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Recommendations on a starter kitchen knife for the wife?

blurredvision

blurredvision

Lifer
The wife has been wanting a nice knife for her "kitchen duties" for quite some time, so I plan on getting her one for Christmas. I wouldn't classify her as a cook, but she definitely wants to expand on her skills in the kitchen, and make more homemade types foods.

I will admit that she watches a lot of Food Network, and has become enamored with the Rachel Ray orange-handled knife. That's the one she wants, since she sees Rachel Ray use it to easily cut anything and everything. The overall reviews on Amazon aren't too bad for it, but there are some concerns.

I like the price point of around $60, but might be willing to go up to $100, but NO MORE THAN THAT. Also, I know that my price range won't get me the best, and I don't want the best, so please don't recommend anything over. I just want a decent enough knife that won't break in a year of minimal use, but will cut through most anything with ease.

I appreciate any recommendations.
 
I know you said price point of $100, but Walmart is running a pretty good Cyber Monday deal. $125 + $10 shipping for the Henkel Twin Pro S Knife Set, which includes the 8in Chef's Knife (typically for $80-$100 on Amazon.com) and the 8in Bread Knife (Again, $80 alone on Amazon.com). More than what you wanted to spend, but it does offer a decent range of knives. Found the deal while browsing Slickdeals.

http://www.walmart.com/catalog...do?product_id=10670273
 
The life of the wife is ended by the knife.

Sorry, first thing this thread made me think of.

I would just get a cheap chefs knife for the first one. I bought a cheap one for ~30 bucks about 3 years ago and I still use it all the time.
 
some friends have one of those furi knives, i think it's the rachel ray set. it's really nice to use. very sharp and the handle is very comfortable. really easy to hold properly (with your index finger and thumb on the blade)
 
Originally posted by: BigJ
I know you said price point of $100, but Walmart is running a pretty good Cyber Monday deal. $125 + $10 shipping for the Henkel Twin Pro S Knife Set, which includes the 8in Chef's Knife (typically for $80-$100 on Amazon.com) and the 8in Bread Knife (Again, $80 alone on Amazon.com). More than what you wanted to spend, but it does offer a decent range of knives. Found the deal while browsing Slickdeals.

http://www.walmart.com/catalog...do?product_id=10670273
Click to expand...

You definitely want a multi-knife set. You don't use the same type of knife for every purpose.
 
I prefer Henkels myself for work but, I also use the white plastic handled Costco blades on a daily basis.

The thing to remember when buying any blades for cooking is: Full tang that runs the length of the handle. For a standard 'French' knife, you want a balanced blade with slightly more weight on the blade end. Low Carbon steel sharpens easily but, may rust. A sharpening stone is just as important as a good knife.

If you just have to have a name brand, try Henkels, Wusthoff, Gerber or, Chicago Cutlery on the cheap end.
 
So it's kind of sounding like if I'm not going to put forth a lot of money, then it doesn't matter too much what I buy in this price range, right? If so, I'll just get her the brand of knife she wants.
 
Originally posted by: blurredvision
So it's kind of sounding like if I'm not going to put forth a lot of money, then it doesn't matter too much what I buy in this price range, right? If so, I'll just get her the brand of knife she wants.
Click to expand...

I still say that instead of spending $60 on one knife, you are better off going up to your $100 limit and looking for a set of forged knives from a brand like Chicago Cutlery. You can routinely get these online or even from places like Kohls or Yonkers(or department store of choice) for around $100.

For causual food preperation, they are more than sufficient. I've got a set of forged knives from Chicago Cutlery that I've had for 5 years now. The steak knives are getting a little worn, but the chef's knives are still wickedly sharp.

And don't underestimate the usefulness of a quality set of kitchen shears that most of these bundles ship with.
 
Originally posted by: vi edit
Originally posted by: blurredvision
So it's kind of sounding like if I'm not going to put forth a lot of money, then it doesn't matter too much what I buy in this price range, right? If so, I'll just get her the brand of knife she wants.
Click to expand...

I still say that instead of spending $60 on one knife, you are better off going up to your $100 limit and looking for a set of forged knives from a brand like Chicago Cutlery. You can routinely get these online or even from places like Kohls or Yonkers(or department store of choice) for around $100.

