Another vote for Wusthof. I use a combination of Dexter Russell and Victorinox for processing game, but my wife prefers her Wusthof for the kitchen. There are several different lines and we have the classic; they aren’t cheap but they hold an edge and balance well. I use a steel routinely to keep them in top condition.
I have the job of sharpening my wife's kitchen knives. She has some Wusthoff, Cuisinart, and various others. None of them hold a candle to the Kershaw 3/4 Ton folding knife she keeps in her drawer, when it comes to holding an edge. Her Victorinox comes in second best.
For practically all her kitchen knives, I have to hold the blade at 45 degrees to the sharpening surface to get any kind of edge. The harder steels do very well with a 25-30 degrees, and take a much sharper edge. One of the best is my Merle Seguine, which is made of 1095 tool steel.
The really good ones will take a shaving edge pretty easily. The standard kitchen stock, not so much.
These are high-performance knives, for not much money. Blades are laminated VG-10 stainless steel. Wicked sharp, and good edge holding. Your wife and son will probably ruin them, but it will be fun, while they last.
I bought one of these about ten years ago and it’s a razor...it was on sale at the time, I think 70 bucks. Best knife I have, even compared to my Wustof’s. The wife and I have both about cut a finger off. I had a good reason for my accident...
Another vote for Wusthoff. Very high quality knives. Knowing I like the brand, my wife got me a Wusthoff filet knife a few years ago. (Ridiculously expensive, but she says I’m worth it.) Thinnest, most flexible blade I’ve ever seen on a knife and so sharp I’m almost afraid of it. I handle it very, very carefully.
Laugh, but the original still is a great slicing knife for $9! Nothing is better at slicing tomatoes or flank steak or that sort of thing. Offset serrated knife much like Cutco, really cuts. Original was made by a US company named KwickKut. You can still find them on Amazon.
I'm telling you this is a great cheap knife to have in the kitchen. The handle is chinzy and after a couple hundred trips in the dishwasher it comes loose, but for $9 throw it away and get another. You never need to sharpen it. They have a lifetime warranty (on a $9 knife?) Online people write that they have sent it back and gotten a new one in the mail.
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On the cheap, this forged Mercer seems plenty good enough. Bought one for mom and liked it enough to get on for myself. Price fluctuates between about $30 to $50. German steel Taiwan made.
Dunno current production is good or not, but the Dexter Russel fillet and bait knives I bought 30 years ago are going strong in the kitchen. Wife thought it crazy until she tried them. Instant convert. She's rough on them in every regard, they get to ride the stone about every 6-8 weeks.
I am..........disturbed.
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Still use the dexter russel knives on the commercial boats when I can talk myself into going out. They are the standard on the water and have a few for the kitchen. I also have a cheap set of henkles from Costco that we got a bunch of years ago.
I like the henkles steel , but the handles are kind of small for my hands and I’m too cheap to buy a different set. I might pick up a santoku though. Out of all of them that’s my favorite.
This should really be in the optics forum, where the answer would be easy. The price of the knives that you purchase should exceed the price of your cooking appliances.
Not a real member - just an ordinary guy who appreciates being able to hang around and say something once in awhile.
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Not only a less than minimally educated person, but stupid and out of touch as well.