A table knife that cuts well. No, it’s not a pleonasm. On the contrary, it’s a recurrent concern in the home. How many homes collect old, dull, worn, badly sharpened blades? Yet a good edge is synonymous with pleasure, the art of entertaining, respect for food and its flavors. A fine table honors its guests. The knife, like the plate or tablecloth, reflects the attention paid to guests. Here are a few sharp tips for choosing a knife that cuts well and lasts. See what value craftsmanship brings to this subject of utmost cutlery importance.
A table knife that cuts well offers a quality culinary experience
The pleasure of eating, respect for food
Frankly, isn’t it a sacrifice of pleasure to struggle to slice your steak because of a dull, badly sharpened or just poorly made blade? Did you know 😉 ? The French are gourmets. They appreciate a fine plate, quality food. The flexitarian craze bears witness to this. For meat as for vegetables, consumers prefer to eat local and organic at the expense of their budget. So don’t waste this effort by getting annoyed with a slice of roast!
Not to mention the fact that a careless cut crushes the fibers of the food, and even alters its taste. A splintered tomato à la provençale, torn fibrous meat, crumbling cake topping: these are all consequences of a bad blade. All the attention paid to the preparation of the food by the cook is destroyed by a rough cut.
The benefits of easy cutting
Conversely, a sharp knife with a quality blade brings comfort and safety.
- It reduces physical effort (OK, it’s not the Olympics either, but still).
- It saves time in the kitchen (have you ever cut a pumpkin or a butternut with a knife that doesn’t cut anything?)
- Those who answer « yes » usually add that they’ve slipped and hurt themselves. We often warn against sharp blades, but we forget that a badly sharpened blade is also dangerous.
- It improves the precision of dressing: the finesse of julienned vegetables and diced cheese enhances dishes prepared with care.
- It requires less effort, so preserves other utensils: cutting board, work surface, etc.
- It’s comfortable on the wrist.
The importance of design: the art of entertaining
You take a seat in the dining room and admire the quality cutlery. A beautiful plate, an elegant stemmed glass, an intricately patterned fork and a good table knife. Immediately, you’re made to feel welcome. As a mark of hospitality, a beautiful table reflects the care given to guests.
The design of the knife, the steel of the blade, the nobility of the material of the handle offer a quality experience thought of by your host as a mark of attention.
The importance of design: the art of entertaining
You take a seat in the dining room and admire the quality cutlery. A beautiful plate, an elegant stemmed glass, an intricately-patterned fork and a good table knife. Immediately, you’re made to feel welcome. As a mark of hospitality, a beautiful table reflects the care given to guests.
The design of the knife, the steel of the blade, the nobility of the material of the handle offer a quality experience thought of by your host as a mark of attention.
Dining or picnic table
Traditionally, table knives have been used for the home sweet home (kitchen, pantry or dining room, or even the TV set). These days, however, many of us have lunch or dinner outside the home: at work, for example, but also on vacation.
Sunday outings in the great outdoors are also occasions for picnics and snacks.
Pocket knives are particularly well-suited to these hybrid situations. More practical to carry, it offers the same quality of cutting edge as a fixed table knife. They cut meat, fish, vegetables and cheese just like their sedentary counterparts.
Discover the folding knife collection
Steel: the heart of the table knife blade
Serrated or not, which steel is best for a table knife? Our artisan cutler answers your questions.
Damascus steel
Damascus steel brings an artistic dimension to your table. The result of powder metallurgy, a superimposition of several layers of steel, like a laminate, it offers an unrivalled aesthetic result. Its moiré arabesques give it a slightly oriental and, above all, chic allure. The steels of which it is made differ. At Couteaux Morta, we use Damascus steel obtained from two steels: RWL34 and PMC27.
🔪 Morta Damascus knife hardness: 59 HRC on the Rockwell scale
🔪 Blade thickness: 3 mm for fixed models
-
“Prestige” Table knives (set of 6)
2.650,00 € This product has multiple variants. The options may be chosen on the product page -
Compact fixed damascus knife
340,00 € This product has multiple variants. The options may be chosen on the product page -
XL Damascus fixed knife
460,00 € This product has multiple variants. The options may be chosen on the product page
Stainless steels
Stainless steel is renowned for its resistance to corrosion.
N690 steel
N690 combines the hardness of carbon steels with rust resistance. It is found on quality table knives, due to its high durability.
🔪 Table knife blade hardness: 57 HRC
🔪 Thickness: 2.5 mm
X50CRMOV15 stainless steel
Our sets of table knives in twos and sixes feature blades in X50CRMOV15 stainless steel. Its high chromium content makes it the benchmark stainless steel. The molybdenum it contains makes it resistant to corrosion. Finally, vanadium softens the blade.
🔪 Blade hardness: 59/60 HRC
🔪 Thickness: 3 mm
11c28n steel
Sandvik’s 14c28n steel is also a perfect hardness/corrosion duo.
🔪 Hardness: 59 HRC
🔪 Blade thickness: 2.5 mm for paring knife
Carbon steel
90MCV8 steel is a carbon steel with high strength. Its balance of strength and flexibility gives it resilience and durability. It is particularly well-suited to forging. Its hardness is one of its precious advantages. It oscillates between 57 and 62 HRC depending on the proportions of the alloy.
🔪 Hardness of forged Morta blades: 59/60 HRC
🔪 Blade thickness: 3 mm for solid and compact models; 4 mm for XL model.
Our customers who have fallen for the Bruts de forge models use them as table knives.
