A wide-blade knife acts like a shovel, providing a large surface area to efficiently scoop up diced ingredients without them falling off. This makes transferring ingredients from the cutting board to a pan or bowl much easier and faster.
When you're working with diced vegetables, herbs, or other ingredients, a wide-blade knife offers several advantages for scooping. The broad surface area of the blade allows you to gather a larger quantity of diced items at once compared to a narrow knife. The flat surface prevents the diced pieces from rolling off easily. The wide blade also provides better support, minimizing the chance of ingredients spilling as you transfer them. Think of it like using a small shovel instead of a spoon to move a pile of sand; the shovel is simply more efficient. The wider the blade, the more you can scoop at once, saving time and reducing mess.
Use the dull side of the knife blade to scoop. This prevents accidentally cutting yourself and protects the sharp edge of the knife from unnecessary wear and tear against the cutting board or bowl.