The cooking shows and now internet have made cooking more approachable for many.
What is you favorite prep knife?
I have a couple Sabatier that I enjoy, i've been looking at Missen (sp?) as well.
I have a 10" hinkels professional series chefs knife that I use for a lot of stuff and a 6 inch utility of their four star series for most everything else. Of course I have 12 inch slicers and others...but those two get used the most.
All high carbon steel is not the same.
My 10" professional chef knife weighs the same as my 8" four star chefs knife...(well really close). Very light by comparison because of the steel used. They all are razor sharp and stay that way. And yes, by razor I mean they will shave hair.
They are just what I'm used to using.
I'd one day like to get a hand forged chefs knife....they are expensive though. But one made out of great steel stays sharp a LOOONNNG time. Then a nice handle out of stone or an exotic wood...
My kind of toys....
A good knife needs only sharpening (grinding) once every decade with your household use. When I was working professional and using it every day I did it every 3-4 months. But I was going through a LOT of food. 50lb boxes and bags of carrots, celery, onions, and potatoes. 80# cases of chickens. (I could debone a case of 4&ups in 11 minutes flat...3&ups took 14).
Today I'm much older and slower and out of some practice. Arthritis in my hands and the veins in my legs...not to mention glasses for seeing these days.
So I'm going to have to hire some punk kids...and turn them into respectable adults. I did it as an electrician a lot...