Kitchen Knives?

crisanderson27
crisanderson27 Posts: 5,343 Member
edited November 12 in Chit-Chat
So...I've always liked to cook. And eat. That's what got me on this site so many years ago to begin with, lol. I know many of my MFP friends are the same (some are even professional chefs), and so I'm sure many of you all are the same as well.

Years ago (long before I found MFP lol), I ended up in a situation where I learned to make knives. Last year I extended that knowledge to making high end kitchen knives for myself and others. Since then, my love of cooking has grown, literally by leaps and bounds. A good (very good) knife makes cooking into a whole new experience.

So, that said, what kind of knives do you use, and what kind of use do you put them to? Are you a home user? Professional chef? Do you just grab the first sharp knife shape object you found on a shelf at Wal Mart? Or are your tastes more discerning? Do you like shorter, or longer knives? Carbon or stainless? Laser thin or heavy bladed?

Pictures are encouraged!

I'll start, lol. This is my current 'go-to' knife for in home use. It's 185mm long (7.25") with a 50mm (2") heel height. Its incredibly thin (as you'll see in the pictures), but still stiff...it's lightweight, and made from high carbon tool steel (I'm not a fan of stainless myself, take care of your knives people!!), with a California Buckeye Burl and nickel silver handle.

20140819_142913.jpg
20140819_142929.jpg
20140819_142956.jpg
20140819_143047.jpg

And here's a picture of it with its brother just for fun :).
20140818_122635_1.jpg


So lets hear it...what kind of knives do you use?
«13

Replies

  • _John_
    _John_ Posts: 8,646 Member
    I think we have a storebought set of Ginsu knives...probably from walmart.
  • PlanetVelma
    PlanetVelma Posts: 1,223 Member
    Currently I'm in love with this ceramic chef's knife I bought at a kitchen outlet store. I can sharpen it with a nail file, but I am the only one allowed to clean it because if dropped it will shatter.

    I love that you make your own knives, that's rad!
  • Joannah700
    Joannah700 Posts: 2,665 Member
    I'm a casual cook but I have lovely kitchen accouterments. I love my wusthof knives and probably use my santuko the most.

    This will give you an idea.

    wusthof_set_2.jpg

    Edited...because typos happen in life.
  • crisanderson27
    crisanderson27 Posts: 5,343 Member
    I'm a casual cook but I have lovely kitchen accouterments. I love my wusthof knives and probably use my santuko the most.

    This will give you an idea.

    wusthof_set_2.jpg

    Edited...because typos happen in life.

    Wusthof are great knives! A bit thick behind the edge, and semi soft (57-58HRC...Henckels are 56-57)...but very forgiving to the untrained home user.

    Nice knives :D
  • ldrosophila
    ldrosophila Posts: 7,512 Member
    fun topic! I wish I knew how to sharpen. I have very poor quality knives. I'd love a new set.
  • wildrose53
    wildrose53 Posts: 1,342 Member
    I'm a home cook and received a set of Grohmann knives as a wedding gift many years ago. Ditched the husband, kept the knives. They are a local family owned company that make an amazing product.
  • Some_Watery_Tart
    Some_Watery_Tart Posts: 2,250 Member
    I have Denver Cutlery and Henckels. I prefer the Denver Cutlery, but they're hard to get unless you know someone "in the biz". My ex was my source. I want to buy a few more pieces, but not *that* bad. :laugh:
  • crisanderson27
    crisanderson27 Posts: 5,343 Member
    fun topic! I wish I knew how to sharpen. I have very poor quality knives. I'd love a new set.

    Sharpening is actually pretty easy. For about $75 you can have a sharpening setup that will last you probably the rest of your life...and your knives will NEVER be dull again.

    http://www.amazon.com/King-47506-1000-Combination-Waterstone/dp/B001DT1X9O
    This is the stone you want.

    http://www.amazon.com/DMT-D8C-Dia-Sharp-Continuous-Diamond/dp/B0001WP1L0/ref=sr_sp-atf_title_1_1?s=hi&ie=UTF8&qid=1408486336&sr=1-1&keywords=DMT+coarse
    This is to keep the stone flat.

