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 554]

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 2,937]

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 3,648]

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 2,937]

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)

[Bier Meister 1,755]

1 hour ago, WhiteWonder said:

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)

they are both rooted out of Germany, but yes= henckels is out of asian and spain; ja zwilling (henckels) are still out of Germany.

 

my set is ja zwilling and does not exist any longer (closest ones are the modernists and graphite)

[BeenHereBefore 1,599]

On 11/11/2025 at 8:17 PM, BiffTannen said:

I want to get some. What do you use?

I bought a $20 one off of Amazon that was okay but don't use much now and use the ceramic ones I have more.I mostly only cut up hard boiled eggs for egg salad and don't use them much.

[jerryskids 7,095]

2 hours ago, WhiteWonder said:

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)

You are probably right that Wusthof and Henckels are on the "low" end of "high" end knives, at least from a price perspective but probably performance as well.  I think we started getting them in 1993 from our wedding registry, and 32 years later we're still using them.

My point about German was not so much the location of current manufacture, but whether or not you get the German style (20% blade angle) or Japanese (15% blade).

Ima look into these Globals.  My wife is a good cook and recognizes the value of a good knife.  The question is, is there a knife we can use that we don't already have?   

[BiffTannen 1,145]

16 minutes ago, jerryskids said:

You are probably right that Wusthof and Henckels are on the "low" end of "high" end knives, at least from a price perspective but probably performance as well.  I think we started getting them in 1993 from our wedding registry, and 32 years later we're still using them.

My point about German was not so much the location of current manufacture, but whether or not you get the German style (20% blade angle) or Japanese (15% blade).

Ima look into these Globals.  My wife is a good cook and recognizes the value of a good knife.  The question is, is there a knife we can use that we don't already have?   

I got the idea of buying good knives from an ad I saw from this place.
https://www.coolinastore.com/?nbt=nb%3Aadwords%3Ag%3A2077420045%3A123348575945%3A628381298784&nb_adtype=&nb_kwd=coolina knives&nb_ti=kwd-796812417724&nb_mi=&nb_pc=&nb_pi=&nb_ppi=&nb_placement=&nb_li_ms=&nb_lp_ms=&nb_fii=&nb_ap=&nb_mt=e&gc_id=2077420045&h_ad_id=628381298784&nbt=nb%3Aadwords%3Ag%3A2077420045%3A123348575945%3A628381298784&nb_adtype=&nb_kwd=coolina knives&nb_ti=kwd-796812417724&nb_mi=&nb_pc=&nb_pi=&nb_ppi=&nb_placement=&nb_li_ms=&nb_lp_ms=&nb_fii=&nb_ap=&nb_mt=e&gad_source=1&gad_campaignid=2077420045&gbraid=0AAAAACvAPW63qYL8CeUVKNFkjo0Pepi3Z&gclid=Cj0KCQiArOvIBhDLARIsAPwJXOYu2Jf1VtupCBaebkw2OodzJi7pJ9UBdTR2wUrtDdScGUhaJAflmL0aAk7CEALw_wcB

They look super cool but wasn’t sure if they were a quality brand.  I decided to ask in here and was hoping Bier would respond. I’m sold on the Globals so far.  I got the 3 piece starter set that includes 8” chef, 5” utility, and 3.5 “ pearling.  

[Ron_Artest 2,266]

I've been using the same henkels knives for 25 years. A good chefs knife and then a carving knife. 8 inch.

A good knife makes all the difference in the world.  I hate when we stay in air BNBs and they have sh1t knives.

I have a wet stone, sharpen them myself.

[WhiteWonder 2,937]

28 minutes ago, jerryskids said:

You are probably right that Wusthof and Henckels are on the "low" end of "high" end knives, at least from a price perspective but probably performance as well.  I think we started getting them in 1993 from our wedding registry, and 32 years later we're still using them.

My point about German was not so much the location of current manufacture, but whether or not you get the German style (20% blade angle) or Japanese (15% blade).

Ima look into these Globals.  My wife is a good cook and recognizes the value of a good knife.  The question is, is there a knife we can use that we don't already have?   

