(UK) Global 5 Knife block - any good? Any decent alternatives?

[Ludwig]

Seems a pretty resounding "No" to getting this Global set.

I think if it was a bit cheaper still, it might be worth getting, but at £200 cost, I'm highly doubtful that even if I bought the set, and split the knives to sell separately, that I'd get my money back. Seems like more hassle than it's worth possibly.

[TB_London]

There are better knives around at that price point, the problem is getting them in the UK without having to pay a lot of shipping and tax.
Are you after good knives which don't need much looking after or great knives that need a bit more TLC?

These, for example, are ok, don't need much looking after and are on par with Global IMO.
http://www.edenwebshops.co.uk/en/ct/...assic-vg10.htm

I used and sharpened a friends Damascus clad version, and whilst it wasn't amazing it was better than most knives I use at other people's houses.

If you want something better, Maxim on this forum, Dictum and dieter Schmidt in Germany, and jck all have a good selection and are easy to get to the UK.

[Dave Martell]

Welcome to KKF

[Ludwig]

Thanks for the welcome Dave - and thanks for all the comments I've had so far - it's really appreciated.
£200 to some people might be not a lot to some knifeheads, but it's a large amount of money to me, so getting some solid advice on a subject I know next to heehaw about is great.
Much obliged.

[ecchef]

Welcome Ludwig. Skip the Globals.

[ThEoRy]

Take a look at the jck website. There are some affordable brands there and I think the shipping is reasonable.

[proventheory]

Welcome to the forum!!!

[jklip13]

dont get lured into anything Richmond. I made that mistake and regretted it

[Timthebeaver]

There are better knives around at that price point, the problem is getting them in the UK without having to pay a lot of shipping and tax.
Are you after good knives which don't need much looking after or great knives that need a bit more TLC?

These, for example, are ok, don't need much looking after and are on par with Global IMO.
http://www.edenwebshops.co.uk/en/ct/...assic-vg10.htm

I used and sharpened a friends Damascus clad version, and whilst it wasn't amazing it was better than most knives I use at other people's houses.

If you want something better, Maxim on this forum, Dictum and dieter Schmidt in Germany, and jck all have a good selection and are easy to get to the UK.

+1 to all this. I'd certainly take a look at JCK - their Kagayaki stainless knives are very good value for money, they also stock the Fujiwara FKM knives which are highly praised. a 210mm gyuto and 150mm petty would be a good core set imo. A significant step up in performance (if you can accept a little less shininess and a little more care) would be the JCK Kagayaki carbonext, which are made from tool steel.

Maxim at JNS sells wonderful knives but probably a little outside your budget. As TB points out, many more expensive knives require significantly more care than e.g. Global, which are stainless and pretty tough.

[Bacon Bandit]

In my opinion, you're better off staying away from sets and buying your pieces individually. With set I think that you are more likely to get a few knives in that set that are crappy. Maybe a 210mm Gyuto, a paring knife and a bread knife? Also it's a good idea to get a 1000 grit whet stone for keeping your knives sharp and a honing rod {steel} and don't use your bread knife on your steel either!