DD wanting a set of decent knives - any chefs willing to help?

[ChocoChocoLatte]

Hello, grown up DD is a serious amateur cook and has mentioned a decent set of knives for Christmas.

She's literally grown up asking for blenders/ mixers / air fryers / pots & pans etc so I know she's serious.

I'm just not sure where to start and had a look at lakeland / john lewis etc but not sure if I'm missing a nice set somewhere else?

Many thanks!

I would look at PROCOOK.

We have Global knives. Would highly recommend.

I would reccomend global if budget allows.

Many thanks - am hoping for a decent set with a case too so will go and look at these sites. She works part time in a kitchen alongside her studies so I'm proud of her for asking for something sensible - unlike her sisters 😂

I like the smaller global ones but don't like the weighting of their larger knives.

I'd highly recommend Flint and Flame. They have really comfortable handles and are beautifully weighted and shaped so that your hand automatically moves into a proper slicing motion rather than a blunt chop.

I got mine from either the good food show or ideal homes show. Or something like that. If you have the opportunity to buy them that way, they are normally a bit cheaper. I've also bought them full price though, because I didn't want to wait...

https://www.flintandflame.co.uk/

Global are a bit Marmite - I personally dislike the feel in my hand, they’re not heavy enough and I don’t like the dimples.

I really love the Wusthof Classic range. This is my go to chopping knife and these and the 12cm version are my much loved small knives.

I wouldn’t necessarily get a pre made set, they seem good value in but often have less useful sizes in, better to buy the sizes she really wants I’d say.

Those Flint & Flame ones look gorgeous.

We have a set of Robert Welch ones and they are fantastic. Not cheap but I can cut stuff with them.

Don't they just! I'm hankering after a few of those for myself LOL

I'm now considering buying several knives and a wrap so she can add to it as she chooses.........

Wrong thread namestuck!?

Hoping you’re not superstitious op? It’s bad luck to give knives as a present? 😬

Really like Wusthof. We got given some as a wedding present (so obviously neither us nor the gifter had heard re what @Screamingabdabz said) & buy a couple more every couple of years.

If you buy one from Flint and Flame then you get a discount on all future purchases. I have a referral code but it isn’t clear whether that gives you a discount too or not? Worth asking!

The recipient needs to buy them from you to break the bad luck - 1p will do.

The solution is for the receiver of the present to "buy" it from the person giving it. So the daughter can "buy" the knives from her mother for a penny.

Posted at the same time as you @minipie !

Do not get Procook knives they are rubbish. They were blunt on first use and have to be sharpened every time they are used.
Lakeland do some really good knives and I'm slowly replacing the procook knives with them.

I've only got experience with a Robert Welch knife but it's very good - the best in the house!

Wusthof - bought DC a scissor , bread knife and main knife in a set two years ago for Xmas. She loves them. Maybe should add to her set this year.

Another one recommending Robert Welch; the knives feel very good in your hand. John Lewis sometimes do a set

Be aware that most knife brands do at least 2 or 3 ranges - an entry level which is cheap but usually not all that great (you are paying for the name really), a mid to high priced range, and then sometimes a super top end expensive range. When people recommend a brand it’s helpful if they say which range.

I wouldn't go for a set but rather buy really good quality one by one - with the top range a full complement may be over budget for just one Christmas anyway. For a chef's knife I am very happy with rhe Wüsthof Classik Ikon. My dad had a Güde but it's better suited for a male hand I think. In any case I'd really recommend she tries several brands on for size at a good kitchenware store.