Sorry for this somewhat childish post, but since I've received the packet containing my two new Global knives I've been as happy as a kid in a toy-shop. I've been using the chef knife every day, and it's really a great buy. Haven't had much chance to use the boning knife yet but I've seen some nice lamb shoulders for sale...
I have to admit the Global knives are not cheap, but I felt I deserved to make myself a late Xmas present :-). Also, I'll be not buying any knives for a few years so I guess that helps me to settle my bad conscience. Oh boy, can't wait to go back home from work today and do some chopping.... vegetables look out :-).
On a more serious note: what knives do you use? Any special knife you couldn't do without?
i used to have this old knife bought back in uk. it was a chef's knife from a brand called sheffield. it had some sort of lazer cut edge which makes it so sharp that it never needed sharpening. it maintained it's sharpness up till today. bought the knife 8 yrs ago. the only knicks on the knife came from trying to cut through bone. but even then, only a small knick.
Posted by: Wena | January 19, 2004 at 03:07 PM
I'm still a big fan of a Wustof set I got from my grandmother as a wedding gift. They're great knives and hold an edge better than any others that I've owned. They're badly in need of a sharpening (it's been almost three years since they've been professionally sharpened), but the steel keeps them very usable. I've used Henckels, Global, and a variety of other knives in the past, but the Wustof feel best in my hand.
Posted by: Matt Kerner | January 19, 2004 at 05:10 PM
What do people think of Messermeister knives? I ask because a friend can get a me a staff discount on a chefs knife, and this is the brand he recommends. I admit I hadn't heard much about them before. I think he's turning up in Melbourne later this week with it (wonder how he'll go explaining that to airline staff!), so I guess I'll find out myself.
I grew up with Wusthof knives too, but my parents were never overly thrilled with them; mainly for the reason Matt pointed out, that they blunt very easily.
Posted by: Niki | January 20, 2004 at 03:12 AM
Wena: I saw sheffield knives on sale in the UK too but never bought one (was quite tempted though). From your description they seem quite good
Matt and Niki:I have a wustof too, actually the first knife I bought in Germany. Since they're produced here they're quite affordable pricewise. I have another problem with them, apart what both of you mention about sharpening. I find the grip quite small for my hands and uncomfortable. That's another reason why I like the global chef knife better: the almost straight long grip fits nicely. I have never tried Messermeister but have a fileting knife from another "Solingen steel" knife brand, Güde, which works great and is quite less expensive than the most famous German brands.
Posted by: Alberto | January 20, 2004 at 09:19 AM
You certainly have chosen some excellent, but expensive knives. Although my brother swears by these (I have used them and they're good) I prefer to use my Sabatier knives, I just prefer the handle to a Global handle.
Posted by: terreus | January 20, 2004 at 10:24 PM
terreus, the knives are indeed expensive but I was lucky enough to get them with a nice discount, still I have a bit of bad conscience when I think at the price :-). What you say about Sabatier confirms my comment in the previous reply. A knife has to feel "right" in your hands: so many different hands, so many different "mr. right" knives.
Posted by: Alberto | January 21, 2004 at 09:33 AM
Anybody know where you can buy Messermeister knives in the U.K. ? I've heard they're really good.
Posted by: Robert McAdam | June 24, 2004 at 01:34 AM
I've got a Tojiro Santoku knife that I am fairly happy with. It is a little more brittle than a regular chef's knife - I have broken one before on frozen meat and put a kink in one with a nut shell that got in the way. But, for $49, definitely a good deal in my opinion.
I originally bought it because it was recommended to me by a knife shop owner as a good basic cook's knife.
I bought my last replacement knife online here. I have not found another vendor of these knives in the States.
Posted by: Boris | January 25, 2005 at 11:30 PM
I'm really embarrassed to admit, but although I dream about owning a proper Wüstof or Global or Sabatier knife, I do pretty much all my cooking with a tiny serrated knife I once got for free from a supermarket in Estonia:( It does the job, granted, but it's struggling sometimes. I will acquire proper knife set this year hopefully:)
Posted by: Pille | March 12, 2006 at 12:54 PM
Pille, I used to cook with a knife which pretty much fits your description and always thought it did a damn fine job... till I landed in a friend's kitchen with a good SHARP knife in my hand. I bought my first chef knife (a classic but sturdy Henkel) a week later and I'm happy I did: a good knife makes a lot of a difference.
P.S. thanks for the Tallinn tips, I hope to write about that soon!
Posted by: Alberto | March 16, 2006 at 12:04 AM
Have been dreaming about a Global chef knife just like what you have! I have a question though, is it really lightweight as it claims to be?? It's very pricey I agree, as for now, I settled for a Calphalon chef knife, heavy but it does a very good job cutting up chicken, meat, etc. It serves its purpose well, although my goal is to have a Global someday. Thanks for the info.
Posted by: Laura | June 22, 2006 at 04:39 PM
Laura, compared to the other knives I have, Henckels and a couple of others also from Germany, Globals are definitely lighter, though I would not necessairly call them lightweight.
What I would absolutely test, is if you feel comfortable with the handle shape. Globals are ok, but I prefer a slightly more ergonomic shape.
Posted by: Alberto | June 24, 2006 at 11:22 PM