{"id":3818,"date":"2014-12-20T15:52:25","date_gmt":"2014-12-20T18:52:25","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/tracyleekarner.com\/?p=3818"},"modified":"2020-10-06T23:21:26","modified_gmt":"2020-10-06T23:21:26","slug":"chefs-knife-7-steps-to-proper-technique","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/tracyrittmueller.com\/2014\/12\/20\/chefs-knife-7-steps-to-proper-technique\/","title":{"rendered":"The Chef&#039;s Knife: 7 Steps to Proper Technique"},"content":{"rendered":"<figure id=\"attachment_571\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-571\" style=\"width: 300px\" class=\"wp-caption alignleft\"><a href=\"https:\/\/tracyrittmueller.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/05\/dsc_0007_2.jpg\"><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" class=\"size-medium wp-image-571\" src=\"https:\/\/tracyrittmueller.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/05\/dsc_0007_2.jpg?w=300\" alt=\"Tracy Lee Karner\" width=\"300\" height=\"199\" srcset=\"https:\/\/tracyrittmueller.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/05\/dsc_0007_2.jpg 2271w, https:\/\/tracyrittmueller.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/05\/dsc_0007_2-300x199.jpg 300w, https:\/\/tracyrittmueller.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/05\/dsc_0007_2-1024x681.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/tracyrittmueller.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/05\/dsc_0007_2-768x511.jpg 768w, https:\/\/tracyrittmueller.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/05\/dsc_0007_2-1536x1021.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/tracyrittmueller.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/05\/dsc_0007_2-2048x1362.jpg 2048w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px\" \/><\/a><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-571\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Proper knife technique<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<h1>Proper use of a chef&#8217;s knife requires proper technique.<\/h1>\n<p>Proper use of a professional kitchen knife is also as relaxing as any recreation. I &lt;3 my chef&#8217;s knife!<br \/>\nHere&#8217;s\u00a0how to get into <em>the slicing zone<\/em>:<br \/>\n<figure id=\"attachment_572\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-572\" style=\"width: 300px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><a href=\"https:\/\/tracyrittmueller.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/05\/dsc_0004.jpg\"><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" class=\"size-medium wp-image-572\" src=\"https:\/\/tracyrittmueller.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/05\/dsc_0004.jpg?w=300\" alt=\"Tracy Lee Karner\" width=\"300\" height=\"199\" \/><\/a><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-572\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Cradle the knife handle for control and balance.<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/p>\n<h2>1) Hold your knife correctly.<\/h2>\n<ul>\n<li>The top of the blade (the non-cutting edge) faces the palm.<\/li>\n<li>Cradle the handle in your palm and wrap the 2nd, 3rd, and 4th fingers around it.<\/li>\n<li>Grip the blade between your thumb and \u00a0index finger, this gives\u00a0you control and balance.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<figure id=\"attachment_573\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-573\" style=\"width: 300px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><a href=\"https:\/\/tracyrittmueller.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/05\/dsc_00011.jpg\"><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" class=\"size-medium wp-image-573\" src=\"https:\/\/tracyrittmueller.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/05\/dsc_00011.jpg?w=300\" alt=\"Tracy Lee Karner\" width=\"300\" height=\"199\" \/><\/a><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-573\" class=\"wp-caption-text\"><strong>DO NOT hold the knife like this!<\/strong><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<h2>2) Steady the blade.<\/h2>\n<p>There&#8217;s no way to keep the knife from tipping from side to side if you don&#8217;t squeeze the blade between your forefinger and thumb&#8211;and a tipsy blade makes accidents more likely.<br \/>\n<figure id=\"attachment_576\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-576\" style=\"width: 300px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><a href=\"https:\/\/tracyrittmueller.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/05\/dsc_0003.jpg\"><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" class=\"size-medium wp-image-576\" src=\"https:\/\/tracyrittmueller.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/05\/dsc_0003.jpg?w=300\" alt=\"Tracy Lee Karner\" width=\"300\" height=\"199\" srcset=\"https:\/\/tracyrittmueller.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/05\/dsc_0003.jpg 1876w, https:\/\/tracyrittmueller.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/05\/dsc_0003-300x199.jpg 300w, https:\/\/tracyrittmueller.