Thanks to your comments I have learned a great deal. I also visited
many stores, as well as web sites, and I have a short-list. This is
home stretch now, please help!

A few preliminary decisions: (1) My drwayer/counter situation simply
requires a block. With steak knives if possible, otherwise with slots
for them. For exceptional kitchen knife bargains I can buy a cheaper
steak set separately. (2) I probably can't afford the very best knives
but would like good ones. Forged, well balanced, no serrated edges
(even if the name is Henckels), as "stainless" as possible. (3) I
prefer non-wood handles. I don't intend to soak them overnight, but
they will be handled by many people and I'd rather not worry about
water damage.

Here are the specific options I can find:

A fancy store is recommending Wusthoff Gourmet 18 pc for $299 set as
the best value. It has everything.

An outlet has Wusthof Grand Prix 10 pc set for $269. Has slots for
steak knives. (I think there is some dent in the block, but that's ok.)

The Amazon/eopinions reviewers are also extremely impressed by
Calphalon's Traditional or Contemporay 15 pc set, $179.

An outlet store has Calphalon Kitchen Essentials 12 pc set for $99
(possibly discontinued, didn't see it in stores I visited.)

I'd greatly appreciate your advice on these choices. Which one would
you pick and do you know of a better price elsewhere? Would you pick an
entirely different set? Why?

Many many thanks.

PS: The online reviewers also like Sabatier Provence, but at $150.
Currently it is at 250 and I don't know when it will swing tt 150.

On Tue, 04 May 2004 18:03:43 GMT, Newbie > wrote:

>Here are the specific options I can find:
>
>A fancy store is recommending Wusthoff Gourmet 18 pc for $299 set as
>the best value. It has everything.

You might also consider the Tramontina Pro sets at
http://www.abestkitchen.com/store/knifesets.html. Everything from a five-piece
knife only set for $85 to a 15 piece set with block and steak knives for $251.
(There might be other places selling them for less; I just came across this one,
as an example.)

They're directly comparable to Wusthof Classic at a lower price.

-- Larry

pltrgyst > wrote:

> You might also consider the Tramontina Pro sets at
> http://www.abestkitchen.com/store/knifesets.html.

> 15 piece set with block and steak knives for $251.

I didn't know anything about this brand and it is certainly good to
learn. So far my choices we

Wusthof Grand Prix 10 pc set, $269
Wusthoff Gourmet 18 pc set, $299
Calphalon's Traditional/Contemporay 15 pc set, $99

> They're directly comparable to Wusthof Classic at a lower price.

Unless I am missing something, the price difference from the Wusthof
sets does not seem to be significant. At least I am willing to ignore
it.

If you are familiar with some of these brands, I would appreciate some
comparison or ranking---on the quality of the kitchen knives, the
inclusion of steak knives is convenient but not a decisive
consideration. Thanks.

> A fancy store is recommending Wusthoff Gourmet 18 pc for $299
> set as the best value. It has everything.
>
> An outlet has Wusthof Grand Prix 10 pc set for $269. Has slots for
> steak knives. (I think there is some dent in the block, but that's ok.)
>
> The Amazon/eopinions reviewers are also extremely impressed by
> Calphalon's Traditional or Contemporay 15 pc set, $179.
>
> An outlet store has Calphalon Kitchen Essentials 12 pc set for $99
> (possibly discontinued, didn't see it in stores I visited.)

A friend says he will get back to me with info on where to get the
15-piece Calaphalon for $99. If so, the 12 piece at the same price can
be ruled out.

This narrows my choices to

Wusthof Grand Prix 10 pc set, $269
Wusthoff Gourmet 18 pc set, $299
Calphalon's Traditional/Contemporay 15 pc set, $99

The price difference between the first two is not significant. The
Calphalon price is of course extremely attractive if the quality is
anywhere near as good as Wusthof's.

Dear experts, please advise. :-)

>
> A fancy store is recommending Wusthoff Gourmet 18 pc for $299 set as
> the best value. It has everything.

And likely more than you need. These are blocked (stamped knives.) Ok, if
you like that but I wouldn't get 18 of them.
>
> An outlet has Wusthof Grand Prix 10 pc set for $269. Has slots for
> steak knives. (I think there is some dent in the block, but that's ok.)

Better knives to be sure since they are bolstered and balanced.
>
> The Amazon/eopinions reviewers are also extremely impressed by
> Calphalon's Traditional or Contemporay 15 pc set, $179.

Don't include me in that mix. Chinese knives simply don't perform well
enough yet. Perhaps in a few years. There is more to choosing knives than
weight and appearance.
>
> An outlet store has Calphalon Kitchen Essentials 12 pc set for $99
> (possibly discontinued, didn't see it in stores I visited.)

