Hello guys,
I've always used rubbish blunt knives but after using a friends Global knife, I've finally had enough. I have an addictive personally and I love getting serious about things. I've just finished my torch collection, now it's time for knives.
I'd like recommendations for a general purpose knife, a board and a sharpening kit please, all for £200.
I've tried to answer questions below as best as possible, but please tell me if more information would help.
I appreciate any help. I've tried to read up before posting, but apologies in advance if I've committed some horrendous forum faux-pas.
LOCATION
What country are you in?
United Kingdom
KNIFE TYPE
What type of knife are you interested in
Chef's knife
Are you right or left handed?
Right
Are you interested in a Western handle or Japanese handle?
I have only ever used Western, but I'm planning to compare some knives in a shop. Could you please recommend one Western and additionally, one Japanese if at all possible.
What length of knife (blade) are you interested in (in inches or millimeters)?
My current favourite knife is 6inches. I have small hands, maybe this plays a part in size preference
Do you require a stainless knife? (Yes or no)
Yes
What is your absolute maximum budget for your knife?
£100-£130 would be nice, but I'll stretch to £150 if the extra £20 makes a substantial difference
KNIFE USE
Do you primarily intend to use this knife at home or a professional environment?
Home
What are the main tasks you primarily intend to use the knife for (e.g., slicing vegetables, chopping vegetables, mincing vegetables, slicing meats, cutting down poultry, breaking poultry bones, filleting fish, trimming meats, etc.)? (Please identify as many tasks as you would like.)
in the following order (descending):
Chopping vegetables, Slicing vegetables, Slicing meat.
I NEVER (so far) do the following: cutting down poultry, breaking poultry bones
What knife, if any, are you replacing?
none really. my best knife was a Sabatier 6" thing for ~£10, which got lost in a house move
Do you have a particular grip that you primarily use? (Please click on this LINK for the common types of grips.)
finger point. I sometimes seem to use Hammer grip. I have tried to use pinch grip but couldnt get used to it. If its worth changing, I might force myself to change.
What cutting motions do you primarily use? (Please click on this LINK for types of cutting motions and identify the two or three most common cutting motions, in order of most used to least used.)
push cut
What improvements do you want from your current knife? If you are not replacing a knife, please identify as many characteristics identified below in parentheses that you would like this knife to have.)
Based on the options in your guide:
Aesthetics: I dont really care how it looks, although stain resistance might be good
Comfort: sounds important, although I dont know what I'm looking for, sorry
Ease of use: I dont know what i'm looking for, sorry
Edge Retention: I want to get good at sharpening, so I dont mind the regular practise.
KNIFE MAINTENANCE
Do you use a bamboo, wood, rubber, or synthetic cutting board? (Yes or no.)
Synthetic plastic from IKEA... lol
Please recommend one within budget. This plastic thing is horribly warped.
Do you sharpen your own knives? (Yes or no.)
Not yet
If not, are you interested in learning how to sharpen your knives? (Yes or no.)
Yes
Are you interested in purchasing sharpening products for your knives? (Yes or no.)
Yes, I'm planning on getting one of these to allow me to do double bevels and maintain precise angles. Eventually I'd probably be happy getting into freehand sharpening. but for now, something like this:
http://www.alloutdoor.co.uk/knives-...te-professional-knife-sharpening-system.htm#b
SPECIAL REQUESTS/COMMENTS
- I have a woman's hands, milord! These dainty pinkies have never weighed anchor in a storm. They're very small and girly. I'm very good at typing.
- I hope to gradually build up a collection of other knifes for more specific usage; vegetable chopping, meat cutting, etc, but for now it needs to be able to do all the things mentioned earlier to a reasonable level
final question:
-would it be stupid to ask for 2-3 very different knives for my £130 budget, so that i could learn to sharpen on inexpensive blades, and get experience using different knives so I can really learn what I like?
I've always used rubbish blunt knives but after using a friends Global knife, I've finally had enough. I have an addictive personally and I love getting serious about things. I've just finished my torch collection, now it's time for knives.
I'd like recommendations for a general purpose knife, a board and a sharpening kit please, all for £200.
I've tried to answer questions below as best as possible, but please tell me if more information would help.
I appreciate any help. I've tried to read up before posting, but apologies in advance if I've committed some horrendous forum faux-pas.
LOCATION
What country are you in?
United Kingdom
KNIFE TYPE
What type of knife are you interested in
Chef's knife
Are you right or left handed?
Right
Are you interested in a Western handle or Japanese handle?
I have only ever used Western, but I'm planning to compare some knives in a shop. Could you please recommend one Western and additionally, one Japanese if at all possible.
What length of knife (blade) are you interested in (in inches or millimeters)?
My current favourite knife is 6inches. I have small hands, maybe this plays a part in size preference
Do you require a stainless knife? (Yes or no)
Yes
What is your absolute maximum budget for your knife?
£100-£130 would be nice, but I'll stretch to £150 if the extra £20 makes a substantial difference
KNIFE USE
Do you primarily intend to use this knife at home or a professional environment?
Home
What are the main tasks you primarily intend to use the knife for (e.g., slicing vegetables, chopping vegetables, mincing vegetables, slicing meats, cutting down poultry, breaking poultry bones, filleting fish, trimming meats, etc.)? (Please identify as many tasks as you would like.)
in the following order (descending):
Chopping vegetables, Slicing vegetables, Slicing meat.
I NEVER (so far) do the following: cutting down poultry, breaking poultry bones
What knife, if any, are you replacing?
none really. my best knife was a Sabatier 6" thing for ~£10, which got lost in a house move
Do you have a particular grip that you primarily use? (Please click on this LINK for the common types of grips.)
finger point. I sometimes seem to use Hammer grip. I have tried to use pinch grip but couldnt get used to it. If its worth changing, I might force myself to change.
What cutting motions do you primarily use? (Please click on this LINK for types of cutting motions and identify the two or three most common cutting motions, in order of most used to least used.)
push cut
What improvements do you want from your current knife? If you are not replacing a knife, please identify as many characteristics identified below in parentheses that you would like this knife to have.)
Based on the options in your guide:
Aesthetics: I dont really care how it looks, although stain resistance might be good
Comfort: sounds important, although I dont know what I'm looking for, sorry
Ease of use: I dont know what i'm looking for, sorry
Edge Retention: I want to get good at sharpening, so I dont mind the regular practise.
KNIFE MAINTENANCE
Do you use a bamboo, wood, rubber, or synthetic cutting board? (Yes or no.)
Synthetic plastic from IKEA... lol
Please recommend one within budget. This plastic thing is horribly warped.
Do you sharpen your own knives? (Yes or no.)
Not yet
If not, are you interested in learning how to sharpen your knives? (Yes or no.)
Yes
Are you interested in purchasing sharpening products for your knives? (Yes or no.)
Yes, I'm planning on getting one of these to allow me to do double bevels and maintain precise angles. Eventually I'd probably be happy getting into freehand sharpening. but for now, something like this:
http://www.alloutdoor.co.uk/knives-...te-professional-knife-sharpening-system.htm#b
SPECIAL REQUESTS/COMMENTS
- I have a woman's hands, milord! These dainty pinkies have never weighed anchor in a storm. They're very small and girly. I'm very good at typing.
- I hope to gradually build up a collection of other knifes for more specific usage; vegetable chopping, meat cutting, etc, but for now it needs to be able to do all the things mentioned earlier to a reasonable level
final question:
-would it be stupid to ask for 2-3 very different knives for my £130 budget, so that i could learn to sharpen on inexpensive blades, and get experience using different knives so I can really learn what I like?
