Knives

[Goldstone1976]

You need to be careful about "Sabatier". It is not a single brand of knife, but rather a maker's mark that dozens (literally) of manufacturers use to infer the quality of a high quality Sabatier knife. Inevitably, some manufacturers are really good; others are useless.

Another vote for JA Henckel here.

 

[DavidinSouthampton]

I've always used Sabatier, can't fault them.

We bought some Sabatier knives in TK Maxx a couple of years ago. Excellent.

 

[The Bun Elephant]

We have flint and flame knives at home - Good Knives and had no problem with them

 

[Normal Rob]

interesting to read that Global knifes are known for breaking that way, I thought that it was just me that that happened too. My small vegetable chopper broke in that exact way and i was gutted as it was my favourite knife by far. My other Global knives are fine though. I do like them, but it's all about the sharpener that you use. Minosharps are great for Global knives.

 

[jgmcdee]

Henckels 4 star are great knives and you can pick up a decent set for around the £300 mark.

 

[The Sock of Poskett]

You need to be careful about "Sabatier". It is not a single brand of knife, but rather a maker's mark that dozens (literally) of manufacturers use to infer the quality of a high quality Sabatier knife. Inevitably, some manufacturers are really good; others are useless.

Another vote for JA Henckel here.

We got a set of Sabatier & Judge knives recently - very pleased with them.

 

[¡Cereal Killer!]

As a chef, at work I use a lakeland select knives and it is great for £30 for general dicing and sticking, a kitchen devil smaller knives which I got for couple quid in.asda for smaller items like mushrooms and a longer knife (no idea on brand) for things such as swede and butternut squash.

 

[Machiavelli]

Not convinced you really need that many. I got given a Wusthof multi-purpose knife, and that does me for most things.

 

[the slow norris]

Not convinced you really need that many. I got given a Wusthof multi-purpose knife, and that does me for most things.

Thanks all for the feedback on this. Had never heard of Henckel before, heard of Global but friends had encountered exatly the same problem. Looking at steamer trading online (there's one up here som am planning on going to have a play tomorrow) I've narrowed it down to these 3:

http://www.steamer.co.uk/chopping_p...j_a_henckels_pro_s_7-piece_block_set_ss10.htm

or

http://www.steamer.co.uk/chopping_p..._a_henckels_professional_s_knife_set_of_3.htm

or

http://www.steamer.co.uk/chopping_p...ife_sets/wusthof_3_piece_classic_ikon_set.htm

all well below budget.

 

[Goldstone1976]

Thanks all for the feedback on this. Had never heard of Henckel before, heard of Global but friends had encountered exatly the same problem. Looking at steamer trading online (there's one up here som am planning on going to have a play tomorrow) I've narrowed it down to these 3:

http://www.steamer.co.uk/chopping_p...j_a_henckels_pro_s_7-piece_block_set_ss10.htm

or

http://www.steamer.co.uk/chopping_p..._a_henckels_professional_s_knife_set_of_3.htm

or

http://www.steamer.co.uk/chopping_p...ife_sets/wusthof_3_piece_classic_ikon_set.htm

all well below budget.

Wusthof are also a classy manufacturer. If you go for either of the last two sets, you'll need a decent sharpener as well. The last set has a bread knife as one of the three - do you really want one as 1/3 of your collection?

 

[Bold Seagull]

We use global knives and very happy with them - The one thing is that if you want to keep them properly sharp, you're going to need get sharpening stones and then spend some time figuring out the technique, but once you do, they'll stay sharp for ages....

Global knives can snap between handle and blade, if you are using the flat of the blade to crush something. In my case a clove of garlic, lent on it with the flat of my hand and snap. I am told it is something of a known weakness because the join is forged there.

I had a Global knife that snapped in half when I dropped it on the kitchen floor. They look pretty but clearly not robust enough for actual use.

I now use one that's about a third of the price but does the job of cutting and take all sorts of knocks and blows

I've been using the same Global knives I've had for about a decade. I did have one break, although I sent it to Global, and they sent a new one straight back. My other 4 have all lasted from new. I use one of their wheel sharpeners which is as simple and effective as sharpening a knife gets.

I've always found them the best balanced and weighted knives to handle. They are great to hold and use, and generally a great shape. They also keep their sharpness remarkably well.

Global knives do have a lifetime guarantee against snapping from a manufacturing fault, which I guess is why mine was replaced.

What you have to remember is that hard Japanese steel is hard and holds it's edge, but it's also brittle and requires care of the knife. Global knives for example have instructions for their care, not to be dishwashed etc. They're lovely knives, but do need looking after.

 

[happypig]

I don't use branded knives, just good quality ones that feel right. One stipulation is the blade and tang should be one piece of steel.
I tend to sharpen my knives every couple of months using a whetstone.
A properly sharpened £20 knife will be far better then a blunt designer model (most knives need sharpening when you buy them)

 

[Bold Seagull]

Thanks all for the feedback on this. Had never heard of Henckel before, heard of Global but friends had encountered exatly the same problem. Looking at steamer trading online (there's one up here som am planning on going to have a play tomorrow) I've narrowed it down to these 3:

http://www.steamer.co.uk/chopping_p...j_a_henckels_pro_s_7-piece_block_set_ss10.htm

or

http://www.steamer.co.uk/chopping_p..._a_henckels_professional_s_knife_set_of_3.htm

or

http://www.steamer.co.uk/chopping_p...ife_sets/wusthof_3_piece_classic_ikon_set.htm

all well below budget.

Before you buy try to get to a store that stocks them and try them in your hand. You want to enjoy using them every time you pick them up, and some knives just don't feel as good in the hand as others. If they've got a simple returns policy, I might be tempted to order all 3 sets, then send back the 2 you don't like as much.

 

[Vegas Seagull]

The Hotknives were always good live, they still going ?

 

[Goldstone1976]

Before you buy try to get to a store that stocks them and try them in your hand.

Excellent advice.

 

[dejavuatbtn]

We, and several friends, have bought the Jamie Oliver set of 5 Japanese steel knives in a block. You can get them for under £100 at several places. They are well made, sharp and sharpen easily with a steel. Bread knife (best I have ever used), carving, paring and two general chef's knife and utility knife. They really are excellent but mind your fingers.

 

[DarrenFreemansPerm]

I asked a friend who is into cooking the same question about 10 years ago and he recommended Global. I bought a full set and not had an problems with them.

Can fully reccomend Global knives, used them for years in kitchens. An absolute pleasure to work with but try the handle before you commit, it's not for everyone.

 

[SIMMO SAYS]

Are those plastic knives any good ?

 

[DarrenFreemansPerm]

Not convinced you really need that many. I got given a Wusthof multi-purpose knife, and that does me for most things.

Agreed, I only really used a cooks knife(30cm), a veg knife and a Victorinox Pastry knife. The pastry knife is superb and can be used for all sorts of stuff from carving meat to slicing bread, it's an absolute weapon in the kitchen.

 

[DarrenFreemansPerm]

You need to be careful about "Sabatier". It is not a single brand of knife, but rather a maker's mark that dozens (literally) of manufacturers use to infer the quality of a high quality Sabatier knife. Inevitably, some manufacturers are really good; others are useless.

Another vote for JA Henckel here.

Lion Sabatier are the business. My very first cooks knife was by them, it was a trusty steed which lasted me until it resembled a filleting knife.