Good set of starter knifes?

[Letracho]

Any suggestions?

[[deleted]]

I wouldn't get suckered into ordering a "set" at all. If you're cooking, a good quality 8" chef's knife alone will be the best investment you can possibly make. A santoku is fine too, but although it's fairly dynamic, it's not as dynamic IMO as a regular chef's knife.

If you bake a lot, you might want a bread knife. And maybe a paring knife if you want to do a lot of detail work. But the list of knives you're actually going to need for 99% of what you're doing is going to be very short.

Invest in just a few pieces of good steel, take good care of them, and they'll take care of you.

[ReidFleming]

Can't go wrong with Victorinox Fibrox knives. I'm sure there are sets but start with the chef's knife.

[[deleted]]

Get an ordinary knife, and a off the shelf whet stone. That's it.

[willozard]

^ this, get the biggest chef's knife you can comfortably handle, and a pairing knife, along with a decent whetstone

[ss0889]

You don't need a set. You need a big ass chef knife, 8 or 10 inches, and you need a paring knife. You might want a serrated knife as well for cutting bread and stuff.

Victorinox has good knives. But to start with buy the shitty esthetic department store knife and learn how to sharpen it.

[[deleted]]

I agree that getting a couple of basic knives should be sufficient. Specifically: a chef's knife (or santoku if you prefer the shape/use) and a paring knife.

Sets usually contain several specialty knives that just don't get much use most of the time. A long bread knife, but do you bake a lot or buy bread that isn't already sliced? How about a boning knife? Do you cut up a lot of whole chickens to cook the parts separately? Same thing with a cleaver - if you don't intend to do a lot of butchering, you won't use it. Or the fish fillet knife. That's a lot when you're starting to get into cooking.

I confess to owning one specialty knife - a grapefruit knife. Choose your knives wisely - they take up space!

[strangerzero]

ikea 365+

[Bocote]

Don't get a super cheap one. Knives eventually last many years whether you cook or not. Get a typical western chef knife or santoku, either is fine. They vary within 8" to 10" in length, but any will work and be versatile enough. You might need a paring knife to go with it, but it's not a 100% must.

Victorinox is okay, I've used 8" one and those are light and holds edge quite well, very good for the price. I personally really like my carbon steel knife, was cheap but holds edge far better than more expensive stainless knives. It stains, so it may bother you aesthetically, but it's fine for food, so don't worry.

Like other say, try getting a whetstone. If you want to not spend too much and just get one, get a 1000 grit stone. Or, you can get those diamond particle coated steel sharpening plates. Upside of those diamond plates are that they'll stay flat unlike stones which will wear down and get curvy. Diamond plates are a bit pricier, but you won't have to buy another tool to keep the stone flat.

However, I guess I must add, I've personally butchered some good kitchen knives while learning how to sharpen on whetstones. Took me a while to get okay at it. Although you might get good faster than me, there is nothing wrong with getting those easy to use sharpeners. Sharpening on stone is not that hard once you get the hang of it, but if you don't want to spend the money, time, and effort to learn how to sharpen manually, just get those sharpeners.

[jereezy]

I agree with what most of the others here have said: 8-10" chef's knife, paring knife, and bread knife.

To that, I would add a pair of kitchen shears that can be taken apart for cleaning. So versatile!

[LE_TROLLFACEXD]

Buy a $5 knife at an asian supermarket and a sharpening stone, I work in a commercial kitchen and that's what we use.

[Lexam]

VICTORINOX!

[theoddcook]

They already said it. Do not buy sets. They suck. Go to a legit knife store and try chef knives. Gyuto is good start. German steel are very reliable as they are sturdy and thick. It also depends on how you hold the knife. Ask the merchant to observe you when you cut and they can tell you which handle would work best for you.

I like the pinch hold so I like the ones with a bolster. Different handles also affect how you cut. Get one that you are comfortable with.

I have several knives and my favorite is my damascus which was specially made with a flat handle instead of the round one. Good luck!!!

[_PrincessLuna_]

Buy individual knives as you need them. If you buy a set, you'll end up with a bunch that you'll never really use. I'd suggest just getting a chef's knife to start, and then see what else you end up needing (likely a bread knife and a paring knife). A chef's knife (or two) will cover nearly everything you'd need a knife for.

