I am always being asked what are the best knives to buy?
My answer is pretty simple.
1.Take hold of the knife and see how it feels in your hand.
2. Is it in your price range?
3.Is it a reputable brand?
What I have done below is review some of the everyday knives I come across on my Sharpening runs and give you my personal/professional feedback.
There will be plenty of people who will disagree but this is just what I come across on a daily basis and it's my personal opinion only.
If you want me to review a knife brand for you please let me know.
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SHUN knives
Pros-Elegant, Well Blanaced, Fine Blade, Sexy, Good Range.
Cons-Expensive, Easily chipped.
I love the look and feel of these knives but i am constantly repairing the blades.These knives are a work of art and deserve respect but i would expect them not to chip so easy as it is supposed to be hard steel.
Would i buy one? Yes i would, but used carefully.
Pros-Elegant, Well Blanaced, Fine Blade, Sexy, Good Range.
Cons-Expensive, Easily chipped.
I love the look and feel of these knives but i am constantly repairing the blades.These knives are a work of art and deserve respect but i would expect them not to chip so easy as it is supposed to be hard steel.
Would i buy one? Yes i would, but used carefully.
Wustoff Knives
Pros-Well balanced, durable, strong history, Good Range
Cons- if anything i don't like heels (bolster).
I would class these as the granddaddy of the culinary armoury.They have a very proud history and have been the go to brand for many professional chefs.
Would i buy one? Yes, but i'd go for the IKON series.(no bolster)
Pros-Well balanced, durable, strong history, Good Range
Cons- if anything i don't like heels (bolster).
I would class these as the granddaddy of the culinary armoury.They have a very proud history and have been the go to brand for many professional chefs.
Would i buy one? Yes, but i'd go for the IKON series.(no bolster)
IO Shen Knives
Pros- Attractive, Durable, Japanese steel, Affordable.
Cons-Made in Taiwan but thats it.
They call it Tri-Steel, where it is 2 outside layers at 10 Hrc (very soft) with 62 HRC (hard steel running down the centre) so it is a very durable edge.These are on the affordable end of Japanese knives and have a great range i dont think you'll be disappointed.
Would i buy one? Yes in fact i own one, and sell them.
Pros- Attractive, Durable, Japanese steel, Affordable.
Cons-Made in Taiwan but thats it.
They call it Tri-Steel, where it is 2 outside layers at 10 Hrc (very soft) with 62 HRC (hard steel running down the centre) so it is a very durable edge.These are on the affordable end of Japanese knives and have a great range i dont think you'll be disappointed.
Would i buy one? Yes in fact i own one, and sell them.
Global Knives
Pros-Hard Japanese steel, Hygenic, Light, Good edge, Range of models.
Cons-Give you Callus's, too small (personal).
These are the most common knives i sharpen, they do sharpen up well and you can give them a great looking edge.They are hard wearing and have a variety of models in their range.
Would i buy one? Probably not.
Victorinox Knives
Pros-Quality steel, Versatile, Well priced, Great range
Cons-Not as hard as some other steels
These babies are the chefs go to knife for their reliability, price, balance and versatility.You can't go wrong with these knives, they have a great range and styles to suit everyone.They are the makers of the famous Swiss Army knife and the envy of many knife manufacturers.
Would i buy one? Yes, i have had them for many years.
Pros-Quality steel, Versatile, Well priced, Great range
Cons-Not as hard as some other steels
These babies are the chefs go to knife for their reliability, price, balance and versatility.You can't go wrong with these knives, they have a great range and styles to suit everyone.They are the makers of the famous Swiss Army knife and the envy of many knife manufacturers.
Would i buy one? Yes, i have had them for many years.
F-Dick Knives
Pros-Great range, Quality Steel, Well Balanced.
Cons-Maybe the blade shape on some models, a bit too round.
Quality German knives with a very proud history and very big range to suit any foodie.They create a very good edge that lasts a long time and are comfortable on your hand.