    As for how to sharpen, go to youtube and search Murray Carter (a great friend of mine!), or JapaneseKnifeImports (another good friend). Both have excellent tutorials on sharpening. Murray is a firm believer in inexpensive stones (he uses the King system I linked above), and simplicity in sharpening, while Jon is very much behind proper technique and traditional methods. Between the two, you absolutely can't go wrong.
  • rachelg145
    rachelg145 Posts: 185 Member
    Favorite knife that works for literally everything (chopping herbs, cutting a bagel, slicing the most ripe tomato without leaving a dent, etc) is the Wusthof Limited Edition 200th Anniversary 9-inch Carbon Steel Chef's Knife. I cook at home for a family of four. This knife is amazing.
  • JessRose64
    JessRose64 Posts: 10 Member
    I love to cook too! I have a full set of Cutco knifes I fell in love with years ago. Red handles :)
  • 00Allie00
    00Allie00 Posts: 243 Member
    Chris, your knives are amazing, and I stalk them on Instagram a little :)

    I used to be a chef, years ago, and now I teach cooking classes and do a little catering as well. I've always loved the Global knives.

    global_zpsf592d48d.jpg[/URL]

    I have little hands, so I like the handles, they're non-slip, they look very minimalist and they work and hone very well.
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  • crisanderson27
    crisanderson27 Posts: 5,343 Member
    Chris, your knives are amazing, and I stalk them on Instagram a little :)

    I used to be a chef, years ago, and now I teach cooking classes and do a little catering as well. I've always loved the Global knives.

    I have little hands, so I like the handles, they're non-slip, they look very minimalist and they work and hone very well.

    You're just being a sweetheart :).

    Global makes nice knives, honestly. Easily comparable to the Wusthof and Henckels that so many love. Probably a bit better to be truthful, as their edge hardness tends to be higher in general.

    Nice choice :).
  • Lleldiranne
    Lleldiranne Posts: 5,516 Member
    My husband and I were given a full set of Henkel knives a couple of years ago - they are second hand (about 30 years old now, I believe -black wooden handles). They are the best knives I've ever had!

    I just cook at home.
  • crisanderson27
    crisanderson27 Posts: 5,343 Member
    Bumping because all my knifes cut like butter knives and I need to sharpen them all. There's a guy in town that does it for about $10 per knife. It's ridiculous. I tried one of those auto knife sharpeners, but it really sucks.

    I love using razor sharp knives. I agree that it makes the experience so much nicer. I dread cutting tomatoes these days. I use my bread knife for cutting tomatoes because it's the only one that works.

    Definitely check out my post above about sharpening. It's truly not a difficult thing to do :).
  • Lleldiranne
    Lleldiranne Posts: 5,516 Member
    Bumping because all my knifes cut like butter knives and I need to sharpen them all. There's a guy in town that does it for about $10 per knife. It's ridiculous. I tried one of those auto knife sharpeners, but it really sucks.

    I love using razor sharp knives. I agree that it makes the experience so much nicer. I dread cutting tomatoes these days. I use my bread knife for cutting tomatoes because it's the only one that works.

    Have you ever looked into a good whetstone? You can make a single investment and sharpen the knives yourself. A honing steel is good for keeping them sharp, too (but I think it's best to use the whetstone first if they're currently dull)
  • 00Allie00
    00Allie00 Posts: 243 Member
    Chris, your knives are amazing, and I stalk them on Instagram a little :)

    I used to be a chef, years ago, and now I teach cooking classes and do a little catering as well. I've always loved the Global knives.

    I have little hands, so I like the handles, they're non-slip, they look very minimalist and they work and hone very well.

    You're just being a sweetheart :).

    Global makes nice knives, honestly. Easily comparable to the Wusthof and Henckels that so many love. Probably a bit better to be truthful, as their edge hardness tends to be higher in general.

    Nice choice :).

    I'm not. Have you seen your knives? :) They're amazing.

    I like the balance of them too. I spend at least an hour a day, sometimes 4 or 5 when I'm prepping for a class, using my knives. If they didn't keep their sharp blade, I'd be lost. I loathe a dull knife.

    Chris, have you seen this guy? I love his passion for knives…

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OtyMrFMW3Fg
  • crisanderson27
    crisanderson27 Posts: 5,343 Member
    Bumping because all my knifes cut like butter knives and I need to sharpen them all. There's a guy in town that does it for about $10 per knife. It's ridiculous. I tried one of those auto knife sharpeners, but it really sucks.

    I love using razor sharp knives. I agree that it makes the experience so much nicer. I dread cutting tomatoes these days. I use my bread knife for cutting tomatoes because it's the only one that works.

    Have you ever looked into a good whetstone? You can make a single investment and sharpen the knives yourself. A honing steel is good for keeping them sharp, too (but I think it's best to use the whetstone first if they're currently dull)

    The King 1000/6000 grit stone I linked above is $35 or so, and is an amazing piece of work for sharpening.

