Recommend a Chef's Knife

T

TXHookem

1,000+ Posts
My parents gave me $100 for my birthday and I'm thinking of spending the money on a quality chef's knife. Any suggestions? I was just reading great reviews on a Global knife and keep hearing more good things about Japanese knives. Thoughts?
 
I know this has been discussed a bunch, I'd suggest going to Williams-Sonoma and ask for help and see how the feel in your hand. I know I'm going to get a Wüsthof Chef's Knife with a left over gift card from our wedding gifts soon, but I can't suggest it to you cause it may not be what feels right to you.
 
Agree with picking the one that feels right. Globals are scary sharp but are kind of light. If you can find a dealer that handles them, take a look at Shun. I've got a Wusthof Classic that I've been happy with for a number of years.
 
I love the look of a lot of the Japanesse knifes however they felt tiny in my hands (I got average length fingers).
 
I like the Japanese knives a whole lot. I would go with a Shun, Global, or MAC. MAC makes a stamped knife as opposed to a forged blade, which was previously thought of as far inferior to forged steel. Recently, however, MAC has gotten a great reputation for offering blades as good or better than the forged type, according to some "experts".

Here is an article I found helpful before I decided on a 10" Shun Classic. http://www.cookingforengineers.com/article/129/Chefs-Knives-Rated

The European Wusthoff and Henckels knives are great, but I never cared for the handle style. Also, the top of the blade is very thick near the base, so if you use the thumb-forefinger "pinch" method for chopping, it can really dig in. Both brands have different lines with different handles, though, and you would be good to go to Williams-Sonoma or Sur La Table and just check them all out.

Also, as you will see in the article, RH Forschner knives perform very well, and are used all over commercial kitchens. A Forschner chef's knife is 30-40 bucks at a restaurant supply store. Mercer-Genesis and Dexter-Russell are other good brands you can get there for cheap.

FWIW, Anthony Bourdain swears by Global while Alton Brown uses Shun Knives. I'm fairly positive he used them before any sort of endorsement deal. I'm not sure what kind of knives Gordon Ramsey uses, but you can assume he yells at them a lot. Not that TV personalities should influence you or anything. It's just interesting.

I think that's all I know about knife brands. If you want to really research Japanese knives, there are many, many cool-looking brands that haven't made it to the US.
 
I read Bourdain's Kitchen Confidential and, you're right, he swears by Japanese knives... claims that German knives are too heavy. I'll have to try them out at William Sonoma - there's one right by the house.
 
Other threads

Seriously do a search on this topic. There have been countless threads... and they are very informative.

Many chefs say the best bang for your buck knives are Forschner or Mercer which you can buy at restaurant supply companies like Ace Mart here in Austin. After much research I ended up with a Forschner 7" Santuko and LOVE IT.

Globals and Shuns are the coolest looking by far. I've heard Globals chip easily and once they do, are impossible to fix. I've heard Shuns are pretty much bad-***, but are damn expensive.

The German knives have historically been the most popular. They are good knives and many people have used those same knives for decades w/o complaints. They are generally a little heavier.

Go to William Sonoma and hold a bunch in your hand. Make sure you grip it correctly (with your index and thumb on the heel) in order to feel how it balances in your hand. Go to Ace Mart and hold a few of their knives in your hand.
 
I tried the Global and really liked it. The guy at Williams Sonoma said that Global seems to be the knife of choice with culinary students in town. I'll add a paring knife later. Otherwise, my Henckels set will do the trick for now as I use the paring knife all the time.
 
My Global is pretty solid, no chips or anything yet.

Do not put it in the sink or dishwasher, always clean by hand and dry. Store in a safe place, do not put it in a drawer with other untensils.
 
I've used and enjoy Globals and Shuns, and I keep coming back to my Wusthof Classic. It's just a fantastic knife, and I keep it very, very sharp.
 
I bought a set of Wusthof knives 30 years ago, same as the classic design, but before they were called classic. They are one of the best purchases I ever made.
 
I'm very fond of my Henckel's 5-Star. It works well and not haughtily pricey, very functional and practical. Keep out of your dishwasher and you can will it to your children. Buy an 8" and you'll get change back from your $100.
 
I like a little heavier knife, but let's be honest I am not chopping all day as part of my job. In that environment the lighter wieght wourl probably make a difference to me.

Globals are nice, but I think I like the bang for the Buck with my Forschners I bought. I esecially like my brisket and beast carver- basically this with a rosewood handle, 12 inch granton blade slices effortlessly
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I've been hankerin' for a REAL chef's knife because the piece of crap in the kitchen at my apartment has a plastic handle and a thin blade that is falling out of it.

So I was looking at OVERSTOCK(.)COM & AMAZON and I think that Amazon seemed to have the better deals.

1) J.A. Henckels International Classic 8-Inch Stainless-Steel Chef's Knife
US$48 (down from US$80) The Link

2) Wüsthof Gourmet 8-Inch Cook's Knife
US$69.99 (down from US$85) The Link

3) Wüsthof Gourmet 7-Inch Hollow Cut Santoku Knife
US$49.95 (down from US$110) The Link

I can't imagine needing a 10" chef's knife. But is 7" Santoku too short? And why do people like a Santoku over a traditional chef's knife.

I most probably won't be able to go into a normal store and feels these in my hand before ordering because Argentina has lots of crap and very little quality unless you know exactly where to find it. But I know someone who will be coming down from the States in about a month, so I was thinking about ordering in advance and getting free shipping.

Thanks.
 
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