Knives - How much of the price is marketing hype?

[Kermit power]

Kitchen knives seem to vary enormously in price. How much of this is really down to quality, as opposed to marketing hype?

Which are the best brands to look at in terms of value for money?

[Stoatman]

Personnaly I think its substantial. For example the Global knives , yes they are good knives but I think they are very expensive. However they seem to have become very popular as they look "cool" and are well marketed. They are also available in the mainstream department stores (John lewis, Selfridges).

The link I suggested on the other knife thread suggests a great value for money alternative with little marketing but maybe dont look quite as flashy.

http://nipponkitchen.com/

[Fittster]

Investing a fortune in samurai technology won't improve the quality of food on the plate one jot.

[Kermit power]

Fittster said:

Investing a fortune in samurai technology won't improve the quality of food on the plate one jot.

No it won't, but having good knives certainly makes the preparation process much easier and more enjoyable. That's why I asked the question. Do you have anything worthwhile to contribute by way of an answer?

[Scraggles]

tend to buy knives I like the look of, got a mixture in the drawer

try some of these for a change

Not cheap either, but fking sharp - cutting onions, finger in the way, right into the finger

[Fittster]

Kermit power said:

Fittster said:

Investing a fortune in samurai technology won't improve the quality of food on the plate one jot.

No it won't, but having good knives certainly makes the preparation process much easier and more enjoyable. That's why I asked the question. Do you have anything worthwhile to contribute by way of an answer?

By worthwhile I take it you want me to massage your ego about the expensive knives you have bought. I don't think there is any culinary reason to spend hundreds of pounds on knives, however people may get certain satisfaction from the purchase/ownership of them.

Lots of people who don't dive owner Rolex watches, don't ever leave the tarmac own 4x4s, etc.

[Kermit power]

Fittster said:

Kermit power said:

Fittster said:

Investing a fortune in samurai technology won't improve the quality of food on the plate one jot.

No it won't, but having good knives certainly makes the preparation process much easier and more enjoyable. That's why I asked the question. Do you have anything worthwhile to contribute by way of an answer?

By worthwhile I take it you want me to massage your ego about the expensive knives you have bought. I don't think there is any culinary reason to spend hundreds of pounds on knives, however people may get certain satisfaction from the purchase/ownership of them.

Lots of people who don't dive owner Rolex watches, don't ever leave the tarmac own 4x4s, etc.

No, by worthwhile I want people to point to good quality knives which don't cost a fortune. To keep to your 4x4 analogy, I know that a Lada Niva will be significantly better off road than plenty of much more costly supposed 4x4s with big marketing budgets. I'd take a Niva over a Rav4 for off-roading any day of the week. I don't, however, know which of the many knives out there are the Nivas of the knife world as opposed to just being complete rubbish.

[Roger645]

The problem is knives have become a status symbol and Global have done a great job with marketing (akin to Bose for hi-fi).

Their products are good and there are knives out there just as good for less money. I think the best value for money kitchen knives are the Victorinox range.

[Fittster]

Kermit power said:

Fittster said:

Kermit power said:

Fittster said:

Investing a fortune in samurai technology won't improve the quality of food on the plate one jot.

No it won't, but having good knives certainly makes the preparation process much easier and more enjoyable. That's why I asked the question. Do you have anything worthwhile to contribute by way of an answer?

By worthwhile I take it you want me to massage your ego about the expensive knives you have bought. I don't think there is any culinary reason to spend hundreds of pounds on knives, however people may get certain satisfaction from the purchase/ownership of them.

Lots of people who don't dive owner Rolex watches, don't ever leave the tarmac own 4x4s, etc.

No, by worthwhile I want people to point to good quality knives which don't cost a fortune. To keep to your 4x4 analogy, I know that a Lada Niva will be significantly better off road than plenty of much more costly supposed 4x4s with big marketing budgets. I'd take a Niva over a Rav4 for off-roading any day of the week. I don't, however, know which of the many knives out there are the Nivas of the knife world as opposed to just being complete rubbish.

First question to ask yourself. Do you want a knife that can go through the dish washer?

Some people say/claim they lovingly hand wash their knives every time they use them (I suspect these people may also give their knives names) or after cooking supper after a hard day at work to you want to bung all the washing up in the dish washer?

[Du1point8]

What knives can be recommended for someone who likes the all metal variety? I don't like wood handles and don't really like the global hype. I have got some made out of a single piece if metal and like the feel and weight and want more. I'm not bothered about ceramic knives or domascus steel knives (got one already as a decretive knife as well as some real hunters knives that I can use) just want damn good quality knives and a whet stone to sharpen them... If I weight much longer I will end up with global... Help!!

[Kermit power]

Fittster said:

Kermit power said:

Fittster said:

Kermit power said:

Fittster said:

Investing a fortune in samurai technology won't improve the quality of food on the plate one jot.

