OT. Cutlery

[PAgeologist]

Instead of trying to figure out what to get each other for Christmas, we are going to purchase a new set of knives.

You guys steered me to a Wusthof bread knife last year, which we love.

So I am back looking for some recommendations. Im looking for general kitchen knives, bonus if i can get a matching set of steak knives. Price point is under $1000.

Wusthof will definitely be in consideration. We are buying a separate block, so one isn't needed with the set.

Any brand or specific model/line recommendations would be appreciated. Thanks in advance.

 

[manatree]

Try and go to a kitchen supply store, or any store where you can actually hold them in your hand. I finally landed on my go to chef’s knife a few years ago when I got a Victorinox with the molded plastic handle on sale. Their least sexy looking model. To me, its best feature is that the spine is rounded, which makes it much more comfortable on your index finger when you are using it. I find that standard hard 90 degree corner edge on most knives dig into your finger when you use it.

Check this out: Swiss Classic Chef’s Knife 8-inch

Victorinox Swiss Classic Chef’s Knife 8-inch - 6.8063.20G ++ Explore the world of perfect Swiss quality online ++ Home of the Original Swiss Army knife ++ Find a store close to you ++

www.victorinox.com

 

[WexfordWarrior]

No set. Do not buy a set. Buy knives you like for the tasks you need them for. If you need steak knives go to an Asian store and buy 6 kiwi steak knives for under ten bucks.
Make the set fit your needs, not your needs fit someone else's idea of the set you need.
This is a ~$1k knife set that I’d be really happy with:

$310 - Shibata Koutetsu SG2/R2 240 Gyuto

$180 - Takamura Migaki SG2/R2 210 Gyuto

$300 - Takeda NAS ~170 Bunka or Nakiri

$180 - some invincible western chef knife + pairing knife from k-sabatier, messermeister, or victorinox.

$30 - magnetic knife holder

SHARP Knife Shop

Sharp Knife Shop is a Japanese knife store in Hamilton, ON, carrying a large selection of handcrafted Japanese kitchen knives, sharpening accessories, knife storage, cutting boards, cookware, and more. We also provide sharpening and knife skills classes, and in-store sharpening service.

sharpknifeshop.com

 

[PAgeologist]

No set. Do not buy a set. Buy knives you like for the tasks you need them for. If you need steak knives go to an Asian store and buy 6 kiwi steak knives for under ten bucks.
Make the set fit your needs, not your needs fit someone else's idea of the set you need.
This is a ~$1k knife set that I’d be really happy with:

$310 - Shibata Koutetsu SG2/R2 240 Gyuto

$180 - Takamura Migaki SG2/R2 210 Gyuto

$300 - Takeda NAS ~170 Bunka or Nakiri

$180 - some invincible western chef knife + pairing knife from k-sabatier, messermeister, or victorinox.

$30 - magnetic knife holder

SHARP Knife Shop

Sharp Knife Shop is a Japanese knife store in Hamilton, ON, carrying a large selection of handcrafted Japanese kitchen knives, sharpening accessories, knife storage, cutting boards, cookware, and more. We also provide sharpening and knife skills classes, and in-store sharpening service.

sharpknifeshop.com

Im guessing you are a big fan of the Japanese knives then. Are they that much better than German knives or just personal preference? Do you know of any places that sell Japanese knives in Pittsburgh area? Id really like to hold them before buying vs ordering.

I was leaning away from larger sets anyway. I know I dont need a bunch of stuff that's in them. I know I want a paring knife and a slicing knife. Outside of that, im really not sure. Looking through what you recommended, Id lean towards some general purpose knives of various sizes.

 

[Cstroke]

We bought a set of wustof and use 1-2 of them total LOL... We mostly use our victorinox "cheap" knives.. We seem to gravitate to the 6" boning knifes.

 

[ClarkstonMark]

Take a look at Foerschner. Although I think they are owned by Victorinox now, or maybe they were just rebranded Victorinox back in the 90s.
I was given a mix of Foerschner knives for wedding present from a good friend whose brother was the sous chef at the White House for Bush/Clinton/Bush. He highly recommended them, and I have had them and am still using them for 30+ years now. Side note, the stories from the Clinton era .... crazy stuff.

 

[pawrstlersinpa]

I stand over my own forge, shaping glimmering metals so rare they feel halfway to myth, letting the sparks rise like small constellations. The blades take form slowly, patiently, as though they were revealing themselves rather than being made. Their handles, carved from ancient mammoth ivory long since buried in permafrost, hold the quiet weight of centuries. I polish them until their grain glows warm and soft, like the memory of a vanished wilderness. In those imagined hours, the world outside the workshop fades, leaving only the ringing of the hammer and the whisper of the fire. And when the knife is finished, it feels less like an object and more like a relic—something found rather than forged.

You can get two for the price of one right now by calling 1-800-HOT-IVRY.

