How do you hold a chef's knife?

[denisem]

Inspired by the spoon thread.

Learned yesterday I've been holding a knife wrong all these years - think maybe that's why I'm a lousy cook? I wrap my hand around the handle and below is the grip professionals use.

Did everyone know this but me??

 

[NotUrsula]

They hold it that way because most pros will use a chef's knife two-handed. The trick is that you place the fingertips of your other hand on top of the last three inches or so of the dull edge of the blade, so that you can chop with a rocker motion -- that's why the blade is curved the way that it is. If your hand is wrapped all the way around the handle it will hurt your wrist to rock the blade.

 

[DMass]

I hold one very carefully. Those suckers are sharp!

 

[sleepydog25]

Inspired by the spoon thread.

Learned yesterday I've been holding a knife wrong all these years - think maybe that's why I'm a lousy cook? I wrap my hand around the handle and below is the grip professionals use.

Did everyone know this but me??

Pretty much.



Just kidding. . .

 

[luvmy3]

I hold it like pictured except I keep my index finger extended straight along the top of the blade. I find it easier to rock that way since I don't place my other hand over the blade.

 

[disneyquestions]

Thats so funny, because I was watching Rachel Ray this morning, and from watching her, I realized that I've totally been holding a knife wrong way for years! Guess thats why my hand always hurts when I'm done.... Oh well, live and learn!!!

 

[stargazer2892]

DH who went to culianry school said they spend a lot of time the first week or so teaching people the proper way to hold a knife. A few guys ended up cutting themselves because they weren't comfortable holding a knife in that position, and for most people it is VERY difficult to relearn how to hold a knife the proper way. I've seen cooks hold knives every way possible, yes some have better knife skills then others but it's all up to what you feel comfortable doing. I personally don't hold my knife exactly that way I still grip the handle but in the same style as the picture. With DH his grip depends on what hes cutting and the type of knife and how sharp the knife is.

 

[ChrisFL]

Well first I ask the Chef if I can borrow their knife...I mean, they might need to use it for something

 

[lizabu]

I hold it like pictured except I keep my index finger extended straight along the top of the blade. I find it easier to rock that way since I don't place my other hand over the blade.

me too

 

[Imzadi]

They hold it that way because most pros will use a chef's knife two-handed. The trick is that you place the fingertips of your other hand on top of the last three inches or so of the dull edge of the blade, so that you can chop with a rocker motion -- that's why the blade is curved the way that it is. If your hand is wrapped all the way around the handle it will hurt your wrist to rock the blade.

I hold a knife the way the OP said. BUT, I use the sharpest PARING knives ( or same small size) I can find to cut almost everything. Probably because, as you've mentioned, I don't know how to cut with a large knife correctly.

Any blade longer that 4 inches is too unwieldy for me. I'm always afraid of slicing off my fingers with those extra 3 inches a chef's knife has. I only use a longer knife to cut though thick cuts of meats and the joints & bones.

I did find a 5" chef's knife once in TJ Maxx and I almost bought it! I thought it was perfect. It had the short blade that I want, but has the thickness and depth of a chef's knife to cut into meat & through bones. I may still get one.

 

[bicker]

Cheaper knives often are improperly balanced, such that holding them the proper way feels unnatural. Perhaps one of the better ways of determining the quality of a knife quickly is to pick it up, and see what grasp feels natural: If the grasp depicted above feels best, then it is probably a good knife; otherwise not.

 

[John VN]

While a great chef, a great surgeon, a great pianist, a great golfer, etc. can be shown how to position their hand(s), over time they might develop a form that is most comfortable and efficient for themselves. I'm not great in anything but pretty good in some and I will admit that while the experts have provided a base for form, my need for comfortable function has prevailed over the lessons.

As some say, "whatever floats your boat".