Have you ever noticed that many knives, especially larger ones, have a small round hole near the blade tip? Most people assume it’s just a simple feature for hanging the knife on a hook. However, this small detail actually serves multiple practical purposes in the kitchen that many home cooks are unaware of. Let’s explore these surprising uses.

1. Helps Reduce Blade Pressure While Chopping

Large knives used for chopping or cutting dense foods often have a round hole near the tip or edge of the blade. The main reason for this design is to distribute force more evenly when applying strong chopping pressure. Without the hole, the force from chopping could cause the knife to vibrate or even bend slightly, making it harder to control. The hole helps prevent this, increasing the knife’s durability and making chopping safer and more efficient.

2. Reduces Sticking While Cutting

Certain foods, like sticky vegetables or cheese, often cling to the knife blade. A hole in the blade allows air to pass through, reducing suction and making the food fall away more easily. This simple feature speeds up cutting and makes slicing and dicing much smoother and less frustrating.

3. Convenient for Hanging

Hanging knives on a wall or kitchen rack is a common practice for many households. The round hole allows you to hang the knife directly on a hook or attach a string to store it neatly. Beyond saving counter space, this method helps keep the knife dry and clean. Always hang knives with the blade facing inward and out of reach of children to prevent accidents.

4. Removing Snails or Shells

When preparing snails, you need a tool to remove the snail from its shell. If you don’t have a professional kitchen tool, the round hole on a knife can come to the rescue. Place the snail’s tail in the hole and gently tap the knife with another utensil. The snail comes out easily, making your preparation faster and less cumbersome compared to traditional methods.

5. Easier Meat Tenderizing or Chopping

The round hole can also be used to hold small items steady while chopping. For example, you can insert a chopstick through the hole to hold the meat in place, allowing safer and more controlled chopping. This method can also be applied to garlic, herbs, or small vegetables, helping you chop them more efficiently.

6. Removing Nails or Tacks

If you don’t have a dedicated tool for removing nails, the round hole can act as a lever. Insert the nail into the hole and gently pull or twist the knife. The hole provides a firm grip, making it much easier to extract nails or tacks from walls without causing damage.

7. Additional Creative Uses

Besides these practical applications, clever home cooks have found other uses for the hole, such as:

• Threading string or wire through for making skewers.

• Using it as a mini measuring guide for small ingredients.

• Creating a temporary hook or clamp for holding light objects while cooking.

Even though it may seem like a minor design feature, the small round hole on knives demonstrates how thoughtful engineering can make everyday cooking more efficient and enjoyable. Next time you use a knife, take a closer look and see how many of these uses you can try.