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Good knives?

Noctu
Noctu Posts: 1,553 Forumite
Part of the Furniture 1,000 Posts Combo Breaker
in Old style MoneySaving
Hi everyone,
For years I've gone through the catch 22 of buying a set of cheap chef's knives, only to have them go blunt.. then sharpening them, but then they only stay sharp for one meal's chopping..! So I buy a new set, and it starts again!

What are the "best" knives to buy? Currently I have some Viners knives, I don't know if they're meant to be good or not.. but they have serrated edges so I'm not even sure if I can sharpen them, if you know what I mean...

I see chefs on the TV effortlessly chopping through onions, chicken etc and I want to know how!! I wouldn't mind splashing out on an expensive set if they'll last me a good few years without sharpening them all the time...

Thanks :)
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Comments

  • Smiley_Mum
    Smiley_Mum Posts: 3,836 Forumite
    I've been Money Tipped!
    You don't really need a lot of knifes, one decent chef's knife would be sufficient, two at the most. I have a Sabatier chefs knife, mid sized, not too big and that is sufficient for most things. Unless you fillet a lot of fish etc etc.

    Here is a link that you may find useful...

    http://www.fantes.com/knives.htm

    Sabatier knives...

    http://www.agudoo.co.uk/index.php?page=product&section=shop&catId=1&subId=4&prodId=21

    http://www.agudoo.co.uk/index.php?page=product_list&section=shop&catId=1&subId=4
    “Ordinary riches can be stolen, real riches cannot. In your soul are infinitely precious things that cannot be taken from you.” - Oscar Wilde
  • Pink.
    Pink. Posts: 17,651 Forumite
    10,000 Posts Combo Breaker
    Hi Noctu,

    These older threads from Old Style and the I wanna board might help you:

    Which kitchen knives do you really need to have?

    Kitchen Knives ect...

    Best Cook's Knives

    good quality kitchen knives

    help,i need some chef knives

    Looking For A Good Knife Block Set


    Pink
  • Phatmouse
    Phatmouse Posts: 449 Forumite
    Global knives are the business
  • ScoobieGirl
    ScoobieGirl Posts: 488 Forumite
    Noctu wrote:
    I wouldn't mind splashing out on an expensive set if they'll last me a good few years without sharpening them all the time...

    'fraid not. All knives should be sharpened frequently. There was a chef on the tv on saturday who said he sharpened them before AND after using them, which seemed a bit excessive! I bought a decent pair large cooks knife & small paring (sp?) knife and it does show if I've forgotten to sharpen then a few times.
  • Noctu
    Noctu Posts: 1,553 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 1,000 Posts Combo Breaker
    Thanks for all your help - a nice Sabatier Chef Knife is on my wishlist for Christmas now ;)

    Thought about getting the Global one, but just too pricey...
  • towseriv
    towseriv Posts: 322 Forumite
    Costco do a set of six for £155
  • Thistle-down
    Thistle-down Posts: 914 Forumite
    500 Posts
    Most butchers use Victorinox - they stand up very well to years of wear and sharpening! Plus you can get them from £10 each.

    I agree that you don't need a full set - a smaller cook's knife for veg and a larger one for meat, etc, plus a good bread knife should see you through most things, then you could buy one here and there as wanted/needed.

    Have a look here for decent prices: Knives

    ;)
    :happylove
  • consumermonkey
    consumermonkey Posts: 494 Forumite
    try and look at the knife you are buying. Many of the cheaper knives are a thick-sh sheet of steel, the same thickness for 3/4 of the blade, then tapering and tapering a second time to the sharp edge of the blade. These are the cheep ones that are billed as chefs' knives and are available in the local pound or discount shop. they are good for a short while, then try and keep them sharp!

    Look for a blade that is a good thickness at the top edge (2 - 4 mm) and taper from the top edge all the way down to the sharp end, only having a very small second taper if anything at all. This type of knife will sharpen easily. (It's all to do with the angles, not just the make-up of the metal).

    Spend a few quid (I don't mean Loads) on a good knife or two and they will last your lifetime, and probably your childrens too.

    My dad bought some good steel knives from a cook-shop as slight seconds about 15years ago, I still use them every day and they show no sign of giving up on me yet! (I do need to sharpen them regularly, but you do with any good knife)
  • lynzpower
    lynzpower Posts: 25,311 Forumite
    10,000 Posts Combo Breaker
    theres some knives are robert dyas reduced from 199 a set to 49 a set, forget the name, maybe global.

    Check out the grabbit boards, rizla01 posted them
    :beer: Well aint funny how its the little things in life that mean the most? Not where you live, the car you drive or the price tag on your clothes.
    Theres no dollar sign on piece of mind
    This Ive come to know...
    So if you agree have a drink with me, raise your glasses for a toast :beer:
  • Crazychik
    Crazychik Posts: 1,994 Forumite
    Im an ex-army chef, and over the years Ive found to use Victorinox and Sabatier are the best quality of knives. I couldn't decide over 15yrs ago which ones to buy as some chefs would use Victorinox and some Sabatier. So I bought 1 of each make - a chefs knife and a paring knife. They are still going strong to this day. And believe me - they've had some battering.

    I wouldn't touch anything else. Ive tried and tested the good old faithful (cheap) knife blocks, but nothing's a patch on Vic & Sab.

    Let us you know how you get on and what your opinions are when you get your knife
    Hi, we’ve had to remove your signature. If you’re not sure why please read the forum rules or email the forum team if you’re still unsure
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