Knives...which brand?

[allycat06]

So I'm on the hunt for some new kitchen knives. Which are some of the better brands (professional quality)? Any chefs out there who can give me a recommendation? I am leaning towards the Shun ones at the moment.

[nothing2lose]

I like Wusthof Trident. Expensive but lovely

[~me~]

Global Knives are excellent.
I have a set of Cutco knives I have had for over 10yrs and they are great as well. They also have a good service where I can post them and they will sharpen or replace a blade at no cost other than postage.

[LimeSlice]

You can get the Mundial Block set fairly cheaply at the moment form House stores (well, you can here lol)

Wusthof are fabulous, but yes, very expensive for a full set.

Global do block sets as well and are amazing. Too light for me, but if you have small hands and like full cast knives, they are tops.

I use Mundials at home, and Wusthof at work.

Grab yourself a Victorinox Pastry knife, you use it for all veg prep, saves your cooks knife for specific tasks and will be perfect for everyday chopping, as well as bread etc. They are only about $50 but worth their weight in gold.

The cheap Victorinox paring knives are ace too, cheap and easy, they are super sharp and when they aren't, you just get a new one. They are about $10.

A good filleting knife is invaluable if you prepare a lot of your own fish. Best bet to get one of these is a really good tackle store, not a kitchen store

HTH
Oh, if you are going to bother buying good knives, make sure you buy a good steel (these will be exxy, but price dictates quality and performance) and a sharpening block as well.

[allycat06]

Thanks for the suggestion n2l. My predicament is choosing between Japanese and traditional French style. Both have their ups and downs. Am reading some reviews at the moment and getting thoroughly confused! Guess I will just have to go down to a store and see which ones *feel* best. Choosing knives is a very personal decision lol!

[allycat06]

Lime, my folks have Mundials and I'm not really a fan. They're a bit clunky for my liking. Will check out the Wusthofs...have you ever used ja henckles? Atm I just have some cheapy ones from Freedom (wedding present), they are a very similar style/shape to the Globals and fit my hand nicely but like you pointed out my only concern about the Globals is being too light. The Shun ones are supposed to be just like Globals only heavier. Oh decisions, decisions!

[LimeSlice]

The Shun are AMAZING knives, well worth the spend. I had a Santoku that was stolen, but it was beautiful.

[RhiChiChi]

I use Mundial & haven't got a complaint about them. I have the set in the block and have had them for about 11 years now.

[Mum2SweetCs]

I have mundial at home because i like the weight of them. Like you i found the global knives too light for knives lol

I guess it comes down to personal preference.

[ezymay]

I have furi knives and can't fault them. The sharpener on the block is awesome.

[lisaandshaun]

I have furi knives and can't fault them. The sharpener on the block is awesome.

Yeah i LOVE the sharpner as well. so quick and easy!!

[Bloom]

I have bought myself both Furi and Wusthof Trident knives in the past. I must say I am a much bigger fan of the Wusthof. Seriously sharp and they stay sharp for a long long time. My mother in law has on that is 15+ years old, never professionally sharpened and still a great knife. Worth the money if you can start to build up a collection.

[allycat06]

Thanks for your input everyone. Have decided against a block, that way I can pick and choose what I like from various brands. Getting a Shun Chef's knife to start and will hopefully build up a small collection of awesome knives over time!