Didn't see a topic posted, so my bad if there is one.

I'd like to get my parents a set of knives for Christmas, and I'm going to be registering in the near future so I might as well get an idea of good knives for myself.

Anyone have advice on good sets that you've enjoyed? I have a partial set of Cutco knives from college that I will probably give my brother. I'm looking at the normal brands like Wusthof and Henckel's but would appreciate advice.

Ranges: For parents, probably $200-300. For my registry, probably the same if not a little ($400) more flexible.

11/1/2010 7:55:07 PM

I've got nothing but good things to say about my Henckel's.



On the contrary, I know a guy who prefers his cheap Ikea's to his expensive knives. This is a guy who will spend a few thousand on an espresso maker, and claim's most area coffee shops make putrid espresso ..

[Edited on November 1, 2010 at 8:39 PM. Reason : ]

11/1/2010 8:38:03 PM

i hear cuisinart makes good forged knives on the cheap

11/1/2010 8:56:42 PM

Quote :

"I've got nothing but good things to say about my Henckel's."

11/1/2010 9:14:31 PM

http://www.surlatable.com/product/693341.do



Wusthof 12-Piece set for $176 from Sur La Table. I always hear great things about these knives, but at these prices I'm not sure if they're cutting corners somewhere.

11/2/2010 10:53:50 AM

*love* my Wusthofs, but I have the classic line.

^ that's their gourmet line, which is much cheaper...but probably still decent knives compared to a lot of stuff out there. and that price doesn't appear to be exceptional, they're $200 shipped on Amazon.

11/2/2010 1:04:42 PM

The main thing with knives is how the handle feels in your hand. A given knife is going to feel differently to different people.

Equally important is to get forged knives vs. stamped knives.

After that other considerations are relatively minor.

I have a set of Henckel's knives that are about 8 years old now. I didn't really know what I was looking for at the time, and sorta got them on an impulse. However, I was lucky enough that I haven't had any desire to buy anything different.

I don't know if any of this was helpful, but there ya go.

11/2/2010 2:50:51 PM

A lot of people have spoken highly of a new company called Saber Knives. They've got some more expensive $300 (professional w/ bag) - $350 (home w/ block) sets, but apparently CostCo also has a cheaper set running about $170.

http://www.saberknifestore.com/
http://www.amazon.com/Saber-F-13-13-Piece-Professional-Wooden/dp/B002PS1CQG/
http://www.costco.com/Browse/Product.aspx?Prodid=11589003

When I finally get to the end of life for my hand me down kitchen knife (a blade which happens to be older than me), I may invest in some of these.

11/2/2010 2:51:33 PM

Nice - I've got a Costco membership so may take a look at them in the store and see how they feel.

11/2/2010 3:03:10 PM

Quote :

"I've got nothing but good things to say about my Henckel's."

Korin also carries some amazing knives but they are $texas.

11/2/2010 3:31:52 PM

my parents have a set of shun knives that i've been really impressed with. I know shun sets pop up on woot.com from time to time.

11/3/2010 10:32:09 AM

Those Shun Knives look great but they're very expensive, from the looks of it.

11/3/2010 10:48:06 AM

i picked up the "J.A. Henckels 35386-000 International Everedge 13-Piece Knife Set with Bonus Cheese Knife" set about a year ago when amazon had them on sale for $25 with free shipping

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00005K8PA/

i've never owned more expensive knives, but i've used some when i lived in an apartment and my roommate had an expensive henckels set...these are pretty great everyday knives...i've used better, though i'm not willing to spend 10x as much for the pleasure of using something that's only marginally better (in my opinion)

not really in line with your question, though, but maybe someone will find this useful

11/3/2010 11:01:10 AM

I've had the Henkels, Wustoff, Cutco and a SLEW of other cheap crap. Knives is one of my few weaknesses

To be honest I stick with the Cutco at the moment because as a "set" they're really solid. Most of the others have gorgeous Chef and specialty knives, but their steak knives are crap or they don't have a carving knife or sharpening steel or other useful accessories - like a decent block. I wanted something that matched all the way around. However, Henkels, and Wustoff make an incredibly good knife. If you just want 1 or 2 knives to hang on a magnet plate I wouldn't hesitate.

I've wanted a Saber for a LONG time - but they're INSANE expensive. I can't drop that kind of cash unless I'm getting paid to use it.

