How to choose a Pankiri (Japanese bread knife)?
In this article we will look at how to choose a Pankiri Japanese knife. Japanese knives are known to be excellent kitchen knives. This specificity comes from the fact that the old forges for weapons of war have been transformed little by little into forges for kitchen knives. This comes from the ban on carrying a katana for civilians.
What does Pankiri mean?
Let’s start by defining what Pankiri means. It means bread knife. It is a special knife for cutting bread. Thanks to its shape and its teeth it allows to cut the bread in a clean and precise way. Let’s take a closer look at how to choose it.
What is the main use of this knife?
The Pankiri knife is mainly used for cutting bread as its name suggests. However, it can also be used to cut products with a hard crust. For example you can cut a bun, some cakes or prepare sandwiches. This knife can also be used outside the kitchen. A friend of mine uses it to cut and carve armchair foam that she is restoring.
Here are some examples of Pankiri:
- Découvrez le couteau à pain KAI Wasabi Black...
- Le couteau se distingue par son manche...
- Le couteau à pain avec le bord dentelé breveté...
- Entretien facile et durabilité : La poignée...
- Depuis plus de 115 ans, KAI représente le fin...
- Tradition dans la perfection : Le couteau à pain...
- Manche ergonomique pour un travail précis : Le...
- Artisan du pain : Que vous coupiez une baguette...
- Durabilité et entretien : Pour préserver...
- KAI – Leader du marché en qualité et...
- Type de manche : Polypropylène
- Type de lame : Acier inox poli
- Couleur : Noir
- Pays : Japon
How much does a Pankiri knife cost?
An important element of the knife is its price. To know what price to put on your kitchen knife, you need to consider two things:
- your means: what is your budget
- your level: the level of expertise you have in the kitchen and how often you will use the knife
According to these two criteria you will be able to define a precise price for the purchase of your knife. You can find Pankiri knives from 25 € and professional knives from 100 or 150 €. Obviously there are much more expensive knives forged by master blacksmiths. These are unique pieces. For knives of this level the prices can exceed 1000 €.
If you are a beginner, start with an inexpensive entry-level knife at around 35 to 50 €.
If you are an experienced cook. And if cooking is for you a pleasure or a profession you can choose a knife between 150 and 300 €. It will be a professional knife that will last for years if you maintain it properly.
How do I choose my Pankiri?
You know the price you are willing to pay for your knife. Now let’s see how to choose it. The hardness of the blade tells you the carbon content of the blade and therefore its cutting strength. The harder the blade, the sharper the knife.
The handle is important in the selection of your knife. If you are left-handed, make sure you choose a knife with a left-handed handle. A good solution is to go and test the handle in a cutlery shop. even if you buy on the internet try to test a knife with an identical handle.
The materials used for the knife are also very important. The quality of the wood for the handle will determine the longevity of the knife and its ease of maintenance. The quality of the steel used for the blade is also very important. Choose a steel that is hard enough for a beginner (between 0.4 and 0.7% hardness). This will facilitate maintenance and sharpening the blade. If you are a professional choose a much harder (above 0.8%) and sharper blade. Maintenance will be more difficult and sharpening more frequent. But the quality of cut will be unprecedented.
We have come to the end of this article and you now know how to choose your Pankiri knife. See you soon for more advice.
Other articles on how to choose your Japanese knives :
How to choose a Nakiri ?
Which Usuba knife to choose ?
Which Damascus knife to buy ?
Which chef’s knife for my kitchen ?
Which knife for sushi ?
Which Santoku to buy ?
Which Deba to offer ?