No it won't, but having good knives certainly makes the preparation process much easier and more enjoyable. That's why I asked the question. Do you have anything worthwhile to contribute by way of an answer?

By worthwhile I take it you want me to massage your ego about the expensive knives you have bought. I don't think there is any culinary reason to spend hundreds of pounds on knives, however people may get certain satisfaction from the purchase/ownership of them.

Lots of people who don't dive owner Rolex watches, don't ever leave the tarmac own 4x4s, etc.

No, by worthwhile I want people to point to good quality knives which don't cost a fortune. To keep to your 4x4 analogy, I know that a Lada Niva will be significantly better off road than plenty of much more costly supposed 4x4s with big marketing budgets. I'd take a Niva over a Rav4 for off-roading any day of the week. I don't, however, know which of the many knives out there are the Nivas of the knife world as opposed to just being complete rubbish.

First question to ask yourself. Do you want a knife that can go through the dish washer?

Some people say/claim they lovingly hand wash their knives every time they use them (I suspect these people may also give their knives names) or after cooking supper after a hard day at work to you want to bung all the washing up in the dish washer?

Even if I tried to hand wash only, I know full well my wife would stick them through the dishwasher!

My current John Lewis knifes go through the dishwasher, and I've never noticed a problem with them, but that may just be because I sharpen them regularly. My only issue with them is that they have smooth metal handles, so tend to slip.

[Stoatman]

Henckels is pretty good stuff, tough and easy to sharpen :

http://www.hartsofstur.com/acatalog/Henckels_Speci...

[Roger645]

Fittster said:

Kermit power said:

Fittster said:

Kermit power said:

Fittster said:

Investing a fortune in samurai technology won't improve the quality of food on the plate one jot.

No it won't, but having good knives certainly makes the preparation process much easier and more enjoyable. That's why I asked the question. Do you have anything worthwhile to contribute by way of an answer?

By worthwhile I take it you want me to massage your ego about the expensive knives you have bought. I don't think there is any culinary reason to spend hundreds of pounds on knives, however people may get certain satisfaction from the purchase/ownership of them.

Lots of people who don't dive owner Rolex watches, don't ever leave the tarmac own 4x4s, etc.

No, by worthwhile I want people to point to good quality knives which don't cost a fortune. To keep to your 4x4 analogy, I know that a Lada Niva will be significantly better off road than plenty of much more costly supposed 4x4s with big marketing budgets. I'd take a Niva over a Rav4 for off-roading any day of the week. I don't, however, know which of the many knives out there are the Nivas of the knife world as opposed to just being complete rubbish.

First question to ask yourself. Do you want a knife that can go through the dish washer?

Some people say/claim they lovingly hand wash their knives every time they use them (I suspect these people may also give their knives names) or after cooking supper after a hard day at work to you want to bung all the washing up in the dish washer?

I stick all my knives through the dishwasher (globals included) They are after all a bit of metal and contrary to all the mystique that the hot water and detergent will change their sub atomic structure that can only be achieved through a process known by a 300 year old monk who lives on Mount Fuji they are fine after 10+ years of this treatment.

[Zaxxon]

If you want the sharpest knives, check out the ceramic knives by Kyocera.

Won't stay on the magnetic kniferack though

[Stoatman]

Have you seen the price of them though !, crikey I thought mine were a bit pricey. Also you would not want to drop them on your tiled floor , they could break in two . Very difficult to sharpen when they actually do need it (say a year or so ) and need to be sent away for best results.

[Jobbo]

I received a set of Robert Welch kitchen knives for Christmas a year ago. I dread to think how much of the price is down to the name.

[escargot]

Someone above mentioned victorinox, they seem to get consistently good reviews and recommendations at a decent price point. From what I hear, they do need looking after to maintain a really sharp edge though.

[Stu R]

Zaxxon said:

If you want the sharpest knives, check out the ceramic knives by Kyocera.

Won't stay on the magnetic kniferack though

Far too easily chipped too imo. I have a single ceramic knife which is razor sharp, but I couldn't replace the whole set without worrying about them chipping in the sink etc.

[anonymous-user]

I guess like anything manufactured item (knives, wristwatches, TVs, etc), although there is a certain cost-v-material quality equation, if it really is that good, enough people will buy them to bring the final unit cost down. I looked at getting some Global knives, but found they were all the same price regardless of shape, length or purpose, which says it all really.

[Cotty]

I don't see the point of having a "set" of knives. I just have one very good (my opinion)knife that I use for everything

http://www.japanesechefsknife.com/MolybdenumSeries... 400px; HEIGHT: 240px

No it does not go though the dishwasher, due to the wooden handle but one knife is not problem to wash by hand.