Nice knife set recommendation

[clifffaith]

BTW, I opted for the Chef's Choice knife sharpener for Cliff's 80th birthday. Also got him a shirt and another of the history and anthropology books he likes. I always have a stack of books ready for his gifts, and another few in my Amazon cart (so I always hit the minimum for free shipping). I think this time the book is on the Hanging Gardens of Babylon.

 

[Glynda]

Thanks for that link. I read every word, and even chased a couple of it's links. That's something I seldom do. It made me feel pretty good about my choices, and a bit 'wishful' for a couple more. Japanese, anyone?

Jim

After all these years, I still must not understand how to insert a link. My 96 year old mother cooks most of our dinners. She's always complaining about my Wusthof knives not being sharp enough. We took them to the cooking store a few months ago when they were having a sharpening event. She's still not happy with them. I was all set to order the Victorinox 4 piece set from Amazon until this article caught my eye. Now hesitant. Also, I had never heard of Mac knives until Elan's post above. Thinking I should perhaps buy the Mac that the author would choose, if could only have one, and see if it is sharp enough for her. Hmmmm....

 

[Elan]

Thanks for that link. I read every word, and even chased a couple of it's links. That's something I seldom do. It made me feel pretty good about my choices, and a bit 'wishful' for a couple more. Japanese, anyone?

Jim

I just read the link. Kind of surprised at the Victorinox review. Mine's fine, although I do sharpen it quite often. Meaning, I'll sharpen it just to sharpen it, before I start a meal -- not because it necessarily needs sharpening. Just a couple swipes on the steel and it's plenty sharp enough to slice any tomato I've thrown at it. Maybe they've changed material composition since I bought mine, but I've been very satisfied. I don't care if I wear it out via excessive sharpening, because it was so inexpensive.

Re Japanese: I've put Some Shun knives in my Amazon cart from time to time, but could never pull the trigger. Since I'm a recreational chef, the higher price just isn't justified since I'm replacing an existing knife. Now, if I were starting from scratch, I'd probably spend >50% of my knife budget on a really nice Chef's Knife (like a MAC), and fill in the rest with a value oriented brand.

One last note: I suspect these knife reviews are largely a matter of personal preference -- much like golf clubs. Different characteristics will appeal to different users.

 

[Passepartout]

Re Japanese: I've put Some Shun knives in my Amazon cart from time to time, but could never pull the trigger. Since I'm a recreational chef, the higher price just isn't justified since I'm replacing an existing knife. Now, if I were starting from scratch, I'd probably spend >50% of my knife budget on a really nice Chef's Knife (like a MAC), and fill in the rest with a value oriented brand.

One last note: I suspect these knife reviews are largely a matter of personal preference -- much like golf clubs. Different characteristics will appeal to different users.

Agreed. I think all reviews are at least partially biased by the reviewer's preferences. These seemed more impartial with the discussion on the metallurgy of hardness and additions (molybdenum) to add 'toughness' and flexibility to an otherwise hard and brittle high carbon blade. I also gleaned some insight with the discussion of 20 degree bevel on German knives vs. 15 degrees on the Japanese ones. Which tells me that it's time to upgrade my old 2 slot Chef's Choice sharpener (it's 'fine' slot is 20 degrees) to a 3 slot machine that will hone to the finer 15 degree bevel. Oh, and maybe, just maybe that beautiful MAC chef's knife.

Jim

 

[Elan]

Oh, and maybe, just maybe that beautiful MAC chef's knife.

Jim

DO IT! (Then let me know if it's all that).

 

[Elan]

For those that might be interested in one of the aforementioned Chef's Choice sharpeners. On sale today for $99:

https://www.amazon.com/ChefsChoice-..._m=ATVPDKIKX0DER&pf_rd_r=K7M3Z4SBBJPWMZNZ5F26

 

[clifffaith]

Cliff was very happy with his sharpener, and actually used it -- since he never stepped up to using the whatchamacallit (honing tool?) that came with his knife set. Every time I use the small paring knife I'm thrilled that it now cuts through fruit & veggies like they were butter.