What are the Different Cheese Knives For?

Whether you’re hosting a wine and cheese night, enjoying a grazing table, or simply indulging in a solo snack, the right tools can make all the difference. One essential set of tools for any cheese enthusiast is a variety of good cheese knives. But, what should that set include? And which cheeses do they go with?

Heart Knife	Parmesan, Aged Cheddar, or Beaufort
Cheese Fork	Wensleydale, Stilton, or Manchego
Thin Knife	Brie, Pepper Jack, or Gouda
Spreader Knife	Goats Cheese, Gorgonzola, or Roulade
Pronged Knife	Lancashire, Wensleydale, or Mozzarella
Chisel Knife	Parmesan, Remano, or Aged Cheddar

 

Read on to learn more about each type of cheese knife, what they are used for, as well as answers to your frequently asked questions.

 

So, Which Knives Go With Which Cheese?

We’ve outlined the most common types of cheese knives below, telling you a bit more about each and the best cheeses to use them with:

Heart Knife

Also known as an almond knife, spade knife, or parmesan knife, a heart knife is characterised by its rounded sides and pointed edge (which looks like the bottom of a heart), the heart knife is used for breaking chunks off of hard, dry, and possibly crumbly cheeses with precision. Use the heart knife with:

• Aged Parmesan
• Extra Mature or Aged Cheddar
• Beaufort

Cheese Fork / Serving Knife

For crumbly or aged cheeses, a cheese fork comes in handy. Featuring two long tines, this fork is designed for picking up bite-sized portions without breaking away any more cheese. It’s particularly useful for serving blue cheeses or Wensleydale. The pronged knife may also be used to break chunks/large crumbles away from a cheese.

Use the cheese fork with:

• Wensleydale
• Stilton
• Manchego
• Accompaniments, such as olives or pickles 

Thin / Narrow Plane Knife

With a square edge, and a blade running down one side, the narrow-plane cheese knife is ideal for chipping away at larger blocks of medium-soft cheese, creating precise, even slices. Use the narrow plane knife with:

• Cheddar
• Brie
• Stilton
• Gouda
• Pepper Jack

Spreader / Spatula Knife

The cheese spreader, characterised by its flat, rounded tip, is designed for smoothly spreading soft cheeses on crackers or bread. We use this for soft Roulade, Goats Cheese, Scooping Gorgonzola, or simply for a deliciously salted butter! Use the spreader knife with:

• Goats cheese
• Gorgonzola
• Baked Camembert
• Roulade
• Cream Cheese
• Butter

Pronged Knife

The pronged knife, also known as a cheese fork or spear, is designed for lifting and serving slices of cheese. Its pronged edge and narrow blade makes it easy to pierce and lift cheese without breaking. 

Sometimes you might find holes in the pronged knife. This helps the slices of cheese to easily slide off, and you can even use your finger through one of the holes to nudge the cheese onto your plate! Use the pronged knife with:

• Mozzarella 
• Wensleydale 
• Crumbly Lancashire
• Cheshire 
• Caerphilly

Chisel Knife

Featuring a sharp, wide blade, and a thick handle, the chisel knife is ideal for cutting through hard cheeses like Parmesan or Romano. You use this knife in a straight-down motion, rather than carefully cutting a slice – it’s great for when you want a big chunk of cheese. Use the chisel knife with:

• Parmesan
• Remano
• Aged Cheddar
• Gouda
• Cheddar Truckles

 

What Else Do You Need To Know?

The correct cheese knives to use aren’t the only bits of knowledge you need in your repertoire. To help you learn more, we have several helpful blogs on our website, each written by our cheese experts:

• Your Complete Cheese & Chutney Pairing Guide
• How To Wrap & Store Your Cheese
• What To Put On a Cheese Board + Styling Tips!

 

Professional Cheese Knives From Savery Grazing

At Savery Grazing, we offer a range of professional cheese knives designed to enhance your cheese experience. From heart knives to spreader knives, our collection ensures you have the perfect tool for every cheese.

If you’re looking for more cheese tips and tricks, check out our blog. For more foodie inspiration, keep up to date with us on Facebook, Instagram, or Pinterest.

 

Related Questions

Are Cheese Knives Necessary?

Cheese knives are not strictly necessary, but they greatly enhance the experience of serving and enjoying cheese. Using the right cheese knife for a specific type of cheese ensures that it is cut or sliced correctly, preserving its texture and flavour.

 

Why Do Cheese Knives Have Holes?

Many cheese knives, particularly those designed for soft cheeses, feature holes in the blade. These holes serve a practical purpose – they prevent the cheese from sticking to the knife. Soft cheeses can be sticky and cling to the blade, making it challenging to achieve neat slices. 

The holes in the cheese knife reduce surface contact with the cheese, allowing for smoother and cleaner cuts. This design feature is especially beneficial when working with cheeses like Brie or Camembert.

 

Should a Cheese Knife Be Sharp?

Yes and no. The type of sharpness required all comes down to the type of cheese being served. For example, hard cheeses like Parmesan or Aged Cheddar require a sharp knife to slice through the dense texture and achieve clean cuts. A sharp knife allows for precise slicing without crumbling or breaking the cheese.

On the other hand, for soft or creamy cheeses like Brie or Camembert, a sharp knife isn’t necessarily required. This is why cheese knife sets come with different types of knives.

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