What Is A Dinner Knife Used For Exactly? (2021 Guide)

The dinner aka table knife is used, as the name implies, for dining. Although this can still cut through cooked meat and vegetables, this is usually rounded off at the edge and features a curved tip instead of a pointed one.

Although sharp tools have been around since prehistoric times used primarily for hunting, cooking what they’ve hunted, and eating their cooked fare, modern knives were designed after weapons – evidenced by the fact that reputable bladesmithing hubs (Solingen of Germany and Seki of Japan) used to make swords and katanas for their warriors.

This is possibly the reason why German and Japanese knives are incredibly incisive.

But legend has it was the French high priest Cardinal Richelieu who first required the use of blunt blades for dinner because he was disgusted by his guests’ proclivity of using dining daggers as a toothpick.

Interested to know more about dinner knives? We’ve got everything noted below:

What are they used for?

The knives have a large and sharp blade that is perfect for the cutting of all kinds of cooked meat.

You can use this knife on your dinner table to meet all of your cutting needs from vegetables, fruits, meats to roasted food items.

Their wide usage makes them the versatile part of the table setting and yes, now no one can consider a decent meal without the dinner knife.

The blade of a dinner knife makes it the ideal knife choice when slicing cooked meats.

The large blade allows the diners and party-attendants to cut thin slices of meat, vegetables, and other fruits without difficulty.

With this knife, you can enjoy eating pizzas and other foodstuffs with maximum ease.

I personally use the slicing ones for the slicing of the bread as well as for the cutting of pizzas.

I do not prefer bread knives because they are only confined to bread cutting, instead, I use the dinner knife to carry out all the cutting and slicing tasks.

How are they different from others?

They are not only confined to the dinner tables but they have different uses in the kitchen as well.

But most of the chefs prefer chef knives to carry out cutting tasks inside the kitchen while using the dinner knives only at the time of meals.

However, these cutters are more attractive and serve the aesthetic purpose as well, giving the perfect appearance to the whole table.

On the other hand, with a slicing knife by your side, you can easily make thin and neat meat cuts, meat slices, and carve meat pieces to perfection.

You can also cut roast, fried fish, and chicken.

You can also use these ones for the thin slicing of fruits and vegetables for a nicer presentation.

However, we can say that slicing knives are more efficient inside the kitchen and are mainly used for the cutting of salads, while vegetable knives are best for serving purposes.

This makes a huge difference when it comes to the usage of both.

Keep in mind that you cannot do peeling or piercing with a slicing knife as its blade is a bit wide and plain for that.

Moreover, you should not be using a slicing knife for the cleavage of meat bones.

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What to look for when buying?

Whenever you go to the market or search the online menus, you come to know that these are present in hundreds of different models, varieties, and designs.

At this stage, you understand that you should have extensive knowledge of the basic features of a dinner knife.

Let’s discuss some of the top models available out there.

New Star FoodService

These are highly in demand because they are both stain and corrosion-resistant.

Moreover, they are dishwasher safe and you can easily use and wash them using common detergents.

The size of the New Star Dinner Knife is not more than 8.2 inches and the appearance is quite classic.

If you are in search of the knife that is the perfect combination of professionalism and simplicity, then you should choose the New Star set.

They are available at Amazon as well as other major online selling stores.

Hiware Good

If you are looking for a modern dinner set at an affordable price range, then these ones are a perfect match for you.

Their heavy-duty steel keeps them working for years and even months.

You can easily use this for day-to-day usage and all your events.

You can never be so comfortable with others.

Everyday Flatware

These models often come in a set of 6.

When it comes to finish and weight, no other knife can compete with these knives.

They are perfect for family dinners and birthday parties.

In short, they are “Buy Once, Impress Lifetime” knives.

Final verdict

They not only serve cutting purposes but are also a beautiful decoration on the table’s top.

While purchasing these knives., make sure that you are buying stainless high-quality steel.

Moreover, keep the aesthetic purpose in your mind as well.

Has this article improved your knowledge about dinner knives?

If yes, do a quick comment right now and share your ideas with us.

Ryan Leavitt

Hi my name is Ryan Leavitt a Marine Corps Veteran and currently an over the road trucker (Long Haul). I am no expert chef but am enjoying preparing my own meals on the road and testing all the different knives.