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New kitcen knives!!

manderz

Brilliant_Rock
Joined
Mar 8, 2010
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I got an amazing new set of kitchen knives for Christmas this year!! I bought individual knives rather than a set, and now my old block won't work. So, I was hoping that you lovely PSers would help me find a new one. I found an interesting one at Le Gourmet Chef, it was a plastic one that didn't have slots. It was an empty frame with what I would describe as thicker broom bristles to hold all the knives where you wanted them. I thought it was kinda cool because you could put whatever you wanted where ever you wanted, but I'm concerned about it staying clean. So, I'd love to hear your storage solutions! Just no drawer trays, as we're already short on drawer space. Thanks!
 
Oh I'm jealous!!! I got BF a new knife for Christmas, and we'll be gradually getting more.

I've heard about those blocks and I plan on getting one later. I've seen some that you can take the holder part out of the block and wash it in the dishwasher.
 
oooh we got nice knives for our wedding and I love them to bits :appl: enjoy!!


How much do you want to spend, and what type, and what type? I want this one: http://www.amazon.com/Wusthof-25-Slot-Storage-Block/dp/B0001FATNC/ref=sr_1_7?ie=UTF8&qid=1295047036&sr=8-7 but we just don't have the counterspace for it! I have not heard of this happening, but I do wonder if wooden blocks are a health hazard if a knife isn't properly sanitized and dried before being stored in one - in my thread on knife care a few months ago cellentani suggested using hand-sanitizer to get them clean since dishwasher is not a good option, which is really a fantastic idea!

The one you describe sounds very cool - like making your knife set a decoration! Though not if you have cats that climb on the counters like ours..

I would not go with a metal or acrylic holder because the surface will dull the blades with prolonged contact, though they're easier to clean. You want a block with lots of horizontal storage spaces because it's easier on the blades.

If you have less space you could go with a magnetic wall-strip: http://www.amazon.com/MIU-90009-Magnetic-Stainless-20-inch/dp/B0000DZDHB/ref=sr_1_2?s=home-garden&ie=UTF8&qid=1295047267&sr=1-2 less issues with sanitizing too since they're open-to-air. You could also store cleavers and such, which most blocks don't have room for.
 
Would a magnetic strip be feasible? They make for easy access and then you don't really have to worry about size or losing counter space. If you don't like the appearance of the strip, you can always put it inside a cupboard or pantry door.
 
I use a magnetic strip...but I also don't care for aesthetics in our rental house.
 
turtledazzle said:
We have the Kapoosh and love it: http://www.amazon.com/Kapoosh-650-Holder-Woodgrain-Finish/dp/B000Q4I9LM

It does a great job holding our Wusthoff knives. The plastic rods can come out and are dishwasher safe though, honestly, it doesn't really get that dirty. We've had ours for about 3.5 years now. Our friends have one as well and love it, too.

Kapoosh! THAT is exactly what I saw at Le Gourmet Chef. Thank you for putting a name with what I couldn't remember. I'm really liking this one, and I've only got 7 knives plus kitchen shears, so a smallish one like that should work well.
Yssie said:
oooh we got nice knives for our wedding and I love them to bits :appl: enjoy!!


How much do you want to spend, and what type, and what type? I want this one: http://www.amazon.com/Wusthof-25-Slot-Storage-Block/dp/B0001FATNC/ref=sr_1_7?ie=UTF8&qid=1295047036&sr=8-7 but we just don't have the counterspace for it! I have not heard of this happening, but I do wonder if wooden blocks are a health hazard if a knife isn't properly sanitized and dried before being stored in one - in my thread on knife care a few months ago cellentani suggested using hand-sanitizer to get them clean since dishwasher is not a good option, which is really a fantastic idea!

The one you describe sounds very cool - like making your knife set a decoration! Though not if you have cats that climb on the counters like ours..

I would not go with a metal or acrylic holder because the surface will dull the blades with prolonged contact, though they're easier to clean. You want a block with lots of horizontal storage spaces because it's easier on the blades.

