Looking for gift ideas? Good cooks should have good equipment, right? Better than a whole drawer (or block) full of cheap knives that are going to frustrate you every time you use one, three good knives are really all most of us need most days: an 8- or-10-inch chef's knife, a 10-inch bread knife and a 3- to 4-inch paring knife. Start with those, and then gradually add to your collection as needed.
I've tried all kinds of paring knives over the years, and what I've learned is this. Give me a blade that is sharp and holds an edge for a long time, thick enough to be sturdy and thin enough to maneuver, short enough for fine work and long enough to be versatile. And, despite what some manufacturers and "experts" might say, a full-tang blade forged from a single piece of steel is a must for me. If you've ever had a paring knife break in two in your hand, as I have, you know what I mean.
As important as the blade is, almost more so is the handle. It doesn't matter how perfect the blade is if the handle doesn't feel right in your hand. I've had handles that were too long, too short, too narrow, too wide. One that was specifically designed for comfort is so bulky it's impossible to use. Another handle is so thin and narrow, every time I use it my fingernails dig into my palm.
I had been on the hunt for a better paring knife, when the Wusthof Classic 3.5-Inch Paring Knife 4066/9cm was sent to me for review. Wusthof has a range of blade sizes, and this one is just right for me--large enough for any task, but not so large as to be hard to handle. And I love the way the Wusthof Classic handle feels in my hand.
This paring knife is extremely versatile, perfect for: peeling potatoes and apples, coring tomatoes, hulling and slicing strawberries, peeling and dicing shallots and garlic, dicing unpeeled avocado halves, deveining and butterflying shrimp, and making decorative garnishes (citrus crowns, fluted mushroom caps, tomato roses, radish flowers, strawberry fans).
Note: See my chef's knife review, bread knife review and 10 Favorite Kitchen Gadgets post for more gift ideas.
Wusthof
Giveaway
One winner will receive a Wusthof Classic 3.5-Inch Paring Knife 4066/9cm from Wusthof. All US residents who leave a comment about knives (one entry per person - and please include your email address in the body of your comment) on this post before 11:59 pm Eastern time Wednesday November 21 will be put into a random drawing. Winner will be announced here in the comments before noon Eastern time on Thursday November 22. If I don't hear back from the winner of the random drawing by 11:59 am Eastern time Sunday November 25, another drawing will be held and a new winner selected from the original entrants (those who commented before the giveaway deadline).
Buy It Now This knife is available online at Amazon.
49 comments:
I'm willing to spend more money on quality kitchen items than other things around the house, and good knifes are on the top of that list.
lbacher {at} gmail
Yes, Lindsay, they last forever, so why put up with bad ones, right?
Everytime I find a paring knife that I love it disappears. Not sure if someone throws it away or what. The last one that I bought doesn't feel right in my hand.
fiveburners at aol dot com
What a fabulous giveaway! A good set of knives is essential. I don't have the toys - food processor, immersion blender, Kitchen Aid mixer, or anything like that; I want to use a good set of knives and my own two hands when I cook/bake ....
Peggi, I had that problem too (I think they got accidentally put in the trash bin). Here's how I solved the problem: As soon as I'm done with it, I wash, dry and put it in its own little blade protector, then back in the drawer.
Mary, I agree. I make everything by hand.
Sounds great, Jean. My favorite to this point are the little stainless steel paring knives I got from an Amish store in Bart, PA. But I sure want in on this giveaway! :-) Judy (at) soapnsuch (dot) com.
Thanks for the opportunity!
I'd love to visit an Amish store in PA!
That looks like a great knife. One of the most dangerous things in a kitchen is a dull knife.
Got it, mikeintexas at gmail dot com! Just included it here so you'd have one entry.
What a great giveaway. I love great knives.
imsovintagelw@yahoo.com
I have never owned a really good knife! I do have a favorite "cheap" paring knife that I bought at a flea market, but its handle is giving out on me. I'd love to win a really good knife so I could see what I've been missing all these (too many) years :-) anniebloom1 at gmail dot com
My parents gave me a Wusthof Panini Knife for Christmas two years ago and I absolutely love it!
adb6{at}humboldt{dot}edu
Laura, Annie and Amanda, thank you. I'll have to check out that panini knife!
I really need a good quality knife. Thank you for the giveaway!
elena150980@yahoo.com
Yes - I agree that a good knife is essential. A dull one can be more dangerous to use I think.
Kelly, be sure to send me your email address in case you win. Also, your comment reminded me: For a great dull knife story, go to this post: http://delightfulrepast.blogspot.com/2012/06/pork-chops-pork-chop-incident.html
I'm definitely a fan of good knives. There's nothing worse than trying to cut a tomato with a bad knife.
jaminator81@att.net
I love my Wusthof Classic Chef knife. I use it for everything! (Including for chopping up dried apricots to put in the scones I made the other day. Your recipe NEVER fails!!) But a paring knife may come in handy too, so... entering!
casualobserver21 at gmail dot com
Jan and Melanie, thanks. Glad you like my scone recipe, Melanie!
I'd love to win this for my mom. She never splurges on nice things for herself and she deserves it!
