Food/Recipe Thread

[JoeyShmoe]

I'm looking to get a good set of knives, any recommendations?

[shtank]

I'm looking to get a good set of knives, any recommendations?

Define "good." How much do you want to spend? What are the knives for? My personal opinion is most people really need 1 great 8" chef knife and maybe one good  3" paring knife. Beyond that, other knives are great to have but not absolutely necessary. Also depends how much you're willing to spend on upkeep.

[JoeyShmoe]

Define "good." How much do you want to spend? What are the knives for? My personal opinion is most people really need 1 great 8" chef knife and maybe one good  3" paring knife. Beyond that, other knives are great to have but not absolutely necessary. Also depends how much you're willing to spend on upkeep.

I would start with a standard chef knife and a paring knife. I know that knives can go upwards of $200/$300 too, I'm looking for something that would be good but won't break the bank (and that's good for a beginner).
I don't know anything about upkeep though

[shtank]

I would start with a standard chef knife and a paring knife. I know that knives can go upwards of $200/$300 too, I'm looking for something that would be good but won't break the bank (and that's good for a beginner).
I don't know anything about upkeep though

I got my Henckel's chef knife for $75 on sale at Amazon and my Henckel's paring knife for about $25-$30 on sale at I think Woot! Is that the range you're looking for? Also, you should get a honing steel and learn to use it. And be prepared to have the knives periodically sharpened professionally.

[JoeyShmoe]

I got my Henckel's chef knife for $75 on sale at Amazon and my Henckel's paring knife for about $25-$30 on sale at I think Woot! Is that the range you're looking for? Also, you should get a honing steel and learn to use it. And be prepared to have the knives periodically sharpened professionally.

How long ago did you get the knives?
If you have a honing steel why would you need it professionally sharpened?
How often is periodic?

Thank you very much for the information!! I hope I'm not asking too many questions

[Emkay]

I would start with a standard chef knife and a paring knife. I know that knives can go upwards of $200/$300 too, I'm looking for something that would be good but won't break the bank (and that's good for a beginner).
I don't know anything about upkeep though

For a beginner,if you are not interested in upkeep much I would find a good lower maintainence knife like a stamped blade.whatever you do, stay away from carbon

[shtank]

How long ago did you get the knives?
If you have a honing steel why would you need it professionally sharpened?
How often is periodic?

Thank you very much for the information!! I hope I'm not asking too many questions

The chef's knife almost 3 years ago and the paring knife maybe a year or so ago.
Honing and sharpening are 2 different things. See this and the related video: http://foodwishes.blogspot.com/2010/04/how-to-use-knife-steel-our-most-cutting.html
It really depends how often you use it but I think recommended is every 6 months to a year. I haven't sharpened my chef's knife in about a year and I will probably do it very soon.

[JoeyShmoe]

The chef's knife almost 3 years ago and the paring knife maybe a year or so ago.
Honing and sharpening are 2 different things. See this and the related video: http://foodwishes.blogspot.com/2010/04/how-to-use-knife-steel-our-most-cutting.html
It really depends how often you use it but I think recommended is every 6 months to a year. I haven't sharpened my chef's knife in about a year and I will probably do it very soon.

Thank you very much!!!

[shtank]

Thank you very much!!!

No problem. If you do get a good knife, just keep in mind that they are much sharper than you are used to if you've never had a good one, especially when they're new. Don't leave it around anywhere. Don't treat it like it's just any other knife. Read up on knife safety and how to use it.

[JoeyShmoe]

No problem. If you do get a good knife, just keep in mind that they are much sharper than you are used to if you've never had a good one, especially when they're new. Don't leave it around anywhere. Don't treat it like it's just any other knife. Read up on knife safety and how to use it.

Will do

[JoeyShmoe]

For a beginner,if you are not interested in upkeep much I would find a good lower maintainence knife like a stamped blade.whatever you do, stay away from carbon

Where is the best place to find such a knife? What price range would they be?

[ushdadude]

Where is the best place to find such a knife? What price range would they be?

BBB w/ a 20% off coupon comes out pretty reasonable.

[JoeyShmoe]

BBB w/ a 20% off coupon comes out pretty reasonable.

Cool!! I'll look into that, thanks

[ushdadude]

I got my Henckel's chef knife for $75 on sale at Amazon and my Henckel's paring knife for about $25-$30 on sale at I think Woot! Is that the range you're looking for? Also, you should get a honing steel and learn to use it. And be prepared to have the knives periodically sharpened professionally.

I have the henckel pro set. They come with a 40 degree overall cutting angle. Do you think it can be sharpened to the japanese 30 degree?

[srap]

Cool!! I'll look into that, thanks

If you are already buying a new knife, you may want to wait to buy it erev Rosh Hashana.

[JoeyShmoe]

If you are already buying a new knife, you may want to wait to buy it erev Rosh Hashana.

Good idea. On a side note, you really use Bing as your regular search engine?

[shtank]

I have the henckel pro set. They come with a 40 degree overall cutting angle. Do you think it can be sharpened to the japanese 30 degree?

No clue. I'm not an expert by any means but I bring my knives to Henry Westphal and Co. in Manhattan. There is also supposedly a guy with a truck who will come to you based in Brooklyn but I was never able to get through to him. Try calling a reputable place and ask them. I'm sure they'll be happy to talk to you.

[shtank]

On a side note, you really use Bing as your regular search engine?

+1000
I have a Windows phone with Bing search button. I never use it and get annoyed if I accidentally press it.

[JoeyShmoe]

I need to go to Target soon, is it a crazy idea to buy a cheap knife set as a start?

[shtank]

I need to go to Target soon, is it a crazy idea to buy a cheap knife set as a start?

Depends on your needs. What do u want the set for? How often do u cook? etc?