I'm shopping for a good set of kitchen knives. What are the good brands?

[maveric]

I've been using crappy knives my whole life and am willing to spend a few bucks for good quality set.
What are the good ones and the ones to stay away from?

[Chan790]

1. Price Range?

That's a really huge factor.

[maveric]

3. < $600.00

I may go as high as $700.00.

[Chan790]

7. That's pretty top-end...

you can buy the 18pc. Wusthof set for $611 MSRP. Supposedly the best set made. Endorsed by Le Cordon Bleu and used in the finest kitchens in Europe. (That's not an endorsement of any kind from me. I doubt you need a tomato knife or 13 others of the included 18. I'm just pointing out that $600 is professional-grade $.) If you're willing to spend that much, I'd do it right.

Call around or find your local restaurant supply store. They'll work with you to figure out what would work best for you. What works for me may not be what you want and they're going to know what knives you won't actually use or need. A 6 piece set for $600 is 10-times better than a 18-piece set for the same price with 10 knives you're never going to use.

[electron_blue]

2. how much you willing to spend?

I just picked up a set of 4 basic kitchen knives from Henckel at Target for 75% off (clearance). What a steal and I love them.

[OnceUponTimeOnTheNet]

6. Henckel or Wusthof seem the most popular

I have an old Chicago Cutlery 8" chef you couldn't pry from my dead right hand. It's over 20 years old now, sharpened and honed to perfection to this day. But, i gotta admit, way out of balance.
I'm finding it difficult to admit I need a new chef. I love this knife.

Thinking of a Wusthof to replace her, one of these days...

[Courtesy Flush]

27. We have the Wusthof Trident

Because we couldn't afford the Bestof Trident :rofl:

[bleedingheart]

4. I would research it...

my mother worked for Alcoa in the 50's..and her division made the Wear-ever brand products.

Wear-ever's knives were bought by Cutco..so as a result of my mother's collection and my husband's stint as a Cutco rep in college.. I have a huge set of Cutco/Alcoa...some pieces from the 1950's and some from the 1980's and...the replacements that I got for a small fee when I broke something or needed it sharpened. Just recently a young man came to my house and sharpened all my knives...

The knife snobs have told me they aren't good...but I like em and I like the guarantee..(reminds me of Craftsman..hahaha)...plus I was born into this situation...(the Alcoa Mother...she loved working for Alcoa...) I cook a lot and they work and I like them but I am sure that there are far better knives out there that cost more or less...

Good luck on your shopping!

[Scarlett17]

32. Cutco knives rock.

My grandfather bought a set right after he returned from WWII. My nana used those knives for over 50 years. When I was in college I had a short stint as a Cutco rep myself and was shocked to find out that these were the knives my nana had used since the 40s. The company offered to replace her set for free and she wouldn't part with them. She did let them sharpen her trimmer. She continued to use those knives until she died in 2001 and now my aunt is using them. I have my sample set from when I sold. I've also inherited the large set my mom bought in 1991 when I was selling them. Those knives are the best. The steak knives are awesome, too. I know there are trendier, Top Chef-approved knives, but for household use, you cannot beat Cutco.

[blitzen]

5. Wusthof are really good. I have this set....

the serrated bread knife, by the way, is a must--and useful for all kinds of things. You have to make sure to keep them sharp (not difficult, just run them through a sharpener every couple weeks)


http://www.wusthof.com/EN/database3.asp?a=9751&d=Knife%20set

[Karenca]

8. I like Wusthof. nt

[flvegan]

9. Dansk.

That one word is the endgame to this inquiry.

[Drum]

10. Henkels are wonderful...

but I bought the best IKEA ones for much less. Very happy so far!

[ironflange]

11. Cutco makes very good knives

Except once you buy from them, they keep bugging you trying to sell you more stuff.

[GoneOffShore]

12. Don't buy a 'Set'

Get knives that fit your hand and cutting style.

