Why You Should Never Buy A Kitchen Knife Without Holding It First

According to Food Network, there are three knives every chef should have in their kitchen. First is a serrated knife — a tool that's great for two-textured foods such as bread and cake. There are a couple of options when it comes to the serrated type –- long knives can cut into food without the need to saw, and offset blades reduce the risk of injury caused by knuckles knocking on a cutting board. Another key tool is the chef's knife. This aptly named knife has a curved blade useful for chopping, slicing, and additional tasks. The final essential knife is the paring knife, which is a small knife used for paring.

All of these knives have their place, but the chef's knife is the most essential due to its versatility (via Houston Press). If you're looking to extend the life of a costly knife, storing it properly is key. To do so, you should keep a cover on your blade for protection. This prevents it from becoming dull, which can actually be a safety risk during use as well. Most importantly, the knife you choose has to be a good fit for you personally, which is why you should hold it before making a purchase.

If you're a professional chef, you'll be working with the same knife all day, every day. Along with all the other reasons to be picky when knife shopping, the main reason you'll want to hold it for yourself is to make sure it fits comfortably in your hand (via The Mindful Fork). If it doesn't feel like an extension to your arm, you'll likely find yourself switching to a new one sooner than expected.

It's essential to hold your knife correctly to speed up your work and reduce the risk of accidents. Per The Culinary Pro, a chef's knife should be gripped at the rear of the blade, or the heel, with your thumb and pointer finger, with the remaining fingers wrapped around the handle. Other things to consider when choosing a knife are the steel quality, how often it needs to be sharpened, and how the blade and handle balance with each other (per Sharp Edge Shop).