In this article, I will go over how to use a swivel knife. A swivel knife is a very useful tool for any chef no matter how skilled they are. It can make cutting tasks easier and more efficient.
In fact, it is so popular that many people opt to buy their own personal knives instead of using the ones provided by their restaurants or grocery stores. If you want to know how to use one yourself, keep reading!
Firstly, how do you use a swivel knife? A swivel knife is essentially used to cut things like meat and vegetables. It can be difficult for some people at first because it’s not the most natural motion on earth – in fact, there are several different ways that they can be held.
Steps on Using a Swivel Knife
Step 1. Grip the knife in your dominant hand. If you are right-handed, hold it like how a person would grip an ice cream cone with their fingers wrapped around the handle and palm cupping the blade. Lefties will do this differently of course.
Step 2. On the other hand, hold a small container to catch any excess pieces that might fall. You can use this for anything – like raw meat, vegetables, and doughnuts!
Step 3. Start at the top. If you are making a salad, slice thin pieces of lettuce or spinach from the top and work your way to the bottom. Cut as many individual leaves as possible before working on larger portions.
Step 4. Grip it in one hand with fingers wrapped around the handle and the palm cupping the blade.
Step 5. Cut in a rocking motion, using pressure to push the knife down through “raw” ingredients. You can also slide it horizontally across food for even cuts.
Step 6. If you are working with doughnuts, use your fingers or thumb of one hand to pinch them together while cutting around them with the other hand.
Step 7. Remember to use a cutting board or plate below when you are using your swivel knife and always wash it immediately after use!
Benefits of Using a Swivel Knife
- You can use a swivel knife with your dominant hand and free up the other to do something else.
- Standing over the cutting board, you won’t have to bend down as much or put pressure on your back as when using a regular chef’s knife.
- It is easier to make clean cuts of vegetables without the blade or knuckles getting dirty.
- You will be able to slice ingredients much thinner than with a regular chef’s knife and you can cut more in one go, saving time on how many times you need to wash your hands.
Things To Consider Before Buying A Swivel Knife:
Make sure that it is large enough to comfortably hold.
The blade should be preferably at least two inches long with a sharp edge and a blunt backside, where the handle is inserted.
It’s best if it doesn’t have any plastic pieces or rivets that can break over time.
Choose between how you would like your swivel knife to be configured: the blade can either protrude from one side of the handle or both.
Check how much you’re willing to spend on your swivel knife before purchasing it, as they come in a wide range of prices.
Swivel Knife Safety Tips:
- When using a sharpened swivel knife, always make sure that the blade is facing away from you.
- Keep your hands as far back on the handle of the swivel knife as possible and keep it in an upright position when cutting so no one can get cut by accident.
- When using a blunt-edged swivel knife, never push or pull on the blade to cut.
- Don’t use any other utensils or your fingers in place of a swivel knife when cutting, as this can lead to serious injury.
- Make sure that you have enough room around you when using a swivel knife so no one else is harmed by it during the process of cutting.
- Always keep the blade of your swivel knife at a 45 degrees angle when cutting, never lower to 30 or higher than 60.
- Make sure that you always store your swivel knife in its sheath and out of reach from children.
- In case an emergency arises, you should always be able to access your swivel knife as quickly and efficiently as possible.
- If the blade on your swivel knife becomes dull, do not try to sharpen it yourself; instead, take it back to the store for a replacement.
- The blade of a swivel knife can become very sharp but only if it is made from high-quality stainless steel.
- When you are finished using your swivel knife, always wash and dry the blade before storing it away in its sheath.
- If not washed properly, bacteria will grow on the blade which can lead to infections of cuts that may occur while handling food.
Quick Tips:
- When using a swivel knife, always be mindful of how to hold it.
- The blade must never touch the food being cut and should only contact your cutting surface as you are cutting.
- Continuing to rotate the handle while holding onto the blade is how this motion works.