Reddit mentions: The best knife sets
We found 59 Reddit comments discussing the best knife sets. We ran sentiment analysis on each of these comments to determine how redditors feel about different products. We found 39 products and ranked them based on the amount of positive reactions they received. Here are the top 20.
1. SE 16-Piece Hobby Knife Set with Aluminum Collet Chucks - 813PK
- (13) Assorted blades and (3) handles
- (3) Precision knives with collet chucks
- 16 pieces total
- Convenient storage case for easy storage and transportation
- Great for crafts, hobby, modeling, and scrapbooking
Features:
Specs:
Height | 18.5 Inches |
Length | 17.6 Inches |
Number of items | 1 |
Weight | 0.01 Pounds |
Width | 14.6 Inches |
2. HENCKELS Fine Edge Pro Starter Knife Set, 3-piece, Black/Stainless Steel
- Fine Edge Pro knives offer stamped high-carbon German stainless steel blades
- 3-pc set includes: 3-inch paring knife, 5-inch utility knife and 8-inch chef's knife
- Full-tang triple-rivet handle
- Lifetime limited manufacturer warranty
- Diswasher safe - hand washing recommended
- Set contains 8-inch chef's knife, 5-inch utility knife, 3-inch paring knife
- Stamped stainless-steel blades
- Black plastic, three-rivet, full-tang handles
- Dishwasher-safe, but not recommended
- Lifetime warranty
Features:
Specs:
Color | Black/Stainless Steel |
Height | 5.25 Inches |
Length | 16.25 Inches |
Number of items | 1 |
Release date | August 2019 |
Size | 3-piece |
Weight | 8.5 Pounds |
Width | 6 Inches |
3. Fixwell Stainless Steel Knife Set, 12-Piece
- 12 Pcs Set, Colors Vary
- Quality product
- Made in Germany
- Can use variously
Features:
Specs:
Color | Multicolor |
Height | 1 Inches |
Length | 15 Inches |
Size | 13.5 x 7 x 3.5 in |
Weight | 0.5 Pounds |
Width | 15 Inches |
4. Victorinox Forschner 7 Pc Fibrox Deluxe Culinary Knife Roll Set,Black
IDEAL CHEF EQUIPMENT SET: Each knife features a supremely comfortable ergonomic Fibrox Pro handle, that will surely help you deliver the perfect slice every time. This culinary equipment set comes with a 3-1/4" spear point paring knife (#40600), 6" boning knife (#40513), 8" chef's knife (#40520), 10...
Specs:
Weight | 3 Pounds |
5. Zwilling J.A. Henckels Four Star 3-pc Starter Set
- High Quality German Made Cutlery Fully Forged
- 8" Chefs Knife, 5" Serrated Utility, And 4" Paring Knife
- Comes Packaged in gift box
Features:
Specs:
Color | Black |
Height | 11.023622036 inches |
Length | 14.960629906 inches |
Weight | 0.5291094288 Pounds |
Width | 11.023622036 inches |
6. Victorinox (7.7253.2) - 2-Piece Forged Starter Set
- Includes 3-1/2-inch parer for precision cuts and an 8-inch chef's knife for practically any cutting job
- High carbon stainless steel provides maximum sharpness and edge retention; ice tempered to sustain sharpness longer and give desired effect when re-sharpened
- Single-piece, full-tang construction; bolsterless edges for use of entire blades and ease of sharpening
- Triple rivet handles ergonomically designed to provide optimum weight, balance, and comfort; plastic over molded (POM) handles will hold shape and not crack or separate from blade
- Hand washing recommended; lifetime warranty against manufacturer defects; hot-drop forged in Germany, finished in Switzerland
Features:
Specs:
Height | 15.75 Inches |
Length | 6.75 Inches |
Weight | 1 Pounds |
Width | 1.5 Inches |
7. Kai Pure Komachi 2 6-Piece Knife Set 6 Stainless Steel Knives Colored Sheaths 743680
- Includes: 6 Razor-Sharp Knives + 6 Color Matched Sheaths
- Bread orange 8 inch, Chef's Red 8 inch, hollow ground santoku purple 6.5 inch, multi utility blue 6 inch, paring green 3.5 inch, citrus yellow 4 inch.
