
When it comes to cutting brie, a soft cheese knife is the best tool for the job. Soft cheese knives, sometimes called fork-tipped spears or pronged knives, have thin blades that are perfect for slicing through soft cheeses. The prongs at the end are also useful for serving cut pieces of harder cheeses. Soft cheese knives often have perforations on the blade to prevent the cheese from sticking, which is ideal when dealing with sticky cheeses like brie. Other options for cutting brie include a slim-blade knife, which has very little surface area to prevent sticking, or a cheese wire or bow knife, which can create clean slices without crushing the cheese.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Type of knife | Soft cheese knife, pronged cheese knife, slim-blade knife, flat cheese knife, cheese wire, cheese plane, spade knife |
| Knife features | Sharp blade, holes in the blade, serrated edge, scalpel-like blade, paddle-shaped, wide and flat |
| Use | Cutting slices of brie, cutting through cheese rinds, scooping and spreading brie |
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What You'll Learn
- Soft cheese knives are designed with sticky cheeses in mind, such as brie
- Cheese wires are best for cutting semi-soft to semi-hard cheeses
- Slim-blade knives are ideal for soft or semi-soft, sticky cheeses
- Flat cheese knives are used for aged cheeses
- Parmesan knives are pointed to break off chunks of hard and dry cheeses

Soft cheese knives are designed with sticky cheeses in mind, such as brie
Soft cheese knives are also known as fork-tipped spears or pronged knives. The pronged end of the knife can be used to pick up and serve the cheese, making it a versatile tool. The blade is usually thin and narrow, and the handle is offset to prevent the user's knuckles from hitting the board. This type of knife is ideal for soft cheeses, such as brie, camembert, and chevre.
A slim-blade knife is another option for cutting soft cheeses. This type of knife has an ultra-fine blade that provides very little surface area for the cheese to stick to. The handle is also offset, providing a comfortable grip and widening the gap between the user's knuckles and the cutting surface. Slim-blade knives are well-suited for soft or semi-soft, sticky cheeses such as brie or halloumi.
A cheese wire or bow knife is another tool that can be used to cut soft cheeses. It is designed to cut delicate soft cheeses without crushing or spreading them. The wire is lowered gently through the cheese, leaving a clean slice. A cheese wire is usually found in a bow shape or attached to a cheese board with an indent for the wire.
A cheese spreader is another option for dealing with soft cheeses. While it is not ideal for cutting slices, it is perfect for spreading soft cheeses like brie, cream cheese, or other cheesy spreads and dips. Some cheese spreaders have a serrated edge that can help to cut through cheese rinds.
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Cheese wires are best for cutting semi-soft to semi-hard cheeses
When it comes to cutting brie, a soft cheese knife or a slim-blade knife is ideal. Soft cheese knives are specifically designed with holes in the blade to reduce the surface area, allowing soft cheeses to pass through without sticking. Slim-blade knives are also designed with a narrow blade to achieve the same effect.
However, if you are cutting a wedge of soft cheese, it is recommended to cut slices along the long edge of the cheese, creating a long strip. It is considered poor etiquette to cut the tip or nose of the wedge as this is thought to be the piece with the most flavor.
If you are looking to cut semi-soft to semi-hard cheeses, a cheese wire is the best tool for the job. Cheese wires, also known as bow knives or harp wires, are designed to cut through a variety of cheeses smoothly and cleanly without crushing or sticking to the cheese. They are usually found in a bow shape or attached to a cheese board with an indent for the wire. The ideal cheese wire combines strength, flexibility, and corrosion resistance. Stainless steel wires, in particular, are renowned for their durability and corrosion resistance, making them suitable for both professional and home kitchens. For semi-hard cheeses, a medium-thickness wire ranging from 2.5mm to 3mm is recommended, as it provides a good balance between flexibility and strength.
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Slim-blade knives are ideal for soft or semi-soft, sticky cheeses
When it comes to cutting soft and sticky cheeses like brie, a slim-blade knife is the perfect tool for the job. This type of knife is specifically designed to provide a minimal surface area, preventing soft cheeses from sticking to the blade. The narrow blade of a slim-blade knife allows you to cut through the cheese without crushing or spreading it, ensuring a clean slice.
Slim-blade knives, also known as open blade knives, are crafted with delicate cheeses in mind. They are often perforated with holes to further reduce the surface area, making it even more effective at slicing through sticky cheeses. This design ensures that the cheese doesn't stick to the knife, resulting in a smooth and effortless cutting experience.
The slim-blade knife is an excellent choice for soft or semi-soft cheeses, such as brie, camembert, or chevre. Its ultra-fine blade easily glides through the cheese, preserving the shape and texture of each slice. This knife is also versatile enough to handle slightly firmer cheeses, such as gouda or cheddar, without any sticking issues.
