| Most people that are either skilled in the kitchen, | | | | Pro: |
| or professional chefs know the importance of | | | | · Buying individual chef knives affords you |
| having good quality knives. These are the essential | | | | the opportunity to try out different brands. You |
| tools of creating culinary masterpieces, and fine | | | | may like the feel of a Shun Chef knife, and also |
| dining quality gourmet dishes. But a question | | | | like the Cutco bread knife. In each brand the |
| always arises, should I have one complete set of | | | | bolster, tang and handle are made differently. |
| knives that are the same brand or maybe have a | | | | Depending on the job you're doing in the kitchen, |
| hybrid collection of individual Chef Knives like a | | | | an individual knife may be the best choice for you. |
| Henckel knife here and a Wusthof knife there? | | | | · Similarly, when you buy chef knives |
| There is no right or wrong answer here. The | | | | individually, you are able to control your budget |
| answer lies with two factors that you have to | | | | and spending more. For example, you may want |
| choose. | | | | to spend more on a fine quality Wusthof 10" chef |
| | | | knife but may only need the quality of a |
| 1. Your taste: what kinds of chef knives you like | | | | Victorinox paring knife. |
| to use. | | | | · I think having a mixed selection of |
| 2. Your budget: How much are you willing to | | | | individual chef knives look more professional. It |
| spend on chef or kitchen knives? | | | | shows that you have taken the time to research |
| Here are some pros and cons to both choices for | | | | the most efficient knife for the job you want to |
| you to put to the test: | | | | do. |
| Complete Chef Knife Sets | | | | Con: |
| Pro: | | | | · You don't get symmetry look when |
| · You have found a brand you like and | | | | buying individual chef knives. If you want each |
| trust then purchase the matching set complete | | | | handle that sticks out of the knife block to match |
| with sharpening steel. | | | | this is obviously not the way to go. |
| · Typically, the complete knife sets come | | | | · Speaking of Knife blocks. Knife Blocks |
| with a handy knife block, or knife wrap to roll up | | | | and knife wraps are typically sold separately when |
| and store your investment when not in use. | | | | you buy chef knives one by one. |
| · With buying sets that match handle | | | | · Another trade-off for shopping this way |
| color and logo branding your kitchen has an | | | | is that you get a different quality of each Knife. |
| esthetic look of order and symmetry. | | | | That can be both good and bad. You can |
| Con: | | | | determine which ones will hold up to more use |
| · The main con here is price. This is | | | | and which ones will keep a sharp edge more than |
| where your budget is a consideration. A complete | | | | others can. Again, this goes back to your budget, |
| set of Henckels may run a bit pricey but they will | | | | and preference. |
| last a lifetime with proper care. So if price is a | | | | In summary, choose to look for individual chef |
| factor, you may have to sacrifice quality for a | | | | knives for sale if you like to mix up your |
| less expensive brand. | | | | collection, control your budget, and in my opinion |
| · Maybe one brand of knife makes a | | | | look more professional. Or conversely, buy chef |
| great 8" full tang Chef Knife, but they don't do | | | | knife sets that will compliment the look of your |
| such a great job on their 4" paring knives. If you | | | | kitchen with matching handles, of a brand that |
| buy the knife set you're stuck with tools that you | | | | you like such as Sabatier chef knives. But also be |
| really don't like. This is a waste of money. | | | | prepared to spend a little more for the complete |
| Individual Chef Knives | | | | set. |