- High carbon stainless steel kitchen knives, brilliant colors, sharp performance
- Color-coded blades guard against cross-contamination
- color matched blade sheeth with curved notch protects blades and fingers.
Features:
Specs:
Color | Yellow,Orange,Blue,Green,Red,Purple |
Height | 2 Inches |
Length | 22 Inches |
Size | 4 to 6 Inch |
Weight | 2 pounds |
Width | 14 Inches |
8. Global Tool-Knife Set (G-2, 5,GS-7) 3 Pc, Stainless Steel
- cromova 18 stainless steel
- rust, corrosion, & stain resistant
- carefully weighted to ensure perfect balance and performance
- seamless construction ensures food safety & hygiene
- Included components: tool-knife-sets
Features:
Specs:
Color | Stainless Steel |
Height | 1.06 Inches |
Length | 14.88 Inches |
Number of items | 1 |
Size | 1 pack |
Weight | 3 Pounds |
Width | 6.26 Inches |
9. Gela 10-Piece Knife Set, Multi
The kitchen knife set includes Paring, cheese, Utility, all-purpose, Santoku, sandwich, bread, slicing, chef and tomato knives!All the knives are made of heavy duty stainless steel and they are corrosion resistant and dishwasher safe! they are safe-coated and incomparably hygienic, keeping you and y...
Specs:
Color | Multicolor |
Height | 1.6 Inches |
Length | 17 Inches |
Number of items | 1 |
Size | 3" x 10" |
Weight | 2.2 Pounds |
Width | 17 Inches |
10. MIU France Stainless Steel Serrated Steak Knife Pack, Set of 12
Made from high carbon stainless steelBlack polypropylene handlesSerrated tooth bladeDishwasher safe8" in length
Specs:
Height | 0.5 Inches |
Length | 8.63 Inches |
Width | 1 Inches |
12. LamsonSharp KnifeSafes Knife Blade Protectors, Set of 4
- Fits most standard cutlery brands and shapes
- Keeps blades sharp, free from knicks and scratches
- Child-resistant design
- Protects blades including kitchen, hunting, fishing and utility
- Great for transporting knives to picnics, camping and tailgate parties
Features:
Specs:
Color | White |
Height | 1.8 Inches |
Length | 10.5 Inches |
Number of items | 1 |
Weight | 3 Pounds |
Width | 3 Inches |
13. Solicut First Class Knife Set, 2-Piece
- 2-piece knife set including 4-inch paring knife and 8-inch chef's knife
- Hot drop forged from a solid piece of molybdenum-vanadium steel
- The double bolster construction adds significantly to the balance of the knife
- Dishwasher safe handle though hand washing is recommended
- Manufactured in the world's cutlery capitol-solingen germany
Features:
Specs:
Color | Black Metallic |
Height | 1.18 Inches |
Length | 14.57 Inches |
Size | small |
Weight | 0.71 Pounds |
Width | 5.12 Inches |
14. Arcos Forged Riviera 7 Pcs Beechwood Knife Set
The Arcos Riviera 7-Piece set : 4-Inch paring, 6-Inch chefs, 8-Inch chefs, 8-Inch bread, 10-Inch granton edge ham knife ,10-Inch steel, and 6 slot beechwood blockState-of-the-art made blade ensures high cutting power ( over 100 mm ) and long edge retention (over 350 mm)Made of hardened and tempered ...
