santoku knives

[Paulypalooza]

has anybody here used or own a santoku knife (http://housewares.about.com/od/cutleryknives/f/santokuknives.htm)? How do they rate against french knives?

[silverwhisper]

i gave my friend one for his birthday and he's a big fan. i keep wanting to get one but i can't rationalize buying a new knife when the ones i have are perfectly acceptable.

thanks for asking this--i've been wondering about 'em myself!

[Paulypalooza]

i gave my friend one for his birthday and he's a big fan. i keep wanting to get one but i can't rationalize buying a new knife when the ones i have are perfectly acceptable.

thanks for asking this--i've been wondering about 'em myself!

I have the same dilemma. But they just look so cool.

[Paulypalooza]

I have a fantastic cleaver and two big-ass French knives.

Every man should have a cleaver if for no other reason to break down chicken.

Kitchen shears are for pussys.

[COTSBOE]

Kitchen shears are for pussys.


:th_thumbsdownsmiley



My knives are mis-used and abused. They are repeatedly run through the dishwasher by my other half, used as makeshift letter openers and boxcutters, and occasionally taken on the boat where they are dulled on tackle and rigging. For this reason I tend not to buy exceptionally nice ones, because I end up replacing them every year or so.

I do, however, have one very nice ceramic blade that I keep stored away out of convenient reach. That only comes out when I'm making something nice.

[Paulypalooza]

:th_thumbsdownsmiley



My knives are mis-used and abused. They are repeatedly run through the dishwasher by my other half, used as makeshift letter openers and boxcutters, and occasionally taken on the boat where they are dulled on tackle and rigging. For this reason I tend not to buy exceptionally nice ones, because I end up replacing them every year or so.

I do, however, have one very nice ceramic blade that I keep stored away out of convenient reach. That only comes out when I'm making something nice.

For a foodie like yourself I would suggest buying a few nice knives 10" French, boning, paring, cleaver, carving, and may bee a serrated knife that are off limits to your better half and let her use the old ones as she see's fit.

Trust me once you use a cleaver a few times your kitchen shears will never see a chicken again.

[ldygmr1]

I was curious about the ceramic. How do they rate against steel?

[COTSBOE]

I was curious about the ceramic. How do they rate against steel?

The things cut like precision scalpels. In some sense that might be overkill for an onion, but still pretty spiffy. The downside to them is that they require a bit more care than conventional steel knives.

[silverwhisper]

that surprises me, to be honest. how so?

[Paulypalooza]

I was under the impression that the only downside to ceramic knives is that you couldn't use them to roughly for fear of breaking them.

[COTSBOE]

The blade is very brittle; unlike steel which flexes. If you're chopping roughly, or flinging it around on a hard surface they can very easily chip (mine has a few, and I make quite an effort to be careful with it). They also have to be cleaned extremely thoroughly, as the acids and corrosive elements of many foods can weaken the ceramic.

[silverwhisper]

careful usage, that i understand.

i wasn't aware of the maintenance, though. that's very good to know: thank you.

[Mouser]

has anybody here used or own a santoku knife (http://housewares.about.com/od/cutleryknives/f/santokuknives.htm)? How do they rate against french knives?

Good for chopping and prepping veggies, or so I'm told.

I haven't bought one yet, but I'll do it and let you know.

[Amso]

I must be the anit-chef. I don't even know what kind of knife I've got. I went looking, and I think I have a petite chef's knife, so not even a French knife. I can't be sure because it's packed up in storage. I acquired my knives for free, so I can't be too picky.

[happykat]

I've seen plastic knives, but not ceramic.

I may have to check that out!

[TinSoldier]

I've seen plastic knives, but not ceramic.

I may have to check that out!Plastic... knives??

Huh. I've never seen such a thing outside of picnicware.

[Stephane]

No santoku here either.

[happykat]

Plastic... knives??

Huh. I've never seen such a thing outside of picnicware.
Used specifically to cut lettuce so that it doesn't turn brown.

[hidufel]

I've been trying to build my collection of Global Knives (http://www.globalknives.us/globalgseries.html) ever since i started wanting to be a chef. I havent been to successfull though. only have two so far.

[BattleNymph]

I just looked for the name on mine... Does Ginsu count?


:D

[Amso]

I've been trying to build my collection of Global Knives (http://www.globalknives.us/globalgseries.html) ever since i started wanting to be a chef. I havent been to successfull though. only have two so far.

Those are pretty! Do they cut as well as they look?

I've got boring Cutco (http://www.cutco.com/home.jsp) knives. They're not very pretty, but they get the job done.