Cheese Knives: Perfect Pairings For Every Cheese Type

There are many different types of cheese knives, each designed for a specific type of cheese. For soft cheeses like brie or camembert, a thin, straight-bladed knife or a knife with holes is ideal to prevent sticking. Semi-hard or hard cheeses are best cut with a cheese plane or slicer. Hard and firm cheeses can be cut into wedges or chunks with a cheese cleaver or spade. A cheese fork is useful for holding a block of cheese in place while cutting or breaking hard or aged cheeses into smaller pieces.

Cheese Knife Characteristics

Soft cheese knives

Soft cheeses like brie, camembert, and mozzarella are prone to sticking to knives, so a specialised soft cheese knife is ideal for cutting and serving these varieties. Soft cheese knives, also known as open work blade knives, feature a sharp edge and holes in the blade to prevent cheese from sticking. The holes also allow you to push cheese off the knife.

If you don't have a soft cheese knife, you can use a sharp cook's knife dipped in hot water and wiped, or a butter knife to spread soft cheeses on crackers. However, a specialised soft cheese knife will make preparing and serving these cheeses much easier and more enjoyable.

Some popular soft cheese knives include the Boska Soft Cheese Knife, the Soft Cheese Knife Monaco+ No.3, the Soft Cheese Knife Copenhagen No.1, and the Wüsthof Gourmet 5-Inch Spreader Knife.

Cheese knives for slicing

Cheese knives are designed for different types of cheese, depending on their texture and density. Cheese slicers or planes are used for shaving even slices of semi-hard or hard cheeses. These are ideal for cutting hard cheeses into thin slices for a better presentation or for a sandwich.

The narrow plane knife is a versatile knife, best suited for semi-hard cheeses like cheddar or gouda. It has a sharp end on both ends, so you can use it as a flat cheese knife to press into hard cheeses and finish cutting wedges with the sharp long end.

The flat cheese knife is another common type of cheese knife. It is used to cut or divide soft cheese. It can also be used to shave down hard cheeses, as the sharp edge is on the bottom of the knife, so the cutting motion will always be pressing down.

The open-work blade knife is used for soft, sticky cheeses. The holes in the knife prevent the cheese from sticking to the blade, which would otherwise make a mess. This knife is long and flimsy, like a palette knife, and is used to spread soft cheeses.

Cheese cleavers

A cheese cleaver is a great tool for cubing cheese and cutting blocked cheeses. It is designed to cut through hard cheeses such as cheddar, havarti, Swiss, or Colby. The cleaver's stainless steel blade and handle make it comfortable to hold and use, and its attractive design makes it a perfect addition to any table setting.

The Swissmar Cheese Cleaver is a highly-rated cheese cleaver made of stainless steel. It has a total length of 7.75" and features a hollow handle. This cheese cleaver is perfect for slicing through hard cheeses with ease.

When serving cheese, it is important to provide a separate cheese knife for each type of cheese to avoid mixing flavours.

Cheese fork

A cheese fork is a handy tool to have when serving cheese. It can be used to hold a block of cheese in place while cutting, and is also ideal for breaking hard or aged cheeses into smaller pieces.

When shopping for a cheese fork, consider the type of cheese you plan to serve and the overall aesthetic of your tableware. For example, a stainless steel fork with a wooden handle might pair well with a rustic-style charcuterie board, while a set of elegant gold-coloured forks could complement a more formal setting.

In addition to their functionality, cheese forks can also add a decorative touch to your table or cheese board. Whether you're looking for a simple, classic design or something more unique and modern, there are a variety of options available to suit your style and budget.

Flat cheese knife

A flat cheese knife is a common type of cheese knife that is used to cut or divide soft cheese. It can also be used to shave down hard cheeses, with a cutting motion that always presses down.

Flat cheese knives are ideal for soft cheeses such as brie or camembert, which have a soft interior and can easily stick to a knife. A flat cheese knife can help to make a cleaner cut and keep the shape of the delicate interior.

If you are looking for a universal knife that can cut all types of cheese, a skeleton knife or a knife with holes in it is a versatile option. A sharp blade will help to cut cleanly through the rind. When using a skeleton knife on harder cheeses, use a slight sawing motion as they tend to be more delicate. Typical cheese knives of this sort are five to six inches in length.

If you entertain a lot or eat a wider variety of cheese, it is worth investing in a set of knives. Look for a set with three or more shapes: a thin, long one for soft cheeses, a wider one with holes for medium cheeses, and a pointed, blunt one for hard cheese like Parmesan. Other shapes include a mini cleaver, which is great for semi-hard to hard cheese, and a spreader knife for soft, spreadable cheeses (like cream cheese) and dips.

Frequently asked questions