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Crappy Tire is having another sale on Henckels knives until the 29th. Almost every item, the 3 piece sets and the 6 piece sets are 40% off. I picked up the 3-piece set (8" chef's, 5" utility, 3" paring), another 5" utility, a 5" boning and an 8" carving. Now I just have to hit WM for one of their $10 blocks and Lee Valley for one of their 120/600/1200 sharpening sets. It feels so good to finally have a decent set of cutlery :y
Yeah, I went to check out those knives when they were $99.00. I didn't think they weren't very good at all. The newer, lower price is even more telling.
I'm sure they'll work just fine for you, though, and they're probably a lot better than a lot of the shitty knives out there. I think these "Henckels" are made in China or something, which is kind of the equivalent of buying one of those so-called Rolexes on the streets of New York City.
I'm looking to get Wusthofs, myself. Awesome knives.
http://www.wishlist.com.au/images/Pr...sic10pc1_L.jpg
I know they're not top-notch cutlery but at least they're a decent set that I can use and they were made according to the Henckels quality standards and it's one brand that I do trust.
Yeah, like I said, I'm sure they'll work just fine. A street Rolex will still tell you the time and a Chinese or Brazilian-made Henckel is still going to cut your food.
I've decided I'm going to pay the extra money for the high end Wustofs or Henckel classic line. I figure that if you're going to buy something from a company with a lifetime warranty, you know you're in it for the long haul -- so get the best they offer and know that you'll own and cherish it until you're dead.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Blade Wielder
First off, these knives are just fine for the home and you don't need anything more - I've seen them and they're good value for the money and should last a lifetime with proper care.
Second, while I don't dispute that the Wusthofs are good knives (IMHO, they're better than Henckels), unless paying a premium just to say you have a set of Wusthofs or Henckels is worth it, you can get knives that perform just as well for much less money . There is an interesting thread at B&B on the subject:
http://badgerandblade.com/vb/showthr...=kitchen+knife
One of the members is a professional chef and he had some interesting things to say about kitchen knives in general and posted some good links as well.
I've used high end Henckels (used to own a set) and I'm actually happier with the mixed set of knives I have now - none of which cost more than $50. I'm not a professional chef, but did spend a lot of time working in kitchens when I was in school and do a lot of cooking at home (FWIW). I would also never buy a set again, as I have definite preferences and while I may like the paring knife that company A makes, that doesn't necessarily mean I like their chef's knives, etc.
So buy what you like (its your money afterall), but don't think that German steel is the best there is or that you have to spend the equivalent of a mortgage payment to get great performing knives.
Yes, the Canadian Tire knives could end up lasting a lifetime with proper care; but for me, there would be no pride of ownership. I've also seen them (I rushed to Canadian Tire with high hopes when I first saw the $99.00 sale) and discovered that they're really not that great. Aside from having a unattractive, bulky and uncomfortable grip style, the knives are not constructed well at all (compared to knives that are used in the industry, anyway).
The Wusthof trident series, on the other hand, is drop forged, and when you hold one of their well-balanced knives in your hand, you understand why they cost more: they are one piece and are definitely worth the extra money. Heck, until only very recently, even the best of the Henckel knives were forged in three pieces, unlike the amazing knives they used to make. Quality standards really slipped with their exported production and various other shortcuts. Apparently they've resumed the old method, but a few "generations" of their product will unfortunately carry that... mutation.
My parents have had the same set of wooden-handled Henckel classic knives (they bought them piece by piece, actually) for close to thirty years. They're awesome. I'm doing the piece-by-piece mehtod too, actually. I mentioned in another thread that I got a set of Wusthof kitchen shears for Christmas (with a pair of scissors you're basically paying for the name, but heck, they were only around thirty bucks), and I've got a Henckel chef knife too.
I worked as a cook at a military base a few years ago and it was there that I became pretty interested in this kind of stuff. Henckel knives were provided for the galley kitchen and they worked very well. Although, these two old Tibetan chefs (they were brothers) who worked there had their own tool boxes full of knives that were just ancient -- they gave me another perspective. They seemed like official culinary gurus! They had their own wet stones and their knives (which were carbon steel and so old and abused that the blade on one of their chef knives had been sharpened down to a triangular stub) were a varried lot.
Can't speak as for their quality of steel, but this is the only kitchen knife set I've ever covetted:
http://www.viceversa.com/Dynamic/Pro...emID,1447.html