Knife recommendations

>>sigh<<

I said i wanted a *really good* knife for my birthday... fed up with these cheapo Ikea articles!
My MIL gave me £50 to buy one, but... if you're spending that much money on a knife, you kind of feel you want to test it out first, and i dont imagine there are any shops that will let you cut stuff up to test a knife!

I just dont know where to start.   I just want a small (11 or 12 cm blade) knife.  I will use it mainly for chopping onions, garlic and vegetables.  I dont mind spending the entire £50 on one knife, but i want to know that when i buy this knife, im going to love it forever! 

QG most decent knives will need sharpening anyways so the best way to "test" a knife is just to feel it.  Is the handle comfortable?  How is the weight?  Make chopping motions like you normally would and just think about how it feels.  Sounds silly, but you will know the right knife when it hits your hand.

I have one Wustof I love with all my heart.  I am looking at some of the Golbal ones as well now as I used them at the Deli. 

I don't know what to say as it all sounds a bit odd, but just go with your gut. 

Also think abouit which knife you tend to favour now.  I like thinner bladed knives for onions and most veg, but my chefs knife for potatoes. Worst case scenario.. buy one at ta place like Lawson's get it home try it and if you ahte it return it! 

Good luck!

I have one Wusthof (8" cook's knife) as well.  It's a good knife -- don't get me wrong -- but it's shite for most of my every-day chopping needs.  I chop a lot of veg and this Wusthof is way too thick to produce thinner slices, plus the veg sticks to the side of the knife.  Think of slicing courgettes and having each slice stick to the side of the knife and only comes off after you chop the next one or two, or if you stop and remove it.  If you leave the slices to come off on their own, they shoot all over the counter.  Needless to say, it's not a very efficient knife for me.

If I do decide to go for another Wusthof, then I'll be looking for a thinner version.

Yep hence why I never use my thick Wustof for most veggies either...

I use an almost steak knife sized Henckels for most veggies and slicing..

I use the Chef's knife for things like potatoes, or large chopping more than slicing.. smashing garlic, cutting through chicken bones,  chopping herbs etc.

It's good when you need weight behind you.. hence why it's good for rough chopping potatoes for smash or getting through things like turnip etc.

Yep hence why I never use my thick Wustof for most veggies either...

I use an almost steak knife sized Henckels for most veggies and slicing..

I've had my eye on some French knives for veggie cutting. They seem smaller and slightly more delicate than the German ones. My big chef's knife is an F. Dick, which is fantastic. But I agree about slicing thin veggies -- it's a bit cumbersome. The two makes I'm looking at are Laguiole and Sabatier. Has anyone tried either?

I've used the high end knives and ended up with them in the drawer.

The knife I love is a  Kitchen Devil.  I can't find the exact knife I have on this website, but here is one fairly similar.  I am so cross when I can't find this knife and have to cut with something else!

http://www.premiercutlery.co.uk/show_item.php?code=5004&thiscat=kitchen_knives&sub_cat=5000_knives

Here's another good place to check- 12.99 for three knives.....not bad.

Even if you hated them, you would still have 35+ to spend on something else....

http://www.abbode-cookware.co.uk/acatalog/Kitchen_Devil_Lifestyle_Knives.html