I need a general purpose kitchen knife

[SAWYER]

I don't want to spend a lot, I have been using cheap knives for years and they have got the job done but the one I used all the time broke finally. I will mainly use it when cutting up meat and potatoes

 

[[DHT]Osiris]

I don't want to spend a lot, I have been using cheap knives for years and they have got the job done but the one I used all the time broke finally. I will mainly use it when cutting up meat and potatoes

Honestly what I've fallen in love with, head to a local re-use center (whatever it may be called in your area) and fish around for some full-tang kitchen knives in decent shape. There'll undoubtedly be a few, they'll be like 30 cents each. Then just buy a whetstone on Amazon and sharpen them up.

 

[BoomerD]

How the fuck do you break a knife without severely abusing it?

There are lots of great inexpensive knives out there. I'd want a bit more info before making a recommendation.

Do you want a chef's knife? Santoku? Boning/carving knife? Utility knife?

 

[zinfamous]

Misen is quality

https://www.misen.co/products/misen-essentials-knife-set?variant=47525346572

I got the 3 piece set on sale, maybe a year ago? I think I paid under $100 for them. Can't remember. 3 piece pretty much has all the knives you'll need, unless you do a lot of carcass and bone smashing, in which case a cleaver would be great.

The two piece set is only $90 and the chef and paring knives are fantastic. Really hard to beat that price on lifetime knives.

...and I think it said 20% off on first order when I clicked on the home page? first order...it's not like you're going to need to order more, hah....well except for gifts, maybe.

 

[lxskllr]

I use a santoku and a 4" parer mostly. Dunno about cheapies, but try some out, and see what feels right to you. You generally get what you pay for with knives.

 

[Hayabusa Rider]

Victorinox Fibrox Pro Chef’s Knife

 

[Hayabusa Rider]

Victorinox Fibrox Pro Chef’s Knife

Oh learn how to sharpen and maintain your knives properly. If you don't then don't ever spend more than about 30 bucks at most.

 

[sdifox]

https://www.amazon.com/Tramontina-C...montina+knife&qid=1560566720&s=gateway&sr=8-5


and one of these

https://www.amazon.com/Sharp-Pebble...e&qid=1560567149&s=gateway&sr=8-1-spons&psc=1

 

[s0me0nesmind1]

If you don't want to spend a lot, go with a brand like calphalon or another big box brand... I mean, they aren't the best, but if you're looking for budget I guarantee it won't be shitty.

 

[BoomerD]

If "cheap" is the main criteria...

https://www.hsn.com/products/cuisinart-10-piece-ceramic-coated-knife-set-with-faux-w/8780761

 

[MovingTarget]

Remember that Serration is only good for bread.

 

[ElFenix]

Victorinox Fibrox Pro Chef’s Knife

this is the answer.

Remember that Serration is only good for bread.

helps with tomatoes.

 

[balloonshark]

Saw these cheap Mercer knives on sale on slickdeals. https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B005P0OJ5M/r

I can't comment on their quality since I just got the paring knife and haven't used it yet. You should also be able to get them shipped to walmart if you don't have Prime or don't order $25 worth of goods at a time from Amazon.

 

[sdifox]

this is the answer.



helps with tomatoes.

 

[Kaido]

I use a 9.5" Dalstrong Chef's knife 99% of the time & highly recommend it:

https://www.amazon.com/DALSTRONG-Chef-Knife-AUS-10V-Treated/dp/B015NFHU9K

Ridiculously sharp and costs 1/10th of what an equivalent knife would cost. You may always want a boning knife if you work with bone-in meat & fish a lot:

https://www.amazon.com/KastKing-Fillet-Knife-German-Stainless-Steel/dp/B07C98K7D9

I love this bread knife for bread, bagels, etc.:

https://www.amazon.com/Victorinox-Cutlery-9-Inch-Polypropylene-Handle/dp/B0019WZ7EW

This is the knife I use for condiments, butter, etc.:

https://www.amazon.com/ZYLISS-Sandwich-Condiment-Spreader-Orange/dp/B00421ATIQ/

A small paring knife is also useful:

https://www.amazon.com/DALSTRONG-Paring-Knife-Gladiator-German/dp/B01BVKGMYK/

There are other specialty knives available, depending on what you like to cook, but that pretty much covers all of the knives I use!

