A Question About Knife Sets

[DVCLiz]

I'm getting this set of knives for my daughter for Christmas. It's a basic set and it's being discontinued in order to make room for a newer set. So it was a great deal!!

Other than the knives listed here, what others would you recommend I get for her? She will be starting out in her own apartment after college graduation next spring, and she has asked for a nice set of knives. I'd like to get her a few others - and they would also be great ideas for other relatives who ask her what she wants for Christmas!!

So what, in your experience, has been useful and what would you add to that basic set?

Thanks in advance!!

J.A. Henckels Twin Four Star knives were designed and developed in close cooperation with renowned professional chefs. Introduced in 1976, today Four Star is the world's most sought after up-scale knife series. This 8 piece block set includes the following: 2 3/4-inch peeler, 3- inch parer, 5 inch serrated utility, 7-inch hollow edge santoku, 8-inch Chef's, 9 inch steel, kitchen shears, and wood storage block. The Four Star knives are fully forged, ice hardened blades with a classic molded handle for comfort and balance.

 

[Lisa loves Pooh]

Steak knives are all that I would add for a basic starter set and maybe a good knife for cutting bread.

Beyond that there are carving knives and chopping knives. Only if she were a serious cook would I consider those at this point.

 

[LindaR]

Well, I think this is personal preference, but when I originally bought myself a "starter" set of knives, I learned that I really like using a smaller chefs knife. So I bought a 4 inch and a 6 inch to add to my set.

I also invested in an electric knife sharpener. Bought at Williams-Sonoma and will do ALL brands of knives.

 

[DVCLiz]

Steak knives are all that I would add for a basic starter set and maybe a good knife for cutting bread.

Beyond that there are carving knives and chopping knives. Only if she were a serious cook would I consider those at this point.

Well, she's always been interested in cooking and she's much better than me!!! I don't think she needs a full set of professional chef's knives but maybe more than just these basics.

The steak knives are a great idea - I'll add those to the list.

 

[DVCLiz]

Well, I think this is personal preference, but when I originally bought myself a "starter" set of knives, I learned that I really like using a smaller chefs knife. So I bought a 4 inch and a 6 inch to add to my set.

I also invested in an electric knife sharpener. Bought at Williams-Sonoma and will do ALL brands of knives.

Those are great ideas, too. Does anyone know about sharpening knives? Are there certain things you should or shouldn't use on these?

 

[LindaR]

I actually bought a BOOK all about sharpening. After looking thru it, I decided to get the electric sharpener and let IT do the work for me. One side is for Japanese brands, the other for German, and it is very clear and easy to operate!

(I have Wusthof knives, my daughter Henckles)

I like the feel of the smaller knives in my hand as opposed to the big chef's knife. I feel like I have more control!

 

[Lisa loves Pooh]

Another thing--I'm not familiar with your knife set, but something I learned about what makes a "good knife".

Make sure that the blade--doesn't stop at the handle. The knives will last much longer if the blade runs through the handle (you'll see a "layer" of the metal flush with the handle).

We have Cutco which I love (came with the hubby! Don't like that it is a MLM company) and a crappy set that someone got us for Christmas b/c they didn't like our lack of steak knives. The construction between the two is very different and cutco is still our preference.

We need to get out and get a new knife set to supplement our few cutco pieces--that don't cost nearly as much as those suckers.

One thing we are bad at not doing is knife shapening. I'll have to look into these electric sharpeners you guys are discussing.

 

[LindaR]

A dull knife is a very dangerous knife!

AND another thing......its really best for your knives to be hand-washed, not put in a dishwasher!

This is an investment and though it may be a pain, you have to take care (your daughter does, I mean) of that investment.

 

[ilovepcot]

(I have Wusthof knives, my daughter Henckles)

WUSTHOF!!! The best knives I've ever found. They're pricey but will last a lifetime and more if cared for properly.

