Chef KNIVES!

[slayer202]

I'm sure this has been discussed, but I'd like some new opinions

I'm looking for a standard 8". I'm looking at the usual suspects, global, wusthof, kershaw shun. I'm not too sure how to pick between them. The global and wusthof are pretty close in price, the shun is a bit more, but within range, and I can shop around. Only opinion I have right now is I like the unique look of the global and shun. The wusthof is pretty plain, but that's nitpicking

Any comments?

 

[xSauronx]

try before you buy, if possible, to make sure youre comfortable, because thats way more important than looks if you intend to use the damn thing regularly.

the quality of the forged blades from any of those companies shouldnt give you anything to complain about.

my sabatiers are plain looking, but comfortable enough. i do, however, kinda wish i had a 10" chef, but i dont cook at home often enough right now to justify buying one

 

[lizardth]

http://www.amazon.com/Henckels-7-Inc.../dp/B0000WVW5U

We have this one with out the hollow edge and I love it! I do a lot of cooking and it has held up beautifully for over 6 years now.

Also good knives are NOT dishwasher safe!!! Wash immediately with a washcloth and hand dry!

 

[scott916]

Check out this article. Very informative.

 

[seepy83]

I bought a set of Wustof Classic a couple of months ago and they were worth every penny. I got the 8 piece Knife Block 8418, and bought a 6.5" Santoku to go with it.

I went to a local store that sells all kinds of cooking tools/equipment for restaurant and residential use. While I was there I picked the brain of one of their employees who went to culinary school, and he pretty much said, that as long as you take care of them, you can't go wrong with anything they sell (Wustof, Shun, and the higher end Henckels) and it really comes down to what feels good in your hands.

 

[slayer202]

I guess I should find a place where I can hold them all. Hmm...

 

[Patterner]

I got my 9' French from these guys: http://warthercutlery.com/catalog/ and I couldn't be happier with it. Holds a nice edge and the circular grind pattern they use looks awesome.

 

[DisgruntledVirus]

Goto Williams Sonoma. They have all of those and let you play with them a bit (not with food though unfortunately).

I like Global knives myself, mainly due to the convex grind on the blade that holds an edge very well. I also like Eastern style knives over Western. Honestly though, any of the brands you mention will be great knives ($75+ for a chef knife). Go play with them, and see what fits your hand the best though as that is the most importnat thing. If it's uncomfortable to use, then it won't get used or get used properly. The edge/blade/metal on those brands are all great. The difference will be in which works best for your body and style of using a knife (as well as what you're using it to do).

 

[aceO07]

Definitely try before you before if you can.

I went to a local Japanese knife shop in NYC and tried a few. I ended up getting an 8" instead of the 7" or 9" version. I may revisit them again soon since they offer a free knife sharpening lesson.

 

[Spydermag68]

Another vote for Wusthof. My wife got me a set for my birthday 2 years ago and I love them. I take then to a local shop, "Tony's Market", for sharping once a year. They also showed me how to use the honing steel.

 

[slayer202]

Goto Williams Sonoma. They have all of those and let you play with them a bit (not with food though unfortunately).

thanks for the tip, I was wondering what places I could try. I might check chef central though, they're cheaper than williams sonoma plus coupons. I'll probably go check em out tomorrow. I'm also going to look at cutting boards and knife storage if anyone has suggestions on those

 

[Patterner]

Magnet strips.

Don't use a wooden block, they can trap moisture and bacteria.

EDIT:
Cutting boards: Glass = bad
Ceramic = bad
nylon/microban/etc = not as bad but unnecessary some people prefer for raw meats
edge glued wood = getting better
end glued wood = best
EDIT #2:
The most important thing is to care for your cutting board properly. I regularly wash mine down with a water and vinegar solution, let that dry then treat with mineral oil.

 

[spidey07]

Magnet strips.

Don't use a wooden block, they can trap moisture and bacteria.

EDIT:
Cutting boards: Glass = bad
Ceramic = bad
nylon/microban/etc = not as bad but unnecessary some people prefer for raw meats
edge glued wood = getting better
end glued wood = best

And screw up my nice knifes from scraping against the strips. Hell no.

 

[seepy83]

Don't use a wooden block, they can trap moisture and bacteria.

I thought wooden blocks were good because they will help wick away any moisture left on the blade (obviously you need to dry them thoroughly first, but for that little bit that doesn't come off...). And I don't see how the can trap bacteria if you only put clean knives in them...

 

[Patterner]

And screw up my nice knifes from scraping against the strips. Hell no.

Who scrapes them against the strip? They pull straight off just fine.

 

[Kirby]

This is what you need OP.

 

[slayer202]

I actually ordered this cutting board a day or 2 ago because I had an expiring gift card and it only came out to $5
http://www.amazon.com/Sagaform-Large.../dp/B001760V50

but I don't think it's anything special, I really have no idea

 

[nageov3t]

And screw up my nice knifes from scraping against the strips. Hell no.

I've been using my ikea magnetic strip for 6 months now and have no complaints.

I place the dull side of the knife against the magnetic strip so that the knife/strip makes a 180 degree angle, and then slowly lower the sharp edge in place (by "slowly," I mean like 1-2 seconds, just to make sure that no scraping is involved). remove the knife by repeating the operation in reverse.

and it saves me a ton of counter space, which my kitchen is sorely lacking in.

 

[SphinxnihpS]

Check out this article. Very informative.

Thank you thank you thank you!

I just jizzed myself!

 

[Patterner]

I actually ordered this cutting board a day or 2 ago because I had an expiring gift card and it only came out to $5
http://www.amazon.com/Sagaform-Large.../dp/B001760V50

but I don't think it's anything special, I really have no idea

Edge glued, so not bad. Seems a little small to me though.

 

[slayer202]

Thank you thank you thank you!

I just jizzed myself!

http://japanesechefsknife.com/RyusenTsuchimeDamascusSeries.html

so awesome looking

 

[HumblePie]

I have several globals and shuns. My parents use Henckles. I have had a lot of chances to play around with different quality knives.

I will say the Shuns are my favorites, but that is because of aesthetics really. People say "find the right fit" for your comfort, but I haven't had that problem. There isn't a knife really I've tried I wasn't comfortable using. But I guess some people are pickier than others.

I do have a set of Saber knives that for the price point are the best knives I've used or seen. Actually they are back on sale again at Costco.com for $199.

Saber 13 piece knife set for $199 at Costco.com.

To me it's a no brainer on those Saber knives. If I didn't have a set I would buy them again. Actually I still might to give as a gift for someone.

As it has been said before, good knives are NEVER dishwasher safe. Always rinse off , wipe down, and hand dry before putting them back up.

 

[slayer202]

a set would be nice but I don't have the need or space for it right now. how are the handles on the shuns. they look like they might be slippery when wet

 

[dr150]

Any German or Japanese steel.

Go to a great store to test out the handles on these superior knives.

Make sure that the steel is made in these countries as many are outsourcing their cheaper knives to China.

 

[nageov3t]

I picked up a set of 3 Global knives at Bed, Bath, and Beyond relatively cheaply a year or two ago... chef's knife, santoku, and a paring knife, which is pretty much all I need for 99% of my kitchen tasks.

BB&B sends out those 20% off coupons all the time and while big name brands like Wustoff are excluded on the coupons, Global isn't :thumbsup: