Help pick a chef's knife

[hmphargh]

I'd stay away from fancy woods in a kitchen knife. Kitchen knives get wet, caked with food, and stained. My advice would be to stick with production knives, Wusthof, J. A. Henckels (twin, not international), Shun, and Global. If you want something not all of her friends will have, get something like a Sabatier, Nenox, or Tojiro.

Lastly, this is going to sound lame, but just like with a gun, let her put her hands on them and make the decision herself.

 

[Magoo]

Thanks for the advise on the sharpener hso. I'll do some research before handing it over to anyone. I know of one local hack that ruined a friend's good knife .

The advise on letting her pick her own isn't lame at all, but it kinda takes the fun and surprise out of it. Like I said, if she wants to trade it for something else, no worries. I got lucky surprising her with a pistol as I knew she liked my Buckmark. I know there is no way I'm going to be able to get a rifle for her without her testing out a bunch (I was so proud when she left the stalls at the range last night. I look over my shoulder and she's handling a bunch of rifles. All warm and fuzzy feeling )

 

[Deltaboy1984]

I am an Old fan of Old Hickory Knives. Get the Old Ones you find at Garage Sales and you can shave with them.

 

[Myles]

I am a working chef, and a home cook as well. The home cook may not really need a professional tool, but once you get used to one, oh, boy.

There have been some great suggestions in here. Based on the steel and ability to stand up to daily use and abuse, I'll recommend Wustoff, Shun, Global, F. Dick, Messermeister, and Henckels.

If you want something to wow, there are many old established knife makers from Japan, still using hand-folded Damascus. We are talking traditional, hereditary bladesmiths whose tradition goes back centuries. Some names to start with Google: Takayuki, Itou, Moritaka, Misono. You can find some stunning pieces of working art within your budget. Of course, you can find many more that can cost 10x and up.

EDIT: By the way - always hand wash only, dry and store immediately.

 

[InkEd]

JA Henckel Twin. My dad has one that's over 25years old and is great. He bought me one a few ago and is great too.

 

[Gord]

Wow, Wusthof is having a 50% off sale for their 6" chef's knives. At that price, I'm tempted on the Grand Prix II, even though I shouldn't be spending the money right now...

 

[Fargazer]

I will also endorse the Shun; they've recently put out a newer Damascus style that's shinier than the one I originally purchased. In addition, it looks like they're running a special on the Ken Onion 10" Chef's Knife.

WARNING! Most people prefer an 8"; make sure you know what size your wife likes. I really should use an 8" myself, but I learned on a 10", and now it's more comfortable for me, even though the 8" "fits" better.

 

[pappy19]

Probably the finest Chef's knife made is right here in the USA. None better IMHO-

Warther Cutlery

http://www.warthercutlery.com/catalog/9frenchchefknife-p-37.html

 

[GCBurner]

Don't forget a good butcher's steel to keep the edge honed, and a ceramic or diamond sharpener to touch up the edge from time to time.

 

[Magoo]

I sure don't mind reading more suggestions and knife talk, but back in post #24 I related that I'd purchased a knife for her. Really, keep the thread alive if you wish as I'm sure other folks are looking at/for kitchen knives and there are a lot of knowledgable folks in here. I know this won't be the last kitchen knife I buy .

Our "Inlaw Christmas" (her folks this year) was today and I gave her the knife. She immediately commented on how nice it felt in her hand (whew!) and then oohed and aahed over how pretty it was. When we got home she quickly "had to have a salad" and began chopping and slicing everything she could get her hands on. Her+. The Shun is going to be a keeper. The hollow ground edge did not perform as advertised, but she said she was well aware that they usually didn't, so no lost points there.

I'll try to get a decent pic or two of the knife in the bocote "display" holder/stand I made for it. I picked the wrong time of year and pushed the schedule a bit much for the tung oil finish I used and it's still a wee bit tacky :banghead:.

(For those concerned the knife was promplty hand washed and dried)

Oh, and I might be in a bit of trouble. Soon after presents were done her mother started talking about wanting to replace all of her kitchen knives . Hopefully the few hundred rounds we shot in the front yard range will fog the FIL's memory of that conversation though. T'was a good day- happy holidays everyone!

 

[StephanFowler]

I'm glad you found something that she will love to use.

sorry I couldn't help you out but let me know if there's anything I can do for you in the future.

 

[Sheepdog1968]

I would go onto the America's Test Kitchen website. The show has a segment dedicated to testing various kitchen tools.

 

[hso]

Thanks for the debrief, Magoo!

 

[Magoo]

hso- feel free to close this thread if you think it's run it's course.