Knife recommendations

Ok, at the risk of sounding culinarily challenged, what's a mandolin?

They are these little french devices that have a slanted blade (like at a 45 degree angle to the table) and you take the vegetable or whatever and slide it back and forth across the blade (I think that's right). I really want one too...

My folks got me a block of Henckels at Costco in the U.S.; I love it.

Here's a picture of a mandoline:

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anyone know any good mandolines?

Also.. the Wustof are indeed quite thick though you can get thinner ones.  Truth I actually use a steak knife to cut a lot of my veg in slices and the larger knives for chopping and things like that.  I want to get a good fillet knife, oyster knife and boning knife. 

I have Wustof steak knives I got at my shower.  They are great, cut really well and very sleek.

We have Henckles and love them. I haven't heard of the Wustof but I'm off to check them out right now.

My FIL was a butcher by trade in eastern Europe and then owned restaraunts. He had two knives by F Dick that he used for almost 40 years. He would not let anyone else use them.He always said they were the finest knives in the world.   

That's not surprising! They're the leading provider of knives to restaurants, butchers and culinary schools worldwide! But a lot of people haven't heard of them because they haven't been available to the general public (only professionals) for all that long.

Here's a picture of a mandoline:

Ugh! Every time I see one I cringe because I cut the tip of my finger off on one years ago. I was slicing potatoes and the stupid guard thing kept coming off so I was just using my hand (stupid I know ) and was doing it pretty fast and zip off went the tip of my finger. Well not completely off...my fingernail stopped it from coming completely off. All these years later I still have a franken-finger and no feeling in the tip. So every time I see a mandolin I go the other way.

I'm torn on the mandolin thing.  I've been thinking of getting one, but it looks an awful faff for just a few veggies.  Too much to clean up as opposed to just a cutting board and knife.

I'm torn on the mandolin thing.  I've been thinking of getting one, but it looks an awful faff for just a few veggies.  Too much to clean up as opposed to just a cutting board and knife.

Yeah I'm kind of the same on the mandolin.  They look really cool but they seem kind of high maintenance.  Also I am scared to death of slicing my finger tip off like Melissa!  I can SO see myself doing that.

I am off to get knives this weekend - thanks for all the great recommendations.  Can't wait to get them and start chopping things up 

We bought the titanium set off the shopping channel, and I really love them. We got two sets for the cost of one, and they have every knife you would need for anything. I use them every day.

I just want a mandoline for making razor thin slices....

I used to use my Cuisinart for doing that ... but it was given up for adoption when I left the US.

i have two mandolins.  one is an expensive one given to me and the other is a cheapie plastic thingy i bought long long ago.  b/c the plastic one is so easy to get up and lighter, and the guard is more robust (no chopping finger nails off), i tend to use that.

but i only bring it out when i have coleslaw for 20+ or potato gratin for 20+.  i don't use for everyday cooking...

I have these, WMF, which I find very good

http://www.headcook.co.uk/product_info.php?products_id=1454&id=c7112ae6c0048d6d84ac03529525d1b0

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This Knife Range is in a Class of its Own. The knives have fully forged full-length blades with a riveted handle casing made of a quality synthetic material. The forged bolster and sharpness of the blade meet the highest quality demands. These knives equal the standard set by other well known brands.

The set includes;

10cm / 4” Utility Knife
16cm / 6 ¼” Carving Knife
20cm / 8” Bread Knife
20cm / 8” Chefs Knife
23cm / 9” Sharpening Steel
Natural Beech block

WMF are one of the leading manufactures of high quality kitchenware in Germany.
This set is a very practical, usable selection that would suit most cutting jobs for the keen cook.

The set would be a great addition in any kitchen.