Kitchen Knives

Different Types of Kitchen Knives

Chef Knife

Chef knives are commonly crafted with a pointed tip and a distinct edge design characterized by a gentle curve (belly), promoting a fluid rocking movement. This rocking action enables you to maintain a continuous cutting motion without the need to lift the knife from the cutting board's surface. This reduces user fatigue and lessens prep times across your kitchen preparation. Chef Knives are typically found in lengths of 8 to 12 inches. Good for various food prep duties like slicing, dicing, chopping, mincing, and disjointing large cuts of meat. You can check out REC's selection of Chef knives.

Santoku Knife

Santoku knives, hailing from Japan, are typically characterized by their shorter, lighter, and more slender profile when compared to Western-style chef knives. They typically boast a blade length of 6-7 inches, in contrast to the standard 8-inch size of a home cook's chef knife. Santoku knives excel at precision slicing, capable of creating exceptionally thin food slices. However, they are not the go-to choice for tasks such as cleaving large meat bones, cutting through soft breads, or handling peeling duties. To explore Santoku knives.

Nakiri Knife

The Nakiri knife, a traditional Japanese-style blade, is primarily designed for precise slicing, dicing, and chopping of vegetables. Its distinguishing feature is the straight and symmetrical blade, which encourages a particular cutting technique. Nakiri knives can be likened to the Western-style counterpart of a single-edged Japanese usuba or vegetable knife. They are often employed for tasks such as creating Julienne, Brunoise, and Allumette cuts, and are particularly adept at transferring chopped vegetables seamlessly from the cutting board into pans. REC offers a fine selection of Nakiri knives.

Paring Knife

The humble Paring knife, a ubiquitous presence in kitchens worldwide, is often considered the linchpin of any kitchen toolkit. A Paring knife is a diminutive blade, typically measuring under 8 inches in length, sporting a non-serrated curved blade, usually less than 4 inches long. Its nomenclature reflects its supreme ability: "paring," which means stripping or peeling. This versatile knife is your go-to tool for a myriad of smaller kitchen tasks. It excels at handling petite vegetables, peeling fruits, effortlessly slicing irregularly shaped items, mincing delicate ingredients like garlic and onions, coring tomatoes, preparing fruit for salads, halving avocados, or segmenting fruits for snacking. What sets Paring knives apart is their remarkable utility in situations where you need to keep a firm grip on the food you're cutting, and they shine in scenarios where a cutting board isn't a necessity.

Cleaver

A kitchen cleaver, in stark contrast to the petite Paring knife, is a veritable giant in the kitchen with a hefty, broad rectangular blade that dwarfs most other knives. Typically measuring between 6 to 8 inches in length, this culinary behemoth is as imposing as it is utilitarian. The hallmark of a cleaver is its weighty, blade-forward design, making it almost feel like it's eager to tackle demanding tasks. Cleavers shine in situations where an up-and-down chopping motion is needed to get the job done. These robust blades are the undisputed champions when it comes to breaking down meat and bones. They can deftly slice through thick cuts of beef, lamb, or pork and make quick work of separating ribs or hacking through joints. Cleavers can also take on the task of unyielding vegetables. Looking to mince a butternut squash, pumpkin or cabbage? A cleaver is the proper tool. Not to mention they are just super fun to use.

Bread Knife

Bread knives are unsung heroes in the world of kitchen cutlery, often overlooked but genuinely transformative when it comes to the delicate art of slicing soft, fresh-baked goods. These knives boast a unique and clever design with serrated teeth that play a pivotal role in the process. In between those pointed edges, you'll find scalloped areas that handle the softer, more delicate breadcrumb. This duality is where the bread knife's genius truly shines. While the serrated teeth grip and fracture the tough exterior, the scalloped areas provide smooth and clean slicing through the tender interior. The result? Perfectly uniform slices of bread with a contrast of crispy crust and soft, fluffy crumb, just as it's meant to be. Looking to keep your warm loaves intact? Explore our bread knives. Just remember to warm your butter so Aunt Sue doesn't mutilate your Rosemary bread scraping cool butter over her slice.

Carving Knife

Carving knives are like the graceful conductors of the kitchen orchestra, sporting long and slender blades that are tailor-made for the art of carving and serving meats. But their talents don't stop at meat alone; they're also versatile enough to handle the slicing of fruits and vegetables when the need arises. While the Chef's knife rocks a broader blade and is your go-to tool for chopping mountains of ingredients, the carving knife opts for a more refined path, favoring precision and elegance. With its lean and lithe frame, the carving knife excels at carving up a variety of meats, whether they're in their raw, uncooked state, or roasted to perfection. It allows you to create those flawless, paper-thin slices that elicit oohs and aahs at the dining table. Carving knives should be spared from any bone-hacking or encounters with tough, hard materials. Their blades tend to be flexible, which is a strategic feature when dealing with denser meats. This flexibility ensures delicate, surgical precision, allowing you to effortlessly carve that Thanksgiving turkey or your Sunday roast into impeccably uniform servings, worthy of a standing ovation. Explore carving knives!

Kitchen Accessories

From BBQ sets, Shears, Honing Steels, Camellia Knife Oil, sharpening systems, and more. REC has you covered for all of your kitchen cutlery needs. From apartment kitchens to professional back-of-house needs. Explore kitchen accessories. We look forward to helping you.

