My boyfriend really enjoys cooking but has a HORRIBLE set of knives he told me he got at wal-mart a few years ago. They are so dull (even after trying to sharpen them) that i once cut myself trying to cut an onion because i couldnt get the knife to even pierce the outer layer!!
I have recently been looking at higher quality knife block sets on amazon and have narrowed it down to 2 sets that both are pretty good quality brands and have high ratings from previous customers but I am not stuck between the two and was wondering if anyone could tell me a little more about them or what they think the best buy would be.
Victorinox 8-Piece Knife Block Set
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0000CF9AG/ref=or...
OR
Zwilling J.A. Henckels Four Star 8-Piece Knife Set with Block
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0026POPW6/ref=or...
i really would like to purchse one of these since my boyfriend isnt a master chef i dont think he needs any higher quality than these.
Thanks!!
Answers & Comments
Verified answer
I haven't even looked at your link, just the names are enough - go with the Henckels they have a good reputation.
Both brands are exellent quality wise. I used to use the industrial grade victorinox when I worked in a meat plant and they could cut through a side of bacon like butter.
BUT
as to what you want to buy that's totally up to you. best thing is to go to a kitchen store and ask if you can handle the knives. a good knife is all about what feels good in your hands, and what you feel comfortable working with. NEVER buy a knife that you haven't handled
My entire set of knives is comprised of different brands and styles that I picked up over the years. My main demi chef is actually a side brand of sabatier that I picked up on a sale at a fancy Dublin store years ago. I have a very good professional butcher knife that I got from a friend which is great stuff for cutting meat. I have a santoku and vegetable knife from Global which are great stuff. etc. etc. each and every knife I chose mainly because they felt good in my hand.
A great tip on telling a good knife from rubbish even without being an expert is balance. Any good kitchen knife has about a 1-1 balance of the blade vs. the handle (generally Japanese brands are real precise on this) normally you can place the flat side of the blade on your finger round about against the handle give or take an inch. and it should balance perfectly on your finger without falling.
my personal five cents pick a knife you feel good with. not just a brand
buy the best quality knife sets you can afford. He will be using these for the rest of his life and needs the best quality you can afford, if you are going to stay with him for the next 75 years!
Even people who are not professional chefs need excellent quality knives. Mine are the Old Timer brand and have been in use for, I know, 150 years and stay sharp. They are almost sharpened away, but will last for another 50 years at least, but of that I don't care. I inherited these and will be passing them on.
Henckels. Costco has a nice 10-piece set.
Either set is ideal for what you're describing.
The one that can kill you.