Which Sabatier Knife Should I Choose?
If you are thinking of buying but need help in choosing a knife this page should help you choose the best range of Sabatier kitchen knife for your intended use. Choosing a knife includes the range, the type of steel used and the functional purpose.
Our knives are manufactured either from carbon or stainless steel. There are advantages and disadvantages to both which we have summarised below. When choosing the blade material you will need to consider how often you will use the knife, what you are going to use it for and how conscientious you are about caring for your knife.
If you are seeking a knife which is made from one piece of forged steel then these may be found in our Traditional Forged range. The Ideal range are constructed differently with an aluminium bolster, resulting in a lighter, less expensive, knife.
Carbon Steel Knives
Sabatier carbon steel knives from Thiers Issard are known for their razor like edge and mottled patina. While they require more care than stainless steel knives, they are often the professional’s choice for a precision cut and an edge that stays true with some basic maintenance.
Thiers-Issard, whose handcrafted knives have been forged in Thiers for over a hundred and fifty years, is one of the few remaining companies that still make pure carbon steel knives. These knives, forged out of a single core of steel provide the perfect balance and alignment that many professionals value so highly.
Please note that carbon steel knives have a greater vulnerability to corrosion and staining. They quickly acquire a patina and an aged look. To reduce the risk of corrosion they should be cleaned and dried immediately after every use, not left to dry. If you are looking for a knife which stays bright and shiny then your choice should be a stainless steel knife.
Our Thiers Issard Sabatier knives should not be placed in a dishwasher - the combination of high temperatures and caustic chemicals will damage the blade and the rivets (in addition to damaging wooden handles).
Our range of carbon steel knives may be seen here
.Stainless Steel Knives
Stainless steel Sabatier knives from Thiers Issard have an enduring bright and shiny finish and an edge which is tremendously durable.
Whilst these knives are more resistant to marking or staining than carbon steel knives and require less maintenance, they should still be cleaned and dried promptly after use to avoid any rust spots from appearing.
Choosing A Knife Handle
We stock our knives with four types of handle material.
When choosing the type of handle material for your knife you will again need to consider how often you intend to use the knife. Our Ideal range are lighter knives with an aluminium bolster. These have a black plastic handle which are particularly hard wearing and are suitable for everyday use. Our Traditional Forged range are the type of knives many people think of as a Sabatier knife, being forged form a single piece of steel. These are available in a choice of handle types, the most hard wearing option being black nylon which is a good choice if you require a knife for prolonged daily use such as in a professional environment.
The other knives in our Traditional Forged range have more unusual handles and whilst these will require care and attention to keep them at their best, we believe it is worth the effort to have something that is unusual yet functional as well as being a beautiful addition to your kitchen. Our red stamina handles are made from a laminate of resin impregnated birch wood veneers which have been compressed under high heat and pressure, then polished to produce a beautiful grained finish. Each handle is unique having its own pattern and colour.
Our white micarta handles (now discontinued) are made from a material which, whilst beautiful, is also extremely tough and hard wearing. It is made in a similar way to red stamina in that heat and pressure is applied to a linen soaked resin. The end result is a lightweight and strong handle which is smooth to the touch, but has an interesting patina showing the layers within the resin. This white knife handle is a beautiful and more robust alternative to our red stamina handles.
We are now stocking a range of stainless steel knives in our Traditional Forged Range with olive wood handles. Olive wood is a robust wood and makes for a strong hardwearing handle, but can also have the most beautiful and interesting graining. Being a natural product it requires a bit of care to keep it looking its best. We strongly recommend that these knives are dried immediately after they are washed. As with all our knives please do not put them in the dishwasher. It will damage, not only the steel but also the handles and rivets. Each handle is made individually so each will be unique. Not every knife will look the same. Nonetheless all will be a stunning addition to any kitchen.
Functional Knife Types
We stock a wide variety of kitchen knives for varying purposes. These include cook's knives, paring knives, bread knives, santoku knives, carving knives and some knife sets. Our specialty knives include a butcher's knife, tomato knife, scallop knife, oyster knife, filleting knife, boning knife and a ham slicer. Guidance as to the functional purpose of each knife is provided in the relevant knife category.
