Help me find the right set of knives for the kitchen

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dryflyelk

Joined
Apr 22, 2011
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50
Hi folks -

I'm a long time knife guy and I've collected folders for quite some time, but for some reason I've never bought a good set of kitchen knives. I love to cook and I do it often, so that's surprising in itself. I got to thinking that I'm spending more on a Sebenza than I would be for many good sets of knives that I'd use way more often, so I pitched the idea to my wife and she agreed.

Here's the problem. She gave me a set of her requirements that the new knives need to fall under.

1. They need to be "pretty"
2. They need to match the kitchen, ie, they need to be in a block that's either black or stainless.

I've got three little boys running around and I think that a block is the best way to store the knives in my situation. I've got a spot for them and I think it would look great. So, the set should also be good looking and fit in well. Unfortunately, that's probably a higher priority for me than pure functionality, because my wife has the say in there, and I had to meet her demands.

As I said, I'm a knife guy, and I've got a lot of experience sharpening. I don't mind a harder steel. I don't have a good cutting block, but I plan to make that investment as well. I've got the wicked edge sharpening system so that shouldn't be a problem.

I know you fellas usually say to stay away from sets and just get the knives you need/want for more value, but I think I'd like a good set. Something in the 7-12 piece range. I've used mostly German knives in the past and liked them, but I think I prefer the idea of the japanese steels, and I could get used to just about anything. I'm a bigger guy with big hands. I'm not too worried about the budget at this point, although it would be nice to keep it south of $1k.

I looked at a few sets from Global that met these criteria, and another few sets from wustoff, but I'm wondering if there's anything else out there I'm missing that might meet my criteria.

Any ideas?
 
Your sorta between a rock & a hard place, if looks are above quality.
can help with a board, check out the Carolina Slab here. I have one & love it.

http://theboardsmith.com/product-category/hard-maple-butcher-block/

As far as knives, think about trying a sample, get one 8" chef's knife for her to try. Truthfully I'd start with a Mundial 5100 series
http://www.amazon.com/Mundial-Series-8-Inch-Chefs-Knife/dp/B0002LXWAM/ref=pd_sim_sbs_k_1

she can play with it & you can practice sharpening. If it passes, a variety of sets are available, if not your not out a ton of cash. I've used the wooden handled restaurant grade Mundials for 20+ yrs. & they preform very well.
 
Why not have me make you a full custom set. I can make just about any type & size you could want. I can also supply a block in either Black or Stainless. If you're interested, send me an email or give me a call. Once I have an idea of the number of knives you want and the materials you desire I can give you a quote. I can also send you some pics of my past work. Let me know what you think.
 
Personally I prefer Japanese style knives. Your wife would probably prefer smaller knives, smaller gyutos.

Bob Kramer got some cool stuff: http://www.surlatable.com/category/cat1250419/Bob+Kramer?cleanSession=true&pCat=CAT-5781
However that is carbon knives. Personally I prefer sanmai, Carbon Core and Stainless clad, however Carbon needs more TLC (TenderLoveCare) that stainless. I cant tell how she will react, but Carbon knives get patina, and some girls dont like that. To be safe you might wanna go stainless. Torjo DP are a cheap brand and gives a lot bang for the bucks. I would not buy Shun, but thats me :) These are also a great buy: http://www.chefknivestogo.com/fufkmse.html


You also have drawer knife holders: http://www.chefknivestogo.com/meindrknho.html
Then you can choose among alot of knives :) That site offers alot of japanese brands and is also cheap :)

A board from http://theboardsmith.com in black walnut will do you good!
Some sharpening tools as well.


I rather have 3 great knives than a set of not so great. Japanese knives got an impressive history and different style. My wife loves Wa handles after tried it for a while. She uses mainly to knives: 150 Petty from Devin Thomas and 150ish Funyaki from Murray Carter. For a collector to get to know kitchenknife a new world opens! You need a far more skilled smith to make a kitchen knife than a hunter or bowie.

However the most important part is to have sharp knives .)
I really recommend a small gyuto/Funyaki for your wife. She will love it. 150-170 size. A small petty 120-150 will do her good as well. For you 180-210 gyuto is the size :) Get a parer to. If you get hooked you are however doomed :) This will blow her away: http://www.cartercutlery.com/japane...ries/47-sun-high-grade-funayuki-custom-handle

Hiromoto is sanmai: http://www.chefknivestogo.com/hiasasustkn.html.

Damn my post ended up confusing you even more. Sorry
 
I know the knives have to match the kitchen, but do the knives have to match each other?

If not, I would simply suggest assembling a set piece by piece from different makers. The Richmond Artifex series ought to be a good line. AEB-L steel(gets RAZOR sharp), black micarta handles, and a very competitive price. Tojiro is another good brand.

It's easier if you have some idea of what to get. Maybe a Gyuto(Chef's Knife), a Nakiri(for vegetables), a meat cleaver, a paring knife. Specialized knives would be something to look into if you're going for a set, as there is one for nearly every kind of cutting.
 
Given how specific your needs are, I'd second the notion of getting custom knives made. You can spend a grand on a set of factory knives but they always give you a bunch that you don't need. This way you can get exactly the look you want and exactly the knives you want and the quality will be higher. There are lots of good makers here on the forum.

- Chris
 
To outpreform Konosuke, Masamoto or any known brand is very very hard. Just a fem makers can do that.
They are way out his pricerange, unless he wants one or maybe two knives.
 
If the proper steel is used, the heat treat is correct, & the geometry is right then the knife will perform. There are more makers who can accomplish this than some people realize. Another thing about customs is that you can get the exact type & size knives you want with the materials you want. You can even have the handle material cut from the same piece of wood, ivory, horn, etc. to get a matching set.
Just because a maker can't get $500 an inch for his knives doesn't mean they wont perform.
 
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$1k will get you a decent block set, but wont be brag worthy.

ive seen some good looking knife sets at sonoma(?) Store but were overpriced (1-3 grand).

I agree with oivind, masamoto knives are about 3-500 a piece and in my honest opinion not the best looking but performance wise at or near the VERY top.
 
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