I’ve yet to get rid of any knives because they didn’t last. More so I just liked the look of something different and even then I’ve had 2 knife “sets”. 
I assume my food tastes relatively the same no matter what I cut it with during prep or after . 
I occasionally sharpen them. Maybe I should take my knives more seriously (I’m being serious)

[Bier Meister 1,755]

21 minutes ago, BiffTannen said:

I got the idea of buying good knives from an ad I saw from this place.
https://www.coolinastore.com/?nbt=nb%3Aadwords%3Ag%3A2077420045%3A123348575945%3A628381298784&nb_adtype=&nb_kwd=coolina knives&nb_ti=kwd-796812417724&nb_mi=&nb_pc=&nb_pi=&nb_ppi=&nb_placement=&nb_li_ms=&nb_lp_ms=&nb_fii=&nb_ap=&nb_mt=e&gc_id=2077420045&h_ad_id=628381298784&nbt=nb%3Aadwords%3Ag%3A2077420045%3A123348575945%3A628381298784&nb_adtype=&nb_kwd=coolina knives&nb_ti=kwd-796812417724&nb_mi=&nb_pc=&nb_pi=&nb_ppi=&nb_placement=&nb_li_ms=&nb_lp_ms=&nb_fii=&nb_ap=&nb_mt=e&gad_source=1&gad_campaignid=2077420045&gbraid=0AAAAACvAPW63qYL8CeUVKNFkjo0Pepi3Z&gclid=Cj0KCQiArOvIBhDLARIsAPwJXOYu2Jf1VtupCBaebkw2OodzJi7pJ9UBdTR2wUrtDdScGUhaJAflmL0aAk7CEALw_wcB

They look super cool but wasn’t sure if they were a quality brand.  I decided to ask in here and was hoping Bier would respond. I’m sold on the Globals so far.  I got the 3 piece starter set that includes 8” chef, 5” utility, and 3.5 “ pearling.  

I don’t know those but they do look cool. They also look task specific 

[Bier Meister 1,755]

23 minutes ago, Ron_Artest said:

I've been using the same henkels knives for 25 years. A good chefs knife and then a carving knife. 8 inch.

A good knife makes all the difference in the world.  I hate when we stay in air BNBs and they have sh1t knives.

I have a wet stone, sharpen them myself.

Yeah….

we were going up a few times a year to Lake Tahoe and would often make dinners with the other families. I started bringing up my knife kit because you never know what the place actually has. 

[jerryskids 7,095]

48 minutes ago, BiffTannen said:

I got the idea of buying good knives from an ad I saw from this place.
https://www.coolinastore.com/?nbt=nb%3Aadwords%3Ag%3A2077420045%3A123348575945%3A628381298784&nb_adtype=&nb_kwd=coolina knives&nb_ti=kwd-796812417724&nb_mi=&nb_pc=&nb_pi=&nb_ppi=&nb_placement=&nb_li_ms=&nb_lp_ms=&nb_fii=&nb_ap=&nb_mt=e&gc_id=2077420045&h_ad_id=628381298784&nbt=nb%3Aadwords%3Ag%3A2077420045%3A123348575945%3A628381298784&nb_adtype=&nb_kwd=coolina knives&nb_ti=kwd-796812417724&nb_mi=&nb_pc=&nb_pi=&nb_ppi=&nb_placement=&nb_li_ms=&nb_lp_ms=&nb_fii=&nb_ap=&nb_mt=e&gad_source=1&gad_campaignid=2077420045&gbraid=0AAAAACvAPW63qYL8CeUVKNFkjo0Pepi3Z&gclid=Cj0KCQiArOvIBhDLARIsAPwJXOYu2Jf1VtupCBaebkw2OodzJi7pJ9UBdTR2wUrtDdScGUhaJAflmL0aAk7CEALw_wcB

They look super cool but wasn’t sure if they were a quality brand.  I decided to ask in here and was hoping Bier would respond. I’m sold on the Globals so far.  I got the 3 piece starter set that includes 8” chef, 5” utility, and 3.5 “ pearling.  

Those look interesting.  I'm intrigued by the tungsten slicing knife.  I wonder how heavy it would be; tungsten is about the densest metal you can get.  But that weight would be helpful in slicing difficult things.  

[jerryskids 7,095]

51 minutes ago, Ron_Artest said:

I've been using the same henkels knives for 25 years. A good chefs knife and then a carving knife. 8 inch.

A good knife makes all the difference in the world.  I hate when we stay in air BNBs and they have sh1t knives.

I have a wet stone, sharpen them myself.

We usually drive to a few vacation homes a year in the higher AZ country.  We always take at least our Wusthof santoku (with the notches in the blade) with us; it's our most used knife.  Usually also a serrated paring knife which is hella useful.  Also a non-stick pan for eggs; for some reason most places don't stock one it seems, and you can get them cheap. 

[Gepetto 1,456]

What about serrated knives vs straight knives? I have to use serrated for bread, tomatoes, and steak.

edit: i have Henckels steak knives. My parents straight steak knives and I hate them.

I have a long serrated Pampered Chef knife that works great for bread.