Cutlery...

[AlphaTech]

Just wondering what the other MR members use for cutlery, for those of us that actually know how to cook that is. Boiling up hot dogs and cooking some beans (from a can) does NOT count.

Personally, I won't purchase anything other then the J.A. Henckels Professional "S" line of knives. Full tang construction with three rivits beats the stick tang construction of other knives hands down. I also will NOT purchase blades that 'never needs sharpening'. I only have three blades [for now] which are a 4" paring, 8" chef, and the 10" carver that I picked up on the way home today. I also have a honeing steel that I use to keep the edges like razor blades and a meat fork that comes in handy very often.

I fully expect the knives to outlast me, which is why I don't mind spending the money for them. Considering how the one I picked up today was just over $90.

[krossfyter]

i use some mexican crap. 90 bucks on a knife.... good gosh yo! you the man.

[AlphaTech]

I go for quality... Another reason to buy a Harley and/or a Mac... :D

[krossfyter]

yeah dude i hear ya. i usually just slop some hellafied protein and a few carbs together and down that motha like a madman. my girl takes care of all the real food creations. i may just go buy myself a 90 buck knife...it would help because im always firing up the grill...cutting steaks, chicken, roast, turkey, fajitas, brisket etc. etc.

[menoinjun]

he he he... I just cant stop!!!!

Harleys DON't equal quality. I have to disagree with you on that one. Other than everyone's general knowledge, I'll back this one up with fact...my dad has owned several. Even with his 1970's bikes, he would consistantly have problems with them, and more recently with his 1996 883 Sportster, shavings from the tranny got up into the cylinder and he had to rebuild the whole damn engine. He then promptly sold it for more than he paid for it, (people are dumb) and bought a Honda Magna (which I loved) and then a Valkyre. That sixer in the Valkyre kicks some major ass. It even whupped a "customized" dynaglide that his friend had. Never a problem with either bike except a certain dumb kid breaking off the mirror trying to move it out of the garage.

And i wish that I could afford good cutlery. My dad got me a really nice carving knife, and it rocks. But a nice set would be great.

Before you reply...don't forget that this is an opinion... and not a personal attack. Please don't fly off the handle on me, ok? Sometimes there's nothing like the sound of an american vtwin with straight pipes.

-Pete

[krossfyter]

frekin harley owns the copyright on that hellafied sound man!


alpha tech....or whoever wants to respond... why are american vehicles not that realiable? am i wrong? why? it seems that most foreign rides are more reliable. as in cars... toyota cars last forever so to speak. i plan on going over 300,000 miles without an engine rebuild ....thats average for my car. frekin fords and dodge vehicles usually break down around 130,000. whats up with that? but this may be different with bikes... i dont know.

[AlphaTech]

You better just run ptrauber... :p

I wouldn't purchase a sportster and your father should have his head checked for buying a girls motorcycle. Full size Harley's or nothing at all. I have a friend that is in Florida with an 80's model Low Rider that has had zero issues with it. He is happy as all hell in fact. I know someone else from work that has a 2000 Fat Boy that loves it, also with zero issues with it. My 2002 Softail Standard has zero issues with it... :p See a pattern yet Bubba?? Also, my uncle has a 97 or 98 Heritage Softail that has zero issues... I would have heard about ANY since I talked with all of them before getting MY Harley.

Proper maintenance is the key to keeping ANY vehicle in proper working order and eliminating the possibility of issues happening.

Bottom line, Harley's DO equate to quality (do NOT count the AMF years, or you will have to run AND hide from me).

[krossfyter]

amf years?

[AlphaTech]

Originally posted by krossfyter
frekin harley owns the copyright on that hellafied sound man!

alpha tech....or whoever wants to respond... why are american vehicles not that realiable? am i wrong? why? it seems that most foreign rides are more reliable. as in cars... toyota cars last forever so to speak. i plan on going over 300,000 miles without an engine rebuild ....thats average for my car. frekin fords and dodge vehicles usually break down around 130,000. whats up with that? but this may be different with bikes... i dont know.

