I currently have a large set of Global kitchen knives (bought for me as a gift) and I'm convinced that they either fell of the back of a lorry, or they aren't quite 100% genuine... They look the business and I quite enjoy using them, however, I want to get myself one good knife - something very good and totally authentic!

I've been looking around on the net, and like the look of the 'Zwilling JA Henckels 4 Star Santoku knife, 18cm' and the 'Wusthof Classic 17cm Santoku Oriental Knife with Granton Edge - 4183'. Anyone able to tell me if these knives are any good? I could go for a decent version of one of the Global's too, but I'm open to suggestions.

If I'm getting a decent knife, I suppose that I'll need to have some way of sharpening it. What would you guys recommend?

I guess I ought to say that I'm not a pro chef, but I do love cooking at home. I'm reading Anthony Bourdain's first book at the moment and he talks about knives, going into some detail about different metals needing different levels of TLC. Is this something that I really need to take into account.

Many thanks in advance...

I use Henckels 5 star and Global, and I find the Global holds its edge longer.

TK Maxx have had some 5 star Henckels in recently, very cheap, seconds and non-seconds.

But personally I would go for Global and Nisbet's Diamond steel, which is excellent and a real bargain...

Some good prices on Global and Henckels here:-

[link]

and the diamond steel:-

[link]

I see in my makro mail, received this morning, that they have a six piece set of Zwilling 5 Star Henckles knives in a very hansome block for 99.99 + vat.

10 cm Paring knife
13 cm Utility knife
16 cm Slicing knife
20 cm Chef's knife
20 cm Bread knife
23cm Sharpening Steel

Bamboo knife block included in price.

If you price those knives up individually on the net, you will get an idea of what the saving is.

It's a real bargain - the best price I have ever seen for knives of this quality.

You will need a makro card, or to go with someone who has one, and the offer starts on 18th June.

Almost the same as the ones on this link:-


[link]

Thanks Gastrosurf for your advice and for the excellent information that you have provided.

Many thanks

It is indeed a good price! I use these knives and can recommend them. Most of mine were bought at TK Maxx, but finding exactly what you want there is a bit of a lottery and I do not think you could buy the set at a better price. Mind your fingers though , they are seriously sharp!

You're very welcome h31p.

I forgot to respond to your question on knife care.

It is true that the better quality knives need looking after, but only in the way that most serious cooks will look after their equipment anyway, by making sure they are dried well after washing, and stored in a way that means they don't rattle around with other cutlery and get blunted or damaged.

Because of the blend of metals in the higher quality knives, they can be more susceptible to corrosion- but they would need to be left wet for some time. Knife rolls can be risky - if the knives are put away wet and the roll gets very damp, that will create the ideal conditions for corrosion to set in.

It has been known for ice hardened knives to break when dropped on to a hard floor, Global tend to be especially vulnerable because of the ice hardening and the form of construction. But I think you would need a rock hard floor, and to be very unlucky to find that a knife broke when accidentally dropped.

It's common-place to see chefs lay their knives flat on garlic lobes and bash down hard on the knife blade to crush the garlic - I wouldn't recommend doing that with a ice hardened knife, a Global knife especially, because if you were very unlucky you could cause a break at the point where the handle meets the blade.

I would also recommend against using ice hardened knives as you would a cleaver - the ice hardening allows for more acute grinding angles to be used, which works well for cutting and slicing, but when metal is very hard and very thin it is more prone to chipping.

Finally, if your ice hardened knives ever need re-grinding, make sure you get someone who really understands how to handle the kind of metals they are made of.

If someone puts them on a standard engineer's grinding wheel and gets them too hot, they will be ruined. They may look fine and be nice and sharp, but if the hardness of the metal has been negatively affected by heat, they won't hold an edge for long.

Wow! Thanks for another detailed response! I am very grateful for the advice that you have given.

I think you should also see which knife feels comfortable in the hand, so it is important to handle the knife before purchasing.
I do prefer the Victorinox range, withthe rosewood handle, but that is personal to me. i feel the Global knives are not right for me and some of the others are too heavy. All down to personal prefernce.

Great advice gastrosurf!

I recently got some knives from these guys: [link]

Their Global knives are some of the best prices I've seen around. I need to get something to carry them around in now. Bit weary of a knife roll after reading gastrosurf's post now.

Hi MarkCasey

Yes, the prices on the link you have posted are very good, and free postage with orders over £25, which is excellent. Thanks for posting the link, I've put it in 'favourites'.

All the best!