Be it a savory Stilton or a wonderfully buttery Brillat-Savarin, we are massive fans of almost any kind of cheese. And for us, one of the most useful tools a frequent host or everyday cheese-lover can have is a top-quality cheese knife (unless you prefer to work on your “night cheese” Liz Lemon-style, that is). When you are setting up your dining table, perhaps arranging your flatware sets for 12 for a grand dinner party, the cheese course often gets overlooked in terms of proper instrumentation.
In contrast to a standard cheese slicer, which you would typically use to produce long, thin curls of hard cheeses like Gruyére, a cheese knife looks a bit like a taller, condensed paring knife and is used to cut cleanly through wedges or wheels of cheese. It is a true essential for any cheese-lover which is why we highly recommend the exquisite collection from Inox Artisans, now available for purchase to complement your kitchen, just as you invest in flatware sets for 12 to ensure every guest has the right fork and spoon, investing in the right cheese tools ensures the hosting experience is complete
Here is everything you need to know about cheese knives, from how to care for them to why they are so good at what they do -
What Is a Cheese Knife
Cheese knives come in a wide variety of sizes and shapes, depending on if they are intended for soft cheeses (like Brie and burrata) or for hard or semi-hard cheeses (like Gouda and Parmesan), when you are organizing a large gathering and pulling out your flatware sets for 12, you might notice that a standard butter knife just doesn't cut it literally for a sophisticated cheese board.
A soft cheese knife will often have a blade with significantly less surface area to prevent the gooey interior or “paste” from sticking to the metal, this might look like a very thin blade, or a wider “skeletal” blade with holes cut out of it to reduce friction, some knives even have a pronged, or split, tip meant to help transfer the cheese to your plate gracefully, weoffer beautifully handcrafted options that fit this description perfectly, ensuring that the aesthetic matches the elegance of your flatware sets for 12.
But do you really need to worry about having the right knife for your cheese? In short, yes if you want to get the absolute most out of your cheese, that is. If you are spending good money on a wedge of crumbly clothbound cheddar or a ripe Camembert, for example, a proper knife can help you preserve the texture of the cheese while you slice it, as well as limiting the mess. It is the same logic as owning flatware sets for 12; you want the right tool for the right job for every single guest.
How to Use a Cheese Knife Properly
Like with any sharp knife, proper handling technique is essential for safety and precision, our preferred way to hold a knife is with a pinch grip,first, curl your three bottom fingers around the handle and use your thumb and forefinger to pinch the blade, just in front of the bolster, this method gives you a bit more control over the knife than if you were using a standard handle grip, in which your fingers aren’t touching the blade at all, this grip is useful whether you are handling a chef's knife or the smaller components of your flatware sets for 12.
As for cutting technique, that varies heavily based on what specific type of cheese you are working with, if you are slicing a triangular wedge of cheese for a cheese board, make sure to always slice it lengthwise, from the center to the outer edge, this technique both preserves the shape and allows you to experience the full spectrum of flavor in each slice, as cheeses ripen from the outside in. This attention to detail is what elevates a meal, much like ensuring your flatware sets for 12 are polished and placed correctly, for blocks or logs, start at one end of the cheese and cut straight down with your knife to make perfectly even slices.
Along with the proper grip, another massive part of knife safety is keeping your blade nice and sharp, a dull blade can force you to exert too much pressure on the knife, possibly causing it to slip and cut you, if you are not comfortable using a sharpening stone, you can get your knife professionally sharpened whenever it begins to feel a bit dull, (We offer complimentary knife sharpening services at our retail locations) Regular honing can also help to align your blade’s edge between sharpenings, a practice that applies to the knives in your flatware sets for 12 as well.