For causual food preperation, they are more than sufficient. I've got a set of forged knives from Chicago Cutlery that I've had for 5 years now. The steak knives are getting a little worn, but the chef's knives are still wickedly sharp.

And don't underestimate the usefulness of a quality set of kitchen shears that most of these bundles ship with.
Click to expand...

http://www.amazon.com/Rachael-...&qid=1228148191&sr=8-4

That's what I was looking at. Is that what you'd consider a "set"?
 
I posted this in the other knife thread, but it still applies:

Best knives I've ever owned:

R H. Forschner by Victorinox

Sharp as hell, holds its sharp forever, very comfortable in my hands, and best of all, they are priced just right.

These knives are highly recommended from various cooking magazines as well.

I own the 8" Chef; the 7" Santoku; the 8" bread; the 3 1/4 paring; and the steak knife set. Have them all up on magnetic strips in the kitchen.

One of the best kitchen investments I've ever made, and I use them daily
 
Originally posted by: Poulsonator
I posted this in the other knife thread, but it still applies:

Best knives I've ever owned:

R H. Forschner by Victorinox

Sharp as hell, holds its sharp forever, very comfortable in my hands, and best of all, they are priced just right.

These knives are highly recommended from various cooking magazines as well.

I own the 8" Chef; the 7" Santoku; the 8" bread; the 3 1/4 paring; and the steak knife set. Have them all up on magnetic strips in the kitchen.

One of the best kitchen investments I've ever made, and I use them daily
Click to expand...

Seconded
 
Eh. Not really. It still doesn't have a bread knife, parry knife, or kitchen shears.

I'm pretty practical when it comes to my kitchen tools. I want them in a block and accessible on the counter. Not in a case and shoved in a drawer some where.

But I'm not a woman who watches hours of Food Network either.
 
http://www.amazon.com/Global-2...&qid=1228148514&sr=1-7

Start with those and move up. You can find 3 piece Global sets for $175 that have a chef type (chef, santoku, other chef type blade), pearing (or some other smaller knife), and an in between knife (another santoku, smaller chef, veggie, deba, etc in the 5-6 inch range usually) if you would rather do that though.

I love my Global santoku (7 inch hollow ground), and 3.5 inch pearing knife. They are sharp as hell, and with proper care will last a lifetime (as with all high end cutlery like Shun, Global, Henkels twin pro s line, or Wustuff higher end "pro" stuff all fall into this category). I spent $150 on the two knifes at Williams Sonoma, but wish I had seen the 3 blade sets prior to buying them. I have yet to really find something that I couldn't do with one of these two knifes.

A chef knife and pearing knife are the core blades of most chefs (except specialty ones like sushi chefs), and $100 for those two is a great deal. Also pick up a magnetic knife rack if you don't have one. A block works as well, just don't store them loose in a drawer and don't machine wash them. Hand wash and dry immediately after use of any knife (so they don't rush/spot/etc).
 
Originally posted by: BigJ
I know you said price point of $100, but Walmart is running a pretty good Cyber Monday deal. $125 + $10 shipping for the Henkel Twin Pro S Knife Set, which includes the 8in Chef's Knife (typically for $80-$100 on Amazon.com) and the 8in Bread Knife (Again, $80 alone on Amazon.com). More than what you wanted to spend, but it does offer a decent range of knives. Found the deal while browsing Slickdeals.

http://www.walmart.com/catalog...do?product_id=10670273
Click to expand...

jesus christ this was such a good deal I picked it up; pictures indicate it is indeed the German forged ones.


289 on Amazon, probably ~250+ from my local cutlery shop
 
Originally posted by: Ns1
Originally posted by: BigJ
I know you said price point of $100, but Walmart is running a pretty good Cyber Monday deal. $125 + $10 shipping for the Henkel Twin Pro S Knife Set, which includes the 8in Chef's Knife (typically for $80-$100 on Amazon.com) and the 8in Bread Knife (Again, $80 alone on Amazon.com). More than what you wanted to spend, but it does offer a decent range of knives. Found the deal while browsing Slickdeals.

http://www.walmart.com/catalog...do?product_id=10670273
Click to expand...

jesus christ this was such a good deal I picked it up; pictures indicate it is indeed the German forged ones.


289 on Amazon, probably ~250+ from my local cutlery shop
Click to expand...

