We were given a half-decent knife block as a wedding present a long time ago, and over the last year or so I’ve gradually been replacing the knives as the handles die. I’ll confess to buying cheap arse replacements. I’m not a chef. I don’t mind sharpening the blades. I’m not gonna drop five hundred dollarydoos on new ones.
But this is ridonkulus. The steel is fine but the new handle split after a couple of months.
If the steel is OK a new handle isn't hard to do (consider using split screws rather than rivets considering where it's cracked). As others have mentioned dishwashers kill knives. You also could wrap the handles.
Most decent knife handles don't like the dishwasher. I've a good Wusthof chef's knife that has a handle in need of replacing - apparently it's a pretty do-able DIY thing, achievable with nowt more than a couple bits of wood, some epoxy, and a rasp.
But for paring knives? Don't both getting anything that isn't a $5 victorinox cheapy. The steel holds a good edge, you can chuck 'em in the dishwasher, and they're cheap as chips.
Never mind the handle: the _blade_ doesn't like the dishwasher. Dishwashers get really hot. High-carbon tempered steel of the sort that holds a good edge can't really stand much above room temperature. Our knives are about the only thing in our kitchen that don't go in the dishwasher.
Terry Pratchett's economic theory on boots springs to mind here. While I too am not a chef or much of a cook (baking is a different thing altogether) I did invest in a good knife set and haven't looked back. You do get what you pay for.
I have very happily dropped hundreds on a knife. And then I get Unimpressed when I see it in the dishwasher. Fortunately I've been able to rescue them before the machine has been switched on.
On the other hand, if you are going to happily throw them in dishwasher, then definitely don't spend up on them.
Finally, I've found that the best knife sharpener is the base of a coffee cup. It just hones the edge without taking metal (or much metal?) off the blade.
Like table cutlery, you can make a knife that withstands dishwashing, but it won't hold a good edge.
I have a knife with a ceramic blade (probably thirty years old). Sharpest thing I owned when new, and would probably survive a dishwasher. Not sharp enough to use now though, and impossible to sharpen: harder than any stone or steel that I've tried. It's waiting in a draw until I figure out how to...
“Lots of people make knives with lousy handles.”
“Lots of c*nts.”
If the steel is OK a new handle isn't hard to do (consider using split screws rather than rivets considering where it's cracked). As others have mentioned dishwashers kill knives. You also could wrap the handles.
Most decent knife handles don't like the dishwasher. I've a good Wusthof chef's knife that has a handle in need of replacing - apparently it's a pretty do-able DIY thing, achievable with nowt more than a couple bits of wood, some epoxy, and a rasp.
But for paring knives? Don't both getting anything that isn't a $5 victorinox cheapy. The steel holds a good edge, you can chuck 'em in the dishwasher, and they're cheap as chips.
Never mind the handle: the _blade_ doesn't like the dishwasher. Dishwashers get really hot. High-carbon tempered steel of the sort that holds a good edge can't really stand much above room temperature. Our knives are about the only thing in our kitchen that don't go in the dishwasher.
"a $5 victorinox cheapy" - old bluey has served us well.
Don't ask why some of our knives have names. It's akin to the kids naming the cat and moving out.
Terry Pratchett's economic theory on boots springs to mind here. While I too am not a chef or much of a cook (baking is a different thing altogether) I did invest in a good knife set and haven't looked back. You do get what you pay for.
It looks like plastic so just heat it up until it self-repairs
Cutting social commentary here from you JB.
I'll see myself out.
I have very happily dropped hundreds on a knife. And then I get Unimpressed when I see it in the dishwasher. Fortunately I've been able to rescue them before the machine has been switched on.
On the other hand, if you are going to happily throw them in dishwasher, then definitely don't spend up on them.
Finally, I've found that the best knife sharpener is the base of a coffee cup. It just hones the edge without taking metal (or much metal?) off the blade.
I really like the cap U on Unimpressed.
One of mine went one time through the dishwasher, so I understand.
death by dishwasher? Things should be able to handle dishwashers these days.
Yep.
Like table cutlery, you can make a knife that withstands dishwashing, but it won't hold a good edge.
I have a knife with a ceramic blade (probably thirty years old). Sharpest thing I owned when new, and would probably survive a dishwasher. Not sharp enough to use now though, and impossible to sharpen: harder than any stone or steel that I've tried. It's waiting in a draw until I figure out how to...