 

[balloonshark]

Will this cutting board be safe for knives? https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01LZZQSSP/

All I have now is 2 bamboo cutting boards so I haven't been able to use my good knives since they can have nodes which can damage knives.

 

[Kaido]

Will this cutting board be safe for knives? https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01LZZQSSP/

All I have now is 2 bamboo cutting boards so I haven't been able to use my good knives since they can have nodes which can damage knives.

I use these:

https://www.amazon.com/Antibacterial-Cutting-Board-Set-Sterilization/dp/B016RVEJDO/

* $20 shipped
* 3-pack
* Folds up to dump food in
* Microwave for 60 seconds to sanitize

 

[pete6032]

Will this cutting board be safe for knives? https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01LZZQSSP/

All I have now is 2 bamboo cutting boards so I haven't been able to use my good knives since they can have nodes which can damage knives.

It really depends on the type of knife you have. I would suggest a bamboo board. Buy something biodegradable.

 

[balloonshark]

I use these:

https://www.amazon.com/Antibacterial-Cutting-Board-Set-Sterilization/dp/B016RVEJDO/

* $20 shipped
* 3-pack
* Folds up to dump food in
* Microwave for 60 seconds to sanitize

Those look neat. I was looking at the 1/2" rubber sani-tuff boards but I would rather spend some of that money on a honing steel.

It really depends on the type of knife you have. I would suggest a bamboo board. Buy something biodegradable.

I have a 6" Wusthof classic cooks knife and Zwilling Pro 7" rocking Santoku.

From what little I understand bamboo is a no go since it can contains hard nodes. I get your point about biodegradable though. I just doubt my budget is going to allow for it since I still need a honing steel. I also need safe way to store my knives as well as sharpening tools.

 

[Cr0nJ0b]

I always check out either 1) restaurant supply companies. they have good solid stuff for not that much. or 2) clearance items at kitchen stores. Lots of great knives get discontinued and go on great sales. In my experience cheap knives don't last and don't do the job. but I love knives.

 

[Fritzo]

I use a santoku and a 4" parer mostly. Dunno about cheapies, but try some out, and see what feels right to you. You generally get what you pay for with knives.

A 8" or 10" santoku knife will serve most people perfectly. J.A. Henckels is my favorite brand, and you can find a knife that will last forever for around $80-$90. Get one with a wood handle, wash it off after every use, and learn how to use a steel to hone it.

If you get really good with cutting, a curved 8" chef knife is great, and a nice paring knife is good for small work, but one good knife is all people usually need.

 

[snoopy7548]

I like having two knives. I mean, sometimes you just feel like using a paring knife to carve a chicken.

 

[herm0016]

antique/second hand. look for some full tang carbon steel knives. buy a good sharpening steel. I use my old carbon steels the most, a few runs on the steel every time i get it out of the drawer. we have some fancy shuns and others, but my go to is the old steels. I can slice a big steak into 1/8 in slices with them, debone a prime rib, and slice a tomato after with a few seconds on the steel. rinse and dry after. as long as they are not left wet for too long i have no problems with rust.

 

[snoopy7548]

antique/second hand. look for some full tang carbon steel knives. buy a good sharpening steel. I use my old carbon steels the most, a few runs on the steel every time i get it out of the drawer. we have some fancy shuns and others, but my go to is the old steels. I can slice a big steak into 1/8 in slices with them, debone a prime rib, and slice a tomato after with a few seconds on the steel. rinse and dry after. as long as they are not left wet for too long i have no problems with rust.

This is what Julia Child recommended in her first episode, French onion soup. Buy a carbon steel chef knife from the local hardware store for a couple of bucks. If it discolors, rub some lemon juice on it, but it will be sharp as hell with proper maintenance and last forever. Nice and heavy, too.

 

[zinfamous]

Bump because Misen is doing a new kickstarter for their upcoming, slightly re-designed knife sets

I mentioned them up there at post #4, and for $90, you have 2 days to get their "essentials set" (chef's, bread, paring), which is an absolute steal for quality....steel and the only knives you will ever really need.