I had a 78 Fairmont with a 302 V8 inside of it that went just over 175,000 miles on it before I got rid of it. It was abused for the first 60,000 miles (one or two oil changes in that amount of time) by my uncle (he is in CA, NOT the one that owns the Harley). After we got it, it ran like a trooper, with great big balls... Hit the gas, and you were gone... the advantage of a large engine in a light body.

I fully expect my truck to go over 200,000 miles... since I have nothing to indicate it won't. With the correct engine/power to weight ratio, the vehicle will last a long time.

BTW, my uncle (the one that owns the Harley and lives in Maine) has Fords go over 200,000 miles before he trades them in for a newer model. Either that or he sells them to one of his son's, who then drive them for several more years. Proper maintenance is the key here.

[AlphaTech]

Originally posted by krossfyter
amf years?

If you have to ask then you need to read up on the history of Harley... I am about to head to bed, and don't have the time to explain it to you. Just like if you have to ask why own a Harley, you wouldn't understand my answer. :p :D

[krossfyter]

okay alpha i see your gettin conversation hits from us two. i will just sit back and let you deal with ptrauber....since im sure you focused on him.:D
dont want to get in the way. im intrested on how this is conversation is going to turn out.

[menoinjun]

Harley was bought by AMF for a few horrible years where everything went to ****. EVERYTHING!! Those bikes were absolutely horrible. Hey Alpha, was AMF owned by CBS? Or am I thinking of something else?

Ok, the 883 was a small bike, not a girls bike, but small. You can't say too much about the 1300cc valkyre though...that's a powerful bike. Almost as cool as the VTX 1800.

I just can't get over how it took Harley so long to get to overhead cams. Jap bikes have been using them for years, and the gains are so very obvious!! More power, less moving parts. Sounds easy to me. This is the same reason I don't like the Camaro or Mustang engines. They pack some serious punch, but with some real engineering, they both could put out 50-100 more hp each.

-Pete

[krossfyter]

Originally posted by AlphaTech


If you have to ask then you need to read up on the history of Harley... I am about to head to bed, and don't have the time to explain it to you. Just like if you have to ask why own a Harley, you wouldn't understand my answer. :p :D

oaky. ive never asked anyone why own a harley? or did i? im getting old.


dig it.

[krossfyter]

Originally posted by ptrauber
Harley was bought by AMF for a few horrible years where everything went to ****. EVERYTHING!! Those bikes were absolutely horrible. Hey Alpha, was AMF owned by CBS? Or am I thinking of something else?

Ok, the 883 was a small bike, not a girls bike, but small. You can't say too much about the 1300cc valkyre though...that's a powerful bike. Almost as cool as the VTX 1800.

I just can't get over how it took Harley so long to get to overhead cams. Jap bikes have been using them for years, and the gains are so very obvious!! More power, less moving parts. Sounds easy to me. This is the same reason I don't like the Camaro or Mustang engines. They pack some serious punch, but with some real engineering, they both could put out 50-100 more hp each.

-Pete


how much hp do you get on a jap car with some serious engineering?


i would love to get a supra and spend a lot of money on performance mods on it. it takes a any basic performance mod and boost its average hp gain by leaps and bounds. if i play it right i can get a toyota supra up to 900 hp. it would have to be twin turbo though.

[AlphaTech]

Originally posted by ptrauber
Ok, the 883 was a small bike, not a girls bike, but small. You can't say too much about the 1300cc valkyre though...that's a powerful bike. Almost as cool as the VTX 1800.

I just can't get over how it took Harley so long to get to overhead cams. Jap bikes have been using them for years, and the gains are so very obvious!! More power, less moving parts. Sounds easy to me. This is the same reason I don't like the Camaro or Mustang engines. They pack some serious punch, but with some real engineering, they both could put out 50-100 more hp each.


The 883 sportsters ARE considered woman's bikes, or for young kids that don't think they can handle a real bike.

Harley puts a lot of time and research into their engines. It has to work properly for them. Just because the Jap bikes have something doesn't mean that Harley will adopt it.