Would i buy one? Yes i own a set of the Red Spirt and would want to buy more.
Pros-Great range, Quality Steel, Well Balanced.
Cons-Maybe the blade shape on some models, a bit too round.
Quality German knives with a very proud history and very big range to suit any foodie.They create a very good edge that lasts a long time and are comfortable on your hand.
Would i buy one? Yes i own a set of the Red Spirt and would want to buy more.
Furi Knives
Pros-Full Stainless steel, Clean lines, Well Priced, Attractive
Cons-History of cracking, Light (personal),Shape (personal)
These knives were originally designed here in Brisbane, then main production was sent overseas for cost reasons i assume.They started off well then over the years some of the batches coming through were forming cracks in the blades due to manufacturing, but luckily if you have a cracked FURI knife they will replace it FOC. I'm personally not a fan but they are a pretty good knife now and it is a personal choice.
Would I buy one? Yes probably.
Pros-Full Stainless steel, Clean lines, Well Priced, Attractive
Cons-History of cracking, Light (personal),Shape (personal)
These knives were originally designed here in Brisbane, then main production was sent overseas for cost reasons i assume.They started off well then over the years some of the batches coming through were forming cracks in the blades due to manufacturing, but luckily if you have a cracked FURI knife they will replace it FOC. I'm personally not a fan but they are a pretty good knife now and it is a personal choice.
Would I buy one? Yes probably.
Baccarat Knives
Pros-Good range, Depends on the Model can be well priced,attractive.
Cons-Their Damascus range is failry poor, cheaply made.
The good thing about Baccarat is they have a large range of models to suit everyone, however in saying that i'd only recommend 2 maybe 3 of those Models.
I actually quite like the 'Cuisine Pro' range they feel nice and sharpen well, the 'Damishiro Emperor' has a bit of weight to it sort of feels a bit ALDI like but it's pretty good and the 'Wolfgang Starc' series feels commercial and solid so it's ok but i wouldn't really touch the others, they all have their own downfalls.
Would I buy one?-Depends on the model.
Pros-Good range, Depends on the Model can be well priced,attractive.
Cons-Their Damascus range is failry poor, cheaply made.
The good thing about Baccarat is they have a large range of models to suit everyone, however in saying that i'd only recommend 2 maybe 3 of those Models.
I actually quite like the 'Cuisine Pro' range they feel nice and sharpen well, the 'Damishiro Emperor' has a bit of weight to it sort of feels a bit ALDI like but it's pretty good and the 'Wolfgang Starc' series feels commercial and solid so it's ok but i wouldn't really touch the others, they all have their own downfalls.
Would I buy one?-Depends on the model.
Koi Knives
Pros-Locally made, quality AUS10 Steel, looks great , Feels great
Cons-Price Tag (but worth it)
Well I can't really fault these knives as they basically sell themselves if you are looking for a great looking, feeling and performing knife and you are prepared to fork out the money then these are your knives, (remember you pay for quality.)
They use AUS10 which is fast becoming the preferred steel by Japanese knife makers as they have better edge retention.
Would I buy one? yes I already do
Pros-Locally made, quality AUS10 Steel, looks great , Feels great
Cons-Price Tag (but worth it)
Well I can't really fault these knives as they basically sell themselves if you are looking for a great looking, feeling and performing knife and you are prepared to fork out the money then these are your knives, (remember you pay for quality.)
They use AUS10 which is fast becoming the preferred steel by Japanese knife makers as they have better edge retention.
Would I buy one? yes I already do
Zwilling Henskles
Pros-Quality German made, good range to choose from, well balanced.
Cons-A bit pricey but you get what you pay for.
I haven't actually used these knives in the kitchen but I do know people who swear by them and they do Sharpen up well. They feel well balanced in my hand and off the top of my head I haven't come across any faults with these knives. They are made from quality steel so they will last you a life time, if you take care of them.
Would I buy one? sure why not.