Expensive kitchen knives

[BiffTannen 1,145]

I want to get some. What do you use?

[Drizzay 746]

Ginsu

 

[Strike 6,030]

Why is the criteria the cost and not the utility?

[BiffTannen 1,145]

1 minute ago, Drizzay said:

Ginsu

 

More expensive than that. I want some of the good jap stuff. 

[BiffTannen 1,145]

Just now, Strike said:

Why is the criteria the cost and not the utility?

I don’t want cheap ones. I want something that will outlast me. 

[seafoam1 3,452]

22 minutes ago, BiffTannen said:

I don’t want cheap ones. I want something that will outlast me. 

I generally like German knives over Japanese, softer steel generally, thicker blades, that said, I love the MAC knives from Japan.

 I have a couple in my kitchen. Definitely worth looking into. 

[Bier Meister 1,755]

I use global for delicate cuts

 

I have a Henckels set … use it for heartier cuts

[jonnyutah 552]

How has the nfl not marketed a knife that is john maddens hand? 

[BiffTannen 1,145]

On 11/11/2025 at 8:53 PM, Bier Meister said:

I use global for delicate cuts

 

I have a Henckels set … use it for heartier cuts

I'm a fan of Global. I will be building a collection of these and potentially checking out the other brand you listed in the future. 

[jerryskids 7,095]

On 11/11/2025 at 6:53 PM, Bier Meister said:

I use global for delicate cuts

 

I have a Henckels set … use it for heartier cuts

For more info for Biff, the Japanese knives (Global) have 15 degree blades, whereas German (Henckels) are 20 degrees.  So the Japanese knives have finer edges (not necessarily sharper), but for a pro chef like Bier who wants to slice sushi, they can be useful.

Our carving knives are mostly Wusthof, and our steak knives are Henckels, and we love them both.  We do have a few Japanese blades (Wolfe) which I'm not as happy with, but maybe we use them too much on everyday stuff and should save them for the finer cuts like Bier says.

If I were a guy starting a good knife set, I'd stick with the Krauts, either Henckels or Wusthof.  If both are comparably available in your area, you could handle a few and see if one feels better in your hand.  If one is easier to get, I'd probably just go with those.

Now that I've flaunted my ignorance, I'll let Bier correct me.   

[WhiteWonder 2,936]

ah, expensive knives. one of the great all time scams   (in the sense that every day people who cook a little bit, even a decent amount, don't need expensive knife sets)

[thegeneral 3,647]

Got some Zwilling J.A. Henckels as a gift when got my first real job. Had em for like 30+ years. Been great.

One of those items I’d pay more so you are only buying once.

[Bier Meister 1,755]

1 hour ago, jerryskids said:

For more info for Biff, the Japanese knives (Global) have 15 degree blades, whereas German (Henckels) are 20 degrees.  So the Japanese knives have finer edges (not necessarily sharper), but for a pro chef like Bier who wants to slice sushi, they can be useful.

Our carving knives are mostly Wusthof, and our steak knives are Henckels, and we love them both.  We do have a few Japanese blades (Wolfe) which I'm not as happy with, but maybe we use them too much on everyday stuff and should save them for the finer cuts like Bier says.

If I were a guy starting a good knife set, I'd stick with the Krauts, either Henckels or Wusthof.  If both are comparably available in your area, you could handle a few and see if one feels better in your hand.  If one is easier to get, I'd probably just go with those.

Now that I've flaunted my ignorance, I'll let Bier correct me.   

this is pretty accurate, with the bolded being preferential.

we were gifted a knife set 30 years ago for our wedding. it was ok. my first professional kit was included via culinary school. while intro, there was a big difference. I then got my henckels, then the globals and shun. my favorite boning knife was wusthof.   these days we all go for the globals first.... just easier cutting. the reality is that you really just need maybe 3-4 main  blades. the other are just fun to have around (a little like golf- we can functions with a few clubs).

 

we happen to have a set of wusthof steak knives that i really like

 

Edit: Biff showed me what he purchased.  they are are more rounded than my globals, but i think he will like them

[WhiteWonder 2,936]

5 hours ago, jerryskids said:

For more info for Biff, the Japanese knives (Global) have 15 degree blades, whereas German (Henckels) are 20 degrees.  So the Japanese knives have finer edges (not necessarily sharper), but for a pro chef like Bier who wants to slice sushi, they can be useful.

Our carving knives are mostly Wusthof, and our steak knives are Henckels, and we love them both.  We do have a few Japanese blades (Wolfe) which I'm not as happy with, but maybe we use them too much on everyday stuff and should save them for the finer cuts like Bier says.

If I were a guy starting a good knife set, I'd stick with the Krauts, either Henckels or Wusthof.  If both are comparably available in your area, you could handle a few and see if one feels better in your hand.  If one is easier to get, I'd probably just go with those.

Now that I've flaunted my ignorance, I'll let Bier correct me.   

obviously from my previous comment, I'm not a knife guy.  Can't you get a Henckels knife set for $100-$200, maybe $250? (this i did not know without looking up)

and isn't henckels made in chiner with zwillings being made in germany? (this i vaguely remember someone telling me in the past)