2u3mommy at gmail dot com
Jim Bowie eat your heart out, and to Crocodile Dundee, “That’s not a knaii-ife…this is a knaii-ife!” Sounds like a winner to me, Jeani. Here’s my address mn333mn@earthlink.net while I still have two opposable thumbs, neither of which bear the scars of my cutlery. I have a drawer full of useless steel, and I spend as much time going down to the grinding wheel as I do washing dishes.
Agree with you wholeheartedly about the haft. A knife is – or should be – an extension of your hand, after all.
Maybe you should consider knife-throwing as a hobby. I’m sure that guy of yours wouldn’t mind holding a couple of balloons on a target wheel for you…
This knife sounds like it may be just what I've been looking for in a paring knife. Thank you for the review and the chance to win.
I have had a Wusthof paring knife for about twenty years that has stood the test of time ...and it's my favorite and most-used knife. It was given to me after my mother-in-law visited and wondered how I managed to get by without a good paring knife -- so she bought me the Wusthof. She knew her stuff.
Thank you, Mandy, Sully, Amy, Sharon. It IS a great gift idea, isn't it, Sharon?
Oh wow, what a great giveaway! I have a hard time finding the right paring knife and when I do, they never seem to last. I hope I win :)
jennsfoodjourney (at) gmail (dot) com
I know, Jenn. Many years ago I had one I liked and *some*body (men, eh?) used it as a screwdriver and broke the tip off!
One of our favorite wedding gifts was a good set of knives. When we cook at our parents' houses we really miss our knife set!
Wusthof knives are amazing! Now if only my husband would not "forget" and load all my good knives in the dishwasher ;)
Great giveaway btw! Thank you.
vnsscarv [!at]gmail [!dot]com
Steel Springs, my last time cooking at someone else's house with bad knives convinced me to at least carry one good knife with me next time!
Vanessa, I knooooow! I think I finally have mine convinced to not "forget" that, but he continues to put delicate crystal pieces in the DW.
My mom swears by these knives. They are expensive but worth it!
rockydoo09 (at) gmail (dot) com
When I bought my first house, one of the many things I discovered a need for were knives as all I had were the cheap hand me downs, they left much to be desired. So after this giveaway...you should offer each knife in the set...lol. drags59 at yahoo dot com
I have tried and tried to find a good, yet affordable knife. Would love to try this one.
You're right Jean that knife looks just perfect for cutting up potatoes and the like for Thanksgiving. Count me in an this great giveaway! (Richard @ artstudios dot com)
Thanks, susitravl and Richard.
Just the other day, I accidentally "lost" one of my favorite knives by dropping it behind my stove. It's going to take a bit of nagging to get my husband to pull out the stove just so I can get my knife back!
My mom bought me a pair of great knives for a housewarming gift a couple of years ago, and I was surprised at how much easier cooking life is by simply having a few good tools.
Thank you for this generous giveaway!
susanaudrey35 at gmail dot com
I have a terrible habit of massacring my fingers whenever I pick up a knife. It's just something that happens to me (there are scars to prove it). However, if there's one thing that's almost impossible to live without in the kitchen, it's a quality knife. Painful, but essential.
picturingbritain [at] gmail [dot] com
A good quality knife makes a huge difference. I bought my first expensive knife this year and I don't regret the money spent - I cook a lot and it's now the only knife I use! Can't wait to expand my collection but it's going to take a few years! Great giveaway! Denbard@gmail.com
Abigail and Denbard, yes, a quality knife is important. And, Abigail, if you think a really sharp knife is more dangerous than a cheap dull one, just read this post: http://delightfulrepast.blogspot.com/2012/06/pork-chops-pork-chop-incident.html.
You have to keep a really good knife in your kitchen. I would be so lost without one. Thanks
charitywism at aol dot com
I am the only one allowed ti use my knives. The paring knife is the one that I use the most.
Charity, I agree.
Cibelokid, *me too*! I keep an assortment of inferior knives I've accumulated over the years in a very convenient top drawer for everyone else, and *my* knives have their own special drawer!
*Giveaway Winner Announced* - The winner, by random drawing, of the Wusthof Classic paring knife is Stephanie. Stephanie, as soon as you send me, delightfulrepast at aol dot com, your name, address and phone number (required by shipper), Wusthof will ship the knife to you. Congratulations!
If I don't hear from the winner of the random drawing by 11:59 am Eastern time Sunday, November 25, another drawing will be held and a new winner selected from among the original entrants (those who commented before the giveaway deadline).
This was fun - my sixth Giveaway in 2012! Don't miss the next one! In the meantime, follow me on Google and Twitter. You can even use the Follow Me By Email button in the right column.
Congrats Stephanie!
I have one of these knives too and I LOVE it! :-)
How cool, Richard! I always wonder what tools other cooks use.
I can really recommend Wusthof; all of my knifes are from them and my Wusthof Classic Ikon Santoku never leaves the chopping board!
Scott, thank you for commenting. I don't leave my Wusthofs out - I keep them for myself. Husband and guests in the kitchen can use the more readily accessible inferior knives!
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