Who makes the better knife for the buck? I’m looking to buy my first real knife sometime soon (tired of the cheap one I’ve been using) and I want to make the right choice. I’m thinking a 9" chef knife, but what brand?
Neither.
Global.
They’re one-piece metal construction, so they’re much easier to keep clean. The handles aren’t slippery at all, and they don’t encourage crud buildup around the metal/wood joins.
Overall they feel lighter and defter in hand. They are much more reasonably priced and look so damned cool.
I got tipped off to them in a book by Anthony Bourdain, a chef and sometimes writer for the New Yorker. The man’s genuinely warped, but he sure knows knives!
FWIW, I splurged on the 3 knife set (plus a steel) for my birthday, though just the 9" would have been fine. I love them, love them, love them; would never go back to a wood handle again.
Haven’t seen them in stores around here, but they’re available several places on the web.
One of the best purchases I ever made. Global rules!
Veb
Here is a nice site that just happens to have globals on sale.
(I was curious why I’d never heard of them and wanted to check them out. Thought I’d be helpfull and provide a link.)
If you compare them side by side, you will immediately notice that the Wusthof blades are much heavier. You get a sturdier blade and one that will stand up to prolonged wear and tear. Since I have not seen the Global line, I cannot comment upon them.
Thanks for the suggestion. I did see a Global paring knife in a store around here, and I remember thinking it was the most expensive paring knife I’d ever seen! (I don’t remember what the price actually was, though).
CnoteChris: Thanks, good website.
I am kind of hoping to avoid mail order though, because you always get surprise charges from Canada Customs so you never know what you are really going to pay.
Zenster: I did prefer the feel of a Wusthof I tried in a store recently, but on the other hand, Henckels are on sale this weekend. I hate decisions 