Most of the time spent cooking is spent chopping. Learning three basic knife skills makes prep faster, safer and a lot more relaxing.
Key takeaways
- Pinch the blade just in front of the handle between your thumb and the side of your index finger.
- Curl the fingertips of your other hand under, so your knuckles guide the blade.
- A sharp knife is safer than a dull one because it does not slip.
Hold the knife properly
Pinch the blade just in front of the handle between your thumb and the side of your index finger. This grip gives far more control than holding the handle alone.
Use the claw
Curl the fingertips of your other hand under, so your knuckles guide the blade. The knife can touch your knuckles but never your fingertips.
Keep it sharp
A sharp knife is safer than a dull one because it does not slip. A quick pass on a honing steel before each use keeps the edge straight for months.
