Yep, contradictory as it seems, a blunt knife is often the biggest perpetrator of kitchen cuts!
My knife collection
Heres a photo of my personal knife collection.
Left to right:Fish filleting knife, bread knife, chef’s knife (my all rounder), utility knife, spare chef knife, long-bladed knife for meat, Chinese cleaver, sashimi knife, and 2 x paring knives.
You dont need all those knives I have above to get started with your knife collection.
I have listed what I consider the most essential knives to own, and what I actually have.
Essential knives round-up!
Left to right:Fish filleting knife, bread knife, chef’s knife (my all rounder), utility knife, spare chef knife, long-bladed knife for meat, Chinese cleaver, sashimi knife, and 2 x paring knives.
Unfortunately the knife maker no longer makes this particular knife.
However, the shop owner is very familiar with RecipeTin readers!
Ive tried a couple of other similar ones and they are all just as good.
Second pick:Global 20cm / 8 G-2 Cooks Knifeplus a sharpener (everyday sharpener, pro versionrod+whetsone).
Third pick:Wusthof 8 Classic Chefs Knife.
Having a good and sharp knife is also a safety thing.
Its actually a Western-style knife (ie.
So he will know exactly what to recommend.
Trust me, you will just know if you love the feel.
I have given my SETO knife to many men, including tall Chefs, and they all love it.
So I promise its not too small, even for big men!
Dont forget a sharpener!Handcrafted Japanese knives are best sharpened using a whetstone.
Whetstones are also available in Australian stores, so dont fret too much if you forget to get one.
And yes, I have two of them!
This means it holds its edge better, staying sharper for longer.
Chef’s Armoury – Japanese online knife store in Australia
Trying to cut through a bone or something similarly hard with my knife will almost certainly chip the edge.
This is the trade-off for a longer lasting edge.
Any finely handcrafted knife requires intensive labour and skill, so naturally this knife is quite an investment.
It clocks in at around AU $350 for the knife plus a Japanese-made whetstone (ie.
a sharpening stone essential for sharpening knives).
However I would never make a run at recommend alternatives without actually having used them myself.
They also have an online store.
The 20cm Cooks knife is theirall-time best selling knife.
onCatch.com.aufor $79,Australias Victorias Basementfor $89 orPeters of Kensingtonfor $104).
German knives are heavier, more solid and typically have thicker blades.
You need a serrated-edged knife for this job.
spanakopita, terrineen croute, Beef Wellington, pies.
A bread knife aint just a knife for bread!
TheGlobal 22cm / 9 bread knifeis the one Ive had for 15 years and counting.
Levellingcakesstraight, cutting even slices of crusty baguettes forcrostini it was awkward and giving me all kinds of headaches!
Massive regrets … Ill just have to stump for another Global.
What I wouldnotrecommend though is getting aparingknife.
These knives have blades that are only around 8cm/3.5.
And the only time Ive picked one up is in desperation because every other knife I had was dirty!
Instead Id recommend you get a knife with a longer blade around 11 15cm (4.7 5.9).
These are often calledutility knivesand are more like a mini chefs knife!
You will find this far more versatile, believe me.
Again, I prefer a handcrafted Japanese knife if possible for such a knife.
Otherwise, I go Global like this15cm Global Utility Knife.
you could pick one up fromEvertenfor $83,Catch.com.aufor $89 orVictorias basementfor $69.
I have this GlobalClassic 16cm boning knife (GF 31).
I find you have far better control with a non-flexible knife.
This too is a Japanese knife from the same Tokyo knife shop listed above.
Here is asimilar Global one; and
Paring knives x 2 as mentioned above, I rarely use these.
Maybe to slice strawberries, if the utility knife is otherwise dirty!
I only have these because I got them as part of a full knife set next section!
ThisGlobal Ikasu 7 Piece Knife Block Setis what I was given as a get out of my house!
gift from my mother when I left home at the tender age of 18.
The 2 smallest knives are the 2 paring knives you see on my knife rack!
Im going admit something: Ihatesharpening knives.
I find this is all you need.
Finally, there are knife sharpening services you’re able to pay for.
However, nearly all use a motorised grinder for efficiency.
And that, my friends, is my knife collection!
That is a lot of info about a knives.
But the volume of writing does represent how important my knives are to me.
My Chefs knife!!!
Hope you found this useful!
