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 quickly acquire a patina and an aged look. If you are looking for a knife which stays bright and shiny then your choice should be a stainless steel knife. Carbon steel knives have a greater vulnerability to corrosion and staining. Please be aware that the blades should be cleaned and dried immediately after every use – do not leave them to drain - and the blade covered with a light mineral oil to keep it from rusting. 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 rnage 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. 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).

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 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.  

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.
WE BELIEVE IN QUALITY

We are a specialist kitchen knife retailer offering a range of high quality Sabatier knives made in Thiers, France by Thiers Issard under the Sabatier **** Elephant brand.

Whilst there are numerous knife manufacturers using the Sabatier brand, only those manufactured in Thiers using traditional methods by skilled craftsmen can truly be described as genuine Sabatier.

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