Chaaku

A general term for a standard kitchen knife used for everyday chopping, slicing, and peeling — the default all-purpose blade in most South Asian households alongside more specialized tools like the boti or karauni.

Material & Construction

Typically stainless steel with a plastic or wooden handle, mass-manufactured to broadly Western-influenced proportions in most modern versions.

Traditional Uses

Everyday general-purpose cutting tasks across the full range of South Asian home cooking, used alongside rather than instead of the region's more specialized cutting tools.

Modern Availability / Equivalents

Functionally near-identical to a Western utility or chef's knife, and largely interchangeable with one in modern kitchens.

Care & Maintenance

Hand-wash and dry; sharpen regularly with daily use.