kitchen knives for a gift. What ones?

As part of an xmas present i would like to get a good knife as a gift for someone. What are good brands? what should i look for? etc etc.

Thanks for your help in advance 😉

Well my old school 2 Lions Sabatiers are over 30 years old (some well over) and show virtually no wear.

We have Robert Welch ones and they’re very nice. Look good. Cut well and feels really nice in your hand.

My opinion obviously but I’d recommend a 7″ or so Santuko knife, lighter than a similar sized chefs knife and a pleasure to use, possibly my most used knife apart from a small vegetable knife. Pick a budget and look at the reviews.

https://www.aldi.co.uk/en/specialbuys/thursday-18-december/product-detail/ps/p/global-knife-block/

🙂

I’ve got a Global, I wouldn’t buy another. I didn’t realise the blade is just welded onto the handle, a knife with a full tang and handle slabs riveted in place is much, much stronger for doing stuff like crushing garlic cloves, for example.
For similar money, I’d be delighted if someone gave me a knife like this:
http://uk.knivesandtools.com/en/pt/-eden-kanso-aogami-santoku-18-cm.htm
Japanese style handle, rather than riveted onto full tang, but a nice knife.
There are loads of others to choose from, which I think are better constructed than Global, on mine the blade isn’t straight, and I’d worry about it actually snapping off under heavy usage. I didn’t notice at first when I bought it, and I bought it on the strength of advertising.
Won’t do that again.

Interesting that you don’t like Global. Remember that some of the smaller ones are designed to have a fair amount of flex in them.

I like them and keep them sharp with a stone which once you have mastered is a joy to do.

Make sure the recipient isn’t one of those superstitious types.

Dangerous thread. I’m now considering spunking the thick end of 80 quid on a kai shun paring knife for myself.

Must resist…

Kai shun’s are very nice knives but need careful sharpening/honing of the edge otherwise you’ll completely balls up the razor sharp profile , I was given a Kai Shun Damascus Santuko from a mate who owns a few restaurants (helped him out with a refit) and it makes food prep an absolute joy, needless to say I do not allow anyone else to use it and it has its own felt lined box it lives in.

Go for a quality steel more than anything else. You could maybe consider the Falkniven range (http://www.heinnie.com/knives-and-tools/kitchen-knives/f/brand/fallkniven) because they are really good steel, but that may be a little pricey.

However, I did find this set (http://www.knivesandtools.co.uk/en/ct/eden-quality-classic-vg10.htm whilst browsing for cheaper alternatives. Same type of steel, Sabitier type looks. They even do a Damascus version.

I have a set of the Eden knives, the Damascus ones, above and they are great. They are great value, arrived quickly and were razor sharp.

Richardson Sheffield V Sabatier are very good for the money. Available as singles and in sets, and quite easy to find if you want to add to your set.

I’ve been collecting the Tsuki knives from Nisbets (got 3, and know I have another under the Christmas tree)

I know you can buy better, but these feel like a good compromise between price and quality.

neilnevill – Member

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J3nojb-gFH4

A custom knife is a good choice only if the user knows what s/he wants.

Get the shape, length, width of the knife you want then place an order.

🙂

they aren’t custom. they are…costly

http://www.neemantools.com/en/products/kitchen-tools

neilnevill – Member

they aren’t custom. they are…costly

http://www.neemantools.com/en/products/kitchen-tools

Yes, I am not surprised that it will be expensive this is UK and the labour cost etc add up.

With the same price you get top Japanese knives via import.

However, if money is no concerned then buy local …

😀

TBH if I owned one, its so beautiful i might just frame it and hang it on the wall.

oh and they come from latvia i think, so not that local

At this time of year head over to Tkmaxx and check out the Henkels knives and / or blocks they have in. Some amazing bargains to be had.

Have a look on niwaki.com

neilnevill – Member

TBH if I owned one, its so beautiful i might just frame it and hang it on the wall.

oh and they come from latvia i think, so not that local

The price is just too expensive for me to consider but if they are made according to the Viking tradition then their steel should be very good.

If you go to TKmaxx now you should see some Japanese kitchen knives and if I can recall only one is made in Japan so go for that one as I got one myself. It is 3000 series with red Japanese character. These are good.

When I select knives I select those without the heel for ease of sharpening.

i’ve got a few Globals but frequently these days I find myself reaching for a David Mellor (not the Tory!) knife I got recently.

It’s from this range, I think – one of the ‘cooks knives’ http://www.davidmellordesign.com/acatalog/David_Mellor_Kitchen_Knives_Black_Handle.html

and there’s just something about the weight, balance and shape of it which makes it really satisfying to use. they’re also not too expensive! 🙂

I tend go for my work horse Thai farmer spring carbon steel knife for do it all like this one but size 2 (medium). I use it as slices as well as chopping chicken bones without having to sweet to cleaver. This one is between cleaver and chef knife.

You should also look at Victorinox kitchen knives as they are good … I bought five when it was on sales. They are workhorse so you can mess around with it without feeling the pinch if damage it …

🙂

Zwillings 4 star for me. All I’ve used over the last 25 years. I’d hate to play the prices for my 7 knives now.

Sharp things