Right now I'm scoping the Calphalon Katana series. They're using a new metal blend and forging process. The final product is so hard it comes with a diamond covered honing steel - not sharpening, honing. Supposedly the knives will actually tear up your honing steel they're so tough. DO WANT.

11/3/2010 10:41:21 PM

Are the Saber knives in the above post not what you're looking for? That doesn't seem too bad $$$ wise, or do they have a special chef's set?

I'm going to keep the Cutco for now but will probably want a set on the registry (that's probably the only time I could see myself getting a really good set). If I get some new ones I would give my brother the Cutco knives.

11/3/2010 11:44:26 PM

I hate on cutco a lot, but I will say that they have the nicest grip of any knife ive used. However, the blades are fucking garbage.

ok, i'm still hating.

11/4/2010 10:26:17 AM

11/4/2010 10:40:26 AM

if you get henkels or wustoffs dont get the cheap lines.

knives are one place where springing for quality is well worth it.

also, think about the butt end of the blade stylings you want.

i prefer heavy thick handles, and have a chef 8", 6" utility, and paring for the henkels twin cuisine line.

http://www.cutleryandmore.com/henckels-twin-cuisine/chefs-knife-p17039

however, the santoku for this set feels wonky as shit, and i went with a wustoff classic ikon santoku that's been glorious. little light in the handle for my liking, but it's been a joy to work with.

http://www.cutleryandmore.com/details.asp?SKU=13597



also, bought for the gf, and in turn use a lot wustoff blackwoods icon chef 8", and a utility of the same line.

http://www.cutleryandmore.com/details.asp?SKU=15026

way light for me to use consistently, but it fits her really well. i've gotten a lot of use from it too.

you'll notice both of these have different blade butt end profiles, and it's something to consider. it'll change the way you work with the knives.


i have one of these guys i like a lot too`

http://www.cutleryandmore.com/shun-classic/chinese-cleaver-p15290

takes a lot of getting used to though.

dont get stamped.

be careful with your sharpening/deburr steels.

always hand wash.

and really you must consider your work surface too. i have a maple block that i made. my parents remodeled their kitchen, i took the old countertops and sanded, conditioned, and finished sections of the countertops for cutting surfaces for family members. i also have a boos that i use that's great.

http://www.johnboos.com/categories_for?cat_id=5212

really though, it mostly just depends on what feels the best in your hands and is comfortable for you to use.

williams sonoma carries a decent selection (last time i was in the market), but is overpriced. check some out in person, then buy online.

there are many other brands out there that are better, but not as accessible.

[Edited on November 4, 2010 at 11:33 AM. Reason : e]

11/4/2010 11:30:34 AM

Whatever you get, FFS don't get stamped knives. Oh and nothing serrated.

11/4/2010 7:45:37 PM

i happen to LOVE my cutco knives and continue to build my collection

and a friend of mine is a wood worker so hes making me a knife block so i can built my own set

i will always recommend cutco

11/4/2010 8:06:41 PM

I recently purchased a set of cutco knives. They were extremely lightweight and felt good in the hand, and that was important considering that my wife does 90% of the cooking in the house that requires cutting.

I've heard all sorts of arguments about why the metal in the knives are crap, and the vast majority of arguments against them on the internet are bullshit. Everyone bitches that they're stamped blades, but the blades are heat tempered after being stamped and have the same Rockwell hardness as all the Wusthof and Henckel blades everyone raves about.

11/4/2010 10:27:23 PM

idk i personally snapped off the tip on my dad's cutco chef's knife. about a 1/2" off the end.

they got dull pretty fast too

idk, i mean im not a hater like so many people are, but i dont think i'd purchase them.

[Edited on November 4, 2010 at 11:13 PM. Reason : e]

11/4/2010 11:12:56 PM

Quote :

"I've got nothing but good things to say about my Henckel's"

Ditto. Although the bread knife has a taste for human blood now so I've got to be careful with it, otherwise they've all been great.

11/5/2010 12:52:56 PM

haha yeah thats a good point

you've got to be a lot more careful with a good knife

you cant chop off the end if your finger and not know it till you see the blood everywhere

11/5/2010 12:54:04 PM

Yeah, it got surprisingly deep (although still not very deep since I caught it quickly) for being a bread knife.

The real problem is that the only way to appease a knife with a taste for bloods is to give it blood in the form of red meats. That's just not realistic with a bread knife so from now on I am at my most careful when cutting bread, which really does feel ridiculous.

