Middle of the road kitchen knife set.

[likestocook]

Ok been looking at knife sets and it's become mind numbing iam leaning towards a Japanese but like I said it's overwhelming iam willing to spend a few bucks on a set but nothing stupid..

Question is can I get some recommendations on some of the brands iam also open to other brands.

Thanks in advance

 

[Khromo]

We don't need hammered blades, we don't need Damascus.

Take a look at the Miyabi Koh. It is a Japanese style line with thin, hard, stainless blades and simple octagonal handles. They are reasonably priced if you wait for the sales. Excellent steel and balance, well executed bolsters and handles, and they look good.

IF the handles fit you, these are excellent performers. Folks will point out that they are owned by a German firm these days, but I wouldn't let that spoil your fun!

 

[likestocook]

We don't need hammered blades, we don't need Damascus.

Take a look at the Miyabi Koh. It is a Japanese style line with thin, hard, stainless blades and simple octagonal handles. They are reasonably priced if you wait for the sales. Excellent steel and balance, well executed bolsters and handles, and they look good.

IF the handles fit you, these are excellent performers. Folks will point out that they are owned by a German firm these days, but I wouldn't let that spoil your fun!

Thanks for the input

 

[jc57]

If I were going to go for a Japanese knife brand where I got really good value for the money while not spending money for the eye-candy or bling, then Tojiro DP would be my value choice. Google "cktg tojiro dp" for a good source of most of the product line, then build your own personal "set" from that.

Nice VG-10 core 3-layer (san mai) construction, western style handles.

 

[Alex Topfer]

What do you need in a set?

If i were doing this i would get a good ~20cm chef's knife (santoku ect) and then a cheaper paring knife and bread knife. Spend the money on the one you'll use the most

 

[elasmonut]

Ok been looking at knife sets and it's become mind numbing iam leaning towards a Japanese but like I said it's overwhelming iam willing to spend a few bucks on a set but nothing stupid..

Question is can I get some recommendations on some of the brands iam also open to other brands.

Thanks in advance

First, what can you sharpen? After that...thin cuts well, but can be fragile, comfortable handle and some way to store it will decide if you use it. Damascus is for looks. Japanase stuff leans towards , thin,hard and almost zero edge bevel, maintained with high grit stones. Western stuff is generally softer temper and thicker at the edge, maintained by steeling or stropping. For a broad commercial comparison maybe look at the difference between a Shun and a Wusthof.

 

[roaduck]

I totally second your advice Alex Topfer - you only need 3 knives - these three only cost $20 in total and the carbon chopper was only ten bucks - the black carbon kurouchi finish has worn off because it is used for processing about a hundred tons of food for the homeless a year - I`m an old hippy chopper !
The Hare Kryshna temple in Withington and St Luke`s in Sharston get a 7.5 ton van full of donated food which is mainly fruit and veg every day and that is a lot of peeling man !
Obviously some of it is past it`s best so I just trim it and cook it death - bless `em for trying though !
I am dreaming of veg prep and sharpening in my sleep `cause it`s relentless - hard but sooo.. worth it !
Me and the friendly dragon chop and cook from dawn to teatime because there`s a lot of hungry people all over town.
I learned knife skills in China 30 years ago and used a caidao ( Chinese Chef`s knife ) for everything - carving fruit and veg flowers to skinning and boning a 200 lb fish on the beach - Happy Times !

 

[Drop bear]

Victorinox at the price point you can live with.

 

[calm]

Global

Icel

Victorinox

For really cheap, and slicy, try KIWI

 

[roaduck]

Victorinox at the price point you can live with.

Yep Drop Bear Victorinox knives are brilliant value for money so is the budget Sabatiers - I got these 3 for less than $20 all inc.

 

[roaduck]

Global

Icel

Victorinox

For really cheap, and slicy, try KIWI

Yep calm - love my Thai Kiwi cheapie chopper ( bottom ) and my Oklahoman Appalachian bow fiddle bread knife ( top ) - these four were under $40 !
I have quite a few big rectangle knives and I can do 90% of kitchen cutting jobs with one - nothing else required - less washing up plus no need for a knife roll at work etc.
I saw a lot of Kiwi caidao`s living in China and my girlfriend loves her Globals but I`m not into them - overrated and overpriced IMHO.
The sharpness of the Globals out of the box was not "fingernail shaving" ; only average which is terrible for the outlay - I had to touch up new knives - the Kiwi ate them for breakfast for initial utility.

 

[roaduck]

First, what can you sharpen? After that...thin cuts well, but can be fragile, comfortable handle and some way to store it will decide if you use it. Damascus is for looks. Japanase stuff leans towards , thin,hard and almost zero edge bevel, maintained with high grit stones. Western stuff is generally softer temper and thicker at the edge, maintained by steeling or stropping. For a broad commercial comparison maybe look at the difference between a Shun and a Wusthof.

Yep elasmonut when I was a teenager I had no money and had to improvise and use walls, floors, bricks and random flattish natural stones but I persevered and practised and practised to learn knife angle, muscle memory and consistency and gradually improved my technique until now, 40 odd years later I can sharpen most things freehand and even though I am no DIY`er I am always doing cheffie friends knives and sharpening hedge shears and drill-bits with an ancient 1970`s 4" 11000 RPM Makita angle grinder - it is totally bomb-proof and is only on it`s second set of motor carbon brushes !

My favourite toys are the diamond plates next to my sink and I want to be buried with my Makita angle grinder haha !

I could use my little Tormek T-1 knife sharpener or one of my fixed angle rigs but I can`t be bothered because it`s too slow and not worth the mucking about.The Tormek was not cheap but that can go as well.

I got a F/A rig for my lovely friendly dragon for Christmas but that`s still in the drawer so it`s going to charity or the bin - superfluous to requirements - she doesn`t have to learn to grind because I just love it - it`s dead relaxing - like stroking a cat.
Since I swapped to diamond plates a few years ago I`ve not used my other manmade stones, strops and steels - no need now.
My old oak sharpie box is getting a bit chocka with 29 in it - time to cool the collecting habit a bit !