Recommend me a good set of knives please !

[squig09]

I like Richardsons of Sheffield Balance range but i cant find any

Does any one know where i can buy a block and knives including a sharpner of the Balance range also can anyone recommend an alternative set better for around a budget of say £150 to £200
I would rather spend more and they last me the next twenty years if you see what i mean

Any links to web sites would be fantastic

Many Thanks
Squig

[PaulHogan]

I have yet to see any set of knives that would suit me. I'd recommend you get down to the best cook shop in your area and get to feel the weight and balance of various knives. There are umpteen different types of knife: what will you be using them for? Are you comfortable using a proper sharpening steel? Are you interested in ceramic blades? (I'm not - I like a bit of 'spring' in the blades). A good block is essential but it doesn't have to be a monster - it only needs to hold the knives you use.
If you are anywhere near Leeds I'd recommend going to Maturi's on the Headrow: but I assume every big city will have at least one specialist cook shop.

[Pferdestarke]

Shape is key. Something that has a slight curve to the blade which follows the natural chopping movement works best imo.

http://www.wusthof.com/desktopdefault.aspx/52_view...

[krallicious]

Pferdestarke said:

Shape is key. Something that has a slight curve to the blade which follows the natural chopping movement works best imo.

http://www.wusthof.com/desktopdefault.aspx/52_view...

Beat me to it. The Ikon range by Wusthof are excellent.

[escargot]

Pferdestarke said:

Shape is key. Something that has a slight curve to the blade which follows the natural chopping movement works best imo.

http://www.wusthof.com/desktopdefault.aspx/52_view...

I've been dropping some very serious hints about that particular knife.

[Pferdestarke]

Beautiful, isn't she?

Some would say a knife's a knife.

Not me.

Oh no.

[escargot]

Pferdestarke said:

Beautiful, isn't she?

Some would say a knife's a knife.

Not me.

Oh no.

She's a beaut. I tried a wusthof in our local knife emporium and they're so well made and perfectly balanced. It felt so right. Not like those god awful globals. I just wouldn't be able to get used to the handles.

[21TonyK]

Knives are a very personal thing, especially if you work with them all day! My advice would be to concentrate on finding a knife that is comfortable. Buy a block or a magnetic rack then slowly build up a selection of knives you need. Too many "sets" have knives you never use in them. You're better off buying one or two really good knives you are comfortable with and going from there. personally I'd start with a 10" chefs knife, a 5-6" veg knife and a flexible boning knife which can double as a filleting knife.

You can sometimes pick up bargains on here...

http://www.nisbets.co.uk/products/ProductCategory....

Or Amazon aren't too bad. Also, unless you are a whizz with a whetstone allow £30-40 for a decent sharpener and be aware that different sharpeners grind at different angles so it's easy to spoil a new knife.

[tomash]

These cost a bit more but they are the canines cojones!

My Current Fave

[Pete Franklin]

21TonyK said:

Knives are a very personal thing, especially if you work with them all day! My advice would be to concentrate on finding a knife that is comfortable. Buy a block or a magnetic rack then slowly build up a selection of knives you need. Too many "sets" have knives you never use in them. You're better off buying one or two really good knives you are comfortable with and going from there. personally I'd start with a 10" chefs knife, a 5-6" veg knife and a flexible boning knife which can double as a filleting knife.

You can sometimes pick up bargains on here...

http://www.nisbets.co.uk/products/ProductCategory....

Or Amazon aren't too bad. Also, unless you are a whizz with a whetstone allow £30-40 for a decent sharpener and be aware that different sharpeners grind at different angles so it's easy to spoil a new knife.

I agree totally. with the budget of the OP you could get 3 really good knifes off amazon like Global chefs knife £60 small Global pairing knife £20-30 and a Global bread knife £60 then buy a magnetic rack for a £10 total cost £150 and some really decent equipment rather than loads mediocre knives, half of which you wouldnt use.

Most knive sets dont come with flexible boning knifes anyway but you could add one on and still come in at around £200

regarding the global handle thing- i really like them. personal choice i guess.

[21TonyK]

I've got about 8 or 9 Globals and I've got used to them over time. I don't use them for bulk work as they do require a different grip to a traditional European knife which isn't the most comfortable for prolonged use. However they are great for fine work, not for chopping veg. I have a box of cheap Hygiplas knives I use for 80% of the time, they're crap and need sharpening all the time but they are comfortable to use and great at hacking stuff up, cutting packaging etc

Edited by 21TonyK on Saturday 30th October 05:49