I picked up a set for my parents. They've never had a high quality knife set before, and with all the cooking that they do I think they'd appreciate it.
 
Originally posted by: vi edit
Originally posted by: BigJ
I know you said price point of $100, but Walmart is running a pretty good Cyber Monday deal. $125 + $10 shipping for the Henkel Twin Pro S Knife Set, which includes the 8in Chef's Knife (typically for $80-$100 on Amazon.com) and the 8in Bread Knife (Again, $80 alone on Amazon.com). More than what you wanted to spend, but it does offer a decent range of knives. Found the deal while browsing Slickdeals.

http://www.walmart.com/catalog...do?product_id=10670273
Click to expand...

You definitely want a multi-knife set. You don't use the same type of knife for every purpose.
Click to expand...

Fully 1 fifth of the world population just use 1 Chinese cleaver. I will be the first to say they are not for everyone. I have 2, one for heavy bone work and one for veggie, meat work.
 
Originally posted by: ElFenix
Originally posted by: vi edit

You definitely want a multi-knife set. You don't use the same type of knife for every purpose.
Click to expand...

yan can cook does 😀
Click to expand...

I have used my santoku for things that *should* be done with a pearing (I had the santoku about 9 months before I got the pearing). I used that knife for everything except when it could get damaged (frozen/bones mainly).

Do you need more then one knife? No, but it doesn't hurt anything but your pocketbook.
 
Originally posted by: sdifox
Originally posted by: vi edit
Originally posted by: BigJ
I know you said price point of $100, but Walmart is running a pretty good Cyber Monday deal. $125 + $10 shipping for the Henkel Twin Pro S Knife Set, which includes the 8in Chef's Knife (typically for $80-$100 on Amazon.com) and the 8in Bread Knife (Again, $80 alone on Amazon.com). More than what you wanted to spend, but it does offer a decent range of knives. Found the deal while browsing Slickdeals.

http://www.walmart.com/catalog...do?product_id=10670273
Click to expand...

You definitely want a multi-knife set. You don't use the same type of knife for every purpose.
Click to expand...

Fully 1 fifth of the world population just use 1 Chinese cleaver. I will be the first to say they are not for everyone. I have 2, one for heavy bone work and one for veggie, meat work.
Click to expand...

Fully 1 fifth uses chopsticks too. I'll take my fork thank you.

😀
 
Originally posted by: vi edit
Originally posted by: sdifox
Originally posted by: vi edit
Originally posted by: BigJ
I know you said price point of $100, but Walmart is running a pretty good Cyber Monday deal. $125 + $10 shipping for the Henkel Twin Pro S Knife Set, which includes the 8in Chef's Knife (typically for $80-$100 on Amazon.com) and the 8in Bread Knife (Again, $80 alone on Amazon.com). More than what you wanted to spend, but it does offer a decent range of knives. Found the deal while browsing Slickdeals.

http://www.walmart.com/catalog...do?product_id=10670273
Click to expand...

You definitely want a multi-knife set. You don't use the same type of knife for every purpose.
Click to expand...

Fully 1 fifth of the world population just use 1 Chinese cleaver. I will be the first to say they are not for everyone. I have 2, one for heavy bone work and one for veggie, meat work.
Click to expand...

Fully 1 fifth uses chopsticks too. I'll take my fork thank you.

😀
Click to expand...

Remember, do not stab with chopsticks, it is considered bad manner.
 
That Henckels deal is what you should buy. No contest at the moment. Once in a blue moon you can get the Forschner block set for ~$100 which IMO would be a better choice, but otherwise you want that Henckels set. I prefer the Forschner chef's knife for ergonomics - Wusthof and Henckels chef's knives aren't quite the right shape for the rocking motion I use generally. But for $125 you would be stupid not to buy the henckels twin set.
 
Originally posted by: torpid
That Henckels deal is what you should buy. No contest at the moment. Once in a blue moon you can get the Forschner block set for ~$100 which IMO would be a better choice, but otherwise you want that Henckels set. I prefer the Forschner chef's knife for ergonomics - Wusthof and Henckels chef's knives aren't quite the right shape for the rocking motion I use generally. But for $125 you would be stupid not to buy the henckels twin set.
Click to expand...

sold out

was gonna buy another one as a gift too
 
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