knives/knife blocks - Page 2

[greenmansions]

Originally Posted by earthnut

Knife blocks gross me out. There's no way to clean them or even tell if they need cleaning. I don't like built-in cutting boards for the same reason.

My inlaws have a magnetic strip on the wall, which works great, my parents have a special drawer with dividers to keep each knife separate without hiding the blades, and I keep ours in the silverware drawer.

If the knives are always washed and dried before they go into the block, then how is the block getting dirty? There's never anything on my knives when I pull them out of the block, which I would think there would be if the slots were dirty.

My neighbor has the built in cutting boards and she removes them to use them (sets them on the counter top) and to wash them. All seems perfectly clean.

[earthnut]

Originally Posted by greenmansions

If the knives are always washed and dried before they go into the block, then how is the block getting dirty? There's never anything on my knives when I pull them out of the block, which I would think there would be if the slots were dirty.

My neighbor has the built in cutting boards and she removes them to use them (sets them on the counter top) and to wash them. All seems perfectly clean.

Fine if you have total control over the cleanliness of your knives. I don't trust DH to clean them completely and certainly not dry them always before putting them away. Plus we have an occasional housemate and he's even worse. (he puts dishes away dirty ) I've had built-in cutting boards mold because people weren't vigilant enough. At least you can tell with cutting boards if people aren't vigilant enough. (and if they aren't it's very hard to clean the slot) You wouldn't necessarily be able to tell with a knife block. (and it'd be even harder to clean)

I'm not saying that it's inevitable that they would get dirty, but it depends on the people using them, and if they do get dirty, they're really hard to clean.

[The Hidden Life]

Our $40 knife block set from Target has lasted 15 years and still kicking with some occasional maintenance. We used to take the carving knive to the meat department at the grocery store to have it sharpened once a year, but now my husband does the same thing in his shop. Yes, they are a little dinged after fifteen years' use, but I think we've gotten our money's worth out of them. LOL It is the Michael Graves set with black handles and a light-stained wooden block--for some reason we always have people complimenting us on them--I think it's the shape of the handles that is distinctive or something.

[*bejeweled*]

I like our knife block and we use it daily.

[pinksprklybarefoot]

We do the magnetic strip.

I have always maintained that you really only need three knives: a great chef's knife, a decent paring knife, and an el cheapo serrated knife. DH is a chef (okay, was until a few months back a was laid off), and I have cooked professionally - this has been both of our experiences.

At home, we have a Global chef's knife and paring knife, and a crappy Target serrated knife. We also have a chef's knife that was $15 from a restaurant supply catalog, and although it will never be better than the Global, when properly sharpened, it is pretty darn good. With proper sharpening, a $15 knife can work great for the home cook. DH's test for proper sharpness is to a) test it on his arm hair (gross, I know) and b) see if it will cut through a tomato neatly and quickly.

[Fujiko]

Like a pp, I have a Kapoosh knife block from bed bath and beyond. It's one of the best purchases I've ever made for the kitchen. It's completely customizable and you can take the inside out and wash it in the dishwasher. I used to have a traditional knife block but I hated that there were a plethora of knives I never used but if I took them out there were empty slots, and there was no room for "extra" knives. I don't like the idea of a magnetic strip because the blades would creep me out, esp. since I have small children. (I know they're safe, it just gives me the creeps.) I also like to have my knives on the counter next to my big crock of cooking utensils because I hate having to dig in drawers for things I need when I'm cooking. I just have to grab it.

[Ellien C]

Originally Posted by Caneel

OT but where do you get them sharpened? Do you send them away or locally?

Not the OP, but a local shoe repair shop sharpens knives and I try to take mine in every October or November in 2 sets so they are ready to go for the holidays. I take half in and they are gone for a week and then I take the other half.

[SeekingJoy]

Originally Posted by sapphire_chan

Don't get serrated knives, you can't sharpen them and despite what they all claim, you will *want* to sharpen them eventually.

How do you cut crusty bread without a serrated knife? Or tomatoes? Maybe I am just uncoordinated.

[Fujiko]

Originally Posted by SeekingJoy

How do you cut crusty bread without a serrated knife? Or tomatoes? Maybe I am just uncoordinated.

I don't know about crusty bread (because I do own a serrated bread knife) but I've always cut my tomatoes with my (sharp!) Santoku knife.

[jennifercp8]

My DH made our knife block, so I couldn't be happier with it. That being said, I am looking for ways to streamline my kitchen countertops and he is building me a 'block' that will go inside a sliding tray of a kitchen drawer.

Currently, I have too many knives. The only one I reach for is my Santoku knife, and I ignore the rest (paring, 3 different sized chef's knives, bread knife, and cleaver). If I had to go back and do it all again, I would save my money on a set of knives and get one killer knife that I could use for everything. We have a set of Wusthof knives, so sometimes it feels like a waste.

[kdtmom2be]

I love my knife block. AND my slots are sideways, so I don't have to worry about training DH and MIL to put the knives in upside down. The only other thing that I would consider is a magnetic strip that was inside a cupboard door near the stove, that might work for me. I wouldn't want them OUT on a magnetic strip, just wierds me out.

[lucifugous]

Originally Posted by FillingMyQuiver

We have a knife block and actually prefer it.

I was under the impression that storing knives loose, like in a drawer, where their blades can touch and nick each other is not good for them.

We bought a knife set by Farberware about 7yrs ago and have been very happy w/ it. The handle and blade on each knife are 1 piece. We store the knives in the block upside down so that the blades don't rub the block and dull. I also use the sharpening steel almost every time I use a straight blade just so I get nice cuts.

We use pretty much all the pieces in the set. I've thought of getting a magnetic strip, but I don't think I like the look of exposed blades.

I had this same set and also kept them upside down. They held up great for five years and still would be if a destructive younger BIL hadn't gotten ahold of them but I'll avoid revisiting that again... I also used all the pieces. I think it is a good compact set to cover all your bases (especially if, like me, you had basic silverware but no steak knives) and occasionally can be found on super clearance at a Bed Bath & Beyond, Linens N Things, or similar store.
With that said, I've definitely had my eye on that Kapoosh-type thing and will probably try to buy separate knives or an even smaller set next time.