ISO a really good chefs knife

[legalseagull]

It's my tenth wedding anniversary coming up so I'd like to get DH a present. DH likes NOTHING. He doesn't wear jewellery and has no hobbies aside from football and playing golf occasionally (he has clubs).

He loves to cook though. Really loves it (lucky me!) I was thinking of getting a really good knife. Possibly engraved. Budget around £150.

Is this really lame?!

Any recommendations for a brand?? I don't cook so have no idea.

Wusthof are a reliable brand, been around a very long time, and have chef's knives at a range of prices (though you might want to pass over the Limited Edition one at £1,338!!)
Wusthof knives

Or Victorinox - huge price range again.
Victorinox knives

I have knives from both and am very happy with them

DH likes Global. He has some Wutsthof too, but uses his medium-sized Global chef’s knife for pretty much everything.

If you do get him one then getting a good sharpener is nice too.

Thank you both. I'll check them out!

Alternatively, what about knife sharpening stones? A decent set is around or under your budget. Sharpening is an art, and all part of the cooking experience.

If he likes the science of cooking, I'd wager he will enjoy the art of sharpening too, especially as a sharp knife is an enabler for decent cooking.

Global fans in this house!

I have some Global knives, I think the oldest was bought about 30 years ago - they are amazing. Beware of fakes, though.
I also recommend Le Pentole saucepans. Mine look like new, again I have had the first one over 30 years.

Just beware that giving a knife as a gift is bad luck (cuts the relationship apparently).

….runs away

BTW, if you give him a knife, don't forget to give him a coin too, so he can pay you for it - buy it from you. It's bad luck to give a knife (or anything with a blade, eg. scissors,) it severs the friendship.

Ceramic knives are amazing until the day they explode. Don't bother.
Titanium is more brittle than steel and after a decade commits suicide.
Carbon steel requires a lot of maintenance.
Stick with steel, it can be sharpened.

What does he like cooking?
What knife does he need?
A filleting knife, chef's knife, Chinese cleaver?

I've just bought the ninja knife set. They are absolutely brilliant.

I'm very happy with the Wüsthof Classic Ikon 9 inch. Have often used my dad's Gude knife, same-sex, which gets excellent reviews. I'd say though it's suboptimal to order for somebody else - you really want to try a whole range of them in store to see how they fit your hand. So if it's to be a surprise, buy in a physical store with a wide variety and make sure it's fully exchangeable.

I bought DH this Kai Shun knife for his 40th
It's beautiful and cuts really well

I have since bought him a burr oak magnetic knife block from Etsy to display it (and the knife friends it seems to be attracting!)

We love Global knives as well. Love mine. Sad but true.

I've not heard this before!

I'm thinking one of the large Asian style knifes