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Choice on Knives.

H

hath

Guest
Please forgive me if this is one of those topics that has been covered over and over but im in the market for a really nice couple of knives. Ive been looking at the Gunther. But was also interested in the Cutco brand. I dont know the difference in forged or stamped knives. I have no idea of the pros or cons in this area. what I do know is that I love a razor sharp knive and believe in buying 1 good one rather than multiple cheap ones. Can someone please advise my and point me in a general direction as to what to look for? thanks.
 
I just bought a set of Gunther Wilheims and love em! They replaced my Henckles and Forschners(sp?)

IMO, better than both in the way the feel in the hand, especially for the price. Im sure there are better knoves out there, but for the cost of the set, I have no complaints. The suckers cut like a razor. (yeah, they're new.. lets see in 6 months).

http://www.bbq-brethren.com/forum/showthread.php?t=77781
 
Don't want to jack this thread - but if you want sharp then perhaps you should consider a good sharpener. The best knife improperly sharpened is useless. I'd get the Edgepro Apex. After that, any quality knife will cut perfectly. My Wusthofs needed to be sharpened out of the box. Just another $.02
 
so what is the advantage or disadvantage of a stamped knife vs a forged knife?
are cutco knives good vs say a Gunter?
 
I prefer forged knives for the quality of the steel. The arguments are extensive and long, but, essentially forging increases the ability of steel to take and hold an edge for a longer period of time. It has to do with grain orientation etc...

I would look for a forged knife with a solid handle, Consider Global as a good mid-price knife also.
 
hath said:
so what is the advantage or disadvantage of a stamped knife vs a forged knife?
are cutco knives good vs say a Gunter?
Click to expand...

From a knife blog:

What is the different between forged knife and stamped knife?
The different is the making process.
Forged Knife:

”Forged knives are hand made through a process of extreme heat and hand moulding. Each forged knife is carefully and hand crafted with extreme detail. The tang of the knife merges into the handle and is typically secured by three rivets.”
​
Stamped Knife:

”Stamped knives are made from templated cutters that cut the shape of the knives into flat metal. Stamped knives are lighter but don’t have the same quality and balance as the forged knives do. Due to the lack of density, the stamped knives don’t hold edges as well as the forged knives. Stamped knives are usually less expensive. “
​
The Benefit Of Forged Knife And Stamped Knife

Due to forged knives undergo a treatment process to enhance the flexibility, density, and hardness of the knife. Forged knives tend to be heavier than stamped knives. Besides that, forged knives generally offer greater strength and durability as well as better balance, a heavier feel and lasting sharpness. Most of the top notch best kitchen knives are forged knives that come with the more expesive price tag.
Stamped knives are generally less expensive, but tend to lack the strength and balance of a forged knife. Take this as a general rule, though. There are some reasonably priced, yet high-quality stamped knives on the market today that have excellent cutting ability and a light-weight maneuverability favored by many chefs.
Our Recommendation for forged knife:

Shun Classic – The Best Kitchen Knife

Our Recommendation for stamped knife

Forschner Victorinox Knives – The Best Budget Kitchen Knife
 
My wife got me these:
the-ex-knife-holder.jpg


They're actually pretty decent for cheap knives. She also understands my morbid sense of humor too, obviously.
http://www.wellsphere.com/linkOut.s...ntent/uploads/2009/02/the-ex-knife-holder.jpg
 
For me, and I fully understand that a good knife ia a personal thing, the Chicago Cutlery line of knives offers forged, full tang knives at a very attractive price point.

Standard disclaimer: No warranty or guarantee is offered or implied. Mileage may vary.
 
Mundial knives are sweet... I prefer them over my henckels and I like that they are forged and not stamped like Mac.....

Mundial are made in Brazil but originally are form Germany... They make great knives and they're very affordable.... Just got a block with 8 knives for Xmas. Prior to that I bought the Santoku with granton edge - which is what made me like the knives so much. Unfortunately I couldn't get them in Canada so I ordered from the US.... Check them out....

This is the set I have - 5100 series - http://www.mundialusa.com/5100.html Bought off CSN stores online....
 
A knife should last you your life time, your child's life time and your grand child's life time, basically we're saying "forever".

Cost when worked out after you pay for it and your great grand children use it is going to be next to nothing. I'm using semi custom knives made in the late 1940's for my grand father, a couple carbon blades from the 1930's. Early 440C stainless and of course D-2 and M-2

My suggestion find a knife maker you like and have them build you a few. Now just think if you'd bought from Bob Kramer when he first started making kitchen knives and selling them for a few hundred bucks. His custom knives now sell for $$$$$K and up, IF you can find one or you don't mind waiting 2 years plus.

Best production knives I've sharpened of late are Misono UX10, they are rising in price for production knives. tough and they get laser sharp, if you know how to sharpen them or have access to a sharpener who does good work.

If Chicago Cutlery were hardened better they'd be good. The same can be said of Henckel's, Forschner, Wusthof, and the like.

A good bargain in an inexpensive lineup is the Victorinox Fibrox knife lineup. They are food safe and are harder and better cutters than most, Henckel's etc.
 
I have only three knives that I use and they are all Hattori's. I prefer Japanese style knives to the Henckel Professional S that I used to own. While not as durable they are amazingly sharp. I touch them up with Edgepro every few months and they remain razor sharp. Here's a pic of what they look like. I love the look of the damascus too

Img1046.jpg
 
If you've got someplace that sells a bunch of knifes near you, here's my advice: Go try a bunch. Pick them up and see how they feel in YOUR hand, and hands are different in size and shape. Different people have different tastes in knives, and you should get something you like.

Then, after you find some that you like, research the construction (stamped/forged, type of steel, etc) and remeber what you will primarily be using the knife for. Different tools for different jobs.

Do you want a gently curved blade that you can rock through it's full length, or one that flattens out and is more of a chopper than a rocker (does that make ANY sense?).

Get something that you want, not what somebody else likes.

(having said that, I look at the Hattoris above and drool:oops:)
 
 
Last edited:
http://watanabeblade.com/english/pro/index.htm

This is one of the sharpest knives in the world. The maker is a true artist.

I also say go to a local cutlery store and try out different ones and see what fits you.

For my personal tastes I went with Tojiro knives. They can be sharpened razor sharp and hold that edge while not needing to be baby'ed because of the SS sandwich.

Here is another guy that is insanely sharp:

http://www.cartercutlery.com/
 
i have a full set of wusthoff classic knives I picked up while in Germany a few years back...forged and full tang..I like them a lot - I agree with the knife sharpening thing...without proper sharpening, any knife is useless..I picked up a lansky sharpening system and it works well (cheaper version of the edgepro apex)
 
Just felt I would put in my 2 cents worth. I have Henckel's and love them. Sure there are others and I'm sure most are good. You really want to have forged with the steel going all the way through the handle. Hold the knife and see how it feels in you hand, and yes buy just one good one if that is all you can afford.

I prefer a 10 inch chef knife for all around kitchen use, I use it more than any other I have. It's not good for slicing, so that should be your second knife.

And yes sharp is very important! I don't know about the sharpener mentioned above, but I have a Warthog. Cost me about a hundred at a boat show. Kind of funny looking, but it works great. Fast and simple to use.

Stay away from stainless cause it does not hold an edge, and never never use an electric grinding type, you will loose the temper in the steel.
 
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