Specs:
Color | Brown |
Height | 17.4 Inches |
Length | 13 Inches |
Weight | 2.20462262 Pounds |
Width | 4.4 Inches |
15. Moody Tools 55-0292 6 Pc. Stainless Steel Precision Probe Set, 25mil
- Hex stainless steel handle
- precision
- Stainless steel points
- Fixed stainless steel handle and stainless steel point
- 25Mil with stainless steel handles, 6 probes
Features:
Specs:
Color | Stainless Steel |
Height | 0.6 Inches |
Length | 7.5 Inches |
Number of items | 1 |
Weight | 0.1543235834 Pounds |
Width | 0.6 Inches |
16. Victorinox Assorted 4 Piece Serrated Stainless Steel Round Tipped Paring Knife Set with Fibrox Handle, 4.5 Inch
- Dependable, sturdy, easy to carry
- Great for everyday use
- Swiss made precision
Features:
Specs:
Color | Multicolor |
Height | 0.25 Inches |
Length | 8.63 Inches |
Size | 4.5" |
Weight | 0.5 Pounds |
Width | 0.75 Inches |
17. Shun VBS0200 Sora 2-Piece Knife Set
- 2-Piece Sora Knife Set by Shun; features a 3.5-Inch Sora Paring Knife and 6-Inch Sora Chef's Knife
- Sora knives feature a VG10 cutting core with stainless steel on either side, creating a san mai edge that provides stain resistance
- Blades have a mirror-polished Japanese 420J blade upper and a 16-degree cutting edge on either side
- Made with a traditional handle design in easy to care for textured PP/TPE polymer
- Hand wash only; made in Japan
Features:
Specs:
Color | Silver |
Height | 1.5 Inches |
Length | 11.5 Inches |
Weight | 0.391 Pounds |
Width | 0.625 Inches |
18. Arcos Forged Riviera 6 Pcs Beechwood Knife Set
- Packaging: 6 piece in a Gift Box
- Blade: NITRUM Forged Stainless Steel
- Scissors + Paring Knife + Chef Knife + Bread Knife + Slicing Knife
- Handle: Noteworthy for its stylised shape, which perfectly fits and adjust to the curve of one's hand. Its refined and highly rust resistant finish making it the star attraction of the collection
- Knife Set (4 Knives + 1 scissors)
Features:
Specs:
Color | Brown |
Height | 17.4 Inches |
Length | 13 Inches |
Number of items | 1 |
Size | Average |
Weight | 2.20462262 Pounds |
Width | 4.4 Inches |
19. Credit Card Tool Set Card Knife - Best Army Tactical Multitool Pocket Knife Set By Cable And Case - Survival Wallet With Blade - Multi-tool Gift For Dad, Mom, Husband, Wife, Brother Or Sister
- Fathers Day Gifts. Charge outside with this tool in hand for a fun adventure! you need this survival knife with 10 essential survival tools kit - tactical credit card tool holder for the ultimate survival tool. great for men, dad, husband, or boyfriend. it's a great survival credit card knife on the market. it's the ultimate pocket knife credit card survival tool. these cards are made razor sharp, and are legit. no need to sharpen it on arrival
- Stocking stuffers for adults - hiking knife great gift for the man in your life. he will love this survival gear! serrated stainless steel credit card knife blade. remove the blade while using the compass - be ready for anything that comes your way. great for the outdoors or in an urban setting. more tools than a wallet ninja or the credit card knife. it's a great survival multitool with knife holder. it's the ultimate protector. no carry sleeve needed, it's an all in one package.
- Christmas Day Gift For Him - essential emergency survival tool for your purse or wallet - be ready for anything with this essential survival tool kit. as good as survival gear! cool gifts for men, boy, dad's or husbands! great camping gifts. the knife used the body as a sheath. don't get ceramic, it won't work with a sharpener. you can find a better offer on how money this tool is. you will love our tool even more! Stocking Stuffers For Him Or Her
- It's compact, convenient & ultra light. ultimate funny groomsmen . wallet tool gift. survive like a ninja! - buy multiple credit card tools & keep them in your car, purse, survival kit, or in your emergency supplies. great companion to a paracord bracelet. it's one of the most essential multitool card emergency tools. knives are generally not tsa approved. contains a 1 pack wallet tool Key Product Features
- Stocking stuffer for men & women, great with quality and reliability. essential survival knife - cable and case stands behind all of their products. great stocking stuffers for boys, adult son stocking stuffers, mens stocking stuffers tools, mens stocking stuffer ideas, men stocking stuffers, stocking stuffers for adults, xmas stockings stuffer, stocking stuffers for men tools
Features:
Specs:
Color | Black |
Height | 0.2 Inches |
Length | 3.5 Inches |
Size | 1 Pack |
Width | 2.2 Inches |
20. Alton's Angles by Shun 3-Piece Angled Knife Set
Set includes 3-1/2-inch vegetable knife, 4-inch paring knife, and 6-inch utility knifeMade of VG-10 stainless-steel blade; style and durability of Damascus steel with added rust resistanceStainless-steel bolster and a wood handle combine to create a safe, ergonomic gripComes with a lifetime warranty...
Specs:
Color | Stainless-steel |
Height | 1.5 Inches |
Length | 14.75 Inches |
Width | 5.5 Inches |
🎓 Reddit experts on knife sets
The comments and opinions expressed on this page are written exclusively by redditors. To provide you with the most relevant data, we sourced opinions from the most knowledgeable Reddit users based the total number of upvotes and downvotes received across comments on subreddits where knife sets are discussed. For your reference and for the sake of transparency, here are the specialists whose opinions mattered the most in our ranking.
If you want beautiful, affordable knives that hold an edge well, check out the IKEA SLITBAR series (terrible name). The handles are olive wood and I forget the steel type but it's harder than most inexpensive knives and keeps a nice edge.
The lineup.
Best bang-for-the-buck is the 6" chef's knife at $19.99.
If you want to invest in wonderful daily-use knives that will last you decades, I recommend the [Global 3-piece starter set]http://www.amazon.com/Global-Piece-Knife-Set-G-257/dp/B00012EVVQ/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1421303671&sr=8-1&keywords=global+G-257&pebp=1421303673122&peasin=B00012EVVQ).
Yes, they're expensive, but what's nice is there aren't any throwaways in here. Lots of 3-piece starter sets include one piece that's filler, like a honing steel or a serrated bread knife. This set has 3 extremely useful knives. The 8" chef's knife is your main tool, the paring knife is for detail work, and the "utility blade" is really just a chef's knife with the last few inches chopped off. It's great for when you have a friend helping you prep veggies, and it's good for smaller people or those who are intimidated by huge-ass kitchen knives. I own an older version of this set, and it's one of my favorite things in the kitchen.
The grind is convex (DO NOT run it through a motorized blade-grinder sharpener) so it holds an edge for a long-ass time, not to mention it's made of great steel.
I know you didn't ask for knife recommendations, but I got excited when I imagined pretty and high-quality knives up on your beautiful magnetic board.
The two things to keep in mind when choosing knives are comfort and blade material. Don't overlook the first one - make sure it looks comfortable to hold!
Ceramic blades have some advantages. Generally, they come very sharp and stay that way longer than steel without any attention. However, you give up being able to sharpen yourself when they eventually dull. And they are much more delicate if you accidentally drop them.
Steel blades dull faster, but can be re-sharpened easily. If you quickly hone the blade on a "sharpening" steel every use, then you only need to have the knife sharpened once a year. Steel knives can also be very sharp - ceramics may have more edge durability but not sharpness. Some people like the weight of steel better. And a good steel knife can last a lifetime.
High end steel knives are generally made of a harder steel, which means that they can get marginally sharper and will stay that way longer. Some high carbon steels rust easily.
Mid range, or lower middle range is where I would advise you to look. I bought this 3 knife set by J.A. Henckels 4 years ago for $30. I really like them. They came super sharp, resist rust if you leave them in the sink overnight, and have held up really well. I don't use them very heavily, but I haven't even re-sharpened them yet. I hone them every time I pick them up, and they are still nice to use for all kinds of food prep. The handle shape feels good in my hand. My only minor gripe is that the pairing knife's blade shape is a little strange. If it's comfortable, fairly sharp, and holds an edge well enough, then I don't see a reason to upgrade yet. There's no shame in buying some starter knives, especially if you are a beginning cooking. A $100 chef's knife will only show it's true form with great technique.
Amazon.
I have:
Generic Hobby Knife - Generic hobby knife kit. Blades were shit so I buy Xacto brand but the knives and case are good.
Needle Files - Extremely useful for polishing off mold lines or smoothing cuts.
