Various knives on a wooden surface
When And Why We Use Different Types of Knives

NEWS

By GREG STEGEMAN

Table knives against a white background

Table Knives

With mild cutting power and some serration, these are run-of-the-mill knives used with a traditional place setting to get food to mouth after it's brought to the table.
Butter knives against a white background

Butter Knives

More of a hard spatula than a knife, these tools with shorter blades are great for spreading butter, jams, cream cheese, and the like
without destroying your bread.
Steak knives on a light brown surface

Steak Knives

Often serrated, steak knives are ideal for your table-side meat-cutting needs. Best for steaks, chops, and chicken breasts, these ensure easier cuts when meat-eating.
A carving knife and a carving fork

Carving Knives

The long, non-serrated blades of these tools help slice turkeys, hams, and roasts into even, thin, long pieces. It’s best to use a carving fork with a carving knife.
A bread knife against a white background

Bread Knives

Bread knives differ from carving knives in their serrated edges, which let you easily cut through the crust of fresh-baked bread without squashing the soft interior.