As for OHC, you don't always need to have that for power. I would have to check the cam type in my 02 Ranger (4 liter engine) but I know it has more torque then you would believe. It only has 207HP, but the torque will eat the pavement (and spit it onto your hood :p)

Check and see what S&S and Revtech are using for cam's in their aftermarket engines... Those guys do a lot more design work on theirs. Then again, there is something to be said for a block from Harley.

[krossfyter]

okay i just cant sit back here. im sorry. dig it. ahhhhh!

[menoinjun]

As far as american quality goes, yes american trucks last forever...but (speaking from experience) it's the little things that go wrong that really make them not worth the money. We owned two chrysler products and in both of them every other month there was something small that broke, a new rattle here or there, or a new recall because the engineers couldn't get things right. I think that there were 6 recalls on EACH of our vehicles within 2 years. They would have lasted, but we wouldn't have enjoyed owning them. There's been a total of 2 recalls on my toyota in 4 years. One was the steering nut wasn't tightened enough on the 98's, and the other was just a warning about if relatively frequent oil changes weren't performed, then there was some problem with oil solidifying or something like that. Nothing to worry about.

We do own Ford Explorers though...and for the most part, they are good cars. But there is a level of refinement that you get when you buy a foreign car/truck that you just don't get with the american ones. There is more money put into R&D overseas.

-Pete

[AlphaTech]

Originally posted by krossfyter
i would love to get a supra and spend a lot of money on performance mods on it. it takes a any basic performance mod and boost its average hp gain by leaps and bounds. if i play it right i can get a toyota supra up to 900 hp. it would have to be twin turbo though.

WHAT the ***** do you need/want that much power in a street car for??? That IS moronic. Just like those ******** that have the stereo systems that you can feel from a few hundred yards away. :rolleyes: :rolleyes:

[AlphaTech]

The only recall I can think of from my 99 Ranger was the tires (got five free ones from it).

Say what you want about the explorer's, but the Ranger I bought has more then enough 'refinement' for me. 4 door supercab with bucket seats and all the bells and whistles I wanted... 16" wheels so that I can run right over those low riding Jap jobs without thinking twice about it... :p :D

BTW, the single serpentine belt is rated to go approx. 100,000 miles before needing to be changed/replaced... :p

[krossfyter]

Originally posted by AlphaTech


WHAT the ***** do you need/want that much power in a street car for??? That IS moronic. Just like those ******** that have the stereo systems that you can feel from a few hundred yards away. :rolleyes: :rolleyes:



to rape all them mustangs, camaros and transams and more than keep up with them hellified corvettes. its my f**cking preference homeboy just like riding harleys with awsome toruque is yours!


dig it.

[menoinjun]

It's probably the same engine we have in our explorer and it should be a SOHC engine. The car moves pretty well, for a big truck.

How about that engineering in a 5.7 liter V8 though?!?!?! 305 in a camaro could be a lot more if it has OHCs. Maybe even reduce the liters of the engine and put OHCs on it to save some weight and keep around the same amount of power?

And mustangs are big wuss cars unless you get the cobra. 260 out of a 4.6 liter V8? What is Ford thinking?

-Pete

[krossfyter]

its not a car its a Ford. heh.

[AlphaTech]

IF I was to ever get a V8 engine, I would want at least a 5 liter (302) since they do NOT know how to quit.

[menoinjun]

i don't completely agree with either of you on that supra issue.

900 HP is absurd. So are those stereos that make people trunk rattle. I just laugh at them driving down the street. What's with the fad of lowering your truck to the ground also...kinda defeates the purpose of a truck.

900 HP would be cool though. I do feel that it's important to be able to save money now, and customize later to gain HP. For the money though, most of these retards could buy a Corvette and not have to deal getting a smaller car and hopping it up. The 'Vette might just be the best bang for the buck on the planet.

-Pete

[krossfyter]

my friend with the 1995 turbo MR2 raped one of those cobras...stock though.


it was funny to witness.

[AlphaTech]

Originally posted by krossfyter
its not a car its a Ford. heh.

Suck my **** :p

[krossfyter]

Originally posted by ptrauber
i don't completely agree with either of you on that supra issue.

