All the Chefs Out There, I Need Advice....

Lorena · 06-25-2004, 02:18 AM

Okay, my husband mentioned to me several times that if I had any kind of question, this board would be able to help me, or if not, guide me in the right direction.

I'm looking for a solid, good quality starter set of knives. All I'm looking for is something that'll slice thru meats, fruits, vegetables, etc easily. I've heard the Wusthof knives are splendid, but they're a little on the pricey side. An added bonus would be if they came in some kind of block.

Thanks for reading and I appreciate any help!!

Lori

Eaglesfan27 · 06-25-2004, 02:20 AM

My wife is currently in culinary arts school to become a chef, and I'll ask her in the morning (she is already asleep now.) So, I should have a solid recommendation in about 8-10 hours.

Vince · 06-25-2004, 02:31 AM

Though I'm not sure how they are for actual cooking, my family invested in a set of CutCo steak knives a few years back, and they are absolutely amazing. I'll ask my little brother what he thinks the next time I talk to him...he graduated the San Francisco Culinary Academy a few years back as well.

LionsFan10 · 06-25-2004, 02:37 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Vince

Though I'm not sure how they are for actual cooking, my family invested in a set of CutCo steak knives a few years back, and they are absolutely amazing. I'll ask my little brother what he thinks the next time I talk to him...he graduated the San Francisco Culinary Academy a few years back as well.

This is what my family uses, they cut so well that they did a wonderful job in almost amputating my brothers thumb. Yeah, I'd say they do their job quite well. Needless to say my brother wasn't expecting the knife to work so well ...

Vince · 06-25-2004, 02:40 AM

They really do cut amazingly well...you breath on the knife and it cuts through steak like warm butter.

daedalus · 06-25-2004, 04:53 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Vince

They really do cut amazingly well...you breath on the knife and it cuts through steak like warm butter.

How well does warm butter cut through steak?

daedalus · 06-25-2004, 04:56 AM

Dola . . . I'd love to know as well. I don't cook well yet but I'd like to learn.

As an aside, I recall reading somewhere that the blocks aren't really a very GoodThing[tm] as they could end up being housing for bacteria. Is that true? One interesting solution I saw was somebody just having a block with magnet on their kitchen wall so they can just stick their knives on.

gstelmack · 06-25-2004, 08:20 AM

http://store.foodnetwork.com/shop/pr...pe=subcategory

WSUCougar · 06-25-2004, 09:41 AM

I've had good results with J.A. Henckels brand knives. Good quality, and if you shop around you can get a good price.

sachmo71 · 06-25-2004, 09:43 AM

Ginsu? It cuts through cans and then tomatoes!

Samdari · 06-25-2004, 10:04 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by WSUCougar

I've had good results with J.A. Henckels brand knives. Good quality, and if you shop around you can get a good price.

These are top notch.

Lorena · 06-25-2004, 10:15 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by daedalus

As an aside, I recall reading somewhere that the blocks aren't really a very GoodThing[tm] as they could end up being housing for bacteria. Is that true? One interesting solution I saw was somebody just having a block with magnet on their kitchen wall so they can just stick their knives on.

As long as you hand dry the knives, I don't see why that should be a problem.

revrew · 06-25-2004, 10:43 AM

I would definitely check out CutCo. My parents still use the same set they bought 30 years ago. We bought a set and love them. I was at a home ec show (don't ask), and the CutCo rep was making all kinds of promises like, "we'll resharpen them for free for life," and so on. You might be able to get a good set of knives with a great "service plan" to go with it.

Franklinnoble · 06-25-2004, 12:42 PM

Wusthof are definately top notch... my wife's been bugging me for a set for years. Maybe for Christmas I'll get her started, I dunno.

You don't have to buy them all at once... and you might try shopping online.