One notable feature of the slim-blade knife is its offset handle. This design element positions the handle away from the blade, providing ample space for your hand to grip comfortably. This thoughtful design prevents your knuckles from hitting the cutting board, ensuring a safe and pleasant cutting experience.
When using a slim-blade knife to cut brie or similar cheeses, it is important to follow proper cheese-cutting etiquette. Avoid cutting the tip or nose of the cheese wedge, as this is considered the most flavourful part. Instead, cut slices along the long edge of the cheese, creating elegant, long strips. With the right technique and the slim-blade knife, you can effortlessly create the perfect cheese platter.
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Flat cheese knives are used for aged cheeses
When it comes to cutting brie, a soft cheese knife is the best option. Soft cheese knives, also known as open-work blade knives, are designed with delicate, sticky cheeses in mind. They feature holes in the blade to prevent soft cheeses from sticking, while still being sharp enough to slice through gooey cheeses with bloomy rinds, such as brie, Camembert, or chèvre.
Now, let's talk about flat cheese knives. Flat cheese knives, also known as chisel knives, are specifically used for aged cheeses. They have a wide, flat, paddle-like blade with a sharp bottom edge. To use a flat cheese knife, hold the blade vertically over the aged cheese and push downward to cut slices. You can then use the sharp end to further cut the pieces into smaller portions. Flat cheese knives are ideal for shaving or chipping aged hard cheeses like aged gouda or cheddar.
While soft cheese knives are perfect for brie, flat cheese knives are designed for a different type of cheese—aged cheeses. Aged cheeses are typically harder in texture, and the flat, wide blade of the flat cheese knife allows for better force and balance when cutting through these firmer cheeses.
It is important to note that different types of cheeses require different types of knives. For example, semi-hard to hard cheeses, such as wedges, should be cut along the width edge, and then along the length edge once you reach halfway up the wedge. On the other hand, soft cheeses like brie are cut along the long edge of the cheese, creating a long strip. The tip or nose of the cheese wedge is avoided, as it is considered the most flavourful part.
In conclusion, flat cheese knives are designed for aged cheeses, providing a functional and efficient way to cut and serve these harder cheese varieties. For soft cheeses like brie, a soft cheese knife is the preferred choice, taking into account the sticky texture and delicate nature of the cheese.
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Parmesan knives are pointed to break off chunks of hard and dry cheeses
When it comes to cutting brie, a soft cheese knife is recommended. Soft cheese knives, also known as open-blade knives, are designed with holes in the blade to prevent sticky cheeses like brie from adhering to the knife. They are also sharp enough to cut into the gooey centres of these cheeses.
Now, when it comes to hard and dry cheeses like Parmesan, a different type of knife is required. Parmesan knives, as the name suggests, are specifically designed for hard cheeses like Parmesan, Cheshire, and Stilton. They feature a pointed edge, perfect for breaking off chunks from large cheese wedges. Parmesan knives come in two styles: the bell cheese knife, with an arrowhead-shaped blade, and the compact cheese knife, with a blade resembling a shark tooth. Both styles effectively break down hard cheeses.
The length of Parmesan knives varies, with some measuring 7.5 inches in total length, including the handle, while others have blades as long as 11 cm. The longer blade provides more leverage and precision when cutting through tough cheeses.
In addition to their pointed tips, Parmesan knives also have a sharp edge, which is useful for cutting through tough rinds. This feature is essential when serving stinky, rind-washed cheeses. To use the knife in this capacity, pierce the rind at one edge and drag the knife across the surface.
Hard cheese knives, in general, are typically larger than other cheese knives, as they are designed to cut through entire wheels or wedges of aged hard cheese. They often feature handles on both ends to facilitate even pressure distribution when cutting.
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Frequently asked questions
A soft cheese knife, sometimes called an open blade knife, is best for brie. It has a sharp blade for slicing through gooey cheeses with a bloomy rind and is designed with sticky cheeses in mind.
Soft cheese knives tend to be pronged or fork-tipped with a thin, narrow blade to prevent the cheese from sticking.
A slim-blade knife or a cheese wire/harp wire are also good options for cutting brie. The slim-blade knife is ultra-fine and prevents soft cheeses from sticking, while the cheese wire makes clean slices through semi-soft cheeses.
When cutting a wedge of soft cheese, you should cut slices along the long edge of the cheese, creating a long strip. It is considered poor etiquette to cut the tip or nose of the wedge as this is the piece with the most flavour.

























