Knives re-visited

[flamin lib]

It’s been just over a year since I set out to replace my kitchen knives with a professional quality set. I got many suggestions here which contributed mightily to my education but I settled on Dexter Russell Connoisseur
http://www.dexter1818.com/connoisseur.asp?group_name=connoisseur.asp .

I’ve used them every day, particularly the Santoku and the paring knife. A few strokes over the hone is all it takes to keep the edge like new and pass the tomato test: let the weight of the knife rest on a fresh tomato and draw the blade across the fruit. It should slice the tomato cleanly.

Last week the Santoku failed the tomato test even after the hone. I liberally oiled my stone (how else would a DUer oil a stone?) and made 3-4 passes at a 30 degree angle, stroked the hone again and voila! Edge restored!

My five knife set cost about $175 total through the local restaurant supply store, about what a chef’s knife would cost from one of the gourmet retailers. The other manufacturer the store recommended was Mercer who offers a set complete with chrome & glass display stand for $130. Mercer supplies knives to every culinary school in the U.S.

It was a very good buy and I can recommend DR without reservations.

[Lucinda]

1. Thanks for the review! I never buy sets, since I seem to use the same

couple of knives for everything, but it's great to hear about new brands. Glad it was a good purchase!

[flamin lib]

2. Both Dexter and Mercer sprcialize in work-a-day knives with

stamped and formed blades in plastic handles for everyday sou chef work. All the emphasis is in the blade and the edge. That said, they both offer "front of the house" sets for use at the Sunday brunch. That's what most of us home cooks want; beauty as well as edge. If all ya' want is function you can buy Mercer knives so cheap that you can throw them away when they get dull!

[canetoad]

3. One of the best investments I've ever made

Big, offset, slow, stone knife grinding wheel with a water bath. Not hideously expensive either, under $100 at a time AUD was well below USD parity.

Become expert in sharpening, do friends knives and tools and reap a lifetime of return favours :)

Edit to add: This will possibly be my retirement pocket money generator. I'll need either a power invertor or a small generator to be able to drive around local restaurants, pubs, gardening centres and sharpen on the spot for a reasonable fee.

[Phentex]

4. I know a man who does this...

he has arrangements with the local cooking schools and places like Cooks Warehouse/Williams Sonoma. He's pretty reasonable and stays very busy. He does it in the back of a van. When he's done, the knives are wrapped and there's a little bandaid attached to his business card. :)