Why do Kitchen Knives Have Holes?

knife with holes

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If you have been around kitchen knives for a while, you may have probably noticed that some have holes or dimples on their blades. And you may have wondered what purpose those holes serve. Well, you are not the only one to ask yourself that question. Whether it’s a paring knife, a cheese knife, a chef’s knife, a boning knife, or a cleaver, almost all types of kitchen knives have holes in them. Apart from enhancing the knife’s aesthetics, holes can also increase its cutting efficiency, among other benefits. Let’s take a closer look at why some kitchen knives have dimples and holes in the blade.

Reduced Cutting Friction

This is probably the main reason why some kitchen knives have holes on the blade. Whether you are chopping herbs, cutting meat or chopping vegetables, the blades knife will cause some friction with what you are cutting. And when that happens, you will be forced to apply more energy to achieve your desired cut.

Also, the friction may prevent you from accomplishing a perfect slice. For instance, if you are trying to chop a large piece of meat into smaller pieces using a meat cleaver, it will create some friction with the blade, thus slowing down the cut. Furthermore, the friction may cause the meat to bind on the blade.

And this is where the holes come in. They will help to minimize the friction between the blade and the meat, thus helping you to achieve a smoother and faster cut. So, if you are on the market for a cheese knife or meat cleaver, then it’s highly advisable to choose one that has some holes.

Helps to Reduce the Knife’s Weight

Whether it’s a cheese knife, meat clever or a paring knife, every kitchen knife should have a strong and sturdy blade. If the blade is weak and its quality is poor, it may break into two, especially when you are cutting, slicing or chopping tough items like meat.

On the other hand, the added strength also comes with additional weight. And as you may expect, a heavy knife will weigh you down, especially when you use it for long periods. Creating dimples and holes on the knife’s blade will remove some of the material, thus helping to keep its weight down, without sacrificing strength and durability. Therefore, you will end up choosing a strong, sturdy and durable knife, which is not too heavy.

Also, less weight translates to lesser metal material used, which translates to a lower cost. While a tiny hole on a knife’s blade may not appear like something much, the material saved is substantial, especially when it comes to mass production. And those cost savings will be passed down to the consumer.

Furthermore, a lighter kitchen knife is also easier and more comfortable to carry, especially when you are headed outdoors for camping, hunting, fishing or other outdoor expeditions.

Kitchen Knife Set

Easier and Better to Open

Some people prefer using pocket knives in the kitchen, instead of ordinary kitchen knives. Pocket knives are lightweight, versatile, compact and easy to carry. If you’ve ever used Spyderco pocket knives, you may have probably noticed they are equipped with a large hole on the blade, close to the handle. So, what purpose does this hole serve?

Well, when you close a Spyderco pocket knife, this hole sits outside the handle, making it easy to open the knife using a thumb. In case the other hand is engaged, you can still manage to open this knife. However, it’s important to note that the location of the hole on a kitchen knife is different from that of a pocket knife. Pocket knives come with a shorter and smaller blade. If the hole was located in the middle, it would weaken the blade.

Magnetic Knife Rack

Easier Hanging

Most people store their kitchen knives on wall-mounted magnetic strips, in drawers and countertop knife blocks. However, it’s not always possible to store some kitchen knives this way such as meat cleavers and machetes – due to their size and design. Therefore, hanging remains the most appropriate means of storing them. And that’s why they come with a hole at the front part of the blade. If you are a butcher, you will need the cleaver frequently. Therefore, you will need to hang it nearby for faster and easier access whenever you need it – thus the purpose of this hole. So, if you are buying a meat cleaver, you should go for one with a hole for better and convenient storage.

Enhanced Aesthetics and Versatility

Holes present on kitchen knives also help to enhance their aesthetics. The reality is, most people base their buying decisions on what they can see. Regardless of how effective or efficient a kitchen knife is, if it looks ugly or unappealing, there is a high chance that most people will not purchase it.

Furthermore, knives also add to the overall aesthetics of a kitchen. And that’s the reason why most people will go for a stylish one, instead of an effective one. Besides making it appear cooler and more stylish, the hole present on a kitchen knife can make it more versatile.

For instance, you can use the hole to attach the kitchen knife to the end of a metallic pole or stick and use it to harvest fruits that may be high up on the tree. In short, the possibilities are almost endless when you have a kitchen knife with holes, as long as you are ready to think outside the box.

Brand Recognition

Some kitchen manufacturers place a hole on a certain location on the blade, as a means of brand recognition. And Spyderco is one of such companies. Their knives have a noticeable hole on the blade, which makes it easier to differentiate them from other knives on the market. Simply put, the patented hole on the knife’s blade makes Spyderco’s knives unique.

Potential Drawbacks

Without a doubt, the presence of a hole on the blade of a kitchen knife comes with several benefits. But just like everything else, the hole may also present some potential drawbacks or downsides. And one of the main concerns is the strength, durability, and structural integrity of the blade.

As much as this may not be an issue for top-quality or high-end knives, the hole may be a huge concern when it comes to low quality or cheap knives. For instance, if the hole on the knife’s blade is too large, the entire blade may become weak, leading to splitting or cracking when you are cutting or chopping tough items.

Also, if the hole is placed too close to the back of the blade, the section above it may become weak. So, if you apply excessive pressure on this area of the blade, it may cave open. But as long as the knife is of high-quality, then you don’t have to worry about the blade splitting or cracking due to the hole.

So, whether the presence of holes on your kitchen knife will be an advantage or a drawback will depend on its quality as well as how you use it. If you intend to purchase a cheap kitchen knife, then you should avoid one with holes at all costs. The holes will compromise the blade’s structural integrity, thus shortening its lifespan. On the other hand, if you ready to buy a high-quality kitchen knife, then by all means go for one with holes on the blade. The holes will make your work easier and faster without compromising its durability and strength.

Types of Kitchen Knives with Holes

If you are looking for kitchen knives with holes, you will come across different types and designs. Some of the most common kitchen knives that have a hole on the blade include the chef’s knife, the paring knife, the santoku knife, the boning knife and the bread knife.

The chef’s knife is the most popular kitchen knife. In fact, you will find it in almost all kitchens. It runs approximately 8 to 12 inches long. If you are purchasing your first chef’s knife, a 10-inch one will be adequate for your needs. Chef’s knives can be used for almost every task in the kitchen, from chopping herbs to slicing roasts.

The boning knife, on the other hand, is designed for separating large chunks of meat from the bones – thus the name. It comes with a thin, flexible, and holed blade, designed to make your boning tasks easier, more efficient and faster.

As for the santoku knife, it’s mainly used for chopping, mincing and slicing. Its blade is thinner compared to that of a chef’s knife. The santoku knife is highly versatile, and you can use it in place of a chef’s knife. You can use it to slice cooked meats, chop vegetables, or even take apart turkey.

Closing Remarks

Without a doubt, the holes present on kitchen knives come with several benefits. The holes reduce friction and stickiness, thus making cutting, chopping and slicing easier. Furthermore, the holes provide a hanging mechanism for the knife, for faster access. Also, the holes enhance the knife’s aesthetic value. Whether you should purchase a kitchen knife with holes or not will depend on your budget, how you intend to use the knife as well as your personal preferences.

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