Damascus kitchen knives: the pros and cons, types, set popular models

Cook must have the best knife, made of high quality material. To date, those products are kitchen utensils made of Damascus steel knives. All the characteristics, advantages, disadvantages will be described hereinafter.

What is important to know about from Damascus steel knives

This material is often found in Japanese legends, where warriors fight with swords made of Damascus. Today, this metal is not as common, but is still considered the top skill. Patterned steel puff type can be divided into several manufacturing techniques extensive groups.

1. Forge welding - possible artistic patterns.
2. Crucible melting - figure appears by crystallization of high alloy form.

The first method is more common due to lower equipment costs. It can carry out even the simplest village smithy. In quality kitchen knives Damascus will be good even without in the process of production of refractory crucibles, high-temperature furnaces, melting agents.

process of manufacturing

During the production of specialist steel plate heats of different brands. The result is one bar (first welding). Further, the resulting package is unpacked, dividing into strips. Once they are connected, to be re-welding.

The process continues repeatedly. Master chooses the point where it's time to stop. It regulates the number of layers independently.

A list of the main types of pattern

Figures on the blade are different from each other. This adjustment process, so there is a list of possible patterns:

• "Wild" - comes from the reconciliation of a certain number of layers;
• Mosaic - difficult to reproduce, and this is valuable;
• the stamp - the most common, it occurs when the cuts of any shape (e.g., a cross, a rhombus) on the bar, and after raskovyvanie occurs as a result on the product pattern is formed;
• Turkish - this kind can be easily distinguished from each other because of the bizarre shapes.

material characteristics

Professionals know that when choosing a good tool, you need to pay attention to the value of HRC. This level of hardness of HRC special. Accordingly, the higher the number, the stronger the product (sharpening keeps better).

This value can vary between 40-70 units. A little more than forty is the Chinese forging and seventy Japanese katana.

Kitchen knife is not exposed to alkalis, acids.

Pros and cons of Damascus knives

Without the negative side can not do, so even considering the high quality steel. But first, you should understand all the positive things.

1. His strength is as much as sixty-two units. This value allows you to work with bones, wood, and soft tissue product can handle at the moment.
2. The beauty of the blade. This option does not affect the quality, but that it creates individuality recognition.

All steel items have disadvantages. In reviewing Damascus are the following.

1. Difficult process of production affects the price tag directly.
2. It is necessary to take care of, care for him, especially after the difficult work (wipe dry).
3. Low resistance to corrosion process due to the low content of alloying components in the composition (prevalent is carbon).

Despite some negative parameters, cooks often prefer such models of the cutting blade.

Types of kitchen knives damask

Chef knives are the most popular worldwide. They are able to cut a variety of products, whether vegetable or meat felting. sharp blade length is fifteen to thirty centimeters. Carts are usually made of twisted forms for the opportunity to work fast.

Products in this category have these subspecies.

1. Cook small, medium, large.
2. Steak knife.
3. Vegetable.
4. Bread.

If we consider the common types of kitchen blades, they are designed for:

• vegetables;
• fruits;
• different types of cutting;
• of bread;
• tapering, boning;

Also produce specialized units. They cut only one kind of product. For example, tomatoes (do not damage the vegetables), cheese (do not stick).

Hatchets with heavy, thick wedge designed for cutting meat with bones

If you buy a hard individually, it is necessary to select a specific set of knives made of Damascus steel. It includes all the necessary for the kitchen units.

What is included in a set of kitchen knives Damascus

The shop is easy to find ready-made kits. They are often equipped with a harmonious stand that simplifies the storage process. The very idea of ​​the simultaneous purchase of everything so you need to cook is very attractive. But it has its drawbacks. The risk of such an acquisition is to spend money, but the result will not bring satisfaction due to the inconsistencies of the real needs of the buyer.

The kits can be quite different, both in the number of units, as well as intended. Selection should be done based on their own preferences. Better not take things that are gathering dust in the corner. If you decide for themselves is difficult, it is necessary to seek help from a consultant in a specialty store. He will be able to choose the model that will definitely be in a constant work in the kitchen.

The kit should include a mandatory chef knife ergonomics suitable for specific requests. Will not be superfluous special scissors. With their help, you can easily cope with Poultry.

Popular models of kitchen knives made of Damascus steel

If you choose a Damascene blade of a good producer, you should pay attention to certain models, designed for:

• thin slicing - the blade is narrow, thin, which allows high-quality cut fish fillets, meat;
• boning - form helps to carve poultry, fish, and they can be separated wires, bones from the flesh;
• with bread - a wavy sharp blade makes it easy to cut a solid crust with a soft filling (it does not will crumple product, it can be used for pineapples and similar products with hard skin and soft core);
• vegetables - with him shredder runs for a few seconds;

The most popular is the chef's kitchen knife, for example, the model «Supremo». It is difficult to replace not only the home but also in the professional kitchen. This is the base element in a culinary three. He can easily handle most jobs.

«Supremo» model is made of sixty-seven layers of steel which are brought to the thickness of two and a half millimeter. The blade has a polished mirror type and the handle - satin.

Ethnicity knives made of Damascus, impressive, allowing them to be a good gift. Strength creates ideal conditions for long sharpening, but it should apply to similar products carefully.

VIDEO: Japanese knife from Damascus steel Santoku.