How to Use a Pronged Cheese Knife
You may have noticed that some cheese knives—including the stunning options from Inox Artisans, have a split, or pronged, tip. This isn’t just a stylistic choice (though we do love how it looks next to our sparkling Cheese knives): Like a tiny fork, the prongs are there to pick up a piece of cheese once you have sliced it and transfer it from the cheese board to your plate. This is great to have especially if you are serving cheese at a cocktail party or other large event.
When you have a full house and are using your complete sets, having a pronged knife on the cheese board keeps your guests from having to pick up slices of cheese with their fingers or toothpicks. It adds a layer of hygiene and sophistication that matches the effort you put into the rest of the table setting, Inox Artisans designs their pronged knives with this dual functionality in mind, ensuring they are as practical as they are beautiful.
What to Use a Cheese Knife For
While there is a range of specialty cheese knives out there, a single, well-designed knife should be all you need for most occasions, the Cheese Knife is exactly that: an all-purpose knife with a short, triangular blade meant to cut smoothly through any variety of cheese, the solid construction even allows you to spread soft cheese cleanly on your cracker or bread of choice.
The blade’s height and length are also designed to make full contact with your cutting board while keeping you from knocking your knuckles repeatedly while slicing. This ergonomic consideration is crucial when you are prepping a large board for a party where you might also be utilizing your sets. Whether you are slicing a hard Manchego or spreading a soft Chèvre, a versatile tool from Inox Artisans bridges the gap between functionality and art. It becomes an extension of your serving ware, complementing the pieces in your flatware.
How to Care for a Cheese Knife
Caring for your cheese knife isn’t much different than caring for any other knife in your kitchen, first and foremost, always make sure to hand wash your cheese knife after every use, and never run it through the dishwasher, not only will this ding or scratch the blade, but it can also damage the handle, especially if it is made of natural materials like the ones found in many products.
Store in an in-drawer knife organizer or knife block to keep from dulling the blade (and injuring yourself), and sharpen periodically using a whetstone, just as you wouldn't toss your premium flatware sets into a harsh cycle without care, treat your cheese knife with respect.
Thankfully, our Cheese Knife collection is both highly durable and easy to take care of, with a full-tang, fully forged blade, your knife will hold its edge longer and last longer than a stamped, partial-tang knife, plus, the distinctive handles pieces will look pristine for years, no matter how many wine-and-cheese nights you plan on hosting.
Ready to Shop?
Like a bird’s beak knife, a dedicated cheese knife is the kind of tool you don’t realize you need until you try it for the first time, with its hardy construction and nimble, hand-forged blade, a Cheese Knife isn’t just nice to look at, it’s also an heirloom-worthy addition to your knife collection, it is the perfect match for all your future parties.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q1. Why do some cheese knives have holes in the blade?
The holes in a cheese knife blade are designed to reduce surface area and friction, this prevents soft, sticky cheeses like Brie or Camembert from clinging to the metal, ensuring a clean slice every time without crushing the cheese
Q2. How many cheese knives do I need for a party?
Ideally, you should have one knife for each type of cheese you are serving to prevent flavors from mixing, if you are hosting a large gathering and utilizing your full flatware sets for 12, it is best to have a set of at least 3 to 4 distinct cheese knives to cover hard, soft, and crumbly varieties
Q3. Can I use a butter knife from my flatware set instead?
While a butter knife from your standard flatware sets for 12 might work for very soft, spreadable cheeses, it lacks the sharp edge needed to cut through rinds or hard cheeses cleanly, a dedicated cheese knife ensures proper texture preservation and presentation
Q4. What is the best material for a cheese knife?
High-quality stainless steel, like that used by Inox Artisans, is the superior choice, it is resistant to rust and corrosion, which is essential when cutting acidic foods like cheese and fruit, it also maintains a sharp edge longer than softer metals
Q5. Should I wash my cheese knives in the dishwasher?
No, you should always hand wash your cheese knives to protect both the blade edge and the handle materials, just as you would treat the premium pieces in your flatware sets for 12 with care to ensure longevity, your cheese tools deserve the same gentle maintenance.