 

[Cstroke]

Not to be confused with 1-hot-cstroke

 

[PAgeologist]

I stand over my own forge, shaping glimmering metals so rare they feel halfway to myth, letting the sparks rise like small constellations. The blades take form slowly, patiently, as though they were revealing themselves rather than being made. Their handles, carved from ancient mammoth ivory long since buried in permafrost, hold the quiet weight of centuries. I polish them until their grain glows warm and soft, like the memory of a vanished wilderness. In those imagined hours, the world outside the workshop fades, leaving only the ringing of the hammer and the whisper of the fire. And when the knife is finished, it feels less like an object and more like a relic—something found rather than forged.

You can get two for the price of one right now by calling 1-800-HOT-IVRY.

Isn't that the same 800 number Spyker used to peddle?

 

[PAgeologist]

We bought a set of wustof and use 1-2 of them total LOL... We mostly use our victorinox "cheap" knives.. We seem to gravitate to the 6" boning knifes.

Thats what I think we would do also. Which is why I dont want a large set.

I guess after our 21 year anniversary, we figured we're staying together for the long haul, so we will buy some nicer stuff.

 

[a_mshaffer]

so what do you all like to use for a sharpener? Find that is always a challenge..

 

[pawrstlersinpa]

Isn't that the same 800 number Spyker used to peddle?

I think it was.

 

[Cstroke]

Rarely have to sharpen if you are careful..
Mostly I resharpen by using a steel or crock sticks(ceramic sticks) to bring the edge back out..

 

[tullfan68]

No set. Do not buy a set. Buy knives you like for the tasks you need them for. If you need steak knives go to an Asian store and buy 6 kiwi steak knives for under ten bucks.
Make the set fit your needs, not your needs fit someone else's idea of the set you need.
This is a ~$1k knife set that I’d be really happy with:

$310 - Shibata Koutetsu SG2/R2 240 Gyuto

$180 - Takamura Migaki SG2/R2 210 Gyuto

$300 - Takeda NAS ~170 Bunka or Nakiri

$180 - some invincible western chef knife + pairing knife from k-sabatier, messermeister, or victorinox.

$30 - magnetic knife holder

SHARP Knife Shop

Sharp Knife Shop is a Japanese knife store in Hamilton, ON, carrying a large selection of handcrafted Japanese kitchen knives, sharpening accessories, knife storage, cutting boards, cookware, and more. We also provide sharpening and knife skills classes, and in-store sharpening service.

sharpknifeshop.com

how about a good knife sharpener a lot cheaper!

 

[WexfordWarrior]

Found one.

 

[82bordeaux]

No set. Do not buy a set. Buy knives you like for the tasks you need them for. If you need steak knives go to an Asian store and buy 6 kiwi steak knives for under ten bucks.
Make the set fit your needs, not your needs fit someone else's idea of the set you need.
This is a ~$1k knife set that I’d be really happy with:

$310 - Shibata Koutetsu SG2/R2 240 Gyuto

$180 - Takamura Migaki SG2/R2 210 Gyuto

$300 - Takeda NAS ~170 Bunka or Nakiri

$180 - some invincible western chef knife + pairing knife from k-sabatier, messermeister, or victorinox.

$30 - magnetic knife holder

SHARP Knife Shop

Sharp Knife Shop is a Japanese knife store in Hamilton, ON, carrying a large selection of handcrafted Japanese kitchen knives, sharpening accessories, knife storage, cutting boards, cookware, and more. We also provide sharpening and knife skills classes, and in-store sharpening service.

sharpknifeshop.com

I buy most of my knives from https://japanesechefsknife.com/

 

[PAgeologist]

I buy most of my knives from https://japanesechefsknife.com/

Since Wexford ignored my question...

Are Japanese knives much better quality than the German ones?

 

[Mstan85]

can you buy any quality knives actually made in Toledo Spain?

 

[El_Jefe]

Isn't that the same 800 number Spyker used to peddle?

YOU CAN GET TWO BY CALLING THE TOLL FREE NUMBER !!!!

 

[WalnutCreekLion]

Im guessing you are a big fan of the Japanese knives then. Are they that much better than German knives or just personal preference? Do you know of any places that sell Japanese knives in Pittsburgh area? Id really like to hold them before buying vs ordering.

I was leaning away from larger sets anyway. I know I dont need a bunch of stuff that's in them. I know I want a paring knife and a slicing knife. Outside of that, im really not sure. Looking through what you recommended, Id lean towards some general purpose knives of various sizes.

Walk into any Williams Sonoma showroom, and you will be able to "feel and touch" a ton of top brands. I just went through this process and landed on Zwilling Pro line plus a couple Shun Japanese knives. The Wusthof Classic Ikon line was the other option I looked at. If you use a pinch grip the modified bolster shape will be important. The Japanese knives tend to be much harder steel (rockwell rating in the low 60's vs 56-58 for German knives. This makes the Japanese knives less forgiving but they also hold an edge longer.

 

[WalnutCreekLion]

Since Wexford ignored my question...

Are Japanese knives much better quality than the German ones?

A high quality western (German) knife is the same but different from a high quality Japanese knife. As mentioned earlier they (Japanese) tend to be harder so hold an edge better but are also subject to breaking when dropped or if abused.

