Opinions please, from those that love to cook!

[PryncessChrysty]

I really need a new knife set, but I don't want to pay an insane amount for them. So I decided on the Calphalon Contemporary set, with all of the following:

Maple Block
4-1/2-inch paring, 6-inch utility, 8-inch slicing, 8-inch bread,
8-inch chef knife, 6-inch fork, 10-inch sharpening steel
6 5-inch steak knives and kitchen shears
I also added on the 5.5" tomato/bagel knife, 5" boning knife and the 3" bird's beak.
I already have a 7" Santoku

I also ordered the 2" thick 16x14 cutting board because 1) I like how they look and 2) I read that it's better for your knives if you use a wood surface, as opposed to anything else (I have KitchenAid, cutting boards now - not wood!)

For those that enjoy cooking and know their craft, do you know anything about these knives? Are they decent? I'm really just looking for something that I won't have to sharpen every time I want to use it and that won't rust easily (I always hand-wash/dry). I read quite a few reviews and just about all of them were good, but you never know if those reviews are true. I always think they could be from people that have an 'in' with the company or something. Haha

 

[momof3disneyholics]

Tell me about your kitchen knives...


They are sharp and they cut! No, seriously I have no clue what kind I have, I bought them from Target and they weren't the most expensive ones, but they do the job.

 

[goodeats]

Honestly, I wouldn't think they'd be very good. I don't think Calphalon is known for knives. I love our Wustolf (sp?) Classic set. It's excellent, but they were fairly expensive. To be honest we have a full set, but 99% of the time just use the Sentuko(sp?) knife. If I were to do it over again, I would just get the Wustolf Sentuko knife and then get a cheaper bread knife and a paring knife. I guess and a carving set too.

We checked out the Henckels too, but preferred the balance of the Wustolf.

 

[lilboo]

Is this for a registry?

We received the Wusthof Classic-just a 7 pc set but room in the block for more. I'm afraid I don't have anything to compare them with besides the grad student cheap-o set I used to have.

I kind of just trusted WilliamsSonoma-they've done the research for you and stock only a limited selection of better/best culinary items. When you're doing something overwhelming like a registry AND planning a wedding, sometimes just going with a trusted purveyor makes it easier, saves time etc.

 

[oogieboogie]

I'd love a Wusthof or Henkel knives but for the moment I bought my knives at IKEA. It's the IKEA 365 line and I have to say for something that's inexpensive, they're pretty darn good, nice balance and sharp as heck.

 

[QT Pooh]

We have Henckels, which have a lifetime guarantee. Recently I broke a boning knife skinning a piece of salmon - it snapped right in half. (the knives are over 15 years old) We sent them back to the Henckels service center and with no questions asked they sent us back a new one. The upfront cost is expensive, but I think the cost average over the lifetime is worth it. We love the knives, and we cook all the time, so they get used constantly. Make sure that with any knife set you get, you also get a dependable sharpener.

 

[Chicago526]

I've always heard good things about Chicago Cutlery, and in fact own a set. I've had very good results with them. I bought a mid-price set, not the cheapest, but not the most expensive either.

Oh, and Caphlon may not be known for knieves, but their cookware is AWESOME!!!!

 

[PryncessChrysty]

I would love a Henkels or Wusthof set, and I understand that for the high cost, they're supposed to be wonderful. Unfortunately, that high cost, given the overall value, is just not in our budget at the moment. For everything listed above I paid less than $250, with an MSRP of over $650! I guess I'll just have to see how they are when they arrive.

 

[golfgal]

Mine are dull and REALLY need to be sharpened. That is what my knives are (they are Chicago Cutlery).

 

[Papa Deuce]

I have those Chef Tony knives from TV. Have had 3 years and they are holding up great. Think the whole set mightta been $60. Maybe less.

 

[malibuconlee]

I really need a new knife set, but I don't want to pay an insane amount for them. So I decided on the Calphalon Contemporary set, with all of the following:

Maple Block
4-1/2-inch paring, 6-inch utility, 8-inch slicing, 8-inch bread,
8-inch chef knife, 6-inch fork, 10-inch sharpening steel
6 5-inch steak knives and kitchen shears
I also added on the 5.5" tomato/bagel knife, 5" boning knife and the 3" bird's beak.
I already have a 7" Santoku

I also ordered the 2" thick 16x14 cutting board because 1) I like how they look and 2) I read that it's better for your knives if you use a wood surface, as opposed to anything else (I have KitchenAid, cutting boards now - not wood!)

I have this set and I love it!! Definitely hand wash and dry. My MIL put them in the dishwasher once and there were a couple of spots of rust on them. I used a scotch pad and got them out. We've had them almost two years and DH has sharpened them once I think. It's about time to do it again. I also have a Santoku and the tomato/bagel knife that we purchase separately. You are going to be short a spot in the block for all the knives you ordered.

Honestly, the Santoku is the one I use the most.

Let me know how you like them.

 

[Big V]

I bought a Henkel Sankotu knife this summer and it's my absolute favorite knife! I don't know how I lived without one before.

 

[ducklite]

Honestly, I wouldn't think they'd be very good. I don't think Calphalon is known for knives. I love our Wustolf (sp?) Classic set. It's excellent, but they were fairly expensive. To be honest we have a full set, but 99% of the time just use the Sentuko(sp?) knife. If I were to do it over again, I would just get the Wustolf Sentuko knife and then get a cheaper bread knife and a paring knife. I guess and a carving set too.

We checked out the Henckels too, but preferred the balance of the Wustolf.

I agree. I have Cal One cookware, which I love, but I wouldn't buy Calphalon knives. I have a cheap set of knives, adn I've already told DH that next year--maybe the year after I am replacing with either Wustolf or Henkel. IN the long run buying one of those two will be a better investment.

Anne