Adjustable Jeweler's Saw - Handles a ton of different size blades for cutting metal, plastic, or wood.
Swivel Handle Pin Vice - Probably the best tool you can buy. Great for customizing what your troops are carrying.
Third Hand - Stupidly useful. Mostly for gluing.
Jeweler's Saw Blades - Bought these for my saw. Useful. Others might be better.
Micro Drill Bits - Bought for my pin vice. Useful. Others might be better.
Mini Drill Bits - Bought for my pin vice. Useful. Others might be better.
Frying pans should be heavy based and non stick. I have tried cast iron ones too, but non stick is better.
If you are using an induction hob, you will need pans with a magnetic base. Tefal have a good range of pans, you don't need to spend that much to get something good really.
As for knives - its a very personal thing I think, but your first purchase should be a large cook or chefs knife - mine is a Global G2 20cm Cooks knife but I know that Wursthof, and Hekcels made good knives too.
This looks like a good quality set, its pricey, but these would last you well, and a sharp knife is safer than a blunt one!
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Henckels-STAR-Special-Offer-piece/dp/B0014FCIQY/ref=sr_1_sc_1?s=kitchen&ie=UTF8&qid=1318424620&sr=1-1-spell
Thats just the result of a quick amazon search, I have no affiliation with amazon or the manufacturer.
Knives are quite personal, so try holding one in a shop first before buying online.
Hope that helps.
I know this will likely be unpopular but for just starting out, I recommend a cheaper set of decent knives to figure out what you like working with. I got a set of Gela Global knives and have been amazed at how well they hold their edge. Every 2nd or 3rd time I use them, I just hone them and I am good to go. After figuring out what I liked using, I ended up getting a Wuesthof chef's knife but I find myself reaching for the GG chef's and santoku knives just as often, if not more often, than my Wuesthof.
Also, for those of us who hate clean up, the Gela Global's are dishwasher safe. :)
Silicone spatula's are one of the greatest inventions ever for no stick. Be sure to spend some money, buy a small and large saute pan in no-stick, a small, medium, and large pot, and practice. Then, once you have some XP and level up, get a large stainless saute pan like this:
Cuisinart MCP33-24HN MultiClad Pro Stainless 3-1/2-Quart Saute with Helper and Cover https://www.amazon.com/dp/B009W28RRA/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_i_7kHkDb93NS6Q4
You can use it for most things, and it will heat a lot more evenly. Build from there. Get a good 8" chef knife set like this:
J.A. Henckels International 31419-001 Fine Edge Pro Starter Knife Set, 3-piece, Black/Stainless Steel https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00004RFNM/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_i_JmHkDbZQGCHGK
and a magnetic knife holder:
Magnetic Knife Strips, 15 Inch Magnetic Knife Storage Strip, Knife Holder, Knife Rack, Knife Strip, Kitchen Utensil Holder, Tool Holder, Multipurpose Magnetic Knife Rack https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07K1P1BPN/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_i_.oHkDbBFMEQBR
And you're off to a great start. Knife blocks are a waste imo. Good luck and have fun! Learning to feed yourself and others is one of the best things you can do.
You don't have to spend much to get a decent knife set.
I did a lot of research , and even though the much touted knife by victorinox is a really good knife, it is a bit pricey for my taste. Mind you, kitchen minimalists usually say that all you need is a chef's knife, a paring knife, and a good bread knife.
I purchased this set of chicago cutlery for $15 and some change. (edit) Amazon is now running a 4-for-3 promotion, so this means you buy four items that qualify for this promotion, and you get the lowest priced one free. Not a bad deal at all.
I then purchased this chicago cutlery bread knife for another $15
lastly i purchased a chicago cutlery steel to keep all the knives honed.
So, altogether it tallies up to about $42 (free shipping since it is more than $25). Keep in mind that these items all qualify for the 4-for3 promotion, so you could pick these up, and maybe buy some kitchen shears, and get them free or what not.
So far i am more than happy with my purchase. Could the Victorinox have been a better chef's knife than that Chicago Cultery? probably so. Is it that much better that i need to pay for 1 knife what i paid for almost the whole set? NO.