If you have less space you could go with a magnetic wall-strip: http://www.amazon.com/MIU-90009-Magnetic-Stainless-20-inch/dp/B0000DZDHB/ref=sr_1_2?s=home-garden&ie=UTF8&qid=1295047267&sr=1-2 less issues with sanitizing too since they're open-to-air. You could also store cleavers and such, which most blocks don't have room for.
Thanks Yssie! I'm not a fan of the magnetic strips, I don't want to scratch the sides of the blades. I'm not too worried about the potential risk of health issues related to a wooden block, I've never put them away wet. I either dry them if I hand wash them, or make sure they are heated dry in the dishwasher.
As far as cost, I'm not too worried about it , as these will be the last knives I ever own, I won't get any more than what I have, and they have a forever guarantee. I am torn between finding just the right block, or getting the kapoosh-style block.
pinkstars said:
Oh I'm jealous!!! I got BF a new knife for Christmas, and we'll be gradually getting more.

I've heard about those blocks and I plan on getting one later. I've seen some that you can take the holder part out of the block and wash it in the dishwasher.

Good to know you can take the inside out to clean it!

Thanks for all the advice, everyone!
 
turtledazzle|1295063756|2823263 said:
We have the Kapoosh and love it: http://www.amazon.com/Kapoosh-650-Holder-Woodgrain-Finish/dp/B000Q4I9LM

It does a great job holding our Wusthoff knives. The plastic rods can come out and are dishwasher safe though, honestly, it doesn't really get that dirty. We've had ours for about 3.5 years now. Our friends have one as well and love it, too.

We have this metal Kapoosh for our Wusthof knives and have had the same experience as turtledazzle. We wash and dry our knives well before putting them in the holder, so the rods don't really get dirty. I like that there's no designated space to put each knife. You just slide a knife in wherever you want to and the rods move accommodate.

http://www.google.com/products/cata...log_result&ct=image&resnum=3&ved=0CCQQ8gIwAg#
 
I'm resurrecting this thread as I am buying some new knives. I've not been impressed with Global (style over substance, flimsy feeling handles) however am thinking of Wusthof Classic or Henckels Professional.

Which brand and range within the brand would you go for?
 
While more expensive, please at least consider Japanese knives.
After using a Henkel's Four Star set for 20 years recently bought two Japanese knives and am astonished how much better they cut and how much longer they stay sharp.
TristanC right here on PS turned me on to them.
Prices can go up into the zillions but I paid $206 for the 240mm (about 10") and $105 for the 120mm (about 4"), which is on the high side for a first J-knife.
You don't even have to spend that much to get a knife that's not just the best in the department store, but ranks with the best in the world.

http://www.japaneseknifeimports.com/ is a fantastic vendor and the owner will guide you through the purchase and make sure you get what's right for you.
Jon and his wife Sara are wonderful people who give you old fashioned personalized service, which I appreciated since this is a specialized field of which I was ignorant.
Jon actually talked me out of buying much more expensive knives.

Here is an excellent forum about Japanese knives if you care to explore:

http://www.kitchenknifeforums.com/forumdisplay.php?4-The-Kitchen-Knife

I went with one of the least expensive Konosuke full carbon white steel, which can rust and needs more fussing over, but you can get fine stainless steel ones or others that are a combo of SS and carbon steel.
My knife is thin and like a laser beam.
It practically falls through a tomato like it wasn't there

01jk.png
 
Hi Kenny- thanks for the tip, but they are a little more than I want to spend. They are actually for my in laws, who have the worst bread knife ever, so we planned on getting them about 3-4 knives (inc the bread one) for a present for Christmas. We are in the UK and wanted to spend about £200 ($300) for the set. They have had the same Sabatier set since they got married (over 43 years ago!).
 
Thanks for the tips- that link has also given me a heart attach- I can't believe the price difference between knives in the UK and the USA! I am going to work out if it is still cheaper once import duties have been added on!
 
I use Henckel Professional S and I like them. There are better knives out there, but these ones are very good. They're expensive in Canada so I ordered a few of them on Amazon. I received my first few as wedding gifts so I just stuck with that line. I didn't do a lot of research in to which knives are best so I can't be much help there.

They are definitely much better than department store knives.
 
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