Knives - suggestions please.

[Crowler]

I need new knives. Any suggestions? I don't want any insanely expensive ones, is there a good set to be had for say, less than 200?

thanks.

I have a set of Jean Patrique

www.jean-patrique.co.uk/jean-patrique/749/product_detail.html

I have the set they are calling 5 piece oriental, but I didn't pay £100+, I paid '£10 postage' and got them free.

Do a search for offers for them.

They are not brilliant but certainly do the job.

Don't buy a set! You need 2 really good knives - a cooks knife and a paring knife. The cooks knife needs to be about 10inches long. It needs to feel comfortable in your hand, good rocking action for chopping herbs etc - small hands suit Global knives, next thing is the weight and the balance, how does it feel? Don't stick to the same brand, try all the knives for how they feel in your hand. Finally a bread/serrated edge - this one can be cheaper, it can't be sharpened - Victorinox it a good quality cheaper brand and would be fine for the serrated knife.
Ceramic knives hold their edge better but are likely to break in two if they are dropped.

Go to a good cookshop, brands to look at and they will often have several ranges within the brands to suit different budgets and hand sizes are Wusthof, Henkels, Victorinox and Global. Sheffield steel is often sited but I don't think it means much. You'll need to buy a sharpening tool and learn how to use it - otherwise you might be able to ask your local butcher to help you out.

Don't buy a knife on someone else's recommendation without trying it yourself first - it needs to suit your hand and your mechanics of movement.

i've got several sabatier sets. last one was from argos in the sale and therefore very cheap. they are great, though you obviously need a decent sharpener as well

the Kuhn Rikon colori knives are really good. I am especially fond of my green santoko (sp?) knife

thanks everyone - Snowdown I took your advice and resisted buying a set. mrspremise I wound up buying a Kuhn Rikon knife yesterday (the chef's knife) and I love it, but bear in mind my knives right now are so bad I would like anything. It's really light so I'm trying to wrap my head around that but it's a delight to chop with!
thanks everyone.

I have spent a fortune on knives but the best ones I have found are kitchen devils really cheap and really good.