What about you? Which steel do you prefer?
Table knife ergonomics
A cutlery craftsman will (hopefully) always offer you a knife with perfect ergonomics. The aesthetic harmony and balance of weight between blade and handle is a matter of precise craftsmanship. Why is this so important?
Because your cutting comfort depends on ergonomics. A natural grip allows you to cut with ease. That’s why we offer our models in several sizes. So you can adapt your table knife to the size of your palm.
Your safety is also at stake. Slipping, slipping and forcing often lead to injury.
An ergonomic handle offers greater precision when cutting. Essential in the kitchen, it’s also important at the table for an optimal taste experience. It prevents meat from fraying and allows you to draw beautiful slices of vegetables.
Knives with Morta handles: heritage at your table
All right! We’ve discussed beauty, hardness, corrosion resistance and ergonomics. Now let’s move on to the essence of what really drives us: emotions! Just as the cook puts all her love into her best apple pie, the man or woman who sets the table reveals his or her values through the knife. But how?
A Morta handle is not just a wooden handle.
A Morta table knife awakens the senses.
🔪 To the touch, the handle is soft, developing a patina over time and becoming one with the palm of your hand. Your skin feels the warmth of the organic material and its perfect finish.
🔪 The mere sight of it is enough to propel you right into the heart of the Brière region. Its ebony color bears witness to the 5,000 years it’s been buried in peat, feeding on silica.
🔪 Its natural beauty resonates with your values. It’s an object of fine craftsmanship. It brings together your interest in high-end products made in France, your taste for beautiful things, respect for ancestral know-how, local purchasing with a reasonable carbon footprint.
🔪 Its authentic character shows its durability. You already know that these are the kind of knives that are handed down from generation to generation.
At a glance, the Morta table knife :
🔪 tells you about the Brière ;
🔪 conveys your values to your guests.
As soon as your guests settle in, the discussion starts. The atmosphere is guaranteed. French tradition is a unifying subject.
The only problem with the Morta knife is that it can make people jealous. But there’s a solution: give one to the next birthday boy or girl who squints ostentatiously at the knife 😉.
Care and storage tips: our best knifemakers’ tricks for storing sharp blades
- Keep them away from light (in a drawer, display case, sheath or storage case) for protection and safety;
- Clean the blade with a damp cloth;
- Wipe the handle with a soft cloth;
- From time to time, nourish it with a little natural beeswax;
- Avoid dishwashers, washing-up liquids and other detergents;
- Sharpen with a natural stone.
Good to know: Morta knives are only available from our online boutique and our workshop in Saint-André des Eaux, Loire-Atlantique, in the heart of the Brière region. Please check your sources carefully. Buying from anywhere other than our e-commerce site means you’re buying not morta, but Polish or Lithuanian swamp oak.
My table deserves its finest, I give it Morta knives
A good knife means a good meal with family and friends. In the kitchen, the paring knife makes the cook’s job easier. In the dining room, table knives liven up your menu and honor your guests. At Christmas or New Year’s Eve, between champagne and petits fours, don’t forget the star of the table setting.
Article written by Christelle Lorant 🪶
Key article questions
What does a good table knife add to your dining experience?
A well-designed table knife is essential for enjoying meals to the full. It enhances the pleasure of eating by providing a precise and efficient cut, whether for steak, vegetables or other foods. A well-sharpened knife preserves the flavors and appearance of dishes, avoiding the crushing of food fibers.
It respects the cook’s work and honors the guests!
Why is the grip of a table knife essential?
The grip of a table knife plays a key role in its comfort and safety. An ergonomic handle, in wood such as Morta, guarantees a natural, comfortable grip, avoiding slipping or forced movements that could cause injury.
A well thought-out design ensures smooth cutting, essential for preserving the texture of food, whether meat or other delicate dishes.
Choosing a well-balanced knife, adapted to the size of your palm, also enhances the culinary experience and makes every meal a moment of pleasure.
Why is it important to choose the right table knives?
Choosing high-quality table knives guarantees comfortable, safe use. Indeed, a good knife reduces physical effort, protects other kitchen utensils and offers a better grip.
Materials such as stainless steel N690, X50CRMOV15, 11c28n or noble wood handles, such as Morta, add a touch of elegance and durability to your table.
What materials are recommended for blades and handles?
Stainless steel is renowned for its corrosion resistance and high durability. For handles, materials such as Morta or wood species such as rosewood bring refined aesthetics and a pleasant feel.
These choices guarantee a sharp blade and ergonomic handle, essential for all occasions.
Whether for everyday use or special occasions, these knives are designed to be handed down from generation to generation.
What are the benefits of a sharp knife for your table?
A well-sharpened knife makes it easier to cut food, reduces the risk of injury due to slipping, and offers the ideal cutting precision to enhance the presentation of dishes.
It’s also more comfortable for everyday use, and adds real value on special occasions, such as a dinner party with friends or a well-laid table.
How do you maintain your knives to keep them in perfect condition?
To keep your knives in optimum condition, it’s essential to clean the blade by hand with a damp cloth, avoid using the dishwasher, wipe the wooden handle with a dry cloth and nourish it from time to time with natural wax.
Regular sharpening, preferably with a natural stone, guarantees a long-lasting edge and a quality culinary experience.
Why choose a Morta knife for your table?
Morta knives, with their high-quality steel blades and fossilized wooden handles, embody French craftsmanship. They are not just kitchen tools, but also objets d’art that tell a story and enhance your table.
Share on social networks
