Bushra Griffith
A cheese knife is a type of kitchen knife specialized for cutting cheese. Different types of cheese require different knives, with various factors to consider, such as the hardness and texture of the cheese. For example, soft cheese knives are designed to deal with the stickiness of soft cheese, while hard cheese knives are designed to cut through dense cheeses. Cheese knives can also be used for cutting other foods, such as fruits and vegetables, making them versatile tools in the kitchen.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Purpose | To cut or slice cheese |
| Types | Soft cheese knife, flat cheese knife, narrow plane cheese knife, cheddar knife, cheese wire, cheese plane, rind cutter, spade knife, pronged knife, slim-blade knife, cheese spreader, gorgonzola cheese knife, flat-edge knife, cheese scoop, chisel knife, cheese fork, parmesan knife, bow knife, girolle |
| Use | Soft cheese knives are used for soft, sticky cheeses; hard cheese knives are used for hard, grate-able cheeses; other types are used for semi-soft or semi-hard cheeses |
| Design features | Holes in the blade, offset handles, pointed edge, wide flat surface, sharp edges, fine wire, curved blade, long handle |
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What You'll Learn
Different types of cheese knives
The type of cheese knife you use depends on the texture of the cheese you're eating. Using the right knife can affect the flavour and texture of the cheese. Here are some of the different types of cheese knives:
Soft Cheese Knife
Also known as a fork-tipped spear or pronged knife, this knife is used for softer cheeses. It has a thin blade, often with perforations to prevent sticking, which is ideal for cheeses like brie, camembert, ricotta, fresh chèvre, and burrata. The fork-pronged tip can also be used for serving cut pieces of harder cheeses.
Plane Knife
Also known as a flat knife, this knife is used for semi-firm cheeses like cheddar, gouda, and pepper jack. It is sharp on both sides and the tip, allowing you to press the blade into hard cheeses and finish cutting with the sharp long end.
Parmesan Knife
This knife has a pointed edge made for breaking off chunks of hard and dry cheeses like Parmesan. It also has a sharp edge to cut through rinds. Parmesan knives come in two styles: the bell cheese knife, which has an arrowhead-shaped blade, and the compact cheese knife, which has a blade that resembles a shark tooth.
Hard Cheese Knife
These are typically the largest cheese knives and are used for pressing downward and cutting through a whole wheel or wedge of aged hard cheese to form smaller portions. They often have handles on both ends to allow for even pressure distribution.
Cheese Cleaver
The wide rectangular blade of a cheese cleaver is made for cutting hard or semi-hard cheeses like cheddar or pepper jack, and can also be used for cubing these cheeses.
Cheese Grater
A cheese grater is used to create shreds of cheese. They typically have razors on more than one side to produce different-sized shreds.
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How to use a cheese knife
Cheese knives come in a variety of sizes and shapes, depending on the type of cheese they are intended for. Soft cheese knives, for example, are designed with holes in the blade to prevent soft cheeses from sticking. Hard cheese knives, on the other hand, are typically larger and have durable blades designed to cut through firm rinds.
When using a cheese knife, it is important to consider the type of cheese you are working with and adjust your cutting technique accordingly. For a triangular wedge of cheese, always slice it lengthwise from the centre to the outer edge to preserve the shape and experience the full spectrum of flavours. For blocks or logs of cheese, start at one end and cut straight down to make even slices.
For soft cheeses, a cheese wire or bow knife can be used to gently slice through without crushing or spreading the cheese too far. A soft cheese knife, with its narrow and upward-curled blade, can also be used to cut and serve soft cheeses without them sticking to the blade.
For semi-soft cheeses, a flat or plane knife can be used to cut and break the cheese into smaller pieces. This type of knife is sharp on both sides and the tip, allowing you to press it into the cheese and then cut with the long sharp end. A spade knife is another versatile option for semi-soft cheeses, with a pointed edge that can be used to break into firm rinds.
For hard cheeses, a cheese cleaver or a wide rectangular blade can be used to cut and cube the cheese. These knives are designed to withstand the force required to cut through hard cheeses and often have handles on both ends for even pressure distribution. A cheese plane can also be used to create thin slices of hard cheese, with its serrated blade and spatula-like structure.
In addition to these specialised cheese knives, a cheese spreader or spatula knife is perfect for spreading soft and creamy cheeses onto bread or crackers. A cheese fork can also be useful for holding harder cheeses in place while you cut with another knife.
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Cheese knife design and features
Cheese knives are specialised kitchen knives designed for cutting cheese. Different types of cheese require different knives, with the hardness of the cheese being the primary factor determining the choice of knife. The main purpose of cheese knives is to improve the user experience and enhance the flavour and texture of the cheese.
Soft cheese knives are designed to deal with the stickiness of soft cheese. They are usually designed with holes in the blade to prevent the cheese from sticking to it. The pronged cheese knife, also known as a fork-tipped spear, is a versatile tool with a sharp, narrow blade and prongs at the end. This design allows the user to cut a piece of cheese and then pick it up with the prongs for serving. Another type of soft cheese knife is the slim-blade knife, which has very little surface area to prevent soft cheeses from sticking to the blade. It is usually offset from the handle to provide room for the user's hand and prevent their knuckles from hitting the board.
