/ Register

Need to buy an inexpensive slicing knife.

Discussion in 'Cooking Knife Reviews' started by french fries, Dec 21, 2009.

  1. Dec 21, 2009 #1
    french fries

    french fries

    Messages:
    5,370
    Likes Received:
    374
    Exp:
    At home cook
    Hello all.

    I have this friend who never, ever cooks. However we often grill meats at his place, and one thing his kitchen is severly lacking is a knife that will actually slice the tri-tip or the chuck steak or whatever it is we're grilling that day (usually tri-tip).

    I want to buy him a slicing knife, but I know he will throw it in the sink from across the room, leave it dirty and wet all night, and then put it in the drawer lose along with his 2 forks 3 spoons, old expired carl's junior coupons and whatnot.

    Oh and honing/sharpening? Hahahahahaha... good one. :lol: Yeah, forget about that.

    So basically I don't want to spend more than $20-$30.

    If everybody starts laughing at that price point, fine, I'll just go to Target and buy any cheap slicing knife I can find. But if anyone has any idea on something halfway decent in this price range, and that will withstand the abuse and still slice through a tri-tip okay?

    Thanks!
     
  2. Dec 21, 2009 #2
    foodpump

    foodpump

    Messages:
    5,158
    Likes Received:
    689
    Exp:
    Professional Pastry Chef
    $20-$30? Ikea. No B.S.. It's a clunker, but will cut if provoked.

    Anthing else in that price range will ultimately be some kind of a serrated edge--i.e a "hacksaw blade in a handle" type of dealy.
     
  3. Dec 21, 2009 #3
    french fries

    french fries

    Messages:
    5,370
    Likes Received:
    374
    Exp:
    At home cook
  4. Dec 22, 2009 #4
    phaedrus

    phaedrus

    Messages:
    1,600
    Likes Received:
    153
    Exp:
    Professional Chef
    That Fibrox is okay for the price, but the problem is once it's dull it won't cut anything, either. If he's not gonna take care of it and can't be troubled to sharpen it, not matter what you get him it's not gonna work for very long.
     
  5. Dec 22, 2009 #5
    theunknowncook

    theunknowncook Banned

    Messages:
    180
    Likes Received:
    12
    Exp:
    Line Cook
    Last edited: Dec 16, 2010
  6. Dec 22, 2009 #6
    boar_d_laze

    boar_d_laze

    Messages:
    8,550
    Likes Received:
    206
    Exp:
    Cook At Home
    The best suggestions I can offer, is to buy an electric knife -- they're very inexpensive and quite functional; or just bring your own knife with you when you guys cook together.

    Much as I get a kick out of them, I'd suggest not buying an Old Hickory. In addition to the fact that newer Old Hickorys can be very difficult to sharpen, they're not stainless and rust.

    Any other smooth edged knife is going to have the same problem as the Forschner, once it gets dull it will be dull and won't cut well. There's no magic to brand names, all knives get dull.

    And fwiw, most "never need sharpening" serrated knives won't give you as smooth or as even a slice as an electric; and won't save you much cash either.

    Good luck,
    BDL
     
  7. Dec 23, 2009 #7
    french fries

    french fries

    Messages:
    5,370
    Likes Received:
    374
    Exp:
    At home cook
    Thanks again guys.

    I'm afraid the electric knife may not be the best option, as we're always going to be in the backyard, far away from an outlet... and I'd rather keep it simple.

    I could bring my knife with me - but knowing myself, I know I'd leave it there at the end of the night.

    I'm intringued at the serrated knife idea - those don't need sharpening? That could be just what the doctor ordered. I personally don't like those knives for the reason BDL gave - it kinda tears the meet rather than cleanly slicing through it. However this would be a HUGE improvement over the current situation and sounds like the perfect worry-free situation.

    I wish I could just try one on a Tri-Tip right now to see what the results are. I'm totally ok with the slices looking a bit "rustic". As for him and the rest of our friends - nobody's going to notice the difference.

    I'd love to hear anyone's thought on that, but I'm now seriously considering this knife:
    Traditional Wood Handle Scalloped Slicer, 10" S46910PCP/CP | Dexter Russell - Wasserstrom Restaurant Supply
     
  8. Dec 30, 2009 #8
    theunknowncook

    theunknowncook Banned

    Messages:
    180
    Likes Received:
    12
    Exp:
    Line Cook
    F.F.:
    I own several Dexter-Russell Slicers, straight-edge, and serrated. The serrated-slicers tend to be dull, even after honing. Therefore, I switched brands to LamsonSharp, as their serrations were 1/8 in., instead of the standard 1/4 in. I cannot speak for their current production, as I bought my knives 10 years ago. For comparison, [Now, I advise against doing this, because it was foolhardy on my part, but I wanted to test my knives, to see which one was the sharpest.] I took a frozen sourdough loaf, and sliced it with my Dexter-Russell 10 in. serrated bread slicer, and it took 25-30 strokes to slice through the loaf. My LamsonSharp 10 in. serrated bread slicer took only 5 or 6 strokes to saw through the entire loaf! I had called Lamson & Goodnow, and told the technical representative about my [foolhardy] experiment. The man at Lamson & Goodnow told me to never try that again, because I could have injured myself! I promised him that I would never try such a foolhardy experiment ever again. I only mention it here as to illustrate the difference between brands and serration designs.
    This LamsonSharp PRO 8 in. Utility Slicer is less expensive, less maintenance, and might be less cumbersome, than that other D-R knife that you're considering, if you haven't already bought it.
     
  9. Dec 31, 2009 #9
    foodpump

    foodpump

    Messages:
    5,158
    Likes Received:
    689
    Exp:
    Professional Pastry Chef
    Serrated knives will eventually get dull, no matter what the brand, and if your friend likes to toss his knives in the s/s sink or in a drawer full of s/s kitchen gadgets that rattle and bang against each other, you're right back to square one.

    Another cheap knife, albeit one that has some credibility is Lee Valley's "peasant knife". (Lee Valley Tools - Important Announcement) Cheap and butt ugly, but apparantly loves abuse and is easy to sharpen.

    Yeah, yeah, I know, your friend will never sharpen his knives. Neither will any of my family either, and I know now when visiting family to bring along my sharpening kit, because I will be the one slicing the roast or what ever.
    Do the same with your friend, and tell him that a sharpening is worth at least one beer.

    Can't do that with family.....
     
  10. Dec 31, 2009 #10
    boar_d_laze

    boar_d_laze

    Messages:
    8,550
    Likes Received:
    206
    Exp:
    Cook At Home
    I gave several Christmas and Hanukkah presents of "2 knives sharpened" myself. I just finished the first pair (Wusthof Classic), they were so dull the "edges" were arched.

    BDL
     
  11. Jan 1, 2010 #11
    chefray

    chefray

    Messages:
    438
    Likes Received:
    14
    Exp:
    Professional Chef
    That's almost painful to hear.
     
  12. Jan 13, 2010 #12
    ebt

    ebt

    Messages:
    5
    Likes Received:
    10
    Exp:
    Cook At Home
    I would suggest a cozzini 12" chefs knife, they are between $10-$20 and they are tanks, I gave my mother one and she beats the he!! out of knifes and it is still sharp enough to tackle most jobs with ease. I am not sure where you can get them other than direct from a distributor