Just make sure you use some mineral oil on the wood handles. These knives are extremely well built, and have a good heft to them. I sharpened them with the steel, and they cut like a razor.
If you are really set on using all wood knives, then get the chicago cultery steak knife set as well. NOTE: these do not qualify for the 4-for3 promotion.
I purchased the Miu steak knives instead, note that they qualify for the 4-for3 promotion as well.
http://www.amazon.com/MIU-12-Piece-Foodservice-Poly-Handled-Steak/dp/B0009VEOCU/ref=sr_1_16?ie=UTF8&s=home-garden&qid=1261966868&sr=8-16
Hope this helps.
I went with the Solicut 8" chef and 4" paring combo. I checked every place in town, none of them (aside from Bed, Bath, and Beyond) had any higher end knives. I tired all the ones in the BBB display in my hand, but none felt just right. The Solicut has a thinker handle, which I think I will like. If it doesn't feel just right in my hand, I can send it back for free, because I am a Prime member. The next thing I will try is the Shun knives. Hopefully the Solicut will be good, though.
Thanks again for the help.
This right here. The most important things are a good chef's knife in the shape and length that suits you and a way to keep it sharp. You can cheap out on paring and serrated knives if you want (and I would argue that a serrated blade isn't even a necessity), but keep in mind that the chef's knife will likely do about 90% of the work.
Go to Williams Sonoma or the like, and try out different chef's knives: you want to narrow down your preference for length and blade shape (generally blade length is directly correlated to user height, so keep that in mind). Also get an idea of what handle styles suit you.
Once you know what you're looking for in a chef's knife, go look for a good one that you can spend around $100 on. Henckels, Wusthoff, Global, Shun, etc. all sell a good knife around that price.
Next, go out and buy a Spyderco Sharpmaker, to keep your knife sharp. Depending on the blade hardness and how often you use it, you'll probably need to sharpen once a week to once a month.
Lastly, get a paring knife and if you choose, a serrated knife. Victorionox fibrox are good for these, or get something that matches your chef's knife. Some companies sell nice sets of chef's+paring, like Wusthof, Shun, or Victorionox.
I just assembled this over the weekend. It was a little more work than I thought, so here is what I’d say to do:
Get this hobby knife (or something like it): SE 813PK 16-Piece Hobby Knife Set with Aluminum Collet Chucks https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0002BBYIE/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_FRGhAb4HDSWWY
The pieces were very difficult to punch out and several big pieces splintered in places (not to the point of structural integrity). After a couple of this (I know I know, I tried to change my technique), I used the flat chisel like piece to begin punching them out. Took a lot more time but it worked. Pressed the chisel down and lightly tapped with the hobby hammer I got from Meeple Reality.
Speaking of which, get this hobby hammer (or something similar, the light weight is important. I got big hands but it is fatiguing swinging the little bigger guys): Cousin Craft and Jewelry Mallet, 8-Inch https://www.amazon.com/dp/B001144WTE/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_SJHhAbJ83KX36
Once the glue is in, or you got the pieces together, hammer them in. Check for gaps in the joints.
Speaking of which, get this wood glue (or something like it) : Gorilla Wood Glue, 4 oz. https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00HDM9I3S/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_MOGhAbT804887
The first half or so I applied it to every joint. Keep a paper towel handy or something to clean the excess that seeps out.
The last couple of intricate pieces I only glued the outside supports. The intricate pieces inside didn’t require it. I’m pretty sure it’ll hold. If it doesn’t I’ll glue it when it happens.
Ok, I think I got it down. I wrote this over 4 sessions as time permitted quick style, so if something is weird or doesn’t make sense let me know. I have so little DIY experience , so if I can do this, you can do this.
Let's do it in the kitchen!
An item I can't live without is my Bobby Flay knife set. Out of which, these two knives are the best! They are fantastic. I cannot stress enough how great the two knives are. I think that something everyone should have so long as they're cooking is a good knife set. If you don't have hundreds to throw down on them, these are a great alternative! :)
I'll play devil's advocate here: sometimes knife blocks are put together sensibly and are good value. A set of matching knives also looks good in a home cook's kitchen.
