Best cooking knives - professional?!
I'm looking to get my boyfriend a knife or knive set for Christmas - he thinks he's the next Jamie Oliver but has never had a cooking lesson in his life!. The knife would mostly be used for chopping veg or chicken breast and similar things, what professional knife would be best for him or what would you recommend!?Www@FoodAQ@Com
Answers:
Rather than buy a set, just buy him a really good 24cm (10inch) chef's knife!. It's perfect for chopping meat and veg, and if he wants to slice cucumbers at 90mph like Jamie Oliver that's the sort of knife you need, slightly rounded shape to get the rocking action!.
As to which ones, when you're buying top-end knives it doesn't make much odds as to which brand!. Global, Henkels, Sabatier - all are excellent!.
He'll need a good sharpener, the best are by a company called DMT, they make small diamond hones, couple of swishes and it's razor sharp again!. So get him a sharpener at the same time!.
When he gets proficient he may find another brand he likes more, but really you've got to use them to find what suits you!.
I've tried a few, Global are good but for most people the wooden handles of Henkel/Sabatier feel nicer and more secure!.
My favourite is a japanese Kasuri 10inch, the blade is made of folded damascus steel which is a combination of hard carbon steel and a softer steel, the folding of many layers and combination of metals means you get a microscopic serration which cuts through anything (as my fingers will attest) and it sharpens quicker than traditional hardened single-metal blades!.Www@FoodAQ@Com
As to which ones, when you're buying top-end knives it doesn't make much odds as to which brand!. Global, Henkels, Sabatier - all are excellent!.
He'll need a good sharpener, the best are by a company called DMT, they make small diamond hones, couple of swishes and it's razor sharp again!. So get him a sharpener at the same time!.
When he gets proficient he may find another brand he likes more, but really you've got to use them to find what suits you!.
I've tried a few, Global are good but for most people the wooden handles of Henkel/Sabatier feel nicer and more secure!.
My favourite is a japanese Kasuri 10inch, the blade is made of folded damascus steel which is a combination of hard carbon steel and a softer steel, the folding of many layers and combination of metals means you get a microscopic serration which cuts through anything (as my fingers will attest) and it sharpens quicker than traditional hardened single-metal blades!.Www@FoodAQ@Com
Quite a few years ago now, I purchased a set of Kershaw shun series knives!. They are pricey, but if quality is what you are looking for, then this is the deal!.
A few years back, German steel was considered the best (wustoff, etc!.!.!.)
But recently the Japanese have been gaining ranks!. The Japanese Pressed Carbon Steel is worth it's weight in gold, The handles are beautiful and sturdy and the sweet spot is just right!. I personally prefer the 8 " Santoku, I use it for everything from cutting meat to slicing cakes!. They have a lifetime warranty, so if anything goes wrong, all you need to do is send it to them and they'll replace or repair it for you!.
The other great thing is that they are a one-sided blade, meaning the angle on one edge is greater than that of the other!. This makes it much sharper, and easier to cut if you are left-or right handed!. They make both!. The way I look at it, the Japanese were making swords, knives etc!.!.!.!.much earlier than the Germans!. They have this down!.!.!.!.!.And the shun series is and always will be my favorite knife for the price!.!.!.!.!.
one side note, not to discourage you, but it is highly recommended to keep sharpening them regularly, not because they lose their edge quickly, but to keep them in peak shape!. To be honest, this is not particular to Shun knives alone, one should sharpen any knives regularly anyway!.
Here's the website where I purchase all of my Cutlery, they have great prices, fast shipping, and usually if you throw down a certain amount of money on knives, they'll throw in stones or cutting boards with your order!. I promise, you will not be disappointed with these knives!.!.!.Www@FoodAQ@Com
A few years back, German steel was considered the best (wustoff, etc!.!.!.)
But recently the Japanese have been gaining ranks!. The Japanese Pressed Carbon Steel is worth it's weight in gold, The handles are beautiful and sturdy and the sweet spot is just right!. I personally prefer the 8 " Santoku, I use it for everything from cutting meat to slicing cakes!. They have a lifetime warranty, so if anything goes wrong, all you need to do is send it to them and they'll replace or repair it for you!.
