an
Inset: Lion Sabatier’s Olive Wood handles launched recently and are available from Haus. PROGRESSIVE
78
HOUSEWARES
extension to the user’s hand. There’s no such thing as an ideal weight of knife; it comes down to personal preference.” Further factors can include the design and budget. Richard To, marketing manager of Ta Yang Group, tells us: “Coloured handles play a role in facilitating identification and preventing food cross contamination. “Finding knives within a consumer’s preferred price range which align with their intended use is also essential.” Ben Grunwerg, managing director of Grunwerg furthers: “Consumers always look for quality and style. Knife blocks usually sit quite prominently on kitchen counters and consumers want something that will look good and perform well in the kitchen. Consumers will either buy something cheap and functional, or gravitate to well-known trusted brands with good block set options like Global Knives.” Viola Wüsthof, managing director and partner of Wüsthof, adds: “Increasingly, lifestyle is playing an essential role in the purchase decision: Does the knife match with the interior of my kitchen? Does