This is decent quality and good value. Make sure go get a hone and a decent cutting board if you don't have either.
Save the rest of your budget for when you have more experience of using your knives and have a better idea of what you want from them.
I believe in culinary school, they often kit her out with a Mercer set (which is a set of mediocre knives) which is ideal for school because other students might borrow your knife and end up damaging it.
If you do want to gift her a set though, start simple like a Wusthof Pro set or a Victorinox Fibrox. Decent general knives, very tough, won't break bank and won't break your heart.
Maybe something like whisks, cooking utensils, thermometer (like infrared), headwear (bandanas, caps) and a great book like On Food and Cooking in a lockable toolbox/toolbags (for her to take to school) where she can use everything. It shouldn't cost more than $200. don't include cookware like pots and pans, they tend to break bank.
A really nice set of non-slip leather boots/shoes is another idea.
In this scenario, I would say it's the thought that counts more than the $$$ since she's only starting out. When she graduates and is a chef, then maybe consider like fancy knives or spices.
Just go with the Forchner kitchen knives. It'll cost like 50-60 at most to get a bread and a chef's knife, and they'll do the job.
Will they look sexy? No. Will they work hard and get it done? Absolutely. A part of me wishes I wasn't blinded by the Wusthof logo when I bought my bread knife, but I was. Useless. I'll only be getting the victorinox ones from now on. Cheap and just as good.
In terms of the chef's knife, easy to sharpen, cheap enough that you wont be afraid to do so. I have a couple shuns, and I abhor sharpening them because I'm afraid I'll "ruin" them. In reality, not sharpening them is worse because, well they're not sharp, but since I payed some serious coin for them, I want to be super careful. Silly, I know. What can I say?
Anyway, those two should be great. Honestly, what I did when I had roommates (still have one, but he understands not to use my knives, they are my babies), I got a knife safe (like these ) and kept them in my room. Seems selfish and dickish? Well guess what, using my knife on your glass cutting board/granite cheese thingie/cutting on a ceramic plate/ throwing it in the sink and soaking it is basically the holocaust. Do the right thing and just keep them from being abused. Sharpening isn't expensive, but having to do it every week will get annoying.
Just finished building my Rostock Max V2, so my experience with it is going to be limited to building it.
A couple of tips:
That's all that comes to mind right now. The machine is pretty well designed with the exception of a few "dafuq?" moments and the instructions are pretty clear. I also appreciate the bit of humor thrown in.
Oh, and the hardware is cheap. Did I mention it's cheap?
Edit: Others have said it, but just to reiterate: Take your time to do the whole build correctly. Always double check your work and don't skimp on the calibration step. The quality of your build will be reflected in the quality of your parts.
What is your budget? How many knives are you trying to get?
As a rule, I'd say 8" Chef's 9" or 10" Bread, 4" Paring knife and a Honing Steel is your minimum. Victorinox makes solid, budget friendly knives. I would probably piecemeal it, but this set has everything you need for $122. Pick up a knife block or Drawer organizer and you're in business.
Victorinox Forschner 7 Pc Fibrox Deluxe Culinary Knife Roll Set https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00FA3C5MI/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_Zs4zzb1W3N3E9
If you can spend a little more. Look for your Chef's knife, breadknife paring knife and honing steel on "chef's knives to go" with the keyword "Tojiro DP" Solid budget friendly forged japanese steel knives. I helped a friend price out a set at around $250. From there you can go crazy depending on how much you want to spend.