    Honing steels have their place, but I wouldn't advise using them on anything with an edge harder than 60HRC. They are designed specifically for soft edged blades, in order to keep the wire edge that these knives require to cut properly...straight. When that wire edge weakens and wears/tears off eventually...the soft edged knives require sharpening (with a stone as you mentioned). The knives I posted pictures of above will cut pieces out of a honing steel...although they might chip in the process. Very destructive all around, lol.
  • SaintGiff
    SaintGiff Posts: 3,679 Member
    So...I've always liked to cook. And eat. That's what got me on this site so many years ago to begin with, lol. I know many of my MFP friends are the same (some are even professional chefs), and so I'm sure many of you all are the same as well.

    Years ago (long before I found MFP lol), I ended up in a situation where I learned to make knives. Last year I extended that knowledge to making high end kitchen knives for myself and others. Since then, my love of cooking has grown, literally by leaps and bounds. A good (very good) knife makes cooking into a whole new experience.

    So, that said, what kind of knives do you use, and what kind of use do you put them to? Are you a home user? Professional chef? Do you just grab the first sharp knife shape object you found on a shelf at Wal Mart? Or are your tastes more discerning? Do you like shorter, or longer knives? Carbon or stainless? Laser thin or heavy bladed?

    Pictures are encouraged!

    I'll start, lol. This is my current 'go-to' knife for in home use. It's 185mm long (7.25") with a 50mm (2") heel height. Its incredibly thin (as you'll see in the pictures), but still stiff...it's lightweight, and made from high carbon tool steel (I'm not a fan of stainless myself, take care of your knives people!!), with a California Buckeye Burl and nickel silver handle.

    20140819_142913.jpg
    20140819_142929.jpg
    20140819_142956.jpg
    20140819_143047.jpg

    And here's a picture of it with its brother just for fun :).
    20140818_122635_1.jpg


    So lets hear it...what kind of knives do you use?

    For starters, that's pretty awesome. I currently use a Henkel set. But i would be more than willing to use a set of yours if you wanna send them to me. The father of one of my best friends growing up was a very high end knife maker. He sold knives for more than $10,000, and that was back in the 80s. I've always had an appreciation for the craft.
  • crisanderson27
    crisanderson27 Posts: 5,343 Member
    Chris, your knives are amazing, and I stalk them on Instagram a little :)

    I used to be a chef, years ago, and now I teach cooking classes and do a little catering as well. I've always loved the Global knives.

    I have little hands, so I like the handles, they're non-slip, they look very minimalist and they work and hone very well.

    You're just being a sweetheart :).

    Global makes nice knives, honestly. Easily comparable to the Wusthof and Henckels that so many love. Probably a bit better to be truthful, as their edge hardness tends to be higher in general.

    Nice choice :).

    I'm not. Have you seen your knives? :) They're amazing.

    I like the balance of them too. I spend at least an hour a day, sometimes 4 or 5 when I'm prepping for a class, using my knives. If they didn't keep their sharp blade, I'd be lost. I loathe a dull knife.

    Chris, have you seen this guy? I love his passion for knives…

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OtyMrFMW3Fg

    I have a passing acquaintance with my knives...yes :D.

    You're still being incredibly sweet!

    I actually do know Joel, lol. We make knives that are very similar in some ways, and very different in others. He is incredibly skilled however!
  • 777Gemma888
    777Gemma888 Posts: 9,578 Member
    So...I've always liked to cook. And eat. That's what got me on this site so many years ago to begin with, lol. I know many of my MFP friends are the same (some are even professional chefs), and so I'm sure many of you all are the same as well.

    Years ago (long before I found MFP lol), I ended up in a situation where I learned to make knives. Last year I extended that knowledge to making high end kitchen knives for myself and others. Since then, my love of cooking has grown, literally by leaps and bounds. A good (very good) knife makes cooking into a whole new experience.

    So, that said, what kind of knives do you use, and what kind of use do you put them to? Are you a home user? Professional chef? Do you just grab the first sharp knife shape object you found on a shelf at Wal Mart? Or are your tastes more discerning? Do you like shorter, or longer knives? Carbon or stainless? Laser thin or heavy bladed?

    Am currently renting a Villa close to 'location' at present for work, and they have this set for my use. It's stainless steel and rather clunky. Gave me a really bad blister ~ the balance is off and it's rather large for my hands to handle. Strangely enough, the chopper is actually way more sturdy , so I am more likely to use it more regularly ~ granted, it's heavier.

