Knives

[ssmith1627]

This doesn't really fall under home improvement but I'd like some feedback on knives for the kitchen. Not really the steak knife variety but more like what the cook / chef would use. What's a quality knife ? We have some really average knives right now and between that and my inability to get a sharp edge on them, it's really frustrating.

Would appreciate any thoughts you may have. Not the most romantic gift but my wife likes to cook and I'd like to give her a knife or a set of 2 or 3 varieties. Just not sure what to look for.

Many thanks. Merry Christmas.

Steve

[reddog552]

knives

http://www.cutleryandmore.com/forsch...1nOZ_hfM9My_G6 These are very good

[siliconbauhaus]

The Global knives are excellent. Mine are at least 10 years old now.

[footprintsinconc]

Well, we also had a knife here and there, none matched and mostly just garbage kind. i didnt know what to get either and looking at the knife set, some where tooooo expensive while othes were really inexpensive. so a few months back, i went to target and just bought the kitchen aid set with the wooden block. they seem good so far.

[Martin]

knife making supplies

A few months ago, several members posted some photos of their "homemade" kitchen knives. One recommended source of supplies was
http://www.texasknife.com/TKS_Mainframe.htm

[scmhogg]

Steve,

I agree with Silicon... I have Global knives and they are the best I have ever used. They were so sharp, that I nicked myself a couple of times before I gave them adequate respect. I bought mine one at a time, as I realized what I needed. I got some through ebay and others at cooking.com. The hand held wet wheel sharpener, about $30.00, keeps the double bevel knives very sharp. I send the single bevel out.

Steve

[bruffc]

Hands down . . Wusthof.

[Tom Slick]

I have a set of henkels that I like alot. cutco are excellent american made knives. dexter russel are used extensively in commercial applications.
I find the santoku shape the most useful out of my set.

[dlminehart]

We have a set of Cutcos courtesy of a relative who worked for a summer in college as a salesperson. They do a good job cutting and staying sharp, but aren't very comfortable to hold. Consumer Reports gives this quick guide:

If performance is paramount:
Henckels $260
Wüsthof $300

If you prize value:
Tramontina $75
Chicago Cutlery $60, CR Best Buy
Calphalon $180


If you don’t like to hone:
Kyocera $210
Cutco $80

[Uncle Cracker]

Hands down . . Wusthof.

I have a master set of their Gran Prix II's, and they are wonderful (very pricey, though). I hear good things about Global also.

[BrianStark]

What's a quality knife ?

I think it depends on what exactly you are looking for and how well you and/or a significant other will take care of the knives.

My first collection of knives was a $20 Farberware collection. It is a basic set and I actually still have it. Yes, the knives are no longer as sharp as they need to be but they still cut well enough for most purposes.

Earlier this year I did upgrade to a nice set from Henckels that is being sold at Costco. It is a night and day type of difference. I am very happy with the new knives and enjoy using them when it is my turn to cook.

Now let me address why I still have old my knife set and the new one. The LOML pays very little attention as to how to treat a good knife set. Upgrading to the new knife set was something I wanted to do, based upon the budget I had at the time. I have noticed that I tend to use the new knife set more than the old one, and my wife is just the opposite. By keeping the old knife set around for her to use if she chooses so, I don't worry too much about how she treats the new knives.


Brian

BTW, I have heard good things about Shun knives, but due to their high price tag I can't justify their price.

[messmaker]

Lot of good knives made these days. Expect to pay at least $20 each if you get them in a set. Cuisinart and Tramontina are good values. Make sure you like the way it feels in your hand. No mater how well it cuts, It needs to fit your hand. As Tom said above, get a santoku. I use mine more than all the rest combined. I would also never put a good knife in the dishwasher but that's just my opinion.

[cabinetman]

We use the J.A. Henckels knives. They feel good in the hand and hold an edge.
.

[Woodshark]

A Henckel 6 inch chef knife is the most versatile knife I know.

I have several other, bot larger and smaller plus a Henckel meat cleaver but the 6 inch is the one I go to 90% of the time.

It gets hand washed and dryed to avoid it banging into other things in the sink or dishwasher.

http://www.amazon.com/J-Henckels-6-I...6956128&sr=8-1


I like the 4 star but you can get by with a International Classic.

[Tom Slick]

do yourself a favor and buy this sharpener and spend some time sharpening your knives
http://www.knivesplus.com/lanskyknif...-lk-lcspr.html
it's really easy to use but takes some time the first time your hone your knives with it to get the knife's edge to the same angle as the sharpener. once you get the edge to the proper angle it takes 30 seconds to bring the edge back.

you could buy a $2000 hand made japanese damascus blade knife and it will still cut like a $2 chinese knife when it is dull. sharpening is key, otherwise the investement in good knives is worthless. dull knives are more dangerous then sharp knives.

(dull knives are a major pet peeve of mine)