Best utility knife for under £30

[Japveesix]

Looking to buy my girlfriend a half decent kitchen knife as she's finally started to enjoy cooking and her £2 kinfes from Wilkinsons don't seem to be up to the job.

Thinking, to start, that a single decent adaptable utility type knife would be good. So what should I get and are there any good bargains around at the moment?

Edited by Japveesix on Sunday 3rd March 13:09

[SVX]

For that budget, I'd head straight to the home wares section of your local TK Maxx and be looking for a 20cm(ish) cooks/chefs knife, style and weight to her preference.

[redtwin]

Get down to your local Aldi and see if they still have ceramic knives. I bought one (can't remember how much I paid, but it may have been around £10-15) and it is my favourite knife. Supremely sharp with a very comfortable handle. Also came with a scabbard that is useful as you don't want it rattling around in a cutlery drawer with steel utensils. Like it so much I doubt I will buy another steel blade.



I got the larger of the two, would have liked a longer blade, but can't complain too much considering the low price.

[Japveesix]

That was my next question actually, was wondering if many people used ceramics and how good they were?

This knife caught my attention and might make a good starting point:
http://www.amazon.co.uk/FEINZER-Ceramic-Utility-kn...

Or there are a few sets of two or three on amazon that look ok from various (mostly unknown) companies.

Ps SVX - that's a really good shout. I've bought all sorts of kitchen stuff from TK Max before and always been pretty happy with the price and quality (even though sometimes the weird european packaging is a bit odd!)

[redtwin]

Ceramics are very sharp, but they do need special care when using them compared to steel. The blades are brittle which means they can break where a metal blade would flex. Not a problem when you are using the knife as it was intended, but it won't stand up to abuse such as prying open tins. You also have to be careful with your cutting surface. Use a nylon or wood cutting board as harder surfaces (marble, metal pans etc) will damage the edge much easier than it would a metal blade.

I have had a look and there is the name "Dario" etched on the blade of my knife, but I can't find any info about them online. As far as brands are concerned, Kyocera have a good reputation, but they tend to cost a fair bit more the "unknown" brands. I have no clue whether you are actually getting a significant increase in quality though.

Personally I would spend much less especially if you are buying online and she can't try it for fit and feel beforehand.

[Bonefish Blues]

Hard to look past Victorinox at this price point.

Something like this, or perhaps a little shorter, according to preference: http://www.amazon.co.uk/Victorinox-Cooks-Knife-8-5...

[dazco]

I would say Victorinox for the price.

I have had ceramic knives and was very unimpressed.