Posted 19th Jan 2021
Any decent / half decent cooks able to recommend a good Chef’s knife? Thankings yous.
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33 Comments
sorted byAs mentioned above, Global are a good make but if you don't want calluses then I wouldn't recommend, I used a global for a solid 3 years but within the first 1 month of using it, my hands were getting blistered after every shift (although these were 15 hour shifts and constant use of cutting with the knife)
Henckels and Zwiling are part of the same company. The Zwiling group aslo includes Miyabi, Staub, and Ballarini. I've heard some talk about the different ranges in the Zwiling brand and which are the best (ie Four Star, Twin Chef, Gourmet, etc). I've got a few different ones and across the different range it tends to just be quality and feel of the handle and/or tang that is the only real difference. Just have a look around there and also at other retailers such as Amazon and see what you can find that is on offer.
May not be for everyone and requires a little bit more care in handling
You don't even need to spend that much. You can get a good Henckels, Zwilling, or even a Global for a lot less than that. It's well worth looking at what places like John Lewis and Fenwick have in the sales. The Zwiling/Henckels company have great customer service and a lifetime warranty, I bought a chef's knife from Fenwicks and after 5 years it developed a chip in the blade, I sent it back to them even though I didn't have a receipt and they replaced it straight away with a brand new one. They have a money off offer on their website as well at the moment.
uk.zwilling-shop.com/Kit…ves
My favourite knife at home at the moment is actually a Sabatier Santoku knife that I got at TK Maxx for only about £15, it's a damn good knife for the money. I prefer to have a few different knives, such as a large chef's knife, a small one, and a Santoku rather just having one more expensive knife to just use all the time.
May be worth getting a cheap one just as a test. I originally bought one from amazon for around 14 quid and it was actually really good. I then decided I wanted a full set (no idea why really as I only really use 3, chef, paring and tomato) of decent ones so got kyocera.
I have some cheap steels in the drawer for when I need to be rough with a knife like bones etc.
Nice yeah I’ve found the more I cook myself the less knives I’m using.
Yeah really isn't much need for a big selection, especially once you get used to one that you like and is sharp etc
Yeah... and then try to cut bread with it!
I use my ceramic to cut bread, less mess and easier than a normal bread knife I guess the same for any decent really sharp knife
I switched to Wusthof Classic Ikon's & I've never looked back, really comfortable to use & hold their edge very well.
I own global’s and have steals/stones but can never be bothered with the sharpening.
if your just a home cook and not stood for hours, day in day out any will do. They won’t make you cook any better. As long as it’s sharp a cooks knife can be use for most things especially for home use.
Hmmm not exactly sure but don’t think I’ll consider over £200 for single unit unless I’m very much missing something.
Interesting not thought about ceramic.
I’ve seen those Zwilling products they look good to me but what do I know... is Henckels the same brand if so any particular line? (edited)
Thanks a lot will have a look
Really? I bought the Sabatier Santoku knife and it’s so thick and cumbersome I never use it. I do however use Other Sabatier knives all the time.
I think that there might be a few different companies using the Sabatier name (or slight variations of it). The one I have definitely isn’t cumbersome at all, quite the opposite.
7 Zwillings knives for £80? Have you got a link? Personally I'm not interested in buying sets, but I'm intrigued as to what you get for the money
zwilling.com/us/…ion
Thanks. Looking at them, it looks as though they're a cheaper knife that they've had a Chinese company knock out for them which would put me off. Worth a look though.
Fair play, I’m not too fussed where they put them together long as they are a good quality overall, not sure about the self sharpening ceramic tech either in the block but took a punt on the set based on the deal and after reading a few reviews. On the Zwilling Uk site the set is marked up a lot more for some reason and there it states Zwilling lifetime warranty.
uk.zwilling-shop.com/Kit…tml (edited)
If I was going to buy a knife based on the brand then personally, I'd want to know it was produced along with their other items and subject to the same quality controls etc - I nearly bought a seemingly cheap Panasonic TV only to find out that they now have their budget units made elsewhere and as a result, the quality has dropped off considerably.
I'm not averse to buying things made in China from seemingly random manufacturers, I just adjust my expectations accordingly.
Anyway, each to their own and I hope they work out for you.
Yup adjust the expectations. The QC of a lot of the labelled Panasonics did drop off so if a problem arises that shouldn’t under normal use, that’s where the warranty of a global brand with a rep to protect should also play a part imo. (edited)
Can't go wrong with German steel, just make sure they are actually made in Germany and forged will last you a lifetime. (edited)