Knives!!!

You can tell a lot about a cook by looking at their tools and today I am going to talk about knives.

While I am young and have not been cooking for a long time, I do know a few things about knives. First and foremost they are dangerous. Having been a victim of poorly made knives, blunt knives and my own inability to recognise how dangerous they are has given me a lot of battle scars. I have cut many a tip off my fingers and have also cut into a few nails. Please don’t take your knives for granted.

Currently I am using Victorinox Professional Forged knives and I am enjoying using these daily. Its a pleasure to chop, dice, slice and decorate with these knives and I am so pleased with them I have not been into a knife shop in a few months now.

Victorinox are known for their well made pocket knives but I am afraid I am not a fan as I am a Leathermans fanboy. Yet when I walked into Rosie’s of Pyrmont located just at the entrance of the Sydney Fish Market I had my mind set on a set Henckels; these are the brands that professionals have professed love for over the years and I was interested in finding a set that would suit me and give them a try. I am often skeptical of taking anyone’s word as gospel till I try something myself.

When I asked to see the Henckels 4 Star set, I was so unimpressed, the weight was wrong for me, the balance was off and I could see myself getting tired of using them quickly. In fact I commented that they felt handle heavy a trait that I have always hated. I would rather a balanced blade or blade heavy knife so I decided that these were definitely not the set for me. I was a little disappointed to say the least as I loved the way the knives looked in my hands.

Rosie said I should try some Shuns, but I had said I had a set a while ago and I was unimpressed at their price tag and soft metals. She did say that the top of the line range was a lot harder but then again alot more expensive. Close to 400 AUD for the top of the range Shun Pro 2 Series it was way out of my price range for a set. But she did ask me to try the Victorinox before I left; and so i did.

Now buying knives a very personal thing, the knives have to fit you hands and you must like the weight and even the look of the blade. But in considering a knife you also have to consider the construction, the hygiene and less so the materials.

Many people do not care if the blade is high carbon, high carbon stainless steel or surgical stainless steel. All people care about is the price of a knife and its ability to maintain an edge. I have seen many a kitchen outfitted with pour knives but the person using the knives have still been able to make some of the most marvelous foods I have tasted. Its not important who makes the knife or how much technology the knives have in them, or even how much they cost. Its how one uses a knife to its best advantage. Don’t get me wrong, all I am trying to impress to your readers is that if you love your knives, you will use them more, cook more and enjoy one of the most enjoyable experiences in life; eating!.

In saying that, staring down at these perfectly fit Victorinox Forged knives I knew I was going to walk out of there 500+ dollars lighter.