What would your favorite knives be?

[chef_to_be]

Hello! Going to school in August, then 15 months later, I hope to be a personal chef. So, here is my question. Doing what you do, what are your absolute fave knife brands? What works well for you? I just have my Henckels knives here at home but they are in no way the top of the line or anything... I just am curious about what people in the industry where I want to be are using.

[Flattop]

Whan to find more than you want to know? use the search function. There have been many many threads on this subject. Here's one of the lastest: Obnoxious knife question

[chfbrd]

by far mine are Globals. They are more expensive but you get what you paid for. I used my henkels for years but once i used globals it was no going back. I have tried alot of knives and they are they bast balanced for my hand. they are great for super fast chopping or slicing. The thin blade is great for slipping through the food. Great slicer. But like I said they are more expensive.

My 2 cents

ciao

[chefelle]

It is really interesting to me how everyone seems to like a different brand of knives the best. I really wanted to like Globals but I have very small hands and the Global knives just felt awkward in my hand--I had no control over the knife and was concerned that I would end up hurting myself. To each his own, I guess.

One of the best pieces of advice I got from this site had to do with having all kinds of different knives in all different price ranges at your disposal. Sometimes an inexpensive knife can become something you cherish and use often if it helps you to get the job done.

[chefcp]

This is a personal thing and you probably have to find the right knive for yourself. For me globals don't work at all. My two favorites are zwilling five stars and wusthof grand prix. The most important thing about your knives, whatever brand or make they are, is that they are raisor sharp!

[SaraCooks]

My favorite knife brand is Wusthof. Preferably Grand Prix.
I've been fortunate in that I've been able to try a lot of different knives.
I kind of like the global santoku knife. Not a fan of Global in general, (handle shape) but I like that one.
I don't care for Shun, though they are absolutely gorgeous. Their classic handle is awkward to me. The whole "D" shape doesn't work for me. I do like their elite line, but I'm unlikely to spend over $200 for a single knife.
Messermeister is not bad. I never liked Henkels until their twin cuisine line came out.
Bottom line, see how it feels in your hand before you buy it.
I think most of us end up with eclectic collections.

[Azer]

I am a Global fan. I just love the handle as my hands are rather big most other knives always leave my hands in pain, if I use a knife for a long period of time.

Check list for the best knife(in your own oppinion):

1. How does the knife fit your hand?
2. How long does the knife stay sharp?

If a knife passes those two questions with flying colors buy it!

[thecooktoo]

In my knife skills classes, I always encourage people to buy the knife by the way the handle fits their hand. That, to me, is the most important consideration.

All of my German knives have been relegated to my student knife box that I carry to cooking class parties. All of my personal knives are now MAC's. I don't care for Globals because I think the handle is hard to grasp when it gets wet, and I don't particularly care for the shape.

MAC's are kind of hard to find, except on line. I even carry a line of them to sell to my students in the knife skills classes at a discount. So they can buy them for less than any of the knife merchants sell them.

Jim

[chef_to_be]

Interesting. Well, I was hoping maybe someone would say DON'T BUY such and such cuz it will fall apart in your hand or something like that to help narrow it down quality wise. I guess I gotta get out and go fondle some knives! Thanks, all!

[456Margt]

Yipes - I can't handle a heavy knife and the good ones need too much maintenance on my end. The best knife so far for me has been the 2-for-$12ers from Sam's Club! When they crap out, I take them to the 2nd hand store.

[Silverfox]

For my "hard earned money", the MACs are the best!

[evaccooker]

wusthof grand prix II 10 in. Maximum cutting edge, still maneuverable to do the fine stuff. Con-must be sharpened a LOT. If you are lazy I would suggest the Japanese knives, they need less. The style of knifework I was taught makes it awkward for me to use the santoku style knives, they don't roll. Henkels and globals are weird for small hands. Big hand can julienne with a [censored] Forshner, it don't matter.

[chefmoi]

I absolutely love my MAC knives! I just purchased several and can't imagine going back to my old knives!

[vegchef]

I love MAC knives! Have used Wusthof and Furi but MAC's are great and lightweight and seem to stay sharper longer. They are also more reasonable then most knives. I got mine through www.cutleryandmore.com

[dynomiitej]

don't laugh, for slicing/chiffonading herbs......


cheap kiwi brand chinese cleaver ($6)
couple runs along a ceramic steel and it is scary razor sharp

but remember every knife has its purpose