If you look up decorative knives, you might find what look like small medieval daggers that seem like they should be displayed in the museum. However, decorative kitchen knives are functional items, and if you enjoy giving your culinary creations an aesthetic appeal, they belong in your kitchen.
Keep reading to learn what decorative knives are and how having one in your kitchen will expand your culinary opportunities.
What are Decorative Knives?
A decorative knife is any knife used to create decorative designs on your food to turn them into works of art. The types of food you would use a decorative knife on are most commonly fruits or vegetables, such as:
- Watermelons
- Apples
- Bell peppers
A decorative knife should be small and have a sharp blade made to cut and peel with precision. There are several types of knives that fit this description, therefore there are several types of knives that can act as decorative knives, such as:
- Paring knife – a smaller version of a chef’s knife that offers you more control and precision
- Fluting knife – a shorter, slightly sharper-angled version of the paring knife
- Utility knife – great for food prep, these knives are small, sharp, and slim
Let’s take a look at some of these items and why they make for the best knives to bring your designs to life.
When it comes to decorative knives, you have several different options. The good news is that you only really need to own one to get the job done. Here are some of the top decorative knives to try out:
Victorinox 3.25-Inch Swiss Classic Paring Knife
This Victorinox 3.25-Inch Swiss Classic Paring Knife features a straight edge and spear point, which is the perfect combination for a precise and accurate decorative knife.
The tapered knife edge is ground to form an exacting angle to hold a sharp edge longer and ensure optimal cutting performance. The short blade offers enhance accuracy and precision for optimal control, while the ergonomically-designed handle makes this knife comfortable to hold at any angle.
Wusthof Classic Fluting Knife
Wustof has a reputation for creating great-quality knives, which makes this Wusthof Classic Fluting Knife a good choice as a decorative knife.
At 2.75 inches, this small knife is forged from a single block of high-carbon steel and is made for precision. The short, slightly sharper angled blade allows you to easily peel fruit or cleanly cut decorative garnishes. With multiple uses, this durable knife is a decorative utensil you’ll always make use of.
SENBON 440A Stainless-Steel Japanese Utility Knife
Made from 440A stainless steel, this knife may be small and compact, but you can’t underestimate how sharp it is. The blade is hand-sanded and sharp enough to cut through hard fruits and vegetables with precision.
Better yet, this knife is foldable, making it easy to store and transport if needed. As a bonus, this knife is aesthetically beautiful, which has it serving double duty as a decorative knife.
Mercer Culinary M20003 Genesis 3.5-Inch Paring Knife
This knife’s taper-cut edge provides stability throughout use, as well as ideal sharpness for precision cooking. The Santoprene handle offers a safe and comfortable grip, while the blade’s high-carbon-forged German steel ensures durability, no matter what you decide to cut. Due to this versatility, this is arguably a knife that everyone should have in their kitchen.
Imarku Professional 3.5-Inch Peeling Knife
The high-carbon stainless-steel blade of this paring knife makes it the perfect tool to achieve even your most decorative designs. The blade edge is razor-sharp, and the taper-ground design ensures added stability for complete control over your cut.
What’s more, this knife’s Pakka Wood handle makes it comfortable to hold, minimizing any pain and numbness that may develop in your hands.
Closing Thoughts
The possibilities are endless when it comes to food, including the presentation. That’s why every home cook should have a decorative knife in their kitchen to widen their options and help them develop their skills.
The good thing about decorative knives is they’re often versatile, meaning you can use them for other cutting tasks. So, even if you don’t intend on rivaling Edible Arrangements just yet, these knives are still worth having around, and the option to do more will always be there!
Because Brock is the tallest member of the team at 6 foot 5 inches, when he’s not thinking about food, he’s eating his favorites: pizza, burgers, tacos and burritos. He's always experimenting with the latest kitchen gadgets and exploring new techniques in the kitchen.