Kitchen Knives??!!??

Question

I've been wanting to invest in a really good set of kitchen knives. I would like knives that will last a lifetime, I've heard they are out there. I've been looking at many different brands at Bed, Bath, and Beyond, but I'm not sure which ones are good.
What are the best knives that are really worth the time and where can I find them?
And have you used these knives?

Answer 1

Get Global knives! I have always been a fan of Henckels. My husband is a chef and swears by Globals. He recently invested in a set (not a cheap venture!) and they blew me, and my Henckels, away. They're not sold at bb&b. Look online! Sorry I don't have a website handy.

Answer 2

I have a set of Classic Wusthof knives and I really like them. I love the feel of them in my hand - perfectly balanced. They retain sharpness for weeks. I added the 7" Santoku to the set I had and this has become the real workhorse of the set. No complaints at all.

I had two lesser quality knives before - All I can say is that what they did to a tomato (never mind bigger jobs) should have been considered a crime. Juice everywhere...! With the Wusthofs the tomatoes don't "bleed". You get what you pay for, and they last...

My sister swears by J.A. Henckels - I have tried hers and I prefer the Wusthofs. They both seem to cut the same but the mine have a better feel.

My advice is to try out the feel in the store. Pick out the knife you use the most, and get one in each of the brands you like. See how they feel, and if the store lets you - see how they cut. Choosing cutlery is very personal. It has to work for you - and if you are going to spend serious money - it better!

Oh, last thing - My dream set is the Kershaw Shun. I tried them out during a presentation at Williams-Sonoma at was immediately taken. I loved the Japanese look and feel of them but they are very expensive - triple the price of the Wusthofs...

Answer 3

Wusthof or Henckels are both great knives made in Germany. You can find them at Macy's. They will last a lifetime. You have to handle them with care and not throw them in a drawer to get knocked around. They also need to be sharpened as you use them. I worked in Macy's during Christmas and had a customer complain that she was always buying new knives ever 6 months because they became dull. I explained to her that they need to be sharpened. She looked at me as if I had 2 heads. Beware of those knives made by Henckel called Ever Sharp. The edge has a micro serrated edge that is horrible. The edge just tears and rips the product. A good knife is a joy to use.

Answer 4

The best knives EVER are from Cutco!! My husband's brother gave us a set as a wedding present, and I scoffed at such a gift. But, after having used them now for 5 years, I wouldn't know what to do without them!! I wouldn't be able to cook anymore. Cutco will replace any knife if damaged or defective at no charge. They have a great sharpening offer - cheap if not free (depending on the number of knives you send in at a time).
Check out their website - be prepared to make an investment of between $300 - $500. Could not live without these!

Answer 5

I just took the plunge and bought the Miracle Blade knives suggested in one of the other answers here. They are supposed to be "the sharpest knives you'll ever own." Since they cost under $40 for a full set of ktichen knives and come with a money back guarantee and a lifetime warranty, I decided you can't really go wrong.

Answer 6

My sister has a set of Swiss Army kitchen knives. I have used several, and comparing to many other great brands mentioned, I really think I like the balance & performance of these. They are not cheap, but I have never really felt a knife so comfortable in my hand and so effiecient at the various cutting tasks for which I've used them!

Answer 7

It may sound corny, but I use the Miracle Blade knives you see on TV. They are inexpensive, and work WONDERFULLY! They are so much better than any other knife I've used. Even if, gods forbid, the knives wore out, they are inexpensive enough that I can purchase another set without breaking my budget. The only thing I recommend is buying the wooden storage block to hold them, otherwise storing the knives is awkward.

Answer 8

I don't know how they compare to other knives, but we have a set of Cutco knives at home. They're really sharp, seem to hold their edge well, and I like the way the handle fits my hand.

They have a "forever guarantee," and offer free sharpening, but I've never used that service so I don't have a first-hand experience with it.

I've included the link to their website so you can find more information there.

Answer 9

I, as a professional, have a set of Gunther Wilhelm knives. they're heavy, made of high carbon stainless steel. the high carbon makes for an easy to sharpen blade, and the stainless steel is so your blade won't corrode or discolor. but, for use at home, you don't really need a whole set of knives unless it's just to show off. and you don't want a wusthof, or henkel, or the wilhelm ones I have, unless you plan to sharpen them on a stone every few days, and hone them with a steel. For home, all you really need is a nice good chef's knife. I'd go with a Global. they don't require too much sharpening. a paring knife, and maybe a flexible boning knife, and that's all you really need.

Answer 10

I used to work in a restaurant and I hate the knives there, so I brought my own from home. And what were mine? Just run of the mill butcher knives I bought at Wal-Mart.

You could impress your friends with knives purchased from the food network signed by Emeril or Rachel, but in the end, they are just knives.

Even after using my wal-Mart kinves in a busy restaurant kitchen, they have continued to serve me well for years.