900 HP is absurd. So are those stereos that make people trunk rattle. I just laugh at them driving down the street. What's with the fad of lowering your truck to the ground also...kinda defeates the purpose of a truck.

900 HP would be cool though. I do feel that it's important to be able to save money now, and customize later to gain HP. For the money though, most of these retards could buy a Corvette and not have to deal getting a smaller car and hopping it up. The 'Vette might just be the best bang for the buck on the planet.

-Pete


i dont agree with you with the 900 hp stero equivalent argument. thats absurd. its all about prference anways. i respect your preferences even if they arent mine. im like that. seems rude to be the other way.

anyways. the vetter rocks. specially the callaways. but man.... from there its a deign issue with me and buying a toyota. im stuck on toyota after i had a ford. toyotas just last longer PERIOD.

[krossfyter]

Originally posted by AlphaTech


Suck my **** :P



awww!

im just joking around dude. heh.





dig it.

[menoinjun]

I once rented an MR2 Spyder (2000) and took a Mustang GT off of the line to around 60. The MR2 only had 130 hp!!! See what a good power/weight will do for you? He kicked my ass over 60, but up until then, I had him. I got a great launch, but so did he. Perfect amount of wheel spin and clutching. Ok, enough gloating...

I realized that this thread is about cutlery, so I'm going to CUT OUT ;) for the night. Damn, I'm cheezy.

-Pete

[krossfyter]

seriously thougt alpha... you really getting pissed off at me or are you just messing around? i dont mean to dis respect you... i dont mean to do that to anyone.


dig it.

[krossfyter]

Originally posted by ptrauber
I once rented an MR2 Spyder (2000) and took a Mustang GT off of the line to around 60. The MR2 only had 130 hp!!! See what a good power/weight will do for you? He kicked my ass over 60, but up until then, I had him. I got a great launch, but so did he. Perfect amount of wheel spin and clutching. Ok, enough gloating...

I realized that this thread is about cutlery, so I'm going to CUT OUT ;) for the night. Damn, I'm cheezy.

-Pete


that spyder would jack him on the twistes though.

[krossfyter]

yeah this is od how this has gone from cutlery to vehicles. didnt start it though. heh.


anyways... to tell you the truth ....you put a mustang or any car for that matter i guess...and a supra tt together spend the same amound on performance mods... etc. etc. and the supra would put out a much higher hp...reason is because like i said a supra boosts the mods higher then usual.... serioulsy no joke ...check it out for yourself. wither its absurd or not is all REALTIVE.

[krossfyter]

whats up ptrabuer? you there man?

man im like quad posting.


alpha took off i guess. hmmm. i hope his okay.

[Royal Pineapple]

Originally posted by krossfyter
whats up ptrabuer? you there man?

man im like quad posting.


alpha took off i guess. hmmm. i hope his okay.
four in a row? that must be a new record, but its ok, because we know that you arnt all about post count like eye is;) j/k
it seems like its you and me buddy:D

[krossfyter]

Originally posted by Royal Pineapple

four in a row? that must be a new record, but its ok, because we know that you arnt all about post count like eye is;) j/k
it seems like its you and me buddy:D


cool man. this a trip everything flew the hell out the window ever since ptrauber mentioned jap bikes to alpha. they scattered like ants.


dig it.


anyways... yeah we should talk about cutlery....


dont want to hijack aphas topic.

[Mr. Anderson]

Amazing actually. Way to go krosfyter;)

I use Wüsthof

Started out with this (http://www.williams-sonoma.com/cat/pip.cfm?sku=4278453&cat=6&src=fipcCUTBLK%20f5017) but we've added a few things since. One of my favorite recent additions (http://www.williams-sonoma.com/cat/pip.cfm?sku=33688&cat=6&src=fipcCUTBLK%20f5017)

[eyelikeart]

I have a small Henckel knive set that I "acquired" with the separating of belongings when I became single last month :D

I haven't even had the opportunity to use them yet, but I do plan to finish it completely with matching sets... ;)

[eyelikeart]