If you can find them, maybe a carbon steel knife or two - they keep their edge way better than stainless.

Henkels are good - depending on the grade. Look for full tang knives. Check out eGullet.org and you'll find some discussions on knives.

[Gormy Cuss]

14. Second that!

I have a mix of knives because no one brand fit my hand well for all blades. I have Wusthof, Henckel, and Forschner knives; used to have a few Sabatiers. The best way to pick your first knife is to go to a store that has a broad selection and try them out.

Carbon steels do hold an edge better than the high carbon stainless, and full tang knives just feel better to me.

[GoneOffShore]

15. I love Sabatiers

Next time we're in France I'm going to pick up a couple of carbon steel knives from Dehillerin.

They've got some great value stuff that you can't get in the States.

We bought Revol lion head bowls for $7 each that cost TWENTY-FIVE FREAKING DOLLARS at Sur La Table!

[Porcupine]

44. I have a 40 year old Sabatier knife. Still in use.

I learned to cook with this knife and it is a treasure. Stays very sharp and takes a new edge easily.

[KitchenWitch]

13. Wusthof or Henckles!

[pokerfan]

16. Dexter Russell

Professionals swear by them. I have several, a paring knife, a general purpose knife and a French knife.

http://www.dexter-russell.com/product_page.asp?group_name=Russell-Int.asp

And get a decent set of stones. I like the Spyderco system, very easy to use:

http://www.knifesite.com/Spyderco-204MF-Tri-Angle-Sharpmaker-System-p/204mf.htm

You don't need to spend $600 for a set of quality knives.

[MissHoneychurch]

17. WMF

http://www.wmf.com/startseite.asp?sid=3669375181198122007102727412


and here the link for the knives

http://www.wmf.com/gruppen_uebersicht.asp?nv_id=142&se_id=58&sp_id=11&sid=3669375181198122007102727412

[blockhead]

18. American made Chicago Cutlery. n/t

[dysfunctional press]

21. i second that reccomendation. nt

[nuxvomica]

24. I third that

I've had them for years. Best value in a good cutlery set.

[Rabrrrrrr]

26. I totally disagree with that suggestion

I don't like Chicago Cutlery - mine were pricey, and they're crap. Would have been better to spend a few extra bucks and get good quality steel, which I ended up having to do anyway.

Even professionally sharpened, Chicago Cutlery steel just isn't as god as Henckels or any of the Japanese ones or Wusthoff.

[Rabrrrrrr]

19. Henckels, or go Japanese.

[ET Awful]

20. I LOVE my Katana knives (made by Calphalon surprisingly)

http://www.calphalon.com/calphalon/consumer/katana/thecollection.jhtml;jsessionid=I1PYXPFBCDDCGCQHUBSCJ0QKA4QHQJCK

I have everything but their vegetable cleaver which I wouldn't mind picking up.

[jobycom]

42. I have those knives. Good knives. Good handles. nt

[carly denise pt deux]

22. I got a set of Victorinox knives as a wedding present 17 years ago

and those buggers are still sharp, I am not sure how much they cost.
Carly

[Bridget Burke]

23. Sounds like there are several fine brands....

But Shun knives are really beautiful & get high ratings:
www.everten.com.au/category4_1.htm

Alton Brown endorses this brand.

Or you could pick the brand that's named after Rachael Ray!

[northzax]

30. Shuns are gorgeous

the watered steel...nice.

but I second the Global recomendation below, Shuns are out the window price-wise.

[MANative]

25. I've tried

Henckel, Wustof, Sabatier, Chicago Cutlery and Cutco - I'm a real fan of good knives ;) But the best I've ever used are Global knives - made in Japan. Great balance, hold their edges beautifully, really nice look (steel handle). Williams-Sonoma started carrying them a little over a year ago, but you can also find them online - prices vary a lot from different web sites, but you should be able to get a real good collection of the key shapes (chef's, filet, boning, paring, serrated bread/tomato) for around $500.