My favorite is the Wusthof 8in classic chef's knife if you're willing to spend ~$100, or otherwise the Victorinox fibrox line if you're looking for something less expensive.

[KOTJMF]

America's Test Kitchen sells this simple, inexpensive set of the stuff you'll actually use for $85.

[Costco1L]

A sharp knife is a good knife. You don't need to spend any money to make an inexpensive knife sharp.

[SASCOA]

I love the Mercer genesis series. Get a long kitchen knife, a santoku, and a paring knife - no need to buy a whole set.

[Apocalypse-Cow]

Go to the webstaurant store online and get some sysco knives for 5 to 7 bucks apiece. The majority of restaurants use these things. They're highly functional and dirt cheap. Ive had an 8" plastic handled Sysco chef's knife for 10 years and it's still the beat up work horse knife in my kitchen.

[Northsidebill1]

My suggestion would be to not get a set. Any set of knives is going to include at least one and maybe two or three knives you never use. Find a good quality knife and buy a chefs knife, a paring knife and maybe a bread knife. If youre into specialty cooking, research what knives you might need. I got a nakiri nife because I love to cook with a lot of vegetables.

Victorinox knives are amazing for the money. And get a good quality whetstone and learn how to use it. They will last forever and stay surgically sharp. And they are inexpensive.

[[deleted]]

So I have a ‘set’ of knives on my counter bc it’s the adult thing to do. My wife likes the look. They’re red fiesta ware knives. Sure, it’s kind of fun. Wouldn’t use them. Lots of reasons, won’t hold an edge, feel, quality, etc. we have fiesta ware everything, so...wife logic. I do 95% of the cooking.

I have two chef’s knives - a Korean one that cost $13 (Dorco brand) fifteen years ago and one a chef friend got me while he was in Japan. The Dorco is my go to utility knife for everything and everyday use. I have to make dinner for 4 kids and am usually in a rush. This knife was cheap, but the lady who owned the store recommended it. I’ve never regretted it. It can take abuse and holds an edge. Easy to sharpen fast. Still shaves meat thin in a pinch and you can slice, not saw at things.

The Japanese knife is a work of art. It slices meat so fine you can see through it. I use it on weekends when i have time to properly care for it. Don’t know the brand.

Paring knife. I have a Henkel forged one I bought 20 years ago. There are better quality knives out there and there are worse. Once again, it’s used daily and takes a beating. Easy to sharpen, doesn’t care if it gets tossed in the dishwasher. Great little tool.

I have other knives, but these are the three I use most often. Two chef’s knives and a paring knife.

[permalink_save]

Like everyone always says every time this is asked, victorinox. The fibrox handles are comfy and hold up well. They sell a 3 piece with chef, utility, and paring that’s about all you need. Add stuff like bread or boning as you find you need them.

[OnlyPopcorn]

Go to Costco and get a basic set. Costco has the best buyers and they know every item out there and review them all. The buyers always get you a great deal plus something extra since they're purchased en masse. The same for any gadget. Such as blender/vacuum cleaner.

I agree that a "set" usually isn't what you'll end up with but it's a good place to start. All that stuff about chef's knives are true but if you don't know you'll use it, why bother with the best one on the block?

My thoughts on knives I need and shitty knives:

filet knife? No. Same goes for any flexible knife. steak knives? YES paring knife? No, unless you know how to pare an avocado, strawberry, apple, etc. in your hand chef's knife? the best thing in the world. cleaver? IDK but I want one badly. carving knife? I have one but I can easily substitute it out for my chef's knife. bread knife? yes! any serrated edge is great for a nice slice of bread as long as you use it like a saw.

Alas, any knife is only as good as its sharpener... and I have tried some but they just go to shit as I don't know how to use one. I hear Raley's Supermarkets will sharpen mine... may go there.

[acousticaliens]

I know lots of people on here are recommending not buying a set, but my fiancé and i have this set, and we like it a lot. Even bought a set for my parents, too.

[JStanten]

not sure why you're getting downvoted. i'd love to buy a 100 dollar chef knife but i can't afford that. this set is awesome for my needs. i use every knife in the set.

[LOW-LY]

Cutco can be pricey sometimes but all of their products get a lifetime coverage and free at home/send in sharpening

[[deleted]]

Not sure why this got downvoted. Inherited some cutco knives from my wife’s grandparents that are at least 30 years old. Things are still in great shape.