I need to clean up the kitchen clutter I would like to get one good knife block set, and toss out all the cheap and mismatched stuff, I would like to try to keep it around the 300 dollar price tag,. What are you folks using?
I'd suggest buying from A. G. Russell for selection and guarantee though often it's possible to beat his price by a little his service is unbeatable. My own practice has been to use a good block filled with knives that may not match but do suit me. I also use my field knives in the kitchen. If they weren't my favorite knives I'd try again until they were so it makes sense to use them as much as I can.
If you want to know what I use, it sounds a lot like your present set.
We've got a Henkel set in a block on the counter.
The knives we use are in the island drawer, a Mike Miller parer, a Mike Miller Santoku'ish, a Victoronix parer, and a Case 8" Chef's knife.
Cutco has been good to us, but don't wash in the dishwasher, pro tip.
Cutco has been good to us, but don't wash in the dishwasher, pro tip.
Wash ours in the dishwasher all the time. Send them back to Olean, NY once a year for a sharpening and polishing. Not $300 but great knife set.
Were I to start over again, I would keep my 8" chef knife, 61/2" Nakiri, 4" paring knife and 7" filet knife. All of Japanese VG-10 steel. I would also keep my 8 inch santoku made by Dale Atkerson in 5/32 D2, A 7 inch boning knife also by Dale out of 1!/8 CPM-154 and a Chicago Cutlery insignia santoku. I have 8 nice steak knives by Chicago that I would be loath to part with.
All my German made knives could go and not be missed but for an enormous Granton edge salmon filet knife which only rarely gets used.
Buy the Japanese VG-10 steel kitchen knives and be happy for the rest of your life.
I like mix and match too. Cheaper and what you want with no fluff.
But if I was starting over, I might try these. I like Opinel pocket knives for picnics/camping cooking.
https://www.opinel-usa.com/kitchen-knives/large-blades/parallele-wood-handles/trio-knives-box
you are almost always better buying the knives you need and will use. Not every maker has what I want, so I have some from Wusthoff Trident, some hand made, some from K Sabatier, some from Russell, some from Mundial, and a number of very nice Japanese specialty knives.
Henckels 4 Star. See incredible deals on them from time to time. Got my niece an entire set just like mine for her wedding gift for less than $200 several years ago.
I'd also caution against the set. Just get the ones you'll actually use, then find a block that'll hold 'em.
It really helps to go handle many, and see which ones feel most natural to you. Kinda like shoes, optics, and rifles, when ya think about it...
FC
I've had some expensive knives but they are a pain to take care of and don't work any better than a cheap sharp one. I actually like the white handled Dexter Russell knives and I keep them on a magnetic strip. Get the Dexter Russel steel to go with them and you are set. A lot of commercial kitchens actually use these knives. I bought mine from a restaurant supply that is no longer in business. A couple swipes on the steel and they are hair popping sharp and they are easy maintenance in cleaning.
I have a set of JA Henckels forged synergy knives. don't really need the 8 steak knives but the rest are eminently useful. The girlfriend is getting used to them finally.....only cut herself twice so far this week.
Yeah. Forget the steak knives on any set. It's too easy to get good ones for a better price.
Yeah. Forget the steak knives on any set. It's too easy to get good ones for a better price.
Especially if they're the typically supplied steak saws.
Yeah. Forget the steak knives on any set. It's too easy to get good ones for a better price.
Especially if they're the typically supplied steak saws.
Exactly. I don't even like serrated blade steak knives.
I have a set of Wusthoff steak knives (8 in presentation box) I scored from the Cabela's bargain cave for some reason. Whole set was 30 but I see they're typically a bit more on-line.
I also have a Masamoto Gyuto I like quite a bit and a matching Masamoto Petty knife that I like quite a bit. Don't mind the heft to them as I'm not a pro, slinging them for 10 hours a shift. They're really very beautifully fit and finished.
I just bought what I needed from Cutco and am very pleased
I had a Henckel set for a long time. I have been replacing them with Dexter Sani Safe. They have good useful Kitchen Patterns don't cost much and are decent. Lots of people that make a living using a knife use them.
I just bought what I needed from Cutco and am very pleased
'Tis what I use as well. Sold the dang things in college and inherited the set my dad bought. Not a complaint on my part.
I don't need much. Cook cleaver (not a butcher's), fillet knife, and Victorinox paring knife handle everything for me. Add a bread knife, if necessary.
All of my knives are Wusthof Classics and forged Lamson and Goodnows. If American made is important to you Lamson makes great knives with a lifetime warranty and sharpening service.
https://lamsonproducts.com/collections/forged-cutlery
we use a few echo serrated knives that are 20 or more years old. they sharpen really easy with only a few passes on the edgemaker pro. we also have a few chicago cutlery 842r knives that come from the local poultry proccessors. thats about all they use.
we use a few echo serrated knives that are 20 or more years old. they sharpen really easy with only a few passes on the edgemaker pro. we also have a few chicago cutlery 842r knives that come from the local poultry proccessors. thats about all they use. my biggest echo is the best carving knife i've even seen.they stopped making them a year or so after we bought a set. i still look for them at yard sales.
I use a few from Victorinix and and a few Japanese knives
I've had some expensive knives but they are a pain to take care of and don't work any better than a cheap sharp one. I actually like the white handled Dexter Russell knives and I keep them on a magnetic strip. Get the Dexter Russel steel to go with them and you are set. A lot of commercial kitchens actually use these knives. I bought mine from a restaurant supply that is no longer in business. A couple swipes on the steel and they are hair popping sharp and they are easy maintenance in cleaning.
^^^^^^^^^^THIS^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
I will add my vote for several knives from different makers that suit your needs. I have several from Henckles, Mundial, Forschner, Dexter Russell, Sabatier, Case XX and LamsonSharp.
Also, and as R_H_Clark mentioned, the white-handled Dexter Russell are very good knives for a very reasonable price. The Dexter V-Lo series of knives are also great and have nice, grippy handles. I have a few of each.
However, it sounds like you might want a matched set, if so, I'd recommend going to a Restaurant Supply and picking out several Dexter V-Lo knives that you like and you will have a great set for not much money at all. There are also V-Lo sets available along with a matching stainless steel knife block or knife roll that should be within your budget. You get a lot of bang for the buck with Russell.
Bob Kramer design knives by Zwilling I have heard great things of.........
Bladesmith wanting to make the best Kitchen knife.