Cuckoo · 06-25-2004, 02:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by revrew

I would definitely check out CutCo. My parents still use the same set they bought 30 years ago. We bought a set and love them. I was at a home ec show (don't ask), and the CutCo rep was making all kinds of promises like, "we'll resharpen them for free for life," and so on. You might be able to get a good set of knives with a great "service plan" to go with it.

Hey, a revrew sighting.

Lorena · 06-25-2004, 02:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by revrew

I would definitely check out CutCo. My parents still use the same set they bought 30 years ago. We bought a set and love them. I was at a home ec show (don't ask), and the CutCo rep was making all kinds of promises like, "we'll resharpen them for free for life," and so on. You might be able to get a good set of knives with a great "service plan" to go with it.

Thanks for all the advice. I have called Cutco and they'll be sending a catalog today. You're right Rev, I asked about the "sharpening for life" guarantee and they do offer that.

Sounds like a winner!! Thanks again everyone

Ben E Lou · 06-25-2004, 02:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by WSUCougar

I've had good results with J.A. Henckels brand knives. Good quality, and if you shop around you can get a good price.

I called and asked my wife. She said J.A. Henckels are the best.

WSUCougar · 06-25-2004, 02:19 PM

S.W.M.B.O. knows her cold steel.

Franklinnoble · 06-25-2004, 02:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by WSUCougar

S.W.M.B.O. knows her cold steel.

That's why she must be obeyed...

Scarecrow · 06-25-2004, 05:44 PM

If you want to build a great knife collection, start with a 7" Wusthof Santoku knife.

Or, for a starter set, try the Wusthof Black Classic 2-Piece Asian Chef's Set (a 6.5" Santoku and 3" paring knife). You can probably find this set for less than $100.

MizzouRah · 06-25-2004, 05:58 PM

We recieved two sets of knives for weddings presents. These were by far the best knives I have ever used and the other set is well.. for dishwasher use. Here's a link for more info on these knives: http://usa.zwilling.com/products/twi...S/itemsbs.html#

I have no idea how much these cost, but there is a retail store locator on the site which you could call and ask. FWIW, we have the "S" series the exact 9 piece set shown above.

Todd

korme · 06-25-2004, 06:38 PM

starter kit

Glengoyne · 06-25-2004, 07:30 PM

Henkels are indeed some of the most respected knives around. We have a set similar to the block pictured above, and they are great. Much better than our set of Chicago Cutlery knives, that are reasonably good. All of that said when I really need to cut something, I reach for one of our Cutco knives.

Cutco has a fairly bad reputation for the way they treat their reps. A google search will bring up more hatred and venom than a dodger giant baseball thread here on FOFC. Their knives are outstanding though. Most people in the industries that use/sell knives don't regard them all that well either, but in practice they are simply fantastic. When their reps come do their in home demos, they do all sorts of crazy things like cut a penny into a spiral, and ask you to bring out your best knife to do comparisons. After we produced one of our Henckels, the girl did the demo and she seemed honestly surprised it performed almost as well as the Cutco.

Eaglesfan27 · 06-25-2004, 10:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by WSUCougar

I've had good results with J.A. Henckels brand knives. Good quality, and if you shop around you can get a good price.

My wife, the culinary arts student, also recommend Henckels as the best knives that are relatively affordable.

QuikSand · 08-26-2004, 04:16 PM

Hmmm... I managed to miss this earlier. Oh, well -- re-posted from another thread about "Perfect Things"

- - - - -

My set of kitchen knives is from Warther Carvings.

I'm not all that serious a chef, but I do most of the cooking at our home, and from time to time I get into a more serious approach to it all. About six years ago, I received as a gift some knives from this small company in Ohio, amidst glowing recommendations from several family members and friends. Turns out they were absolutely right. I have used CutCo knives, Chicago Cutlery (both also gifts) and other expensive knives before -- but I never felt the sense of perfection that I get with my Warther knives. They are, for me, perfect.

The hand-carved handles tend to darken over time -- a few of my knives have definitely gotten enough use for this to show already. Some are fairly new (for a set of steak knives with in the last two years, and the French chef knife this year) and still have a fairly light appearance. But it's part of their beauty, to me.