Serrated Victorinox Swiss tomato slicer I use exclusively for bread ~ very sharp, razor is sharper, but this is safer. Has a round tip, I put in cup of warm water just before scoring. Someone posted this video of amazing scoring. The lame used is made by WireMonkey. Really cool, not cheap. Looks like it takes much practice to do this well. Not the tool doing the scoring but the artist wielding it.
true, which is why I went the route I did, the handles are pretty comparable in size though, http://www.amazon.com/Shun-VBS0200-Sora-2-Piece-Knife/dp/B00BQ83ACA/ref=sr_1_3?s=home-garden&ie=UTF8&qid=1418034046&sr=1-3&keywords=shun+sora
Let's do it in the kitchen.
one thing I absolutely cannot live without in my kitchen are my komachi knives. ive had them for about a year and theyre still as sharp as the day I got them. sometimes a little too sharp because I cant tell you how many times my clumsy ass has cut myself on them. but I don't have to use as much pressure or struggle to cut things anymore and they make cooking a lot easier. theyre 10000 times better than my Hampton beach knives which are only 8 months old and I already need to sharpen.
one thing Id love in my kitchen is more of those knives!
Understand the difference between stamped and forged knives. A lot of kitchen stores will let you hold the knife so you can see how it feels. I have a German forged Henckels as a chefs knife that I absolutely love. For Henckels know the difference between the two man logo and the one man logo (cheaper international brand, stamped in China).
Zwilling J.A. Henckels Four Star 3 Piece Essentials Set https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0014FCIQY/ref=cm_sw_r_awd_oWBGub09ZVQG4
These multi-purpose card tools are awful. The screwdrivers are too short to be used on anything or the tools are too close together that you can't use one without a different tool interfering with what you're doing. The only useful tool is the bottle opener. The knife/saw/etc parts can be sharp but still too small and short to be useful except in real emergency situations and you are forced to use the tools you have.
Better ones are like this where you can remove/break off the tool but still half-useless. Or just a simple no frills knife like this.
Amazon to the rescue! http://www.amazon.com/12pc-Fixwell-Stainless-Steel-Knives/dp/B0002HP952/ref=cm_cr_pr_product_top
These are the best knives to keep in the kitchen, very versatile. Here they are: http://www.amazon.com/Fixwell-12-Piece-Stainless-Steel-Knife/dp/B0002HP952
http://www.amazon.com/Fixwell-12-Piece-Stainless-Steel-Knife/dp/B0002HP952/ref=cm_cr_pr_product_top
They are awesome knives.
AB did a stint promoting Shun and put knives know as the Alton Angle on the market. The blade and handle were offset and much like AB looked a little goofy.
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B001N2NKAQ
I can't tell from the pic if this is an Angle or simply their veg knife.
I have these they aren't top of the line but they work really well. I got mine at Costco for $25
Even if he was talking about "cheap" stamped knives, the Forschner 40520 ($27, Amazon) won best overall knife in 2004 from Cooks Magazine, beating Wusthoff and Henckel knives that are priced significantly higher.
Even so, either you don't know where to shop, or your prices are intentionally misleading - I can't find a forged Victorinox for $159, but I can find an 8" Forged plus a forged pairing knife for $99 - http://www.amazon.com/Victorinox-Forged-2-Piece-Knife-Starter/dp/B0017K2S5W/ref=sr_1_16?s=home-garden&ie=UTF8&qid=1346615138&sr=1-16&keywords=victorinox+forged+8%22
As noted by the responses here, I think no one is sure what to tell you. In part, because there's no good answer. Blades, like many things, are a disposable product. Using it will dull it. You will then either resharpen it or replace it. If you resharpen it, it will eventually need replacing anyway, as you can only remove so much material to recreate the edge before it ceases to be.
They all do the same thing. You could get a box cutter blade and a ruler to do the job if you wanted; it's all up to you. If you must have a recommendation, try this. It has a number of blade shapes and handles, and it's cheap. If buying chinese products bother you, I'm sure there are others available.
check out hand/finger strengthening exercises. (one off the top of my head is the rubber band stuff)
I haven't tried splints yet, but I feel you on the knife skills. (I did a stint in culinary school, decided the industry wasn't for me, but I'm still very active in my home cooking).
Experiment with different ways to hold knives, and maybe even different knives. (Those would be a for-instance since they're sold out, but I've seen ergonomic handles before - haven't tried them myself, though). I certainly struggle with the "proper" way to hold a knife while chopping, so I just kinda listen to my hands, adjust, and go a bit slower to avoid injury.
Fixwell 12-Piece Stainless Steel Knife Set