Quality Cutlery?

[Pete]

I'm really enjoying this thread and learning from it. I also have Henckel Knives and thought they were good knives. I thought they were German, now I see Chinese. Time for some new knives. I'll keep the block and simply buy the three that I use. I don't need a whole set. I have several stones and would sharpen in the garage on occasion. Now I see I was doing that incorrectly also. How do you maintain the 15° - 20° angle?

Careful practice  and  by using a real or visual guide as a reference. once the knife has the angle desired then developing a feel for when the edge bites into the steel or stone. Once the angle is set correctly you can feel the difference when it is not correct.   Practice, practice and repetition will get you there. Might want to start with an inexpensive knife as a test case.

[Jess from VA]

I'm digging this one.

Scandi grind.  

https://www.amazon.com/Fellmark-Damascus-Hunting-Bushcrafting-Camping/dp/B07X49CQMN/ref=sr_1_12?dchild=1&gclid=EAIaIQobChMIr7C39Y_i7QIVg8qGCh1hHQlrEAMYASAAEgLRvPD_BwE&hvadid=384312234417&hvdev=c&hvlocphy=9008139&hvnetw=g&hvqmt=b&hvrand=4436076423425867272&hvtargid=kwd-301049680726&hydadcr=2870_9916070&keywords=scandi+grind+bushcraft+knife&qid=1608658628&sr=8-12&tag=googhydr-20



Or this one.

https://www.amazon.com/Victorinox-Swiss-Outdoor-Master-Fixed/dp/B07Y23XCQB/ref=sr_1_27?dchild=1&gclid=EAIaIQobChMIr7C39Y_i7QIVg8qGCh1hHQlrEAMYASAAEgLRvPD_BwE&hvadid=384312234417&hvdev=c&hvlocphy=9008139&hvnetw=g&hvqmt=b&hvrand=4436076423425867272&hvtargid=kwd-301049680726&hydadcr=2870_9916070&keywords=scandi+grind+bushcraft+knife&qid=1608658826&sr=8-27&tag=googhydr-20

[Rams]

Admittedly, I'm looking for quality but, I'm also very pro-American made products.   That is causing me to seriously consider the Rada Amish knife sets.

As was previously said, it's hard to beat their prices for what you're getting.

Rams

[MarkT]

Speaking of Victorinox, I have several of their products.  Besides the Swiss Army pocket knives (Champion, a large locking multi-blade, a smaller version) I'm really fond of the Swisstool, a way-better executed multi-tool than the Leatherman.  I have 2 of them, have given away several to friends.  The knife below I bought online "just because" - it's a mantle display piece, more of a fighting knife than of practical use - that I can think of.  Razor sharp though.

[The emperor has no clothes]

  I’d hate to fight with that steak knife. I’d take one of these any day.

[Rams]

I’d hate to fight with that steak knife.

Up to this point in 39 years, I've not had to defend myself from the wife but, thanks for that bit of advice.   

Rams

[MarkT]

You can't see the scale I suppose.  The blade is ten inches.  Not being a butcher I'm not sure it's practical use.  I suppose you could cut up a steer with it - the big cuts.  I've butchered deer and generally use a knife with a 4 inch blade.  I don't have a use for it in general kitchen work.  No doubt it's a quality knife though.  If I was going to fight with a knife I'd likely grab it first.  There is surely an intimidation factor there.  Not being trained in knife fighting.  I'd grab a .45 first.  Or a pump shotty.

[Pete]

Knives should not be brought to gun fights.

[Jess from VA]

But if you ever do fight with a knife, there is one main rule. (there's others)

If your opponent is also armed (knife), keep it out in front of you against your opponent at all times.  If your opponent(s) is unarmed, keep your weak arm out as blocker, and the knife back at your waist (so it can't be grabbed).  Use it if they get in range (or grab your blocking arm).  Then pull it back again, and repeat.

The other main rule is...... only an idiot throws his weapon away (at someone).  

If you make a good strike.... time to go (if you can safely).

My idea of rendering aid is to tell him he needs to apply direct pressure or a tourniquet soon, as I didi out of there.

Here's my nice little Christmas present to myself (after this discussion).  BPS B1 Bushcraft (Ukranian) (Amazon)

Pretty nice for $30.
 

[The emperor has no clothes]

You can't see the scale I suppose.  The blade is ten inches.  Not being a butcher I'm not sure it's practical use.  I suppose you could cut up a steer with it - the big cuts.  I've butchered deer and generally use a knife with a 4 inch blade.  I don't have a use for it in general kitchen work.  No doubt it's a quality knife though.  If I was going to fight with a knife I'd likely grab it first.  There is surely an intimidation factor there.  Not being trained in knife fighting.  I'd grab a .45 first.  Or a pump shotty.

