Knife Set

[TroyEade]

What makes would anyone recommend to purchase a new set, please? Need a good make that holds its edge. Price is not a major consideration,

Cheers,

Troy

Edit, forgot to mention i'm in the UK in case anyone recommends a supplier

 

[Ns1]

I think after you hit the 2-3k mark there's really not THAT much to be gained (unless you're a sushi chef)


Everybody's gonna have an opinion, but I think as long as you go forged + reputable brand + something that's comfortable to you you'll be fine.

Just don't get the bullshit henckels/wustof stuff that's in target and shit.

 

[Strk]

Exactly how much is not a major conisderation? I mean, if not, I'd get a full set from Global or Shun.

 

[TroyEade]

I guess reasonable price, i'd say 2 - 3k$ is a bit mad though, i'm not a chef. lol

 

[sactoking]

Instead of buying a set, go to a home store like Bed Bath & Beyond (just watch out for that Beyond section) and get a saleslemming to let you handle the different brands so you can find one that fits your hand well. Once you've done that, buy a chef/santoku, paring, and maybe a slicer of your preferred brand, as well as a knife sheath for each and a honing steel.

You'll pay about the same, but get three excellent knives that are much better than anything in a set. If you get a set you get 1 or 2 good ones and a bunch you don't need, as well as a knife block that just collects bacteria.

 

[Ns1]

http://www.amazon.com/Shun-Cla...qid=1227732815&sr=8-11

this

+ steak knives?

 

[TroyEade]

Originally posted by: sactoking
as well as a knife block that just collects bacteria.

Yes, i've always wondered about hygene with those wooden blocks

 

[zoiks]

Can you tell me what the fuck 640 dollar knives will do that $200 knives won't do?

 

[Ns1]

Originally posted by: zoiks
Can you tell me what the fuck 640 dollar knives will do that $200 knives won't do?

not fuck up your shit while you cut it? cut through shit like hot knife through butter?

that's a relatively "cheap" set too

 

[Pepsei]

i like shun cutlery....but they're expensive.... 2,399.95 for a 18 piece block set.

 

[dullard]

Originally posted by: sactoking
You'll pay about the same, but get three excellent knives that are much better than anything in a set. If you get a set you get 1 or 2 good ones and a bunch you don't need, as well as a knife block that just collects bacteria.

Do the sets have lower quality than the individual pieces? I've considered them several times, because you can get a set with a dozen knifes (including a chef knife) for about the same price as that chef knife seperately.

 

[zoiks]

Originally posted by: Ns1

Originally posted by: zoiks
Can you tell me what the fuck 640 dollar knives will do that $200 knives won't do?

not fuck up your shit while you cut it? cut through shit like hot knife through butter?

Really, you fuck up your shit when cutting it with $200 knives? Other knives don't work?
Are we talking about liberian currency here?

 

[sactoking]

Originally posted by: Ns1

Originally posted by: zoiks
Can you tell me what the fuck 640 dollar knives will do that $200 knives won't do?

not fuck up your shit while you cut it? cut through shit like hot knife through butter?

In theory, I'd say that the $640 knife is no better of a slicer than the $200 knife, but the $640 knife probably holds an edge better so it has less maintenance.

 

[Ns1]

Originally posted by: dullard

Originally posted by: sactoking
You'll pay about the same, but get three excellent knives that are much better than anything in a set. If you get a set you get 1 or 2 good ones and a bunch you don't need, as well as a knife block that just collects bacteria.

Do the sets have lower quality than the individual pieces? I've considered them several times, because you can get a set with a dozen knifes, including one chef's knife for about the same price as that chef's knife seperately.

I think it depends on the set. I don't think you're looking at identical products if a set is the same price as an individual.

When I did my research it seemed like you saved 20-25% on going with a set, but my memory is a touch hazy

 

[spidey07]

Originally posted by: zoiks
Can you tell me what the fuck 640 dollar knives will do that $200 knives won't do?

Sharper, last longer, better balance, easier to work with, etc and on and on. A good knife is almost a joy to work with.

 

[Ns1]

Originally posted by: zoiks

Originally posted by: Ns1

Originally posted by: zoiks
Can you tell me what the fuck 640 dollar knives will do that $200 knives won't do?

not fuck up your shit while you cut it? cut through shit like hot knife through butter?