    24l6lxz.jpg

    My late maternal grandfather would custom knives for me to use for weeding [Extra-curricular gardening + cooking campfire style at primary school] and for cooking events@Brownies and later Girl Guides. It's been a while since I'd had the privilege to see someone who is equally as passionate as he was about knives. lol. He'd be livid if he saw the set I'm currently using. lol


    Your custom self made knives are beautiful. Wow!! You're certainly gifted.
  • crisanderson27
    crisanderson27 Posts: 5,343 Member
    Your custom self made knives are beautiful. Wow!! You're certainly gifted.


    Well, thank you!! I don't know about talented so much...just a lot of hard work and a determination not to stop until they are the best I can make them!
  • digitalbill
    digitalbill Posts: 1,410 Member
    When we got married 15 years ago, we bought the wal-mart specials.
    10 years ago, we bought a Cutco set of knives and we are still thrilled with them.
    My Father bought Cutco knives almost 40 years ago and he still has them.
    I love the fact that I can just send them away to the company to get sharpened.
    In addition to the kitchen set, I also bought a KA-BAR Explorer from them.
  • teresamwhite
    teresamwhite Posts: 947 Member
    I'm a professional chef, and I prefer my knives to have some heft to them...I prefer a 7" santoku for most tasks, and really love my Shun knives...i've had my Wusthof set from culinary school for years, but after becoming accustomed to the santoku, I find a French chef's knife to be clumsy to use. My Global meat slicer, though, is fantastic...it's my favorite for that task. I do own a few other knives...like a Rachael Ray Coppertail santoku that my mother gave me...it's a bit light for my happiness, but it functions well enough...and a few Rada paring knives and a little 3" santoku...My Pampered Chef $1 paring knives though are like scalpels! Those things are pretty awesome!

    I've been lucky enough to find a few carbon steel knives at the flea market...a few strokes with a grill screen and those things are are amazing.

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lBN-94ZFTfM
  • knittnponder
    knittnponder Posts: 1,953 Member
    I have a set of Shun knives. My favorite is the Classic D handle santuko which was my very first "good" knife. My husband happened to be in William Sonoma around Christmas a couple of years ago and they were clearing out some of their knives. He found a set of Ken Onion Shun's on sale for a ridiculously low price and bought them for me for Christmas. I love my knives so much that if I have to help in someone else kitchen or a church potluck or something, I will take one with me. I have sheath's for my chef knife and my pairing knife so I can take my two favorites. :laugh:

    I am a home user so nothing fancy here. I did just give a knife lesson to my son's Boy Scout troop though because I am the Cooking Merit badge counselor.
  • Praying_Mantis
    Praying_Mantis Posts: 239 Member
    Agree with others - your knives are amazing.

    I just cook for two at home, nothing special. I have really enjoyed the Global knife we have, but DH has ruined it by sharpening. It actually has a jagged edge now, and it's not a bread knife. Wah! The weight of the Global knife is ideal and it fits my small hand nicely. The texture in the handle makes it easier for me to hold when my hand is damp or wet.

    Mostly we have Chicago Cutlery. DH likes the wooden handles. He'd LOVE your knives for sure.

    Just purchased Pure Komachi knives last week. I love that they are sharp, but then so were all the others when I brought them home. :tongue: Hopefully we'll keep this set sharp for a while. What's your opinion on them? Good enough for a few years?

    ETA: fix typo
  • Jonalee1977
    Jonalee1977 Posts: 415 Member
    Warther's. Lifetime guarantee. Free sharpening. Love them.
  • Guns_N_Buns
    Guns_N_Buns Posts: 1,899 Member
    I use the Helle knives for outdoor activities (i.e. hunting, skinning, fishing, cleaning); my go-tos are the Eggen and GT for hunting and the Hellefisk for fishing.

    In the kitchen, I'm currently in love with Cold Steel.
  • TheRoadDog
    TheRoadDog Posts: 11,788 Member
    I have a set of Knives that was a gift in 1977. I have thought I would like to replace them eventually, but cannot find a set of equal quality that is even remotely affordable.

    I primarily use the Chef's knife and the Cleaver when cooking.

    As a matter of fact, I have use the same cutting board for 25 years. The center of it is perfectly curved to the Cleaver.
  • DBoone85
    DBoone85 Posts: 916 Member
    I have a really nice set of kitchen knives that belonged to my mom before she passed. They are on the counter in my kitchen, and I have not touched them in years. For almost everything that I do in the kitchen, I use an old Ka-Bar USMC fighting knife that my dad gave me. He carried it in Operation Desert Storm and in Afghanistan. Every time I cut a brisket and watch it the juice run out, I imagine its a bit more Taliban blood.
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