I want to buy a really good chef's knife for a gift. Budget is about $150. Any ideas from those in the know? I thought there was a specialty knife shop in Riccarton mall (Christchurch) but it seems to have vanished! Appreciate any advice!
unknowndisorder,
Aug 12, 8:06am
global is one that I have seen recommended here, but not sure they are within your budget (I know, seems madness).
Not sure how your friend will feel about being given a knife, but my MIL always gives me a coin in return as apparently giving a knife can cause a friendship to be severed. Lol
(I admit to loving the Bismarck knives that I have, but not sure you can even get them here anymore - got mine from King of knives, from memory).
there have been threads here before, but guess they have fallen off the forum.
valentino,
Aug 12, 8:24am
A good Chef set of Knives comes with knives suitable for what are designed for. A Chef Knife most think of is the General all purpose knife - sure is okay but please look further especially if you want the best or near the best then buy the bigger set, has various knives for obvious and more purposeful uses and that main knife can be assured a longer life.
Excellent steel, the handles determine price here.
twindizzy,
Aug 12, 7:51pm
Global WÜSTHOF
nick_02,
Aug 12, 8:03pm
don't go for global knives, Paid over $100 from memory, I had it for maybe 18 months, just using it for home, was the only one in the house that used it, (single parent) one day cutting a large pumpkin a massive shard of the blade came off leaving it unusable. took it back to where I brought it, they told me a manufacturing fault a weakness in the steel for that to happen, so they sent it to Global for them to asses and replace and Global sent it back saying it had been misused and they wouldn't replace.
I was not happy but from the length of time I had it I couldn't do anything, and I didn't have a receipt or proof of purchase. so couldn't prove exactly how long id had it.
Id second Wusthof brand after that, no problems with them.
macandrosie,
Aug 13, 1:04am
Victorinox. Think that's the spelling. Available in some stores in NZ other than that you could buy on line.
gettinggrey,
Aug 13, 5:08am
I've bought 2 from here (at separate times).
http://japanesechefsknife.com/ Both arrived ex Japan in 4 days. Very good service. Absolutely razor sharp! Scroll through the various makers and you will find a knife in your price range. I bought 2 different sizes of the 'Gekko' range (it's a cheaper knife, but still years ahead of plain old stamped out in a factory stainless steel that is sold to us as a 'quality' knife). Scroll down to 'Gekko'
The more expensive one I bought was only $130 (240mm Gyuto) including delivery from Japan, but depends on $US exchange rate. Try one, you will never regret it.
Don't let the kids use them and don't drop it unless you want a limb amputated.
gilligee,
Aug 13, 8:03am
Zwilling.
valentino,
Aug 13, 8:54am
A friend of mine has one and is locked away for personal use, never for anyone else, too good to get stuffed or not properly used also besides the razor sharpness.
Cheers
garryb,
Aug 13, 9:34am
Visit "Total Food Equipment" on Moorehouse Ave.
squara,
Dec 2, 12:47am
bumping this as I am in the same position as the original poster. I am completely clueless in this area and am wanting to get my son a "good kitchen knife" I have looked online at the house of knives, and millies kitchen. so confusing, please help!
valentino,
Dec 2, 12:56am
Best is you can really narrow this down to precisely what he really needs or wants and of course the Price you willing to pay.
To start with, price, what figure range you are looking at, please feel very free and openly honest on this. Secondly, a Chef usually has a few good knives rather than just one but quite often if it is just the one like the "Main Chef Knife" then please note it.
If looking to go further and needs to be more prepared then perhaps this needs to be noted especially if happening very shortly.
Hopes these thoughts help in helping you to help us to get the right ones sussed together, (golly gosh - what a mouthful, LOL).
Cheers
squara,
Dec 2, 6:50am
Thanks for your reply Valentino, he is a hobby cook, and requested a decent knife for xmas. I was thinking around the $150 mark, but perhaps he needs more than one?
personally the best knife i own is a Victorinox Forschner 7-1/2" Chef's Knife; the knife is a budget version from victorinox and is super light and your hand don't hurt after hours of cutting up ingredients,, i use the knife for everything,, . i have knives of other brands like, victorinox, Global,J.A. Henckels F Dick Sabatier but i find them not as good as the victorinox 71/2 in knife http://tinyurl.com/oentz7z
valentino,
Dec 2, 8:03am
That is a very nice one to start with, start of a personalised set.
Of course there are cheaper ones around and more expensive ones but that one you noted should suffice very well and if he excels then his skills will be the main factor and will look for the higher quality - more expensive ones if he pursues it further as a pro. The big thing is to start with the right tools of the trade so the knife you looked at is well known and recognised is an ideal starter and should feel very proud of it plus yourself.
Cheers and all the best.
squara,
Dec 2, 8:16am
Thankyou! this one should manage most kitchen duties?
deus701,
Dec 2, 8:38am
I have many knives and spend heaps on knives. The one brand I can recommend for a gift is victorinox
It has a good grip, and most importantly it is cheap! I do have a 23cm Wusthof, but I will only take it out for some specialised cutting and used sparingly (cos its expensive bla bla bla, etc)
punkinthefirst,
Dec 2, 12:08pm
Wuesthof or Henckels cook's Knife. It is a professional's tool and certainly doesn't need molly-coddling. Keep it sharp and it will be your best friend in the kitchen. However, the person who uses the knife should really be buying it, because the "heft" of the knife should be right for the user. That's why good chef's equipment sellers (like The House of Knives) let their customers try the knives out in the store. Victorinox is the next level down, and is still a well-made knife. Good article on the subject here:- http://kitchenknifeguru.com/knives/how-to-buy-a-great-chef-knife/
Edited to add that if the person is going to study catering at a Polytech. many of them get a trade deal at the start of the course, where students can buy a full set of professional quality knives at a good discount (10% when I did mine). I'd recommend that anybody who studies at a polytech takes their knives to an engraver to have their name engraved on each one, (and also make sure they're insured). There are a lot of light-fingered ones wandering the halls of Academia.
valentino,
Dec 2, 7:44pm
As I noted earlier, if you happy then he should be as similar genes.
There are quite a few knives out there that will be suggested as some are being noted, I too like a few others but the line needs to be drawn otherwise one can miss out on a good deal. There is nothing wrong with what you are looking at, and even other suggestions has noted this.
Just go for it and close this chapter, can go back to it anytime if need to.
Personally, this is what I do once I have something I've wanted. Cheers.
leebee35,
Dec 3, 5:52am
Kai Shun Chosen by NZ Consumer as No. 1 knife available in NZ against all other brands. Kai Shun is the leading Japanese name in knives with an 800 year old history. Kai knives are sought after by leading chefs nationwide and are only available in selected outlets. This would make a better gift. I'm sure I paid $200 or $300. so worth it.
I have just completed an international 12 week cookery school and they issued us with Victorinox knives. To be honest they work very well - we had a filleting, fruit, bread, meat carving, large chopping knife, peeler, pipping bag, Steel for about 250 Euro. I wouldn't want one of these as a gift as they seem everyday knives to me now.
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