The European knives
The best European kitchen knife models are made in Germany. The Mercator knife is a perfect example of this. However, this does not prevent other countries from distinguishing themselves by their different knife models. For example, the French have the Laguiole knife, which is 100% handcrafted in France. It is a multifunctional knife that can be used in everyday life. We also have the Opinel knife which is the star of folding knives.
Italy also offers beautiful and practical knives, but it stands out above all for its long and thin automatic knife. Spain is not to be outdone with its Pallares knives, which are folding knives with a carbon steel blade. Then there is the famous Swiss Army knife which is a multifunctional folding knife. Finally, there are also the Swedish knives, which are small, light and well thought-out knives, useful for everyday use or for activities in the open air.
Manufacture of the European knife
European knives have a thicker blade than Japanese knives. The advantage is that the blade is less vulnerable and, as such, perfect for more tasks. Cutting a melon is a piece of cake with a European knife. You can use a European knife for almost anything.
You can easily sharpen a European knife. For daily maintenance, you use a sharpening steel and when you really want to start sharpening, you can use any type of sharpening method.
The specificities of the European knife
- The angle of the blade is about 17 to 20 degrees and is on both sides of the blade (double bevel)
- The blade is thicker, more robust, especially in relation to the bolster they often have.
- The hardness of steel can vary, but they are generally softer than Japanese knives at about 55-60 HrC Rockwell
- The shape of the knives is more curved, which makes chopping easier using the tilting technique
- They are generally heavier than Japanese knives, which gives a heavier feeling in the hand. The point of balance of the knife is often more towards the handle.
- They are very robust, but can blunt faster than Japanese knives due to the softer steel.
- They are very robust, but can blunt faster than Japanese knives due to the softer steel.
The advantages and disadvantages of European knives
European blade advantages
- Easy to sharpen.
- Less vulnerable, can be used for more tasks.
- Doesn't require much maintenance.
Disadvantages of European blade
- Needs to be sharpened more often.
- More resistance when you use it.
Why opt for European knives ?
European knives are practical and perfect for many tasks. European knives are made from a softer steel than Japanese knives. The hardness of a European knife is often between 54 and 58 Rockwell. As the steel is not as hard, the sharpening angle is a little larger, namely 20 degrees per side. This also makes the blade a little thicker. Due to the thickness and the larger sharpening angle, European knives are stronger than Japanese knives.