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/05\/dsc_0003-1024x681.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/tracyrittmueller.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/05\/dsc_0003-768x510.jpg 768w, https:\/\/tracyrittmueller.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/05\/dsc_0003-1536x1021.jpg 1536w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px\" \/><\/a><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-576\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Chef knife with large hand.<\/figcaption><\/figure><br \/>\n<figure id=\"attachment_577\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-577\" style=\"width: 300px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><a href=\"https:\/\/tracyrittmueller.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/05\/dsc_0002.jpg\"><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" class=\"size-medium wp-image-577\" src=\"https:\/\/tracyrittmueller.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/05\/dsc_0002.jpg?w=300\" alt=\"Tracy Lee Karner\" width=\"300\" height=\"200\" srcset=\"https:\/\/tracyrittmueller.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/05\/dsc_0002.jpg 1481w, https:\/\/tracyrittmueller.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/05\/dsc_0002-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/tracyrittmueller.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/05\/dsc_0002-1024x681.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/tracyrittmueller.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/05\/dsc_0002-768x511.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px\" \/><\/a><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-577\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">10-inch chef&#8217;s knife with large hand, thumb view.<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/p>\n<h2>3) Size your knife to your hand.<\/h2>\n<p>For quite a while, I tried unsuccessfully to imitate how\u00a0my chef, Ken, holds the knife. Then I figured out why I couldn&#8217;t do it&#8211;his hands are the size of country hams, and mine are, in comparison, like a thin slice of bacon. \u00a0I cannot wrap my hand around, or\u00a0control a 10-inch knife.\u00a0That&#8217;s why I have my own chef&#8217;s knife with\u00a0an 8-inch blade.<br \/>\n<figure id=\"attachment_578\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-578\" style=\"width: 300px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><a href=\"https:\/\/tracyrittmueller.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/05\/dsc_00021.jpg\"><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" class=\"size-medium wp-image-578\" src=\"https:\/\/tracyrittmueller.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/05\/dsc_00021.jpg?w=300\" alt=\"Tracy Lee Karner\" width=\"300\" height=\"199\" \/><\/a><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-578\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">8-inch chef&#8217;s knife, small hand, knuckle-side view<\/figcaption><\/figure><br \/>\n&#8211;my fingers are so tiny and pointed that I feel out-of-control when I&#8217;m handling a big knife.<br \/>\n<figure id=\"attachment_579\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-579\" style=\"width: 300px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><a href=\"https:\/\/tracyrittmueller.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/05\/dsc_00012.jpg\"><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" class=\"size-medium wp-image-579\" src=\"https:\/\/tracyrittmueller.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/05\/dsc_00012.jpg?w=300\" alt=\"Tracy Lee Karner\" width=\"300\" height=\"199\" \/><\/a><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-579\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">8-inch chef&#8217;s knife, small hands, gripping the blade between thumb and forefinger.<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/p>\n<h2>4) Pay attention to your form.<\/h2>\n<p>Slicing is a contact sport&#8211;without good form, someone&#8217;s gonna get hurt.<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>After you&#8217;ve got proper hold of the knife, make sure you get a firm grasp (literally) on whatever you&#8217;re going to be cutting.<\/li>\n<li>And speaking of body-mind connection, don&#8217;t think <em>&#8220;chop,&#8221;<\/em> think <em><strong>&#8220;slice.&#8221;<\/strong><\/em> Don&#8217;t hack at the board unless you want to whack off a finger.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>(Using a chef&#8217;s knife is a mind-body sport, <a title=\"K is for Kinesiology\" href=\"http:\/\/tracyleekarner.com\/2014\/08\/04\/k-is-for-kinesiology\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">like Pilates<\/a>&#8211;you have to think about what your body, in this case your hand, is doing).<br \/>\n<figure id=\"attachment_580\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-580\" style=\"width: 290px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><a href=\"https:\/\/tracyrittmueller.