I'm very familiar with that knife. They are mostly used for cutting steaks and roasts. For a fight though they are a little unwieldy. But, I've never been in a knife fight. So, what do I know ? I had that very knife in the 12" model. But I quit using it because of the plastic handle. For years I had it under the seat in my truck, in case I ever needed to battle zombies. 

[Rams]

You can't see the scale I suppose.  The blade is ten inches.  Not being a butcher I'm not sure it's practical use.  I suppose you could cut up a steer with it - the big cuts.  I've butchered deer and generally use a knife with a 4 inch blade.  I don't have a use for it in general kitchen work.  No doubt it's a quality knife though.  If I was going to fight with a knife I'd likely grab it first.  There is surely an intimidation factor there.  Not being trained in knife fighting.  I'd grab a .45 first.  Or a pump shotty.

I'm very familiar with that knife. They are mostly used for cutting steaks and roasts. For a fight though they are a little unwieldy. But, I've never been in a knife fight. So, what do I know ? I had that very knife in the 12" model. But I quit using it because of the plastic handle. For years I had it under the seat in my truck, in case I ever needed to battle zombies. 

For Zombies, I have two K Bars.   They might not be the best for kitchen use but, they are supposedly very good at taking out Zombies.

Rams

[da prez]

  I use Chicago Cutlery ( pre-china). They are good but there is better. The cutting board is an important decision.  The glass or ceramic boards will dull a knife very quickly. A wood or plastic board is a better choice. Plastic is known to shed and needs to be replaced often. I also do not ever put my knives in the dishwasher. Hand wash and dry. Them back in the wooden rack. Never loose in a drawer.

                                     da prez

[Jess from VA]

Yes.  All my cutting boards are wood. They get scrubbed often and bleached from time to time, and I almost never poison myself. 

[Wizzard]

We have had Cutco for over 45 years and its still like new. We get them sharpened about every 5-10 years but that's it. I would buy another set in a flash.

[Rams]

Well, the knife set didn’t get ordered, I simply wasn’t sneaky enough to get it done without her learning of the purchase before Christmas.    She knew about every other purchase due to electronic/internet banking and I really wanted this to be a surprise.    So I presented her with all of the choices and told her to pick out what she wanted on Christmas Day.

Told her what I learned about sharpening with a “steel”.   Her response surprised me, she has no interest is such a tool and wants another method or tool to accomplish that task so, the search continues.

Rams

[Pete]

Rams,
I would think that is the way of the world.  Many females would be of the same mind.  The "sweetest best wife" in the world insist that the husband keep the knives sharp and ready for her to use. So you need to get with program. "Happy wife, happy life."  Good luck.

[Rams]

Rams,
I would think that is the way of the world.  Many females would be of the same mind.  The "sweetest best wife" in the world insist that the husband keep the knives sharp and ready for her to use. So you need to get with program. "Happy wife, happy life."  Good luck.

You’d think after 39 years I would have figured that out. 

Rams

[signart]

Well, the knife set didn’t get ordered, I simply wasn’t sneaky enough to get it done without her learning of the purchase before Christmas.    She knew about every other purchase due to electronic/internet banking and I really wanted this to be a surprise.    So I presented her with all of the choices and told her to pick out what she wanted on Christmas Day.

Told her what I learned about sharpening with a “steel”.   Her response surprised me, she has no interest is such a tool and wants another method or tool to accomplish that task so, the search continues.

Rams

As far as maintaining an edge, the nod might go toward Cutco, they take care of that forever. Especially convenient when it comes to serrated cutlery.

That being said, when you first got married to your bride 39 years ago, if you were able at the time,  you might have bought her TWO sets of fine cutlery if she needed them?
Well then, I have to ask, don't you love her even half as much today?
 

[Beardo]

Yeah, keeping the knives sharp is on my list of responsibilities, along with the vehicles, the yard, and keeping the freezer full of dead animals. Since I haven’t done a load of laundry or cleaned a toilet in 25 years of marriage, I’ve still got a good deal there.

I have learned to not sharpen the paring knives as sharp though. I’ve gotten a few angry texts for a bleeding thumb from a newly sharpened knife.

[Rams]

That being said, when you first got married to your bride 39 years ago, if you were able at the time,  you might have bought her TWO sets of fine cutlery if she needed them?
Well then, I have to ask, don't you love her even half as much today?
 

Obviously, I wasn’t smart enough to buy her the two sets way back then.   (Not sure my brain was even engaged then.).   She has tolerated me for all that time and deserves much more.   So, the cost of what ever set she wants is still well worth it.   Yeah, she’s a keeper, I’m the one that should be more concerned about getting traded for a lower mileage model. 

Rams

[bassman]

Interesting article/review/opinion.....

https://www.cnn.com/2020/09/17/cnn-underscored/best-kitchen-knife-set-2020/index.html

[Rams]

Interesting article/review/opinion.....

https://www.cnn.com/2020/09/17/cnn-underscored/best-kitchen-knife-set-2020/index.html

Thanks, I’ll pass this on to my wife. 

Rams