Where Do I Start?
So the question I get a lot is what types of knives would I recommend for their home or as a gift. You do not need that full block of knives from those big German knife makers. You need a Chef Knife, a utility knife, and a bread knife. Those are the three most used knives in my arsenal, and I have a lot of knives. For me, the knife is something special. When you take care of them they will become family heirlooms. I have a knife from every restaurant I opened and each one is as unique as the restaurant itself. Those are special to me, which they should be to you as well. Sounds cheesy I know, but if you plan to spend money on a knife – make it mean something.
The Chef Knife
This is the one that will be doing the majority of the work. I recommend one that has a bit of a curved cutting edge. This allows for a more natural rocking motion when you are chopping vegetables, mincing garlic, or chopping up herbs. Great examples to look at are these two. You can see the difference between a straight blade and one with some rock to it. The Heinkel is a classic old-school french chef knife while the Wusthof has that slight curve for a more natural rocking motion. If this is your first knife I would strongly suggest one with a slight curve on the edge of the blade. For home, an 8” Chef knife is more than enough knife to get the job done.