Which kitchen knives do you really need to have?

Allexie

I've just broken my favourite kitchen knife (trying to lop a branch off a tree with it....serves me right!).

Been having a squiz at what's available online and have been confronted with a wall of knives -- everything from tiny three-inch tiddlers to 10-piece sets that go for hundreds of pounds.

I only ever seem to use three sorts of knife...a small paring one, one about 9" long - now broken, (is it called a chef's knife?) and a bread knife.

Was just wondering what other people find useful in the way of kitchen knives? How many do you really need? Does it matter which you choose regarding price/quality/materials?

Galtizz

Allexie wrote:

I've just broken my favourite kitchen knife (trying to lop a branch off a tree with it....serves me right!).

:rotfl: sorry

Allexie wrote:

I only ever seem to use three sorts of knife...a small paring one, one about 9" long - now broken, (is it called a chef's knife?) and a bread knife.

I'm the same, I only use a 5" serated (sp?) one, one about 9" long and a bread knife and I use a saw for chopping trees .

Allexie wrote:

Was just wondering what other people find useful in the way of kitchen knives? How many do you really need? Does it matter which you choose regarding price/quality/materials?

YES, I have a set of kitchen devils which are brilliant. Last year I bought some very nice ones from Wilkos (really cheap and in the sale) the worked for about 2 weeks and are now blunt.

I don't think there is any need to spend hundreds but I would go for a name like kitchen devils.

moggins

I have two knife blocks full but only really use 4.

I serrated kitchen devil, 1 extremely ancient wooden handled knife which is so old the blade is curved from sharpening. 1 bread knife and a lethal chinese cleaver I use for dissecting chicken and anything else where I have to go through the bone.

Queenie

I have a Kitchen Devil knife block which houses 6 knives (bread, meat, all purpose long serated, and three progressively smaller one's). I tend to use all of them at some point. I've had the block YEARS! (Sale time Not at all expensive).

I think you have to decide on which use *you* will put them to - if you have managed with just your 3 until now, chances are that you don't need to buy more, only replace the one you have broken (and buy yourself some secateurs )

itgirlinuk

So are there any other brands which are quite good and reliable? I am thinking of getting myself a good knife block with knives of course, and can't decide which one to go for.

Places like John Lewis has seemingly good knives, but the prices are too high!

moggins

Sabatier

maryb

can't beat Sabatier for shop bought knives in general but I swear by the small Kitchen Devil serrated knife for slicing tomatoes.

I'm lucky as I work near Smithfield market and there's a butcher's supply shop there which sells excellent knives quite cheaply

One gadget which earns its keep is an electric knife sharpener - even cheap knives are good if they are kept sharp

elvis_bloggs

I have 3 kitchen knives but use the same one for everything. (even gardening)

filigree_2

My knives were a wedding present from Marks & Spencer, they weren't cheap but they weren't hugely expensive either. They are very good quality and lasting well (more than can be said for the ex-husband!)

I mostly use a small paring knife, a Kitchen Devil serrated knife and the big carving knife. If pushed I would say the Kitchen Devil is the most useful of all, and they're pretty cheap. I've had mine since 1986 and it's still in daily use.

I would also suggest a proper peeling knife, because they let you peel much thinner than an ordinary knife. I have to have good kitchen scissors, sometimes they are easier to use than a knife.

spendaholic

Gosh, M&S sent you a wedding pressie? That's nice.

Bread knife.
Cheese knife.
Vegetable knife.
Butter knife.
Pallette knife.
Table knife.
Carving knife and fork.

Those are our regulars, but we also occasionally use a steak knife.

kirstyreanne

The one thing I've always been told when looking for a knife is to make sure the metal of the blade goes right the way through the handle of the knife.

Hope this helps someone.