Take them back to the Warther museum and store, and they will re-burnish and sharpen them for you on site, for free. It's even a worthwhile little museum to visit.

And add to all this -- the knives aren't even all that expensive. I think the French Chef knife was less than $40, making it far cheaper than the high-priced stuff at the kicten store from your local shopping mall. And in my book, far, far superior.

Consider that a gift-giving recommendation, a personal endorsement, or whetever. These are great kitchen utensils.

06-25-2004, 02:20 AM	#2
Eaglesfan27 Hall Of Famer Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: New Jersey	My wife is currently in culinary arts school to become a chef, and I'll ask her in the morning (she is already asleep now.) So, I should have a solid recommendation in about 8-10 hours. __________________ Retired GM of the eNFL 2007 Super Bowl Champion Philadelphia Eagles (19-0 record.) GM of the WOOF 2006 Doggie Bowl Champion Atlantic City Gamblers. GM of the IHOF 2019 and 2022 IHOF Bowl Champion Asheville Axemen.

06-25-2004, 02:31 AM	#3
Vince Pro Starter Join Date: Aug 2001 Location: Willow Glen, CA	Though I'm not sure how they are for actual cooking, my family invested in a set of CutCo steak knives a few years back, and they are absolutely amazing. I'll ask my little brother what he thinks the next time I talk to him...he graduated the San Francisco Culinary Academy a few years back as well. __________________ Every time a Dodger scores a run, an angel has its wings ripped off by a demon, and is forced to tearfully beg the demon to cauterize the wounds.The demon will refuse, and the sobbing angel will lie in a puddle of angel blood and feathers for eternity, wondering why the Dodgers are allowed to score runs.That’s not me talking: that’s science. McCoveyChronicles.com.

06-25-2004, 02:40 AM	#5
Vince Pro Starter Join Date: Aug 2001 Location: Willow Glen, CA	They really do cut amazingly well...you breath on the knife and it cuts through steak like warm butter. __________________ Every time a Dodger scores a run, an angel has its wings ripped off by a demon, and is forced to tearfully beg the demon to cauterize the wounds.The demon will refuse, and the sobbing angel will lie in a puddle of angel blood and feathers for eternity, wondering why the Dodgers are allowed to score runs.That’s not me talking: that’s science. McCoveyChronicles.com.

06-25-2004, 08:20 AM	#8
gstelmack Pro Starter Join Date: Oct 2000 Location: Cary, NC	http://store.foodnetwork.com/shop/pr...pe=subcategory __________________ -- Greg -- Author of various FOF utilities

06-25-2004, 09:41 AM	#9
WSUCougar Rider Of Rohan Join Date: Jul 2001 Location: Port Angeles, WA or Helm's Deep	I've had good results with J.A. Henckels brand knives. Good quality, and if you shop around you can get a good price. __________________ It's not the years...it's the mileage.

06-25-2004, 04:56 AM	#7
daedalus Pro Rookie Join Date: Oct 2000	Dola . . . I'd love to know as well. I don't cook well yet but I'd like to learn. As an aside, I recall reading somewhere that the blocks aren't really a very GoodThing[tm] as they could end up being housing for bacteria. Is that true? One interesting solution I saw was somebody just having a block with magnet on their kitchen wall so they can just stick their knives on.

06-25-2004, 09:43 AM	#10
sachmo71 The boy who cried Trout Join Date: Oct 2000 Location: TX	Ginsu? It cuts through cans and then tomatoes!

06-25-2004, 10:43 AM	#13
revrew Team Chaplain Join Date: Jun 2001 Location: Just outside Des Moines, IA	I would definitely check out CutCo. My parents still use the same set they bought 30 years ago. We bought a set and love them. I was at a home ec show (don't ask), and the CutCo rep was making all kinds of promises like, "we'll resharpen them for free for life," and so on. You might be able to get a good set of knives with a great "service plan" to go with it.

