Cheese Knives
A cheese knife is a short, purpose-shaped blade for cutting, portioning and serving cheese cleanly, and these three pieces cover the job whether you are slicing a firm cheddar or spreading a soft brie.
Each is a 6 inch cheese knife with a hardened steel blade, made in our Yangjiang workshop, so it holds an edge and looks the part on a grazing board, not just in the block.
Choosing Cheese Knives
The reason a dedicated cheese knife exists is friction. A tall chef knife drags through cheese and gluts the blade, while a short blade with the right geometry parts the wedge without smearing it. Across this small range you get three genuinely different builds: a hard Damascus blade for firm and aged cheeses, an easy-care stainless blade for everyday boards, and a fine 3-layer composite blade with an olive-wood handle that suits a gift or a nicer table setting.
What blade shape is best for cutting cheese?
It depends on the cheese, which is why the three knives here are built differently. For hard and semi-hard cheese (aged cheddar, gouda, parmesan, manchego), you want a stiff, keenly hardened blade that shears cleanly through without crumbling the wedge, which is where the harder Ji and Pin series blades earn their place. For soft and sticky cheese (brie, camembert, soft blue), a lower-hardness stainless blade like the Supreme series is more forgiving and easier to wipe clean between cuts. None of these are open-work knives with cut-out holes, so treat sticky cheese by wiping the blade between slices rather than expecting the cheese to fall away.
What are the three cheese knives in this range?
Three 6 inch blades, each from a different Xinzuo series, so you can match the knife to how you actually use it.
| Knife | Blade / steel | Hardness | Handle | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cheese Knife, Ji Series (X08) | 67-layer Damascus, 12Cr18MoV core | 58-62 HRC | Ebony wood | Firm and aged cheese, a showpiece board knife |
| Cheese Knife, Pin Series (X020) | 3-layer 10Cr15CoMoV composite | 60±2 HRC | Olive wood | Clean cuts on firm cheese, gifting |
| Cheese Knife, Supreme Series (X02) | German 1.4116 stainless | 56-58 HRC | Red wood | Everyday boards, soft cheese, easy care |
Which cheese knife should you buy?
Start with what ends up on your board. If you serve mostly hard and aged cheese and want a knife that looks like a centrepiece, the Ji Series (X08) is the pick: a 67-layer Damascus blade over a 12Cr18MoV core at 58-62 HRC, set in an ebony-wood handle. If you want that same clean cut on firm cheese with a warmer look for a gift or a set table, the Pin Series (X020) pairs a fine 3-layer 10Cr15CoMoV composite blade at 60±2 HRC with an olive-wood handle. If your board leans soft and you just want a reliable, easy-to-maintain knife, the Supreme Series (X02) runs a German 1.4116 stainless blade at 56-58 HRC with a red-wood handle, softer steel that shrugs off nicks and wipes clean.
How do you look after a cheese knife?
Hand wash and dry it straight after use, never the dishwasher, and it will last for years. Cheese acids and salt sit on a blade, so a quick wipe and dry keeps even the stainless Supreme blade spotless and protects the Damascus pattern on the Ji series. Store it edge-protected rather than loose in a drawer, and give the harder Pin and Ji blades an occasional pass on a whetstone or honing rod to keep the shear clean.
Common questions
Are these cheese knives Japanese? No. The blades are 10Cr15CoMoV, 12Cr18MoV or German 1.4116 steel, made in our own Yangjiang workshop in China. We say so plainly rather than implying a Japanese origin we do not have.
Can I use a cheese knife for other food? Yes. A 6 inch cheese blade doubles nicely as a small utility or board knife for cured meats, fruit and antipasto, which is why it belongs on any grazing setup, not just a cheese plate.
Do cheese knives come with a warranty? Every Xinzuo knife carries a lifetime warranty against manufacturing defects, you are covered by Australian Consumer Law, and Australian shipping is free over $100.
Building out a full grazing or entertaining kit? Pair a cheese knife with matching steak knives and butter knives for the table, add carving forks for the roast, and browse our gift knives if you are buying for someone else. For boards, guards and storage to round out the set, see all kitchen accessories.