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/05\/dsc_0013_2_2.jpg\"><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" class=\"size-medium wp-image-580\" src=\"https:\/\/tracyrittmueller.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/05\/dsc_0013_2_2.jpg?w=290\" alt=\"Tracy Lee Karner\" width=\"290\" height=\"300\" \/><\/a><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-580\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Hold ON to your onion!<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/p>\n<h2>6) Keep your fingers out of harm&#8217;s way.<\/h2>\n<p>Use your fingers of your holding hand like claws, curl them under&#8211;this keeps them away from the blade.<br \/>\n<figure id=\"attachment_581\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-581\" style=\"width: 300px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><a href=\"https:\/\/tracyrittmueller.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/05\/dsc_0005.jpg\"><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" class=\"size-medium wp-image-581\" src=\"https:\/\/tracyrittmueller.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/05\/dsc_0005.jpg?w=300\" alt=\"Tracy Lee Karner\" width=\"300\" height=\"199\" \/><\/a><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-581\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">With the finger curled under, a\u00a0knuckle rests against the flat of the blade and acts like a stop-guard.<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/p>\n<h2>7) Rock and Roll!<\/h2>\n<ul>\n<li>The blade tip rests on the cutting board&#8211;always!<\/li>\n<li>The cutting happens not by moving\u00a0the blade up and down like a guillotine, but by rocking it: from tip to handle to tip.<\/li>\n<li>When\u00a0your fore-knuckle is resting against the blade, and your fingers are curled under, there&#8217;s no physically possible way to cut your fingers.\u00a0A chef&#8217;s knife is designed wider near the handle specifically to help facilitate this safe, and cool, maneuver.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><figure id=\"attachment_582\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-582\" style=\"width: 300px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><a href=\"https:\/\/tracyrittmueller.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/05\/dsc_0007_21.jpg\"><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" class=\"size-medium wp-image-582\" src=\"https:\/\/tracyrittmueller.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/05\/dsc_0007_21.jpg?w=300\" alt=\"Tracy Lee Karner\" width=\"300\" height=\"199\" \/><\/a><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-582\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Rock that blade! Let it roll&#8230;.<\/figcaption><\/figure><br \/>\nAfter you get into the habit of holding a knife properly, you&#8217;ll\u00a0groove.<br \/>\nHave fun with your chef&#8217;s knife.\u00a0But let me remind you to please,<br \/>\n<em>cut responsibly.\u00a0<\/em><br \/>\nConcentrate on the mind-body connection&#8211;pay attention to where your fingers are whenever you&#8217;re cutting.<br \/>\n<em><strong>How do you\u00a0groove?\u00a0<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>A mini-course, with photos, to help you   slice and dice safely!<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":583,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"site-sidebar-layout":"default","site-content-layout":"default","ast-global-header-display":"","ast-banner-title-visibility":"","ast-main-header-display":"","ast-hfb-above-header-display":"","ast-hfb-below-header-display":"","ast-hfb-mobile-header-display":"","site-post-title":"","ast-breadcrumbs-content":"","ast-featured-img":"","footer-sml-layout":"","theme-transparent-header-meta":"","adv-header-id-meta":"","stick-header-meta":"","header-above-stick-meta":"","header-main-stick-meta":"","header-below-stick-meta":""},"categories":[6],"tags":[230,236,563,919],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/tracyrittmueller.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3818"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/tracyrittmueller.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/tracyrittmueller.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/tracyrittmueller.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/tracyrittmueller.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=3818"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/tracyrittmueller.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3818\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/tracyrittmueller.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/583"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/tracyrittmueller.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=3818"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/tracyrittmueller.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=3818"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/tracyrittmueller.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=3818"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}