06-25-2004, 12:42 PM	#14
Franklinnoble Banned Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: Placerville, CA	Wusthof are definately top notch... my wife's been bugging me for a set for years. Maybe for Christmas I'll get her started, I dunno. You don't have to buy them all at once... and you might try shopping online.

06-25-2004, 02:19 PM	#18
WSUCougar Rider Of Rohan Join Date: Jul 2001 Location: Port Angeles, WA or Helm's Deep	S.W.M.B.O. knows her cold steel. __________________ It's not the years...it's the mileage.

06-25-2004, 05:44 PM	#20
Scarecrow College Prospect Join Date: Oct 2000 Location: The Flatlands of America	If you want to build a great knife collection, start with a 7" Wusthof Santoku knife. Or, for a starter set, try the Wusthof Black Classic 2-Piece Asian Chef's Set (a 6.5" Santoku and 3" paring knife). You can probably find this set for less than $100. __________________ Post Count: Eleventy Billion - so deal with it!

06-25-2004, 05:58 PM	#21
MizzouRah Hall Of Famer Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: Troy, Mo	We recieved two sets of knives for weddings presents. These were by far the best knives I have ever used and the other set is well.. for dishwasher use. Here's a link for more info on these knives: http://usa.zwilling.com/products/twi...S/itemsbs.html# I have no idea how much these cost, but there is a retail store locator on the site which you could call and ask. FWIW, we have the "S" series the exact 9 piece set shown above. Todd

06-25-2004, 06:38 PM	#22
korme Go Reds Join Date: May 2001 Location: Bloodbuzz Ohio	starter kit

06-25-2004, 07:30 PM	#23
Glengoyne Grizzled Veteran Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Fresno, CA	Henkels are indeed some of the most respected knives around. We have a set similar to the block pictured above, and they are great. Much better than our set of Chicago Cutlery knives, that are reasonably good. All of that said when I really need to cut something, I reach for one of our Cutco knives. Cutco has a fairly bad reputation for the way they treat their reps. A google search will bring up more hatred and venom than a dodger giant baseball thread here on FOFC. Their knives are outstanding though. Most people in the industries that use/sell knives don't regard them all that well either, but in practice they are simply fantastic. When their reps come do their in home demos, they do all sorts of crazy things like cut a penny into a spiral, and ask you to bring out your best knife to do comparisons. After we produced one of our Henckels, the girl did the demo and she seemed honestly surprised it performed almost as well as the Cutco.

08-26-2004, 04:16 PM	#25
QuikSand lolzcat Join Date: Oct 2000 Location: Annapolis, Md	Hmmm... I managed to miss this earlier. Oh, well -- re-posted from another thread about "Perfect Things" - - - - - My set of kitchen knives is from Warther Carvings. I'm not all that serious a chef, but I do most of the cooking at our home, and from time to time I get into a more serious approach to it all. About six years ago, I received as a gift some knives from this small company in Ohio, amidst glowing recommendations from several family members and friends. Turns out they were absolutely right. I have used CutCo knives, Chicago Cutlery (both also gifts) and other expensive knives before -- but I never felt the sense of perfection that I get with my Warther knives. They are, for me, perfect. The hand-carved handles tend to darken over time -- a few of my knives have definitely gotten enough use for this to show already. Some are fairly new (for a set of steak knives with in the last two years, and the French chef knife this year) and still have a fairly light appearance. But it's part of their beauty, to me. Take them back to the Warther museum and store, and they will re-burnish and sharpen them for you on site, for free. It's even a worthwhile little museum to visit. And add to all this -- the knives aren't even all that expensive. I think the French Chef knife was less than $40, making it far cheaper than the high-priced stuff at the kicten store from your local shopping mall. And in my book, far, far superior. Consider that a gift-giving recommendation, a personal endorsement, or whetever. These are great kitchen utensils.

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