One of my Kitchen Aid knives cut me right out of the package, but I use that on meat all the time so it's not a big deal. I like my KA knives for their handles, but I have to sharpen them which I don't have to do with the Henckel's.

11/5/2010 2:15:16 PM

obv i mean can instead of cant

11/5/2010 11:38:18 PM

^^ you can't actually claim ownership of a knife that hasn't tasted your blood

11/6/2010 1:22:50 AM

Quote :

""I've got nothing but good things to say about my Henckel's.""

11/7/2010 2:44:25 PM

I purchased a set of Shun knives designed by Ken Onion.

Was a super sale online, otherwise I would have never purchased it.

I'm not sure what particular knives that you would like, but you could stay within your price range and get really nice knives.

The handles are fantastic.

11/7/2010 4:36:42 PM

the kitchen essentials store in the mall in Chapel Hill is having a sale on knives......

8inch wusthof ikon chef's knife is 99.99, reg 249

southern season is having a knife sale

and William-sonoma online is having a knife sale

fyi

11/9/2010 9:37:49 AM

Thanks for the heads up.

Anyone have experience/knowledge of Victorinox fibrox knives? A friend recommended them to me and their reviews are great on Amazon.

I'm headed to Costco tonight, hopefully they have some of the Saber knives that I can look at.

11/9/2010 12:06:19 PM

Quote :

"you've got to be a lot more careful with a good knife you can chop off the end if your finger and not know it till you see the blood everywhere"

QFT.

11/9/2010 1:31:30 PM

Quote :

"Anyone have experience/knowledge of Victorinox fibrox knives? A friend recommended them to me and their reviews are great on Amazon."

I have purchased the chef's knife and the santoku.

The chef's knife has a great handle. The santoku could use a better one.

Both are very sharp if maintained with a ceramic rod.

The santoku blade has granton edge (the scalloped part) that could be better.

Remember these blades are stamped steel.

I am very satisfied with the purchase.

11/9/2010 10:29:46 PM

i want a knife where the top of the blade is rounded instead of square because i frequently rest my finger there. anyone got an idea?

11/16/2010 5:11:29 PM

which part do you mean by the top?

11/16/2010 9:00:41 PM

by "top" I am referring to E, technically the spine, and F, technically called the bolster.

11/17/2010 1:18:13 AM

oh.

i have no suggestions... sorry

11/17/2010 10:28:37 AM

I ended up ordering the Saber Knives for my parents. They are shipping out soon so hopefully I can report on them in the near future.

http://www.costco.com/Browse/Product.aspx?Prodid=11589003

11/24/2010 11:01:42 AM

^^^ No offense but you're holding it incorrectly. I don't know if that matters to you or not but you should have your fingers gripping the bolster (or in front of the bolster) so that the spine is between thumb and index finger. You get a lot more control with the proper grip.

11/24/2010 11:32:57 AM

Let me know how they perform and how much your parents like them. When I get to the point that I need to replace my existing blades, I'm seriously thinking about the Sabers.

11/26/2010 12:29:47 AM

new toys

1/6/2011 12:38:21 PM

Quote :

"I've got nothing but good things to say about my Henckel's."

1/6/2011 12:43:21 PM

^^ Those look pricey, what are they?

Fore the record, my parents are enjoying the knives I gave them (so far).

1/6/2011 12:51:57 PM

they're shun pro series

i asked for the usuba for christmas, my dad decided if one's good, three must be better

i did not complain

1/6/2011 1:17:40 PM

The knife on top is actually a sword.

[Edited on January 6, 2011 at 1:46 PM. Reason : *]

1/6/2011 1:46:38 PM

to me it looks like a letter opener to me

1/6/2011 2:50:14 PM

^^^^^^are they damascus steel? or is that just fancy stuff up top there

[Edited on January 6, 2011 at 2:56 PM. Reason : not sure what i was thinking with the ^^]

1/6/2011 2:54:26 PM

those are some sexy sexy knives pilgrim.

1/6/2011 4:47:23 PM

^agreed

1/6/2011 8:52:06 PM

Quote :

"Anyone have experience/knowledge of Victorinox fibrox knives? A friend recommended them to me and their reviews are great on Amazon. "

I have the chef's knife and like it a lot. It doesn't compare to to some of the other much more expensive knives I've used before, but for ~$30, I don't think it can be beat.

1/6/2011 10:11:52 PM