How to Cut Cheese the Right Way: Best Knives and Peelers for Hard and Soft Cheeses
The Great Cheese Debate: Knife or Peeler?
When it comes to the best way to cut cheese, there are two types of people: those who swear by a peeler to create thin, delicate slices, and those who can’t imagine using anything other than a knife.
Of course, this friendly debate mostly applies to hard cheeses like gouda, gruyère, or parmesan — it would be quite the challenge to peel a slice off a soft, gooey goat cheese!
Let’s explore the best tools and techniques for cutting (or peeling!) your favorite cheeses to ensure the perfect presentation while keeping all their rich flavors intact.
Best Tools for Cutting Hard Cheeses
This is where the two approaches really come to life:
1.The Stationary Peeler Method
A stationary peeler is perfect for creating delicate, thin, and curly slices of parmesan, cheddar, or gruyère. Hold the cheese firmly with your thumb and pull the peeler’s blade inward toward you. This technique is a favorite among true cheese purists — those who savor each bite without the need for bread or accompaniments.
The thin slices melt beautifully in your mouth, releasing every bit of the cheese’s aged, nutty flavor. Plus, these curls make for an elegant finishing touch on pasta dishes — try sprinkling them over a fresh bowl of bolognese for that restaurant-style presentation.
2. The Classic Folding Knife
A sharp Opinel folding knife will easily slice through even the toughest rind. Remove the crust with a quick motion, and enjoy a thick slice or chunk of cheddar, parmesan, or mimolette.
This method is ideal if you prefer generous bites or need cubes of cheese for a salad, sandwich, cracker or charcuterie board. There’s nothing quite like hearing that satisfying crunch as the blade cuts cleanly through a firm, aged cheese.
Best Tools for Cutting Soft Cheeses
1.The Fork and Knife Cheese Set
Born in Savoie — a French region where cheese is practically sacred — Opinel couldn’t possibly ignore the art of cheese tasting. Our Cheese Set, available with Beech or Olive wood handles, was designed specifically for this ritual.
The knife slices smoothly through soft cheeses like brie or goat cheese without crushing their delicate texture, while the stainless steel fork doubles as a graceful serving tool. It’s as functional as it is beautiful on any cheese and charcuterie board.
2. The Classic Folding Knife (Again!)
A true multitasker, the classic Opinel folding knife handles soft cheese with ease. Its sharp stainless steel blade gently pierces the thin rind and slices cleanly through the creamy center for the perfect portion.
For extra versatility, the No.07 My First Opinel — with its rounded tip — not only cuts effortlessly but also spreads soft cheese on fresh sourdough or a crunchy baguette.
In Conclusion
Whether you prefer paper-thin curls of parmesan or a generous slice of brie on warm bread, choosing the right tool makes all the difference.
A peeler highlights precision and texture; a knife celebrates tradition and versatility. Either way, every cheese lover can find their favorite companion in the Opinel collection — crafted for both the connoisseur and the everyday enthusiast.
