20 years ago my sister gave me a set of Henkel knives. The set was prob about $100. The handles started to break apart so we went shopping for a new chef and boning knife a few years ago and splurged on the Shun brand. Think the Chef knife was about $200. You can still go a lot more expensive.

I could feel the difference in quality and balance.

I ended up taking a class on sharpening them too as I got tired of dropping them off at the local kitchen store to do it. The instructor said German steel tends to be softer than Japanese steel and based on my Henkels and Shuns, I agree.

If you're not breaking the bank by doing so then I'd say go for a nice knife. A very good one lasts a life time.

If you think she'd like it, maybe she'd like a class on sharpening as well. Could lead to getting a stone, holder and lapping plate though - that can be quite a few extra bucks. But if she loves to cook then a razor sharp knife in the kitchen is a must for a serious chef. Sometimes these shops that offer the services just contract it out to someone with a machine that ruins the knives.

I agree. Keep the receipt.

8 inch is a good size for easy handling and medium/smaller items, I use a 10 for almost everything. Stainless is convenient, high carbon just needs a little more cleaning care.

Look into a wood block to park it in and a stone.

a good point. Also single bevel or double bevel? and also japanese or western handle?

Either way id give the folks at bernal a call theyre super informative. If youre really looking to spend some $ for an awesome nice check out silverthorn

If you’d like to go custom I have a few names to give you if not my default with everything sharp is Chris Reeve

Lamson
 

I'm partial to Lamson Sharp. The factory used to be in my hometown of Shelburne Falls, MA (D2R2 country!). They have sense moved production to I think Westfield, MA, but they still have a store in Shelburne Falls. Free lifetime sharpening if you send them in. I've had mine for years and just added a nice new bread knife to my collection on black friday.

https://lamsonproducts.com

Does it have to be a surprise? Various offerings feel different and the user might really prefer one style to another -- or not. If it needn't be a surprise, you could simply go to a kitchen store and let her try some. Somebody mentioned the Victorinox knives, some of which are a very good value. As with many things, the sky is the limit, but for 8" chef's knives there's a world of offerings in the 80 - 175 dollar range and it's easy to check them out.

My main chef's knife is Japanese but I still have my 30-plus year-old Wusthoff knives. They are very good examples of what they are -- symmetric German stainless knives that, with a modicum of care, will outlast you. They are, as has been pointed out, heavier than some other options, and your wife might like that or not (or not notice). There are other steels out there, other blade shapes, variations on the handle, etc., etc. Many folks don't care (or don't know and adapt to what they have). The main thing, with a 75 dollar knife or a 300 dollar knife (or a custom knife) is to keep it sharp. If she likes how the knife feels, and it's kept sharp, all will be well.

And there's no need to worry about building up a set of the same things, unless she really wants that -- a paring knife or petty needn't match the chef's knife and specialty knives can get pretty specialized.

My mother and wife would like to kick yer ass. :)

If you're in the Chicagoland area, I'd suggest paying a visit to Northwestern Cutlery (nwcutlery.com) or give them a call and ask their advice:

I was looking at these (have other Lamson kitchen gear) but settled on a kitchen knife set from Buck. Got 20% off something through their online store at the time. Super happy so far.

https://maumasifirearts.com/pages/gallery

A bit on the pricey side, but, the quality is outstanding, edge retention outstanding, balance perfect and beautiful. Mareko is an incredible craftsman.

Because it's a gift, go a little special. https://www.newwestknifeworks.com/

I love the 8" chef because it's not too big for my wife or too small for me.
-Mike

Whatever you get, here you go:

https://www.worksharptools.com/produ...ool-sharpener/

Makes even a decent knife awesome.

I think you should get her a Peloton.

They may have to get in line. :rolleyes: