What is the best Handle Material for the Chef Knife?
There are four main types of material used for Chef
Knife Handles:
-
Wood
-
Plastic
-
Composite
-
Metal
Chef Knife with a Wood Handle:
Most agree that the wood handle looks best on a chef
knife.
There are several considerations when getting a chef
knife with a wood handle.
A wood handle may lose its varnish coating if left
in water, or washed in a dishwasher. If that happens the wood handle
can become a breeding ground for germs.
It is advised that if getting a chef knife with a
wood handle, make sure to re-varnish the handle every year.
Wood handle on a Chef Knife.
Chef Knife with a Plastic Handle:
Most fast food kitchens, or food factories use
knives with plastic handles.
There are two main reasons for using a chef knife
with a plastic handle:
-
The production is cheaper, and so is the knife.
-
A plastic handle will not let microorganisms to
form in or on it.
There are some disadvantages though.
A chef knife with a plastic handle will not be
rightly balanced because the plastic handle is lighter than wood or
wood composite.
It may become uncomfortable for the chef in the long
run.
The second disadvantage is that the plastic handle
may dry up and crack after a while.
Plastic Handle on a Chef Knife
Chef Knife with a Composite Handle:
These Chef Knife Handles are made of Laminated wood
composites integrated with resin.
Most chefs agree that this is the best material for
the knife handle.
The composite material, also called Pakkawood, or
Staminawood, weighs and feels like wood, and so gives the right
balance necessary for the Chef Knife, and it is as sanitary as
plastic handles.
The Composite wood handle is also very easy to care
for, and can be washed in a dishwasher.
Pakkawood Handle on a chef knife.
Chef Knife with a Metal Handle:
Some companies make the chef knife with a metal
handle.
Usually these knives are stamped and not forged, but
sometimes also forged knives may have a metal handle.
Most knives with a metal handle are not balanced
because the handle becomes too heavy. That makes the knife
uncomfortable to use.
Also if the handle gets wet, it becomes very
slippery.
That is why many manufacturers make grooves and
hinges on the handle for better hold.