Flat cheese knives, also known as chisel knives, are used for cutting slices of aged cheeses. They feature a wide, flat, paddle-like blade with a sharp bottom edge. A variation of the flat cheese knife is the narrow plane knife, or trapezium knife, which is used for cutting and chipping away at the cheese block. It has a rectangular shape with two sharp sides.
Hard cheese knives are designed to cut through firm rinds and hard cheese wheels and wedges. The cheddar knife, or mini cleaver, has a wide blade and cleaver shape that allows for force and balance when cutting slices. Hard cheese knives often feature offset handles to prevent the user's knuckles from hitting the board. The spade knife, also known as a parm knife, has a pointed edge for breaking off bites of dry, aged cheeses and cutting into firm rinds.
There are also various non-knife cheese cutting tools, such as the cheese wire, which is used to cut delicate soft cheeses without crushing them. The cheese plane, similar in design to a carpenter's plane, is used for shaving thin slices of semi-soft to semi-hard cheeses. The cheese scoop is used for softer or crumblier cheeses and resembles a tiny garden trowel with a short curved blade and a long handle.
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Cheese knife sets
Cheese knives are designed for cutting and serving different types of cheese. There are various types of cheese knives, each with a specific purpose, including soft cheese knives, hard cheese knives, cheese planes, and cheese spreaders.
A cheese knife set is a great addition to any kitchen, especially for those who frequently serve cheese. These sets typically include a range of knives for different types of cheeses, from soft to hard, and can be used for cheese-making, daily cooking, and outdoor BBQs. They also make perfect gifts for any occasion, such as Mother's Day, weddings, housewarmings, or holidays.
A basic cheese knife set may include four pieces: a mini spade knife for cutting hard cheese, a mini fork for chunking cheese, a narrow plane knife for slicing semi-hard and soft cheese, and a spreading knife for crumbly cheese. The knives are typically made of high-quality wooden handles and stainless steel blades, ensuring durability and elegance.
More comprehensive cheese knife sets can offer a wider range of tools, such as a cheese spreader, a fork-tipped spear, a cheese shaver, a cleaver, a fork, or a Stilton spoon. The fork-tipped spear, also known as a pronged cheese knife, is a versatile tool that combines a narrow curved blade to prevent soft cheeses from sticking and a prong for serving. A set may also include a flat or chisel knife, which is used to cut slices of aged cheese by holding the blade vertically and pushing downward.
When using a cheese knife set, it is important to follow dining etiquette and use a separate knife for each type of cheese. This not only improves the user experience but also ensures that the cheese is served and cut effectively. With the right cheese knife set, you can confidently serve your favourite cheeses and impress your guests.
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Non-knife cheese cutting devices
While a cheese knife is a specialized type of kitchen knife designed for cutting cheese, there are several non-knife devices used for the same purpose. These devices are particularly useful for cutting soft cheeses, which tend to stick to the blade of a knife, making it difficult to cut and affecting the presentation of the cheese.
One such non-knife device is a cheese wire or bow knife, which is used to cut delicate soft cheeses without crushing or spreading them. The wire is usually attached to a cheese board with an indent for the wire, and it is lowered down through the cheese, leaving a clean slice. A cheese slicer, also known as an osteohvel, is another device used primarily for thin slices of medium-hard cheeses. It is especially popular in Scandinavian and Dutch cultures for cutting cheese for sandwiches. The girolle is a similar device used to cut hard Swiss Tête de Moine cheese by scraping it into rosettes.
A cheese plane is a device used for achieving thin slices of medium-firm cheeses. It is easy to clean and allows for consistent slice thickness. It works faster than a knife for very thin slices. A cheese cutter is another non-knife device used to cut soft, sticky cheeses. It has a fine gauge stainless steel or aluminium wire stretched across a supporting frame, which cuts through the cheese block with hand pressure.
A cheese scoop is used for softer or crumblier cheeses. It has a short curved blade with a long handle, resembling a tiny garden trowel. It can also be used to scoop out wax-covered cheeses like Gouda or Edam.
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Frequently asked questions
A cheese knife is a type of kitchen knife specialised for cutting cheese. Different cheeses require different knives, with factors like hardness and stickiness dictating the type of knife used.
There are several types of cheese knives, including:
- Cheddar knife (or mini cleaver) for cutting hard cheeses
- Flat cheese knife (or chisel knife) for cutting aged cheeses
- Narrow plane cheese knife (or trapezium knife) for cutting and chipping cheese
- Soft cheese knife (or open-work blade knife) with holes in the blade to prevent cheese from sticking
- Cheese spreader (or spatula knife) for applying soft cheeses to bread and crackers
- Pronged cheese knife (or fork-tipped spear) for cutting and serving cheese
Some non-knife utensils for cutting cheese include:
- Cheese wire (or bow knife) for cutting soft cheeses
- Cheese slicer for cutting semi-hard and hard cheeses
- Cheese plane for cutting extra-hard cheeses
- Girolle for scraping Swiss cheese into rosettes
