Cut to the chase.

This article provides a comprehensive guide on choosing a kitchen knife that is effective and comfortable to use. It explains the differences between cook's knives and chef's knives, with chef's knives generally being more preferred. The article discusses the value of expensive knives, noting that they often perform better but there are still good quality options available at lower prices. It provides a list of different types of knives and their uses, as well as tips for caring for and storing knives. The article also briefly mentions the difference between stamped and forged knives, and provides information on what to look for in terms of balance, comfort, handle, bolster, safety, and Rockwell hardness rating. Additionally, it includes a table with Shop Ethical ratings for various brands of knives, recommending those with a CHOICE Expert Rating of 80% or higher based on cutting performance and sharpness. The table also includes information on the country of origin and typical retail prices as of July 2024. [Extracted from the article]