I'd suggest getting a Santoku knife for your daughter in the Wusthof brand. I bought mine at Bed Bath & Beyond. It's the knife you see the chefs using to dice ingredients on the cooking shows. You can really build up speed when you get the hang of using one.

 

[dawson5]

I have henkels, love them dearly. I was told never to use an automatic sharpener, they take too much off of the blade. Do them by hand or to send them away to a professional.

I agree with the pp's, I love my small paring knives. I am starting to appreciate my larger knives though. I've been mincing some veggies to hide in soups so I don't have to hear my kids make gagging sounds because there was green in their food.

 

[LindaR]

Well knife sharpening is really not my area of expertise! And it was quite intimidating. I make sure that I take my knives thru the automatic fairly quickly.

For me, there IS no place around here to professionally have my knives sharpened.

You are right! Professional is best (but that machine is so easy!)

 

[ShootingStarMom2]

Ok, don't laugh. We got Miracle Blades about 7 years ago as a gag gift and we love them! They slice through anything and are still razor sharp. They came with a wood block and wood cutting board. Everyone laughs when DH says they are great but they really are. If you can cut chicken and a Christmas tree with the same knife and not ruin it, I'll take it!

 

[NHdisneylover]

Some one else already suggested it, but I want to second a good serrated bread knife (the one in the set sounds small for slicing loaves, etc).
Other than that I think it is a good starter set. Every cook has different needs as to which knives they may wish they had more of. I would add in the sharpening stine as you are talking about and a book on how to best keep them sharp. Maybe also a couple of good cutting boards (a plastic one for meats and a good wood one for veggies).

 

[Imzadi]

I like the feel of the smaller knives in my hand as opposed to the big chef's knife. I feel like I have more control!

Me too! I almost always use a smaller knife. So much less blade to have to worry about and keep an eye on. Of course, even a smaller knife can give one a cut anywhere along the blade, but a smaller one to me just has more control.

Every time I use it, I always wonder if I'm the only one who hasn't graduated to the "adult" big knives, like the way there are "adult scissors."

A dull knife is a very dangerous knife!

Yes, you use less pressure cutting with a very sharp knife, so there's less chance of getting cut if you aren't using force.

 

[disneygal922]

As a former employee of a home fashions dept and a high-end kitchen store, I will say knives are completely a personal preference. I prefer lighter weight knives while my fiance likes a heavier knife. It looks like this set you bought is a good starter set. I would reccomend maybe a 6" sandwich knife (non-serrated) and a bread knife. I use my 3" paring most but the 6" is very helpful as well. Also, a set of steak knives would be a wonderful addition. The electric sharpners are amazing. I highly reccomend the one mentioned previously from William-Sonoma. I use it all the time.

oh, and do NOT get a glass cutting board. They are terrible for knives. Wood is the best as long as you make sure you clean it properly after using it with raw meat. If you are uncomfy with wood, get something that has a bit of give to it... no glass!!

HTH! Good luck and I hope she loves her gift!

 

[pixiewings71]

Another thing--I'm not familiar with your knife set, but something I learned about what makes a "good knife".

Make sure that the blade--doesn't stop at the handle. The knives will last much longer if the blade runs through the handle (you'll see a "layer" of the metal flush with the handle).

We have Cutco which I love (came with the hubby! Don't like that it is a MLM company) and a crappy set that someone got us for Christmas b/c they didn't like our lack of steak knives. The construction between the two is very different and cutco is still our preference.

We need to get out and get a new knife set to supplement our few cutco pieces--that don't cost nearly as much as those suckers.

One thing we are bad at not doing is knife shapening. I'll have to look into these electric sharpeners you guys are discussing.

I have Cutco too, I love love love those things!!! I actually just ordered a couple more from my rep, I'm very excited to get the Santuko knife they have now, it's smaller then the other one. My Santuko was my favorite in my old set, I miss using it.

OP I think you have a nice set there, I would suggest the same as others, a good bread knife and some steak knives.