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Are there any cutlery shops in the Raleigh area? I see there was a very popular one that closed earlier this year.
If there aren't any cutlery shops, where would be the best place to look at and hold several different kinds of kitchen knives before purchasing? My brother is looking to get his girlfriend a high-end knife set--but since I've only lived here for a couple of years, I'm not sure where to tell him to go (and he's clueless).
Williams-Sonoma is the only place that comes to mind. Any others?
You can play with the knives at William-Sonoma. You can also look at Macy's, if you'd like. I would recommend you purchase them online, tho, as they tend to be cheaper.
As for a recommendation, I would suggest MAC. Most people would think Henkels or Wusthof, but I have developed a dislike for Henkels because of how they feel in my hand. Wosthofs seem to fit my hand naturally and, IMHO, feel more balanced. However MAC knives seem to be sharper and more precise (they are also hardened more than other knives on the Rockwell scale).
As for what to look for, here is a short list:
1. Forged blade (don't buy stamped, they tend to be too light and are made from many pieces of steel, rather than a single piece).
2. Full tang (the "backbone" of the knife runs from tip to butt end, meaning the handle is made from the same steel as the blade, not just welded/glued on afterwards).
3. Synthetic handles, not wood (wood tends to be too pourus and absorb water/humidity and gets moldy on the inside after a while. You don't want to handle raw meat/poultry/pork and then grab a knife with a wooden handle).
BTW, I used to sell CUTCO knives. They're OK, but nothing spectacular. I wouldn't purchase a set, tho. I only keep mine because they were practically free.
^haha, i think everyone i know sold cutco knives at some point. including almost me.
we have henkels, they're really great compared to anything i've ever used, but wusthof does seem "nicer" somehow, though for comparable pieces they seem to be even more expensive. i think we spent close to 1000 dollars on our knives, and i really can't see spending any more.
Goto Southern Season. Lots of high end german and japanese knives, including the ceramic blades. I almost purchased their Ken Onion set with Damascas blades and a magnetic wood strip to "show off" my new kitchen toys. It truely was art with function.
My friend purchased a Kocera ceramic knife set, color coded for use, and loves them. He complemented the set by purchasing a traditional set of three high end-sharp Wusthof knives that he uses for hard items, like through bones and stuff, and shows those off. He saved a lot of money this route.
Oh yeah, there is a little store in University Mall where Southern Season is located that has some high end knives too. It is across from Spice Street Restaurant.
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