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Spyderco

Spyderco Murray Carter Minarai Bunka Bocho Chefs Knife, Black Polymer, Satin CTS BD1N - K18PBK

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Designed by world-renowned knifemaker Murray Carter, official heir to a 420-year-old Japanese bladesmi
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Fairfield Knife Works 9.5" Chef Maple Burl & Resin, Damascus

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Fairfield Knife Works Western Chef's Knife The Western Chef's knife from Fairfield Knife Works represents Matt Harbuck's passion project grown into a thriving small business—ideal for home cooks,...
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Fairfield Knife Works 10.25" Gyoto Maple Burl & Resin, Procut Carbon Steel

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Fairfield Knife Works Gyoto Chef's Knife The Gyoto Chef's knife from Fairfield Knife Works represents Matt Harbuck's passion project grown into a thriving small business—ideal for home cooks,...
10/14/2026 @ 12ET

Fairfield Knife Works Sycamore Maple & G10, CPM 154

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Fairfield Knife Works Sycamore The Sycamore is a handcrafted outdoor fixed blade from Fairfield Knife Works—designed by Matt Harbuck for hunters, field professionals, and outdoor enthusiasts who...
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Fairfield Knife Works Sycamore Grip-X & G10, CPM 154

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Fairfield Knife Works Sycamore The Sycamore is a handcrafted outdoor fixed blade from Fairfield Knife Works—designed by Matt Harbuck for hunters, field professionals, and outdoor enthusiasts who...
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Fairfield Knife Works Elk Ridge Dayglow G10, Nitro-V

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Fairfield Knife Works Elk Ridge The Elk Ridge is a handcrafted outdoor fixed blade from Fairfield Knife Works—designed by Matt Harbuck for hunters, hikers, and outdoor professionals who demand...
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Fairfield Knife Works Elk Ridge Orange G10, Nitro-V

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Fairfield Knife Works Elk Ridge The Elk Ridge is a handcrafted outdoor fixed blade from Fairfield Knife Works—designed by Matt Harbuck for hunters, hikers, and outdoor professionals who demand...
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Fairfield Knife Works Bucklore Python Micarta, 80CRV2

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Fairfield Knife Works Bucklore The Bucklore is a handcrafted outdoor fixed blade from Fairfield Knife Works—designed by Matt Harbuck for hunters, field professionals, and outdoor enthusiasts who...
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Fairfield Knife Works Hizey Smooth Black G10, AEB-L

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Fairfield Knife Works Hizey The Hizey is a handcrafted outdoor fixed blade from Fairfield Knife Works—designed by Matt Harbuck for hunters, field professionals, and outdoor enthusiasts who demand...
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Fairfield Knife Works Exline Sculpted Black G10, CPM S45VN

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Fairfield Knife Works Exline The Exline is a handcrafted outdoor fixed blade from Fairfield Knife Works—designed by Matt Harbuck for hunters, field professionals, and everyday carry enthusiasts who...
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Fairfield Knife Works Jackson Camp Micarta & G10, Nitro-V

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Fairfield Knife Works Jackson Camp The Jackson Camp is a handcrafted outdoor fixed blade from Fairfield Knife Works—designed by Matt Harbuck for hunters, camp professionals, and field enthusiasts who...
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Fairfield Knife Works Rockmill Rosewood Dymalux, Nitro-V

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Fairfield Knife Works Rockmill The Rockmill is a handcrafted outdoor fixed blade from Fairfield Knife Works—designed by Matt Harbuck for hunters, outdoor professionals, and everyday carry enthusiasts...
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Fairfield Knife Works Cantwell Red & Black G10, 80CRV2 Steel

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Fairfield Knife Works Cantwell The Cantwell is a handcrafted outdoor fixed blade from Fairfield Knife Works—designed by Matt Harbuck for hunters, field professionals, and camp enthusiasts who demand...
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Fairfield Knife Works Coyote Black G10, CPM M4

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Fairfield Knife Works Coyote The Coyote is a handcrafted outdoor fixed blade from Fairfield Knife Works—designed by Matt Harbuck for hunters, field professionals, and camp enthusiasts who demand...
Wusthof

Wusthof Classic Ikon 7" Hollow Edge Santoku - 1040331317

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7" Hollow Edge Santoku What a Chef's knife is for European kitchens, the Santoku is for Japan and the whole of Asia: so versatile in shape, weight and edge that it can be used for mincing and...
Spyderco

Spyderco Murray Carter Minarai Petty K15BK

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Designed by world-renowned knifemaker Murray Carter, official heir to a 420-year-old Japanese bladesmithing lineage, Spyderco’s Murray Carter Collection faithfully translates Carter’s coveted...
Pre-Owned

Gregory Johns Custom Chef Knife

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Gregory Johns Handmade Knives This custom knife is completely handmade by Gregory Johns, a 73-year-old retired veteran from Ohio. Gregory's engineering background and high-end woodworking experience...
Benchmade Knives

Benchmade True Paring Knife, Maple Valley Richlite, Stonewashed CPM-154 - 4045-02

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Benchmade 4045-02 True Paring Knife - Maple Valley Richlite The 4045-02 True Paring Knife handles detailed tasks from backyard BBQ to campsite cutting board. Acute clip-point CPM-154 stainless steel...
Benchmade Knives

Benchmade True Paring Knife, OD Green G10, Black CPM-154 - 4045BK-01

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Benchmade 4045BK-01 True Paring Knife - OD Green G10 The 4045BK-01 True Paring Knife delivers precision for detailed tasks from backyard BBQ to campsite. Clip-point CPM-154 stainless steel blade with...
Benchmade Knives

Benchmade Wildcoast, Maple Valley Richlite, Stonewashed CPM-154 - 4070-02

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Benchmade 4070-02 Wildcoast Knife The 4070-02 Wildcoast balances raw power with refined precision for outdoor cooking. Robust clip-point CPM-154 stainless steel blade with stonewashed finish delivers...