Knife set - £1k budget

Author
Discussion

Mr Gearchange

Original Poster:

5,892 posts

206 months

Sunday 1st December 2019
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My grandmother (94) has gifted me some money and I’d like to spend it on something that will last me the rest of my life.

As my childhood memories of her are largely about being in the kitchen I think a set of knives would be wholly appropriate.

So - budget of up to a grand what’s would people recommend?

21TonyK

11,519 posts

209 months

Sunday 1st December 2019
quotequote all
I think if you are looking to spend a high amount you need to be clear about what you are looking for.

Is it something your Grandmother might have used, I'm guessing a traditional style of European knife? Or are you looking for a high end Oriental style of knife or a set including extra items like a steel, a carving fork, steak knives?

When you get up to the grand mark its very easy to buy a big set of what are not very good knives or you could have a couple of very nice custom knives made.

I assume you want something on show in a block, not stuck in drawer. Or maybe a good knife rack?

bingybongy

3,875 posts

146 months

Sunday 1st December 2019
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https://www.ferrabyknives.co.uk/

Best of luck getting one though.
Although not impossible you just need to be lucky, or you could comission one I suppose.

Turn7

23,605 posts

221 months

Sunday 1st December 2019
quotequote all
Unless you use the kitchen for proper chef type food, then I dont think a full set is good value.

Im a fan of Global, and we tend to wash up our Santoku rather than use an alternative knife.

I would suggest 2 maybe 3 would cover all domestic bases and easily save half your money.


DoubleD

22,154 posts

108 months

Sunday 1st December 2019
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£1k on some kitchen knives?! A professional chef wouldnt spend anything like that amount.

Big Al.

68,844 posts

258 months

Sunday 1st December 2019
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Suggest you watch this weeks edition of James Martin Saturday Morning Kitchen, very informative clip on knife selection.


Truffles

577 posts

184 months

Sunday 1st December 2019
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Not an expert, but knives of beauty here. https://www.japaneseknifecompany.com/ We have bought a few over the years.

thebraketester

14,224 posts

138 months

Sunday 1st December 2019
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Handmade would be a must for me.

Look at blok knives. There are others too.

Sheetmaself

5,676 posts

198 months

Sunday 1st December 2019
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DoubleD said:
£1k on some kitchen knives?! A professional chef wouldnt spend anything like that amount.
Ichiro Hattori without a shadow of a doubt for me!

http://www.japaneseknifedirect.com/hattori.html

JKRolling

537 posts

102 months

Sunday 1st December 2019
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I’ve just got back from the good food show in Birmingham where I tried loads of different knives.

Ultimately it comes down to the weight and style that suits you. I honestly think this includes your height, cutting action, your commitment to owning them properly and your intended uses. I really liked Kin, I watched James Martin using them on the main stage. They are very good knives and look great imo but I wouldn’t buy a set as they were too light for me when I tried them at the kin stand.

I’m hoping to try out some of the knives Blok make. I like them a lot. But they still might not be right for me

Sheets Tabuer

18,957 posts

215 months

Sunday 1st December 2019
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I had Global but I just couldn't get on with them, I have a set of Wushtof now but they stay in the block because I won't put them in the dishwasher.

Now I mostly use a Nakiri Japanese knife as you can use it for everything and I just get on with it, as for the rest I use the £5 quid knifes from Morrisons, excellent knives and I bloody mean that and I'm not sorry they go in the dishwasher.

Go and have a look then spend £980 on something else.

ben5575

6,262 posts

221 months

Sunday 1st December 2019
quotequote all
Sheetmaself said:
Ichiro Hattori without a shadow of a doubt for me!

http://www.japaneseknifedirect.com/hattori.html
The want is strong on those.

And very reasonably priced given how much people pay in the US for hipster hunting knives/EDC etc.

nikaiyo2

4,717 posts

195 months

Sunday 1st December 2019
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Zwilling are brilliant knives, so long as you make sure you get the forged blades not stamped.

https://uk.zwilling-shop.com/index.php?lang=2&

Personally I would steer clear of the knife block sets as you usually end up with things you don’t want (scissors and bread knives Etc) just get a good 3 knife set, the 5 star is brilliant, then add bits as you see fit.




Ratski83

952 posts

73 months

Sunday 1st December 2019
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I’ve liked the look of these since James Martin visited them on his tour of Britain cooking show on ITV. Forgery is in Peckham and they do courses on how to care for them which is probably a good idea when spending a lot.

https://blenheimforge.com/

carinatauk

1,408 posts

252 months

Monday 2nd December 2019
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ben5575 said:
Sheetmaself said:
Ichiro Hattori without a shadow of a doubt for me!

http://www.japaneseknifedirect.com/hattori.html
The want is strong on those.

And very reasonably priced given how much people pay in the US for hipster hunting knives/EDC etc.
I bought a bunch of Hattoris from

https://japanesechefsknife.com/collections/hattori...

There is some much choice that you can spend a fortune on "nice" knives.

My go to knives in the kitchen are Nakiri and Cleaver, these can do just about anything you need. I bought my boning knife from Procook as Japanese knives are at risk of chipping

ETA: NONE of my knives go into the dishwasher, all are handwashed and dried. Mild steel ones are treated before going back on the rack

Edited by carinatauk on Monday 2nd December 08:37

LordHaveMurci

12,042 posts

169 months

Monday 2nd December 2019
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My OH treated herself to some Flint & Flame knives recently, much prefer them to our Globals.

anonymous-user

54 months

Monday 2nd December 2019
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Are a lot of these knives actually made the proper way. As the ones I've seen, Blok, are blanks that are then shaped to an edge.

Rutter

2,070 posts

206 months

Monday 2nd December 2019
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I've got an 8 inch ( fnnaaaar ) global that i was given as a gift a few years ago that is great at getting a sharp edge and it looks great but i think next time I would look for a handle that fits my hand better and is less slippery when wet.

NorthDave

2,366 posts

232 months

Monday 2nd December 2019
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I went knife shopping when I was in Tokyo and really wanted some ace knives - budget wasn't too much of a concern. I went to the "best place" in Tokyo and got two knives - a standard chef's knife and also a small paring knife and they were about £100 for both. I thought the chap had made a mistake when he totalled up. They are ridiculously sharp. I must admit that for some reason I save them for best rather than using them everyday.

With your budget you could fly over, stay and choose the perfect knives for you. Worth a thought!

PorkInsider

5,888 posts

141 months

Monday 2nd December 2019
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I bought Porsche Design Chroma knives, individually but to make up an 8-piece set.

They're pretty good, to be honest.

Although, just had a look now and with current prices you'd possibly be somewhere over £1k with the block, I think.

I'm sure there knives which are as good at a fraction of the cost.