Darryl -- The recommendations from ATK and Wirecutter conclude that you don't need and shouldn't buy a block set. Instead, they say you really only need three good core knives -- chef, paring, serrated bread knife. And their recommended ones together might cost you $75 or less.
My wife has a block of Henckels in a block, which are fine. But my separate work area just has those few few mis-matched core knifes that I keep in a drawer (with plastic or cardboard sheaths). It is pretty much all I need (plus a steel).
This is the idea.
I just happened to replace my counter set while I have been looking for my " few good knives ".
I didn't really need the counter set........I don't really love it either. The next few purchases will be my go to knives.
I just learned about Kikuichi knives.....lordy.......
Does an Old Homestead count? The handle, amusingly, identifies this knife model as a "boner."
Maybe this is an Old Hickory knock off from decades ago? Got this from my parents. Still works great as my poultry separater and brisket/pork butt trimmer.
Maybe this is an Old Hickory knock off from decades ago? Got this from my parents. Still works great as my poultry separater and brisket/pork butt trimmer.
Does an Old Homestead count? The handle, amusingly, identifies this knife model as a "boner."
Maybe this is an Old Hickory knock off from decades ago? Got this from my parents. Still works great as my poultry separater and brisket/pork butt trimmer.
I'm only joking about these replacing your quality kitchen knives. But I have a set. We typically go away twice a year - once to the beach and once for a ski/snowboard trip. Both times, we rent a house with good friends of ours. Several years ago, I got tired of crappy knives in rental kitchens. So I started a little 'kitchen toolbox' with a knife bag, vegetable peeler, citrus juicer and a handful of other items that houses were either lacking, or just had really low quality. I got this set for the same price it is currently ($12.99). With a $5 reward certificate at BB, I paid 8 bucks and got free shipping. The knives are holding up well and my friend that we travel with also got a set. He and his wife recently got a camper and he's getting another set for the camper. I say all that just to say that they probably aren't the best quality, but for the price, they are fantastic if you want some spares, or have a rental property, camper, etc. And they go on sale like this a few times a year.
We actually got some similar cheapo Cuisinart knives for our weekend house. Chef, serrated bread, and paring knife for less than $20 at Walmart or Target I think. They come with blade guards, so you can keep them fine in a drawer. Then I added a honing rod. Done!
They are more than totally fine. Especially since I can now sharpen them with the Trizor XV (which cost a lot more than those knives).
The Yaxell Mon Chef's Knife is designed for slicing, dicing, and chopping a full range of fruits, vegetables, and more. With its curved belly, the Chef's knife can be gently rocked through fresh herbs or spices to produce a very fine mince. Constructed from 3-layer Japanese Cobalt Molybdenum...
cutleryandmore.com
You won’t find anything with vg10 for close to that price
Some black Friday sales are starting up on some of the brands I have been looking into..........
I like to jump on deals right away but I may just hold off a few days to see all my options.
Finding the deals at multiple online locations.
Shun kitchen knives are handcrafted in Japan for the finest quality. Known for beauty and performance, Shun knives are a favorite of pros and home cooks alike.
shun.kaiusa.com
You’ll see cutlery and more matches shun sale prices across the board
We are the kitchen knife experts. Browse hundreds of your favorite Japanese chef's knives or find the perfect Wusthof knife set at Cutlery and More. We also offer a curated selection of premium cookware and knife sharpeners.
cutleryandmore.com
You really cannot beat the yaxell equivalent for $60 - this would be a great chance to try Japanese
The Yaxell Mon Chef's Knife is designed for slicing, dicing, and chopping a full range of fruits, vegetables, and more. With its curved belly, the Chef's knife can be gently rocked through fresh herbs or spices to produce a very fine mince. Constructed from 3-layer Japanese Cobalt Molybdenum...
cutleryandmore.com
If you’re into traditional look - this is made in Japan but made to look German $125 - Rockwell hardness of 66
The Zwilling Twin Cermax M66 Chef's Knife is a multi-purpose knife, used for chopping, mincing, slicing and dicing. The Zwilling Twin Cermax M66 series features knives crafted by the Zwilling Seki factory combining German technology and manufacturing expertise with Japanese blade craftsmanship...
cutleryandmore.com
Forgot to add: Shun’s VGMax steel is an ever so slightly modified VG10 - done so that they can market an “exclusive” steel - no practical upgrade
Shun kitchen knives are handcrafted in Japan for the finest quality. Known for beauty and performance, Shun knives are a favorite of pros and home cooks alike.
