Recommend me a Good Knife

[Futureclassic]

Hi guys,

I am looking to buy a gift for one of my friend's 30th birthday. He is a chef and i was thinking about a good quality chef's knife. However I have no idea what to look for, so can anyone suggest a good knife for about £100 range

Many thanks

[escargot]

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Wusthof-Classic-Cooks-Knif...

I have this one and it's an absolute corker. Nicely weighty and very well balanced. The build quality is excellent too.

£95 on Amazon too which is cheaper than most places (usually in the region of £130).

[escargot]

What I would say though is that knives are very personal. I for example, simply cannot get on with globals as I don't like the handle or lack of weight (the same is true for most japanese knives) though other people swear by them.

Do you know what he uses at the moment?

[Futureclassic]

No, sorry. I haven't got a clue

[escargot]

In which case, i'd (personally) go down the wusthof route and make sure you keep the receipt so he can exchange it if he wants to.

[number2]

Check out Robert Welch - English Knives and well priced (relatively) as he's not as well known as others.
http://www.robertwelch.com/Products/Default.aspx?i...

[Shaw Tarse]

escargot said:

In which case, i'd (personally) go down the wusthof route and make sure you keep the receipt so he can exchange it if he wants to.

This^^ and as in escargot's previous post different people like different knives. I'd make it clear to your mate you won't be offended if he swaps it for something different.

[Stu R]

I'd look at something else personally unless you can discretely find out what knives he's using.
It's a nice idea, but if he's a chef the chances are he's probably already got a set of knives he really likes, and as the snaily chap said knives are quite a personal thing - I like knives which are heavy enough to give you carpal tunnel after a minute of use, and I've mates who love ceramic knives because they're light enough to be blown away in a light breeze.

I use Henckel, Wusthof and Messermeister, all are brilliant, they sharpen well, don't blunt easily, they're nice and weighty, and most importantly they feel right in my hand. Some swear by Global, mine sit redundant.

That being said, I do really fancy one of these http://techcrunch.com/2010/11/04/tb-groupes-evercu...

[Futureclassic]

For completeness i thought i would tell you guys that i got my mate the evercut knife. I took on board what a lot of you said about checking what knives he already has, but on enquiry with his mrs, she didn't really know. He is loving it, and says he will report back on sharpening requirements, the feel, and such.

Yet again PH, you are the source of all knowledge

Many thanks

[PaulHogan]

I'd go Wusthof too. Classic, not ikon. Have you considered a bread knife? Perhaps the one knife where a chef might not already have a special tool already.
Here's my local cutlers selection of Wusthof Classics:
http://www.petermaturi.com/kitchen-knives/wusthof-...

[Flying machine]

escargot said:

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Wusthof-Classic-Cooks-Knif...

I have this one and it's an absolute corker. Nicely weighty and very well balanced. The build quality is excellent too.

£95 on Amazon too which is cheaper than most places (usually in the region of £130).

Oddly enough I have just had one of these arrive today! I wanted to try a different style of knife, first impressions are good and I like the balance. I've also got global and sabatier knives which I can recommend, personal preference.

[uncinqsix]

A 240mm or 210mm Gyuto from this line: http://japanesechefsknife.com/Page4.html

They are a very "western" feeling knife, and the performance is excellent. No bling, just great steel.

Having said that, if he's particularly set on sharpening with a steel, then stick with something like a Messermeister (IMO, the best of the Euros).

[eddo]

For Fathers day this year i was given a 5 pc set of Raymond Blanc Analons. All steel not the softgrips, i love the light feel and the balance, sharp as scalpels as well ! Would defo recomend.
Ed

[eddo]

For Fathers day this year i was given a 5 pc set of Raymond Blanc Analons. All steel not the softgrips, i love the light feel and the balance, sharp as scalpels as well ! Would defo recomend.
Ed

Bumpy coach and iphone = double post !

Edited by eddo on Thursday 15th September 13:36

[eddo]

For Fathers day this year i was given a 5 pc set of Raymond Blanc Analons. All steel not the softgrips, i love the light feel and the balance, sharp as scalpels as well ! Would defo recomend.
Ed

Bumpy coach and iphone = double post !

Edited by eddo on Thursday 15th September 13:37

[Pete Franklin]

hasnt the op already said that he bought the knife and it was a success?

[Shaw Tarse]

Pete Franklin said:

hasnt the op already said that he bought the knife and it was a success?

[bennyboydurham]

eddo said:

For Fathers day this year i was given a 5 pc set of Raymond Blanc Analons. All steel not the softgrips, i love the light feel and the balance, sharp as scalpels as well ! Would defo recomend.
Ed

Bumpy coach and iphone = double post !

Edited by eddo on Thursday 15th September 13:37

I also have these. £100 iirc and they're terrifyingly sharp! Can't find them for sale anywhere now though....