Originally posted by Royal Pineapple

four in a row? that must be a new record, but its ok, because we know that you arnt all about post count like eye is;) j/k

hey! ;)

I was tired and actually went to sleep by 1 am...think I'm turning over a new leaf here...he he he

[AlphaTech]

I have the 4" version of this, (http://www.williams-sonoma.com/cat/pip.cfm?grp=220010&cat=6&src=fipcCUTBNG%20f5013) the 8" version of this, (http://www.williams-sonoma.com/cat/pip.cfm?grp=220009&cat=6&src=fipcCUTBNG%20f5013) and the 10" version of this. (http://www.williams-sonoma.com/cat/pip.cfm?sku=816926&cat=6&src=fipcCUTBNG%20f5013) I also have this (http://www.williams-sonoma.com/cat/pip.cfm?sku=816843&cat=6&src=fipcCUTBNG%20f5011) meat fork...

Eventually, I intend to have more of the Henckle blades, but for now, this set does just about everything I need them to. I also picked up a pair of Henckle scissors around the holidays. They are not for use on meat/food, but on just about everything else.

As for last night's thread hijacking... I had to get some sleep in... I hope that I won't be up as late tonight, since it was a bit rought getting up this AM. For kitchen knives I will only purchase Henckles (for myself). For vehicles, American or nothing at all... :p You can keep your stinkin toy...ota's. :p :D

[mischief]

Henkels.

10" French knife, 8" bread knife, 8" French knife, 2* 6" Utility knife, 4" utility knife, 2" Paring knife, Steel, Carving Fork and a block that holds it all.

Gotta love Wedding presents.:D

[AlphaTech]

mischief, that's one hellofa set of blades (which line are they?)...

I don't need a bread knife, but I would like to pick up the 10" chef soon... When I can afford the ~$90 for it. I might need to get a block or something for them, since the block I do have really isn't made for Henckel blades... The new 10" carver that I picked up, doesn't really fit in the block too well... nor does the 8" chef that I have. I will let the family members know that I need a good block, maybe one of them will get it for me come a holiday. :D

IF I can wait that long that is. Knowing me, I won't wait... :D

[Quark]

I worked at a hotel as a chef (apprentice) and we had to provide our own knives/cutlery - so I went to Europe and researched different kinds and zeroed in on what was the best - durability, feel/usage, sharpness, weight, and longevity.

I have found that Henkels are an excellent value, but their manufacturing process is geared more towards the mainstream consumer. Wusthof has a few more Quality checks as well as better engineering.

You'll pay a couple more bucks for the Wusthof, but you won't regret it.

I have had the same set for twenty years now. I use them almost daily (each evening) - for serious cooking.

Take care,
Quark

[Mr. Anderson]

My brother went to the Culinary Institute of America to become a chef and he came away with the same impression. Wüstof are much better, I have an older set of Henkels, but almost always use the Wüstof

D

[voicegy]

A discussion about what Cutlery our fellow MacRumors posters use? Oh, this is wild! It's the LAST topic that I thought a member like AlphaTech would bring up...I have this image of a hard drinkin', swearin', Harley ridin' (well, that part is correct!) fist poundin', hairy, chew spittin' BEAST and here we are in the kitchen nook jawin' about the bennies of various brands of kitchen knives.:p

Sorry, I just couldn't resist...the image in my mind is just too funny! I realize, of course, that for serious chef's such a topic is of utmost importance, so I'll stop giggling and offer my worthless 2 cents.

I appreciate "the best" in certain things (computers, stereo's, etc.,) and when I've visited my local Cutlery Shoppee, I admit I've always been drawn to the J.A.Henckels line. Do I know how well they cut? Well, no...my attraction was based on looks and the logo...I just think they look sharp.

(oh, groan, no pun intended of course)

"Hawk, SPIT...*burp*...*ahhhhh* Yeah, that Martha Stewart broad is innocent I tell ya!"

