How to use the right knife motion: slice instead of forcing a rock-chop on large items
When an ingredient is too large to comfortably rock-chop, use a forward slicing motion that follows the knife’s curve.
For larger items like an onion half, don’t try to just rock the knife in place. Use a slicing motion, letting the knife’s curved edge create the movement through the food.
The short version
- Use a slicing motion when rocking isn’t practical
- The knife’s curve helps create the motion
What goes wrong
Trying to rock-chop a large onion half and losing control
Switch to a forward slicing motion
Why it works
A slicing motion maintains contact and control through the cut, reducing awkward leverage and improving consistency.
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