Even worse than the above.
>
> I'd greatly appreciate your advice on these choices. Which one would
> you pick and do you know of a better price elsewhere? Would you pick an
> entirely different set? Why?

I'd go with the Grand Prix but not in a set. Take care.

Fred
The Good Gourmet
http://www.thegoodgourmet.com

>
> Many many thanks.
>
> PS: The online reviewers also like Sabatier Provence, but at $150.
> Currently it is at 250 and I don't know when it will swing tt 150.

Comparable to the Grand Prix. Similar quality similar price but you need to
like wood handles.

Fred

Fred > wrote:

> > A fancy store is recommending Wusthoff Gourmet 18 pc for $299
> > set as the best value. It has everything.
>
> And likely more than you need...

I have just started looking at knives and don't know this set. However,
while 18 sounds big, there might be steak knives, steel, a carving
fork, shears, the wood block itself, you are really looking at about
six knives.

I got a Kitchen Essentials 8" chef's knife, and found it to be almost
identical in feel and construction to my Wusthof Grand Prix 6" knife,
except it has the traditional three-rivet handle, whereas the Wusthof
is a single piece. It's the same type: drop forged carbon steel, and
I like it a lot; a very good value.--Tom

On Tue, 04 May 2004 18:03:43 GMT, Newbie > wrote:

>Thanks to your comments I have learned a great deal. I also visited
>many stores, as well as web sites, and I have a short-list. This is
>home stretch now, please help!
>
>A few preliminary decisions: (1) My drwayer/counter situation simply
>requires a block. With steak knives if possible, otherwise with slots
>for them. For exceptional kitchen knife bargains I can buy a cheaper
>steak set separately. (2) I probably can't afford the very best knives
>but would like good ones. Forged, well balanced, no serrated edges
>(even if the name is Henckels), as "stainless" as possible. (3) I
>prefer non-wood handles. I don't intend to soak them overnight, but
>they will be handled by many people and I'd rather not worry about
>water damage.
>
>Here are the specific options I can find:
>
>A fancy store is recommending Wusthoff Gourmet 18 pc for $299 set as
>the best value. It has everything.
>
>An outlet has Wusthof Grand Prix 10 pc set for $269. Has slots for
>steak knives. (I think there is some dent in the block, but that's ok.)
>
>The Amazon/eopinions reviewers are also extremely impressed by
>Calphalon's Traditional or Contemporay 15 pc set, $179.
>
>An outlet store has Calphalon Kitchen Essentials 12 pc set for $99
>(possibly discontinued, didn't see it in stores I visited.)
>
>I'd greatly appreciate your advice on these choices. Which one would
>you pick and do you know of a better price elsewhere? Would you pick an
>entirely different set? Why?
>
>Many many thanks.
>
>PS: The online reviewers also like Sabatier Provence, but at $150.
>Currently it is at 250 and I don't know when it will swing tt 150.

Kitchen Magnet > wrote:

> I got a Kitchen Essentials 8" chef's knife, and found it to be almost
> identical in feel and construction to my Wusthof Grand Prix 6" knife,

"Kitchen Essentials", would that be Target?

Kitchen Essentials is Calphalon's lower end knife line. It's made of a
different steel, and carries a ten year warranty as opposed to the lifetime on
their regular, and contemporary knife lines. They actaully make 4 knife lines.
A gorgeous all stainless one, a molded black handled one, a classic riveted
one, and the Kitchen Essentials. I was told the blades are the same on the
first three. The Kitchen Essentials line is made differently.

"Kitchen Essentials", would that be Target? >>

<< > I got a Kitchen Essentials 8" chef's knife, and found it to be almost
> identical in feel and construction to my Wusthof Grand Prix 6" knife,

Thanks for the info. I suppose it will start losing its edge in ten
years or so. Well, for right now, it's nice! -- Tom

On 07 May 2004 16:16:57 GMT, (Sheellah) wrote:

>Kitchen Essentials is Calphalon's lower end knife line. It's made of a
>different steel, and carries a ten year warranty as opposed to the lifetime on
>their regular, and contemporary knife lines. They actaully make 4 knife lines.
>A gorgeous all stainless one, a molded black handled one, a classic riveted
>one, and the Kitchen Essentials. I was told the blades are the same on the
>first three. The Kitchen Essentials line is made differently.
>
>"Kitchen Essentials", would that be Target? >>
>
><< > I got a Kitchen Essentials 8" chef's knife, and found it to be almost
>> identical in feel and construction to my Wusthof Grand Prix 6" knife,
>
>
>
>