steels and
knives

1. Cleaver purchased from Aldi $19.95, about two years old, it has only been used a couple of times to check it out. Nicely weighted works perfectly, but, for how long in constant use, I have no idea. I have a beautiful antique Henry Dixon Heritage Works, Sheffield, cleaver, at least one hundred years old [pictured below]. On that rare occasion that I need a cleaver these days, I love to use it.

2. Nakama hōseki Kiritsuke knife $253 on sale
– Forged in Seki, Japan a very recent purchase a present to myself. Perfectly weighted and exquisitely sharp. In fact, I annoyingly nicked myself taking it out of the box. I seem to be using this knife for just about everything. This knife might make an excellent first-quality purchase as it is so versatile.

3. Wüsthof Classic White Santoku Knife 17cm $179.95 on sale
a very useful all rounder especially good for cutting sticky and slimy vegetables. Mine is about five years old, is used a lot and showing no signs of wear.

4. Shun Premier Bread Knife 23 cm $229.00 on sale, about seven years old zooms through heavier breads like sourdoughs

5. Global Flexible Utility Knife 15cm GS-11
$79.90 on sale. About five years old, holds an edge brilliantly, terrific for filleting and boning.

6. and 7. were purchased as a set, Shun Premier Chef and Utility Knife Set on special from Minimax. It went against my rule never to buy sets, and I have found I barely use the utility knife. The chef knife, on the other hand has been hammered over seven years, still holds an edge brilliantly and although perfectly weighted is not too heavy and good in the hands, even for hours of chopping.
I purchased Shun Premier 3pc Knife Set as a gift for a special birthday for a family member, and they have curiously found the utility knife the most used. I wouldn’t mind owning the Shun paring knife, but use one so rarely that I feel I can’t justify the purchase.

8. Briljera Paring knife 9 cm $30 Ikea I rarely use a paring knife.

9. Sakai Takayuki White 3 Japan Kinse Yanagiba 330mm $239.95 on sale
Also a gift from my then-apprentice Justin Miles, now executive chef and owner of Windy Point Restaurant. A true sashimi knife, and probably about forty years old, it only has an edge on one side. There are many versions of this knife and prices vary according to quality and beauty.

10. and 11. Marttiini Classic Filleting Knives, starting at $69.95 A much appreciated gift from my fishing-obsessed brother Kym. These knives are mainly found in fishing and tackle shops. Their fine flexible blades are brilliant for filleting fish, maintain their sharpness with a run against a steel, and have been used a lot.

12. Brand unknown, at least thirty years old. Its solid blade, holds an edge brilliantly, but to be honest, very rarely used these days. I also purchased a cook’s knife from this range, which was brilliantly weighted, but was superseded by the Shun Cook’s knife, No.7 because the Shun is so much kinder to my hands.

13. Wüsthof Classic Flexible Filleting Knife 16cm $149.40 on sale
Mine is at least forty years old, and after being sharpened many times in those years, is unrecognisable. I mainly still use it for removing the skin from large sides of fish.

14. Victorinox Maple Wood Bread Knife 21cm $99.95 on sale
Also, a gift, many years ago, from my friend Raylene with the true promise that they are the best for slicing tomatoes. This particular version no longer seems to be made, but it is very handy, not just for tomatoes, but for cutting bread rolls, where the long Shun serrated is an impediment. I have listed the closest I could find.

15. Aldi Cooks Knife $19.95 on special and purchased as part of an experiment looking at cheap knives. It has only been used a few times. Heavily weighted, it works well, however, it is doubtful that it has longevity. Regardless, if you are just starting to build your library of knives, it would be adequate for a couple of years.