The Best Cheese Knives For Your Next Cheesy Snack posted by Taylor Munsell Pin Share Tweet Email SomethingSwanky is reader-supported. When you buy through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission at no extra cost to you. When it comes to slicing cheese for hors d’oeuvres, regular knives aren’t going to cut it. Cheese knives are specially constructed to make slicing quick and neat for your guests… as long as they’re high quality. Since I have always been a strong proponent of having a cheese tray at any dinner party, I decided to put together a post explaining what makes cheese knives such good tools and revealing six of the best cheese knives money can buy. By the time you’re done reading, you’ll be better equipped to bring some dairy-tinged class to your dinnertime get-togethers. About Cheese Knives Before I tell you my recommendations, let’s talk about what makes cheese knives excellent tools. Parts of a Cheese Knive What’s the purpose of each part of a cheese knife? Not that not all cheese knives have all the features described below. Holes in the Blade The holes running along the surface of the blade are meant to reduce friction and keep the cheese from sticking to the blade once it is withdrawn from the cut. Many cheeses are sticky, so the blade usually won’t come out clean if you use a normal knife to cut it. Grooved Blade Some cheese knives have grooved blades instead of holes in the blade, with the grooves also serving to reduce friction and contact area. Hooked End The hooks are for spearing bits of cheese so you can move them around once they are cut. For example, you can cut off a piece of cheese with the blade and then use the hook to stab it and move it onto a cracker without having to use your potentially unhygienic hands to do so. Smooth Blade There are several different sharpnesses of cheese knives that are meant for different hardnesses of cheese, but all the blades are pretty smooth so as not to crumble or tear up the cheese as they cut. Handle The handles of most cheese knives are large and bulbous to provide an easier handhold for pushing down on the knife in one fluid motion rather than sawing back and forth like you would do with other types of knife. Curved Shape Many high-quality cheese knives are curved up like a scimitar. This shape prevents the user’s knuckles from rapping against the board when the knife is brought downwards through the cheese. Types of Cheese Knives Soft cheese knife (the classic) – This is the type that always has holes in the blade and is almost always curved. It is not generally as sharp as other types of cheese knife, as it is not used for hard cheeses. It’s a perfect cheese knife for brie and other cheeses with a buttery consistency. Thin blade – Some cheese knives have a blade that is very thin vertically. The blade on these knives is also extremely sharp, so they can cut through cheese quickly. The thinness of the blade prevents the cheese from sticking to the blade during those quick cuts. These knives are great for semi-soft cheeses like mozzarella. Firm cheese knife – A firm cheese knife has a wider but shorter blade than most cheese knives and a very sharp edge. It’s best for cutting cheeses so firm that they don’t have a sticky inside like pecorino or parmesan. Trapezium knife – This one’s not a knife in the traditional sense, because you don’t use the edge of the blade to cut. Instead, it has a peeling tool on one side of the metal portion that you can use to shave off sheets of cheese. It’s great for medium-hard cheeses like gouda and cheddar. 6 Best Cheese Knives With my recommendations, I’ve attempted to go with a little diversity in terms of what types of cheese knives I included. You can read a bit more about each knife mentioned in the paragraphs below the table. TypeModel NamePrice RangeTrapezium Knife[amazon link=”B074PY3X5V” link_icon=”none” title=”Cheese Sliver” /]$Slim Blade Knife[amazon link=”B00587DBCE” link_icon=”none” title=”Boska Holland Stainless Steel Cheese Knife” /]$$Multi-Purpose Knife[amazon link=”B0000CFMR5″ link_icon=”none” title=”Multi-Use Knife” /]$$Soft Cheese KnifeMirror Soft Cheese Knife$SetMonaco Cheese Knives$$$$Firm Cheese KnifeEvolution 5″ Cheese Knife$$$$ 1. Cheese Slicer by [amazon link=”B074PY3X5V” link_icon=”none” title=”Boska” /] [amazon fields=”B074PY3X5V” value=”thumb” image_size=”large” image_align=”center” image_alt=”Boska Cheese Slicer Copenhagen”] This trapezium knife is made from 100% stainless steel and has a hollow handle that makes it very lightweight despite the sturdiness of its build. The peeling blade is sharper than most competitors, too. Despite all of that, though, the cheese slicer is among the cheapest cheese knives out there. It’s ideal for taking a thin slice out of especially flavorful cheeses like parmesan or beemster gouda cheese. It can also be used for citrus and vegetables that have a hard skin. 2. Boska Holland Stainless Steel Cheese Knife by [amazon link=”B00587DBCE” link_icon=”none” title=”Boska” /] [amazon