The other great thing is that they are a one-sided blade, meaning the angle on one edge is greater than that of the other!. This makes it much sharper, and easier to cut if you are left-or right handed!. They make both!. The way I look at it, the Japanese were making swords, knives etc!.!.!.!.much earlier than the Germans!. They have this down!.!.!.!.!.And the shun series is and always will be my favorite knife for the price!.!.!.!.!.
one side note, not to discourage you, but it is highly recommended to keep sharpening them regularly, not because they lose their edge quickly, but to keep them in peak shape!. To be honest, this is not particular to Shun knives alone, one should sharpen any knives regularly anyway!.
Here's the website where I purchase all of my Cutlery, they have great prices, fast shipping, and usually if you throw down a certain amount of money on knives, they'll throw in stones or cutting boards with your order!. I promise, you will not be disappointed with these knives!.!.!.Www@FoodAQ@Com
My boyfriend (now husband) bought me a Santoku knife by Messermeister a couple of years ago because it's what i wanted for my birthday!. I found them at a gourmet food shop in my area!. I love this knife!. The quality is excellent and it works great every time!. I rarely have to sharpen it!. I want more! I would recommend this to anyone looking for quality!. Here's their website:
http://www!.messermeister!.com/
This site has a store locator and a catalog request link at the bottom of the page!.Www@FoodAQ@Com
http://www!.messermeister!.com/
This site has a store locator and a catalog request link at the bottom of the page!.Www@FoodAQ@Com
sabattier are the ones i would recommend, if you are just buying one knife, get a 6 inch general purpose chefs knife, but ideally a set which includes 8" carving, paring, 6" and carving fork!.
expect to pay around ￡50 for 5 knife set and block, you may find argos have an offer on, they often do!.Www@FoodAQ@Com
expect to pay around ￡50 for 5 knife set and block, you may find argos have an offer on, they often do!.Www@FoodAQ@Com
Global are good - you can buy them in the UK in good department stores!. They are pretty expensive but my Mum (an ex chef) said you pay for quality and should never scrimp and save on knives!. She says it's better to buy a good all round knife than a cheap set of lots!.Www@FoodAQ@Com
I also love my J!.A!. Henckels knives and have heard nothing but good reviews from other people who have them as well!. Here is the set I have, there are other sets as well: http://www!.target!.com/Henckels-Internati!.!.!.Www@FoodAQ@Com
Henkles are good but SABATIER knives are undisputedly the best!. If you have a TK Maxx near you!.!.!.check it out as they always have them in these for half the price, i am getting a very nice chrome knife block from there
Good luck, hope your boyf appreciates the thought and effort :-)Www@FoodAQ@Com
Good luck, hope your boyf appreciates the thought and effort :-)Www@FoodAQ@Com
I have Henckels knives!. They're great, as along as you take care of them and keep them sharpened!.
If you have a restaurant supply store in your area they should carry that brand, or another just as good or better!.
also, try industrial kithcen supply shops!.Www@FoodAQ@Com
If you have a restaurant supply store in your area they should carry that brand, or another just as good or better!.
also, try industrial kithcen supply shops!.Www@FoodAQ@Com
I was a Professional chef for over 45 years and still have my Sabatier knives my father bought me on leaving college, they are as good today as they were then!.Www@FoodAQ@Com
No!. 2 son, who's a chef, tells me that stainless steel knives are useless, they must be carbon steel to take a proper edge - if that helps!.Www@FoodAQ@Com
I like Global, but it's really quite a personal choice, the balance, weight and handle shape/size all have a bearing!.Www@FoodAQ@Com
before i gave up catering i swore by sabatier!.still got my kit 20 years on!.i was one of a brigade of 9!.7 of us had them!.Www@FoodAQ@Com
i have a jame martin knife i use it for everything its the bestWww@FoodAQ@Com