Idiot proof kitchen knives

[Fonzey]

A couple of Christmases ago we were gifted a set of ceramic knives. Pretty good, still very sharp but due to our mishandling of them (and an odd dishwasher cycle) they're now borderline dangerous to use - with handles regularly detaching from blades and a few of the blades have picked up chips.

I want a couple of knives that will stay sharp for longer than 10 minutes, won't fall apart if they end up in the dishwasher and can generally be thrown around a bit without them shattering. Doesn't have to be a full set, as I rarely use more than 2 knives anyway - and not bothered about a breadknife as any old crap will suffice for that.

Any recommendations?

[blueg33]

I'm finding that "edge keeper" knives from Lakeland are pretty good. They are always sharp, cheap and tough. I now end up using them more than my original carbon steel sabatiers etc. (one of the edge keeper ones is a sabatier). They also do a great Santoku version that had replaced my Japanese one for use, if not for show!

[Hanglow]

Victorinox are pretty good value, at least that's what I've been told by a good local butcher!. Get a paring knife, chef's knife, magnetic bar to store them against the wall so they don't blunt and you can add to it if you want other knives like bread/boning etc.. Probably get that for about £50 . Assumes you have a steel to keep the edge on them.

[Cotty]

Hanglow said:

Victorinox are pretty good value,

and pretty bullet proof, I regually run mine though the dishwasher

[Fonzey]

Thanks guys, will look into the Victorinox sets - but the Edgekeepers from Lakeland are available individually at 50% off at the minute - so ordered a 14cm Chef's knife for me to try out in the meantime!

[Fastchas]

As an ex-wholesale butcher (3k pigs a day!) I didn't like Victorinox. They lost the edge quite easily.
I preferred...(ahem)...'Dick'. They can be bought online quite easily.

They sharpen great on a belt & whetstone/steel. I still have three from the factory in my kitchen drawers. When they get bad I get my belt sander out and turn it upside down with the on-button on lock. Works a treat!

[Gary Woodland]

blueg33 said:

I'm finding that "edge keeper" knives from Lakeland are pretty good. They are always sharp, cheap and tough. I now end up using them more than my original carbon steel sabatiers etc. (one of the edge keeper ones is a sabatier). They also do a great Santoku version that had replaced my Japanese one for use, if not for show!

Just ordered the Sabatier Santoku edgekeeper! Fingers crossed it's good

[Cotty]

Fonzey said:

Thanks guys, will look into the Victorinox sets

I wouldn't order a set, you will never use all of them. I would start at a mid sized cooks knife then add knives as you need.
https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B000IAZCJQ/ref...

[Fastchas]

Cotty said:

I wouldn't order a set, you will never use all of them. I would start at a mid sized cooks knife then add knives as you need.
https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B000IAZCJQ/ref...

£41.70 for the one?

This is the Dick Ergogrip, the 'competitor' if you will to Victorinox;

https://www.mychefknives.co.uk/dick-knives/7079-di...

[cbmotorsport]

I use victorinox knives professioanally. I've got a few others too, but for day to day stuff I use a pastry knife (this gets used for sooo much - carving/bread/cakes/lettuce/some veg/emergency pallet knife etc) a broad bladed large chefs knife, a tomato knife and a pairing knife. You will not need anything else. I use and abuse, but keep them sharp. I then ditch them when they've passed their best and replace. Dishwashers do blunt knives though.

[JustALooseScrew]

Every butchers I go to here in Ireland it's all Victorinox.

If you can learn how to keep them sharp with a steel they seem to last forever.

Strangely I found that if you let the Mrs try to edge one with a steel you'll never recover it. It's very much a his 'n' hers thing, so buy two of each.

(All the lads over here have their own knives and no one touches anyone else's)

[JustALooseScrew]

cbmotorsport said:

I use victorinox knives professioanally. I've got a few others too, but for day to day stuff I use a pastry knife (this gets used for sooo much - carving/bread/cakes/lettuce/some veg/emergency pallet knife etc) a broad bladed large chefs knife, a tomato knife and a pairing knife. You will not need anything else. I use and abuse, but keep them sharp. I then ditch them when they've passed their best and replace. Dishwashers do blunt knives though.

Pic of, or supplier please - much wanted here.

(Currently using a reasonably good serrated bread knife that actually seems to cut everything!).

Thanks.

[Cotty]

Fastchas said:

Cotty said:

I wouldn't order a set, you will never use all of them. I would start at a mid sized cooks knife then add knives as you need.
https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B000IAZCJQ/ref...

£41.70 for the one?

I didn't pay that for it, the prices on Amazon go up and down all the time. I use Camel Camel Camel to track the price and buy when it drops.

[Cotty]

JustALooseScrew said:

Pic of, or supplier please - much wanted here.

(Currently using a reasonably good serrated bread knife that actually seems to cut everything!).

Thanks.

I think this
https://www.victorinox.com/uk/en/Products/Cutlery/...

[cbmotorsport]

JustALooseScrew said:

cbmotorsport said:

I use victorinox knives professioanally. I've got a few others too, but for day to day stuff I use a pastry knife (this gets used for sooo much - carving/bread/cakes/lettuce/some veg/emergency pallet knife etc) a broad bladed large chefs knife, a tomato knife and a pairing knife. You will not need anything else. I use and abuse, but keep them sharp. I then ditch them when they've passed their best and replace. Dishwashers do blunt knives though.

Pic of, or supplier please - much wanted here.

(Currently using a reasonably good serrated bread knife that actually seems to cut everything!).

Thanks.

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Victorinox-5-2933-26-Pastry-Knife/dp/B000IAZCAK/ref=sr_1_1?crid=33KOO14GOH77K&keywords=victorinox+pastry+knife&qid=1575389282&sprefix=victorinox+pas%2Caps%2C142&sr=8-1

ETA: Beaten to it by Cotty

[JustALooseScrew]

Thanks lads that looks exactly like what I've been using for the last five years.
I'll stick one on the xmas wish list.

[blueg33]

Gary Woodland said:

blueg33 said:

I'm finding that "edge keeper" knives from Lakeland are pretty good. They are always sharp, cheap and tough. I now end up using them more than my original carbon steel sabatiers etc. (one of the edge keeper ones is a sabatier). They also do a great Santoku version that had replaced my Japanese one for use, if not for show!

Just ordered the Sabatier Santoku edgekeeper! Fingers crossed it's good

I like mine.

I like them because they stay sharp, whereas normally I find my regular knives are blunt just when I am in a hurry.

[Mobile Chicane]

cbmotorsport said:

I use victorinox knives professioanally. I've got a few others too, but for day to day stuff I use a pastry knife (this gets used for sooo much - carving/bread/cakes/lettuce/some veg/emergency pallet knife etc) a broad bladed large chefs knife, a tomato knife and a pairing knife. You will not need anything else. I use and abuse, but keep them sharp. I then ditch them when they've passed their best and replace. Dishwashers do blunt knives though.

Second the pastry knife.

I leave my decent knives at home.

[RC1807]

Can knives be "idiot proof"?
I mean, have you seen the number of blue plasters on all the chefs' fingers in "Masterchef : the Professionals"?

[Zirconia]

I bought the ones that an excellent cook shop recommended and sold to the local students attending cooking courses at the college/uni.

Nothing fancy but long lasting and keeping a good edge.
http://www.s-staniforth.co.uk/samprene/63-cooks-kn...

Got that victronix bread knife above as well. Does fresh bread brilliantly.