My wife is very much into cooking and wants to purchase a good set of knives.?

Question

We have a decent home knife set....

But she's looking for a more professional set to help speed up her food prep time.

I'm looking for information on a good set for an aspiring cook....that isn't priced for a five star establishment!

thanks in advance.

Answer 1

You may just want to buy three knives, instead of a large set. You can do pretty much everything you need to with a chef's knife and an offset serrated. If you carve up lots of fruit, add a paring knife. If you cook lots of fish or poultry, add a filet or carving knife instead.

I own a rather expensive Global knife that is awesome, and a really cheap (like $13) Russell International. The Global feels a little thinner, but not $60 thinner. Anyway, I would suggest seeking out a knife without a wooden handle. Go metal or other NSF-certified, just to avoid any hassles with water. And for the chef's knife, definitely get a hollow-ground edge (aka Granton edge). As a home cook, your wife will probably be chopping lots of onions and the hollow-ground really does make a big difference.

Answer 2

Check out the in home shopping networks. Quality and Value Channel and Home Shoping Network always have high quality cooking items and good prices. I recomened QVC's Cook Essentals or HSN's Wolfgang Puck brands.
International brands, Hinnkels and Chicago Cutlery are good brands.
Most resturants that I have worked in have CHEAP knives and the get a way with this by haveing a sharpening servce on retainer.
Whatever style or brand you pick, make sure you get a steel. A steel is a magnitized rod that hones your knives (picking off little burrs and imperfections that makes the knife seem dull)
For a home cook, or culinary hobbiest I wouldn't pay more than $200 for a knife set. you can actually get good sets for this price, just buy the set, not peicemeal.

Answer 3

Forschner is a good brand. They are quite reasonable, and they hold up over time very nicely. Henkels and Wüsthoff are great knives but they are expensive. Global makes some excellent knives. When considering knives a lot of it has to do with the feel of the knive. You have to be comfortable holding, proper weight and balance. Some like a heavy knife, others like lighter knives. Go check out different brands in stores and get your hands on them to see if they are the right knife for your wife.
Just a side note, restaurants dont buy the really expensive brands to stock their kitchens. People dont take care of the kitchen knives, since the knives arent their own. They buy inexpensive knives like Dexter or Russel. They are good brands too, if you take care of them.

Answer 4

Brand names aside Professional Knives are made out of High Carbon No stain steel (not to be confused with stainless steel). Stainless will take a bit more abuse but cant be reedged, high carbon can be reedged and should be honed with a good iron before each use.

when purchasing a knife Look for a full tang, and most important balance. for a starter make sure the set includes a paring knife, Utility knife, 7 inch chefs knife, serated (for breads, tomato) and try to get a Santoku (these are i think the best knife out there versatility wise). Trust me when i say these knives will outlast us all.

Answer 5

A basic set of Wusthof knives is definitely the way to go. I got a set as a gift about 8 years ago and I'll probably own them forever.

A set that includes a chef's knife, a paring knife, a serrated bread knife and maybe a utility knife or boning knife will perform every single function you could ever imagine.

Answer 6

A knife doesn't make the cook, believe me. Ive been in this business a long time. Buy her some Forshner knives. Very reasonable, yet extremely reliable. All the knives in my tool box came from this company. Even after 25+ years!!!

Answer 7

You can NEVER EVER EVER go wrong with Cutco.... I know they are pricy, but Please trust me... My Mom is a professional caterer who still has and uses the same knives after 10 years! Cutco is so great. I know the price is up there, but they also take care of your knives for a LIFETIME. Seriously. Sharpening, break one - change your mind about one... They are a good company who stand by their products.........

But also be careful.. One time while cutting a tomato, I sliced my thumb.. But it wasn't too bad of an injury - However, I was so impressed with the knives because it was so darn sharp that I never felt myself cut it. It hurt less than a papercut.... Wierd huh...

You may be able to get better prices by browsing "PriceGrabber.com" Good Luck. Your life will LOVE THEM!!!

Answer 8

just search for good brands on the internet! or go to a place like king of knives or something!
or you could always ask a chef or something

Answer 9

Get the best carving knife perfect for every modular kitchen. Found some of these at http://www.knifeindia.com/kitchen/kitchen-knives/slicing-carving-knives.html

Answer 10

Wusthof or Henckels from Germany are some the best you can get.