shun.kaiusa.com
You’ll see cutlery and more matches shun sale prices across the board
We are the kitchen knife experts. Browse hundreds of your favorite Japanese chef's knives or find the perfect Wusthof knife set at Cutlery and More. We also offer a curated selection of premium cookware and knife sharpeners.
cutleryandmore.com
You really cannot beat the yaxell equivalent for $60 - this would be a great chance to try Japanese
The Yaxell Mon Chef's Knife is designed for slicing, dicing, and chopping a full range of fruits, vegetables, and more. With its curved belly, the Chef's knife can be gently rocked through fresh herbs or spices to produce a very fine mince. Constructed from 3-layer Japanese Cobalt Molybdenum...
cutleryandmore.com
If you’re into traditional look - this is made in Japan but made to look German $125 - Rockwell hardness of 66
The Zwilling Twin Cermax M66 Chef's Knife is a multi-purpose knife, used for chopping, mincing, slicing and dicing. The Zwilling Twin Cermax M66 series features knives crafted by the Zwilling Seki factory combining German technology and manufacturing expertise with Japanese blade craftsmanship...
cutleryandmore.com
Forgot to add: Shun’s VGMax steel is an ever so slightly modified VG10 - done so that they can market an “exclusive” steel - no practical upgrade
I was spending the last little while trying to figure out what there VG MAX was all about.....figured it was like a VG10.
I live up across the border so the deals I posted is CAD not USD.....the Shun might get my purchase today.....that and a sharpener.
Shun says it is a 16 degrees per side but I was reading and a guy stated that he sharpens with his Zwilling unit at 15 degrees and it works on his shun like crazy, so that is what I will get probably good deal on that with the BF deals.
The roast beef slicer is on BF sale too.....might pick that up as well......$145 at Zwilling site......$110 Amazon......
my cart right now......will be deleting 2 that I don't want once I decide........the sharpener I have here is listed at $50 on the man. website.....good deal.
It does western and asian knives........coarse and fine for each......since that brand sells both at 15 degrees Western and the Miyabi knives at 9 - 12 degrees I would think they are each set to those numbers.
I like the Premier version.......it is about $40 more and I bet it does no better work than the classic......
Proof that the Trizor XV will give you crazy sharp knives!
The saying is that a sharp knife is a safe knife. Well maybe that is true, but only after you get used to working with knives that are a whole other level of sharpness.
One thing that I've noticed is that my honing steel now really does what it is supposed to. Quickly restoring the alignment of an edge that is already sharp. Previously, honing didn't seem to do much on my not so sharp knives.
Proof that the Trizor XV will give you crazy sharp knives!
The saying is that a sharp knife is a safe knife. Well maybe that is true, but only after you get used to working with knives that are a whole other level of sharpness.
One thing that I've noticed is that my honing steel now really does what it is supposed to. Quickly restoring the alignment of an edge that is already sharp. Previously, honing didn't seem to do much on my not so sharp knives.
I have purchased some stuff and received a bit of it already with the black Friday deals.
Picked up a couple Matfer black carbon stee lpans as well.....will show them off, still have to clean them and season them up.
Once I get it all together I will show off what I picked up.
Nothing out of this world...I am saving a special purchase for the new year still.....
If you so choose to navigate this page.....you may find some real nice things....this may be my special purchase coming up.
If you had the need you could get a custom one off knife made for you to your specs.......heavens.....
Kikuichi is the oldest knife company in the world. Our superior kitchen cutlery is handcrafted by artisans in Japan who are committed to our legacy of quality.
Chef Knives To Go offers unmatched selection of kitchen knives! We are committed to bringing you unique knives and sharpening stones from a wide range of makers from around the world. Stay Sharp! Mark Richmond
Purchased few items…..might get one more big purchase in but wait until after Christmas probably.
Really interested in Kikuichi for some reason.
Picked up a new knife block set - ZWILLING 10 piece set to replace my old Henckels set.
My new set of ZWILLING steak knives.
Magnetic block for a few knives.
A Wusthof 10 inch roast slicing knife.
And the nicest I think so far a Shun Premier 8 inch chef’s knife……
Also a ZWILLING sharpener that does both 10ish degree and 15 degree knives.
Pictures should follow this order….
Oh yeah also picked up 2 sizes of Matfer Bourgeat black carbon steel frying pans, these are very nice too.
Still have to clean these bad boys up and get them seasoned……probably going to take some time doing this.
Pictures did not follow order…..
But I really did want to say thanks for all the posts and suggestions in this thread.
All lot of good information was shared and it opened my eyes to a lot of different options.
cutleryandmore.com
shun.kaiusa.com
kikuichi.net