Really, you fuck up your shit when cutting it with $200 knives? Other knives don't work?
Are we talking about liberian currency here?

This is a pretty retarded argument. This is like saying what can a $1000 computer do that a $300 computer can't.


They both work, 1 just does a better job

 

[BlahBlahYouToo]

repost of a repost of a repost etc.

 

[zoiks]

Originally posted by: Ns1

Originally posted by: zoiks

Originally posted by: Ns1

Originally posted by: zoiks
Can you tell me what the fuck 640 dollar knives will do that $200 knives won't do?

not fuck up your shit while you cut it? cut through shit like hot knife through butter?

Really, you fuck up your shit when cutting it with $200 knives? Other knives don't work?
Are we talking about liberian currency here?

This is a pretty retarded argument. This is like saying what can a $1000 computer do that a $300 computer can't.


They both work, 1 just does a better job

It's not a retarded argument. $200 is also a lot of money for knives and you do get good stuff for that price. I'd wager that I could cut stuff just as easily as those 640 knives with a much cheaper one.
And the computer analogy is retarded.

 

[Poulsonator]

Best knives I've ever owned:

R H. Forschner by Victorinox

Sharp as hell, holds its sharp forever, very comfortable in my hands, and best of all, they are priced just right.

These knives are highly recommended from various cooking magazines as well.

I own the 8" Chef; the 7" Santoku; the 8" bread; the 3 1/4 paring; and the steak knife set. Have them all up on magnetic strips in the kitchen.

One of the best kitchen investments I've ever made, and I use them daily.

 

[randay]

just learn how to sharpen a knife and buy some cheap knives.

 

[ryan256]

Originally posted by: sactoking

Originally posted by: Ns1

Originally posted by: zoiks
Can you tell me what the fuck 640 dollar knives will do that $200 knives won't do?

not fuck up your shit while you cut it? cut through shit like hot knife through butter?

In theory, I'd say that the $640 knife is no better of a slicer than the $200 knife, but the $640 knife probably holds an edge better so it has less maintenance.

This.

I've used my 10" el cheapo $35 wal-mart knife for pretty much everything. I've had no problems cutting with it ever.

 

[silverpig]

You can do a little readng on knives and there are various opnions on what is best, but I'll just summarize here:

Stainless vs. High Carbon Steel
Stainless is well, stainless. It's softer, it's easier to sharpen, and it's easier to maintain. High carbon steel will discolour and develop a patina, and will rust if you like leaving it in salt water. High carbon is harder, more difficult to sharpen, but it will hold its edge longer and you can get it sharper than a stainless blade.

My recommendation is to get a Japanese made stainless blade. It has all the benefits of stainless steel, but the Japanese generally temper their steels harder than others (American/German) so you get the benefits of high carbon as well.

Sets vs Non-Sets
Small sets are good. Large sets generally include a bunch of stuff you don't want.

Storage and Maintenance
Please sharpen and store your blades carefully. A magnetic strip you hang on your wall is a good idea. You should also get a hone (also called a steel) for honing your blade after you use it. Unless it is called a sharpening steel, these do not actually sharpen your blade, but rather re-align the edge, slowing the dulling process. If you want to sharpen your blades as well, a nice combination waterstone is a good investment.

What Should I Get?
Minimum: Chef's knife, paring knife.
Good Set: Add a santoku knife, a carving knife, and a second paring knife of different size (sometimes called a utility knife)
If you have the cash: Add a cleaver, a meat fork, and a good pair of kitchen scissors

$189 starter set: http://www.cutleryandmore.com/details.asp?SKU=10879
$249 gets you a little further: http://www.cutleryandmore.com/details.asp?SKU=5900
$699 would be good if they dropped the bread knife, tomato knife and maybe the scissors: http://www.cutleryandmore.com/details.asp?SKU=14176


edit: I have the Shun 8" chef's knife from these sets as my main workhorse. It's great. I just sharpened it and it practically fell through a russet potato.

 

[acid45]

Miracle blade III

 

[The Boston Dangler]

http://www.calphalon.com/calph...html?catId=CLCat150179

i bought this over 5 years ago, and it's still going strong.

 

[Strk]

Another vote for Forschner (Victorinox; the same company that makes the Swiss Army knife). They're inexpensive and great knives. I have their Santoku knife and it works great. It slices up a tomato with ease. I also have a set of Henckels, but I still go to the Forschner for fruits and veggies.