Any suggestions on decent cooking knives?

[Greg Portland]

I must have a different set of Henckels knives. Mine clearly state they were made in Germany, and they weren't cheap by any means 20+ years ago.

You do have a different set. While some Henckels are still made to that quality level they also sell a bunch of cheaper stuff (stamped, not forged blades, etc.)

[Greg Portland]

Can anyone recommend a decent paring knife hopefully with a black plastic handle to match my other knives? It really needs to be something I can order through Amazon as I have a gift card balance there. I also need to order a bread knife to add to my collection.

Why not get the Victorinox paring knife? I don't see a serrated edge...
http://www.amazon.com/Victorinox-Cut...0983812&sr=1-3

Wüsthof sells a Grand Prix line that has similar looking handles...

[Brian Elfert]

Why not get the Victorinox paring knife? I don't see a serrated edge...
http://www.amazon.com/Victorinox-Cut...0983812&sr=1-3

Wüsthof sells a Grand Prix line that has similar looking handles...

I've seen people complain that the handles on the Victorinox paring knives are too small. I was thinking there might be something better out there.

As it turns out, my block set is supposed to have a paring knife instead of a second serrated knife. I talked to Victorinox and they said I need to deal with Amazon. Amazon would have me return the whole set over a simple paring knife. I was hoping Victorinox would just just send me a paring knife so I don't have to return the whole set.

[David Weaver]

That's just the way amazon goes at it, huh? V-nox missed the boat there following policy to the letter.

When my hybrid TS didn't arrive and I only got the fence, amazon CS offered to print me a return label.

When I told them I only got a fence and no saw, they said that whatever I got, I should just send back to them. Freight. (the saw showed up separately a couple of days later after some detective work with the freight company).

So I'm not surprised they'd tell you to send the whole thing back for a $5 paring knife.

[Brian Elfert]

I haven't actually talked to Amazon yet. When I look at my order in my account the only option is to return the item. I can't file a claim or otherwise send any communications to Amazon through the website that I can find.

The good news is I found the customer service number for Amazon and the customer service agent refunded me $16 instead of requiring me to return it. $16 will be more than enough to order a paring knife. After looking closer I think Victorinox included a serrated paring knife instead of a straight edge paring knife. All of the pictures of this block set clearly show a straight edge paring knife so I think they included the wrong knife.

[Brian Ashton]

Lee Valley sells cooking knives. And as usual you know what they sell is going to be of a great quality and fairly priced. I'm about to order the poor mans chef's knife...

[Joel Goodman]

R Murphy has good knives made in USA. I have only used the carbon and staysharp (excellent) which rust if not dried -- they also have stainless. Basic but the ones I have take a razor edge. Quite fairly priced -- I think I paid $14 for a paring knife! Otherwise the German Wustoff classic are very fine knives.

[Karl Laustrup]

Global is my choice...I absolutely love them. Not inexpensive, but I'm really, really pleased. And I like the fact that they are all metal...no handle to come lose "someday".

I agree Jim, although I think knives might be like a lot of other things; what is right for one might not be right for another.

With that being said, I have a Wustoff Santoku 7" that I like for veggies, but my favorite is my 8" Global chefs knife. For me it has a perfect balance, strong blade that will cut through onions and other hard veggies without flexing. I put the steel to my blades before using and sometimes in the middle of cutting. I have had my Global for almost 7 years, has never been sharpened other than with a steel by me, and with just a few passes on the steel it will still cut through a tomato with just the weight of the blade enough to make a perfect cut.

[Rick Gibson]

Others have mentioned the Lee Valley chef's knife. My DIL got it for me a couple years ago. My go to knife for just about everything. Takes and holds a sharp edge and good balance. http://www.leevalley.com/en/garden/p...33,40738,52770 The only drawback is the blade does not stay nice and shiny like the stainless steel knives.
For a thin blade knife I purchase a Rapala filleting knife about 30 years ago. After about 30 years it's not holding an edge as well as it used to. Maybe a softer steel inside, I'm going to get another one.
Also have a larger butcher knife ie. 16" blade 2" wide made by F. Dick in Germany, my BIL was a butcher and that's what he was using I've had if for nearly 30 years and it still works great.