[OnceUponTimeOnTheNet]

34. Watched the cooking channel today,

The cute Italian cook (i don't know her name) had a Global knife in her hand. I do like the liner look of the knife she was using. It looked comfortable to use. Although i think Wustof first, I would like to try what that Brown cook on that channel uses, also.

I bought my MIL a set of Rachel Rays chef knives for Christmas. I did try them, but preferred to go right back to my accustomed Chicago chef. It's what my hand is used to.

So hard to decide who to use to replace my treasured 8 inch chef.

[MANative]

35. Another chef who uses Global is

Ming Tsai (sp?) who used to be on Food Network, but now shows up on PBS. I use the 10" chef, because I prefer the weight. My Dad uses the 8" and likes it very well. Like another poster, I have several different brands in my collection, but I'd say I reach for the Globals about 85% of the time.

Edited for silly typo :)

[OnceUponTimeOnTheNet]

38. An 8 inch fits me well

6 is too small, 10 is to big. Global I have got to check into. Thanx for your reply.

[MANative]

40. You're very welcome!

Hope you'll like them as much as I do :)

[Poiuyt]

28. I like Wusthof the best

Here's a good site for knives. They have a huge selection, also tips, hints and recommendations:

http://knifemerchant.com/

[Auggie]

29. Some knives are made from one piece of steel, and others are made from

two pieces, I was once told by a professional knife sharpener. I would suggest you ask around -- what holds an edge longer, what will last longer, etc. Don't get sucked into brand names or marketing. Also what's really important is how they feel in your hand.

Furthermore, consider you may need only two or three really good knives. Watch a professional chef at work -- they'll use the same knife for just about everything.

[xchrom]

31. i echo the others -- henkels or wustoff.

i can't tell you how much i love them.

i used to work at sur la table -- and i was exposed to every top brand you can think.

they remain the best in my mind.

[malta blue]

33. wusthof - here is a reasonably priced set...

http://www.cutleryandmore.com/details.asp?SKU=10850

[GOPisEvil]

36. Global, Shun, Wusthof, Henckels...all fine brands.

Go to a store - try them out. Buy the one that feels best to you. The most expensive knife in the world is useless if you don't like to use it.

I've got a Henckels santoku chef's knife that I love. A lot.

[freethought]

37. Any one of the following brands

Wusthof, Henkels, Lamson Sharp, Sabatier, and the higher end Chicago Cutlery.

Always choose forged blades over stamped. I have a personal preference for Wusthof since I have purchased knife sets for myself and my two sisters. For one sister I bought a set of Wusthof Trident Series kitchen knives, a model they don't produce any more as far as I know. Absolute TOP-QUALITY!
High Carbon chrome-molybdenum alloy steel. Keep it clean, maybe give it a light wipe of cooking oil to keep the rust away, holds an awesome edge! Last forever!

Can you imagine how upset I was when my sister's boyfriend snapped the tip off of the chef's knife and broke AND bent the tip of the pairing knife.

AND FOR HEAVEN'S SAKE STAY AWAY FROM CUTCO!!!!

[judaspriestess]

39. oh my god DUH

Rachel Ray knives}(

[Porcupine]

41. I like Forschner.

They have real wood handles. They have good steel that's not so hard that you can't touch up the edge yourself. They balance well for me.

I find that some famous brands of knives have steel so hard that to touch up the blade you have to use a diamond stone or take them to a knife sharpener.

I would reccomend.

2 paring knives w/different blade tips.

1 8 or 10 inch french chef's knife.

1 vegetable cleaver

1 sharpening steel

bonus knives would be: boning knife, filet knive, full size cleaver, meat carving knife or a meat fork.

[Kali]

43. whatever you choose, learn the proper way to care for them and do so.

I echo the idea to buy them one at a time as you need them and feel how the fit your cutting style. Sets invariably have a few you will never use and are missing that one that you wish you had.