[AlphaTech]

Originally posted by voicegy
A discussion about what Cutlery our fellow MacRumors posters use? Oh, this is wild! It's the LAST topic that I thought a member like AlphaTech would bring up...I have this image of a hard drinkin', swearin', Harley ridin' (well, that part is correct!) fist poundin', hairy, chew spittin' BEAST and here we are in the kitchen nook jawin' about the bennies of various brands of kitchen knives.:p

Sorry, I just couldn't resist...the image in my mind is just too funny! I realize, of course, that for serious chef's such a topic is of utmost importance, so I'll stop giggling and offer my worthless 2 cents.

I appreciate "the best" in certain things (computers, stereo's, etc.,) and when I've visited my local Cutlery Shoppee, I admit I've always been drawn to the J.A.Henckels line. Do I know how well they cut? Well, no...my attraction was based on looks and the logo...I just think they look sharp.

(oh, groan, no pun intended of course)

"Hawk, SPIT...*burp*...*ahhhhh* Yeah, that Martha Stewart broad is innocent I tell ya!"

Well, you are partially correct at least... :p I don't drink hard, nor spit [much]. As for being hairy, well, you see that glare coming off my dome??? :D

I've been cooking since I was about 12 (making full dinners by then, started helping out at about 8). I was taught by a chef (my father) who also did research before purchasing anything. He tried a Gerber blade (too damn light for real use) as well as a few other brands before coming upon Henckel blades. Again, he did the research on the different lines, and while it could be true about the normal 'consumer' lines (ones with the molded handles), I find the quality of the Pro. S to be way up there. The ones my father purchased have seen many years of daily, hard use, and have held up extrememly well. Many sharpenings later, they still have tons of life left in them.

In the year or so since I started purchasing my own Henckels, I have yet to actually need to sharpen them. I run them over the steel just about each time before I use them, and they perform like a trooper. I might need to sharpen up the 4" paring blade soon, but not the 8" chef. I do most of my cooking with the 8" chef blade, with lots of garlic chopping in there.

I just scoped out a chopping block (http://www.williams-sonoma.com/cat/pip.cfm?sku=1095108&cat=6&src=fipcCUTSET%20f5019) from williams-sonoma's web site and just had to start drooling. I have been searching for something like that for ages. We used to have an ancient butcher block at the old store (where dad ran the kitchen) and have wanted one of my own ever since. Those things last forever, and have enough weight behind them to stay in place. Looks like I know what my 'spare' cash will be spent on this month... :D

BTW, that Martha person is such a biatch!!! :D

[Quark]

Alpha,

It sounds like the Henkels will cover what you need.

One word of caution about that Chopping block -- you'll notice that it is made up of several blocks. This is a huge "no, no" in the cooking industry.

If you can find a block that is made from one solid piece of wood, you'd be much better off. The reason is that the more pieces of wood stuck together, the more chances of bacteria getting into places that you can't get to and clean. With each piece of wood have slightly different properties from its neighbor, splitting and separation happens far more often then a solid piece of wood.

On the same note, do you want it to be wood? Wood absorbs all kinds of stuff and it isn't easy to clean -- although it looks nicer.

I highly recommend, for serious cooking/preparation, using a solid plastic/vinyl cutting board. Perhaps you could buy a wooden one for looks and pull out the plastic one when no one is looking.

www.CutleryAndMore.com has a bunch of different Butcher Blocks and Cutting Boards - mostly wood.

Take Care,
Quark

[AlphaTech]

Seems like many people are totally unaware about a benefit of wood cutting surfaces. The natural tanin inside wood kills bacteria. As such, only normal soap and hot water is needed to remove anything. Plastic boards on the other hand are porus and can harbor bacteria unless you bleach them.

I have been using wood boards for ages, and never once had any bacteria issue come up/happen. Again, that is something my father did a lot of research on before setting up the kitchen at the store we owned. We only had some plastic boards because the health department required it. They also never had issue with my father using the butcher block...

I cut up raw meat on the wood board that I have now, wash it (soap and water) and then cut/chop up everything else that I need.

If you get some deep grooves in your wood board, either use a sander or take it to a wood shop and have them plane it smooth again. That is another thing you really cannot do with plastic boards.