fields=”B00587DBCE” value=”thumb” image_size=”large” image_align=”center” image_alt=”Boska Holland Stainless Steel Soft Cheese Knife”] This slim blade knife is better than most at cutting through even soft and sticky cheeses like camembert and brie. The blade has some nice angularity and the stainless steel is so well-polished that it creates virtually no friction. The knife’s raised handle is extraordinary too, with a slightly puffed-out design that makes pushing down for a cut more comfortable than with most higher-quality cheese knives. The whole knife is made of stainless steel, and it’s so sturdy that Boska actually includes a 10-year unlimited warranty. The knife costs less than most restaurant entrees, too, so it’s a great buy. 3. Multi-Use Knife by [amazon link=”B0000CFMR5″ link_icon=”none” title=”Prodyne” /] [amazon fields=”B0000CFMR5″ value=”thumb” image_size=”large” image_align=”center” image_alt=”Prodyne CK-300 Multi-Use Cheese Fruit and Veggie Knife”] The first thing you’ll notice when looking at this knife is how sharp both the blade’s serrated edge and the hooks on the end of the blade are. I was actually a little worried about it being dangerous when I received it as a gift, but I quickly changed my mind when I found how effortless it made cutting all types of cheese (even the firmest ones) as well as hard fruits and vegetables. The unique open surface blade makes the knife lightweight and reduces friction, too, which makes slicing even the hardest foods an even more quick and effortless task. 4. Mirror Soft Cheese Knife by Williams Sonoma This model is made using 13/0 stainless steel, which means it contains a 13% nickel content. That addition makes the knife gleam more brightly than most soft cheese knives – hence the word “mirror” in the name – especially since each one is hand-shined before being sold. It’s part of a themed set, too, so you can make your dinner table gleam if you buy this and other pieces from the Kingham collection. Other than that, this is a traditional soft cheese knife, albeit one with notably elegant curves. The blade is just the right amount of sharpness, and the price is right. 5. Monaco Cheese Knives by Williams Sonoma This set includes a soft cheese knife, a slim blade knife for medium-hard cheeses, and a firm cheese knife, making it a one-stop solution for cutting pretty much any hardness of cheese comfortably. All three of the knives are embossed with a diagonal criss-cross design that unifies the set nicely, and they are all made from pure stainless steel. 6. Evolution 5″ Cheese Knife by Williams Sonoma This model looks like a more traditional stainless steel chef’s knife, albeit a high quality one. The main difference is the distinctive grooved texture found on each side of the blade. The texture is a good way to replicate the effect of the holes found on many cheese knife blades without sacrificing weight in the knife. The result is an easier cutting motion due to more weight and, therefore, more downward momentum. Besides being functional, the ridged blade surface also looks fantastic. The other difference from a regular chef’s knife is the 18 degree angle of the blade, which prevents the user from hitting their knuckles on the tray when they push down to make a cut. It’s subtle but it makes a big difference in usage. Cheese Knife FAQ What makes a cheese knife special? Cheese knives are smaller than most kitchen knives and have features that prevent the cheese from sticking to the knife when it is cut. There are lots of different types of cheese knives, and different kinds include different features like holes in the blade to prevent friction, hooks on the end of the blade to pick up pieces of cheese once they are cut, and peeling mechanisms to shave off slices of cheese. Do you sharpen cheese knives? Yes. I recommend sharpening your cheese knives at home before each use and taking them to a professional sharpener (who uses more precise sharpening instruments) once a year. It’s especially important to keep cheese knives sharp because cheese is a fairly delicate food and it will be tugged apart or squished rather than sliced cleanly if you are using a dull cheese knife. Why do cheese knives have holes in the blade? Some cheese knives have holes in the blade in order to reduce the contact area, and therefore the friction, that the knife has with the cheese while it is cutting. This reduces the likelihood of cheese sticking to the blade once the knife is withdrawn. Holes in the blade is a feature most common in knives meant for soft cheeses like brie or mascarpone which are more likely to stick to a normal blade. Why do cheese knives have a hook? The hook is for picking up and moving pieces of cheese (onto a cracker, for instance) after they are cut off of the larger piece. Slicing Through The Competition Buying the best cheese knives is an important part of throwing classy dinner parties. I hope this post has helped give you an idea of where to look for them.