 

[PAgeologist]

Walk into any Williams Sonoma showroom, and you will be able to "feel and touch" a ton of top brands. I just went through this process and landed on Zwilling Pro line plus a couple Shun Japanese knives. The Wusthof Classic Ikon line was the other option I looked at. If you use a pinch grip the modified bolster shape will be important. The Japanese knives tend to be much harder steel (rockwell rating in the low 60's vs 56-58 for German knives. This makes the Japanese knives less forgiving but they also hold an edge longer.

We are planning on going to the Ross Park Mall which has some good stores including William Sonoma

 

[Hlstone]

Since Wexford ignored my question...

Are Japanese knives much better quality than the German ones?

I find Japanese quicker to sharpen, but dull quicker.

German holds the edge longer, and is tougher to sharpen.

 

[PAgeologist]

I find Japanese quicker to sharpen, but dull quicker.

German holds the edge longer, and is tougher to sharpen.

Ok. I thought the harder Japanese blades would be the opposite.

Aside from a steel, any recommendations for a good sharpener? If im buying quality knives I dont want to ruin them on my cheap sharpener.

 

[ClarkstonMark]

Ok. I thought the harder Japanese blades would be the opposite.

Aside from a steel, any recommendations for a good sharpener? If im buying quality knives I dont want to ruin them on my cheap sharpener.

you are correct ... I wonder if HLStone has high quality German and low quality Japanese knives

 

[PAgeologist]

you are correct ... I wonder if HLStone has high quality German and low quality Japanese knives

Given his line of work, I doubt it.

 

[Hlstone]

Ok. I thought the harder Japanese blades would be the opposite.

Aside from a steel, any recommendations for a good sharpener? If im buying quality knives I dont want to ruin them on my cheap sharpener.

Honestly, I have a woman that sharpens my knives. It's only 5$ per knife.

I hone the knives when I feel the edge is off with a steel. When I notice that they are getting dull, I have a 2 sided sharpening stone, if I don't feel like using my sharpening lady.

I use my knives everyday and only need to sharpen them about once a year. Only hand wash, hone them with a steel, use a magnetic rack, and don't scrape the cutting board with them.

 

[PAgeologist]

Honestly, I have a woman that sharpens my knives. It's only 5$ per knife.

I hone the knives when I feel the edge is off with a steel. When I notice that they are getting dull, I have a 2 sided sharpening stone, if I don't feel like using my sharpening lady.

I use my knives everyday and only need to sharpen them about once a year. Only hand wash, hone them with a steel, use a magnetic rack, and don't scrape the cutting board with them.

Ok. Thank you. Ill see what the knife manufacturers have available. I would think they would sell something appropriate to sharpen their knives.

 

[lionlover]

On a related note, I vividly remember telling a professional knife sharpener that I wanted him to "Sharpen my knives so well that I can do surgery with them."

Big mistake.

Those knives were so sharp that I found my self cutting my hands and fingers in one week, more than I had my entire life. I actually had to DULL the knives to prevent further injury.

Anyway, I know how @Tom McAndrew and others put me on a pedestal for my genius level contributions to this board. However, I wanted you all to see the human side of my life after making one of my smart *** comments to my knife sharpener.

Carry on.

 

[SleepyLion]

On a related note, I vividly remember telling a professional knife sharpener that I wanted him to "Sharpen my knives so well that I can do surgery with them."

Big mistake.

Those knives were so sharp that I found my self cutting my hands and fingers in one week, more than I had my entire life. I actually had to DULL the knives to prevent further injury.

Anyway, I know how @Tom McAndrew and others put me on a pedestal for my genius level contributions to this board. However, I wanted you all to see the human side of my life after making one of my smart *** comments to my knife sharpener.

Carry on.

https://ih1.redbubble.net/image.533345808.9957/flat,750x,075,f-pad,750x1000,f8f8f8.u1.jpg

 

[coastfan]

Some good recommendations presented. As an alternative, I would strongly recommend that you take a look on Amazon for "Serbian Knife".

I got a a three knife set for my son a year or so ago. They are great for carving up large hunks of meat. These knives are also available as singles.

Side note: My son is very good at preparing high end steaks from large pieces of meat from Costco. Last 4th of July, I splurged on some A5 Wagyu beef which came in a four pound cut. Expensive? Yes, it was about $66.00/lb. But, when you look at what you pay for A5 Wagyu at a high end steakhouse, it'll run you in the $30 to $50 per ounce range. So, in that sense, Costco's price is very reasonable.

 

[PAgeologist]

Some good recommendations presented. As an alternative, I would strongly recommend that you take a look on Amazon for "Serbian Knife".

I got a a three knife set for my son a year or so ago. They are great for carving up large hunks of meat. These knives are also available as singles.

Side note: My son is very good at preparing high end steaks from large pieces of meat from Costco. Last 4th of July, I splurged on some A5 Wagyu beef which came in a four pound cut. Expensive? Yes, it was about $66.00/lb. But, when you look at what you pay for A5 Wagyu at a high end steakhouse, it'll run you in the $30 to $50 per ounce range. So, in that sense, Costco's price is very reasonable.

Im not buying Wagyu but I do purchase whole cuts to breakdown if I find a good deal. Im looking forward to the prime rib sales right after Christmas. Ill keep a couple whole, and break down a couple for steaks.