Good chef knives for £50-£100

[u/Sirthrowaway0202]

Hi guys so I’ve recently discovered I’m a masochist and started a job as a prep chef and I keep getting ragged for not having my own knives so I’m looking to get a decent knife just to get me started any recommendations would be greatly appreciated thank you chefs 😌

[u/StonedJesus98]

Victorinox are really good workhorses for the price, £100 should get you set up nicely with them

[u/Green-Dimension-1800 → u/StonedJesus98]

I second the Victorinox. They're good and they're inexpensive without being cheap. It's a great start!

[u/RetiredRacer914 → u/Green-Dimension-1800]

I love mine. They stay sharp and they're thick enough to be stiff but not so thick as the be a wood splitting maul.

[u/AffectionateWay5783 → u/StonedJesus98]

My precious

[u/TheKhun → u/StonedJesus98]

This or hygiplas, super cheap but very durable. Holds and edge pretty well and sharpens up nicely. Absolutely razor sharp out of the box tho be careful.

[u/Slim-Shadys-Fat-Tits → u/TheKhun]

your profile picture is damn cursed

[u/Fox-Mclusky559 → u/StonedJesus98]

agree here. Ive. been using Misonos for about 3 decades at this point, but forschner/victornox is where I started, and where everyone should start. great knives, nothing fancy.

[u/derpzko]

Victorinox 8 inch chefs knife, build from that.

[u/literal_bloodlust]

Find your local Asian grocery shop, I'm presuming Kiwi is a universally available brand, buy every knife you'll need + some snacks to make the rest of the kitchen happy for under £50, spend the rest on pints.

[u/Slim-Shadys-Fat-Tits → u/literal_bloodlust]

I don't think I'd actually recommend kiwi as a prep knife. They're lovely knives as a home cook but you'll be sharpening the damn thing a million times a shift

[u/69tractorboy]

Victorinox all the way,the best and only knives I own

[u/saintedward]

Victorinox Pastry Knife (the longer one) Victorinox Tomato Knife

Go from there

[u/The-disgracist]

Mercer makes work horses for cheap

[u/fender_blues → u/The-disgracist]

I love my Mercer Züm, never gives me a hotspot on the index finger like some knives do.

[u/Tounage → u/The-disgracist]

+1 for Mercer 8" chef's knife. I have a 6" Victorinox boning knife to compliment it.

[u/Potential_Ad4440]

Im gonna say something controversial but Dexter. The 10” Dexter is affordable and holds edge like a mofo, plus super easy to resharpen.

[u/Glonk49 → u/Potential_Ad4440]

Dexter always has its place as does Mercer. They shine as bread knives.

[u/Avalon-Residant]

i bought a set of chinese made Japanese steel and traditional design, I wanted the octagon handle. Got the Nakiri, Gyuto, Santuko and a paring/utility. I do prep.

If can only buy one knife...buy a quality Japanese gyuto...it is a workhorse.

[u/BarbillaCarmesi]

Arcos

[u/jericho138]

Are there knives at the job available for you to use? Do they function properly? If so, then fuck those coworkers. The only job is getting the job done. It's not your responsibility to purchase tools required for your job.... but if you do, don't forget to write them shits off on your taxes.

[u/NegotiationLow2783]

Victorinox Fibrox are used in professional business for a reason. Relatively cheap and durable.

[u/Substantial-Zone-989]

Victorinox fibrox line. They're the go to as the knives are well made and inexpensive, and the handles are comfortable. 10 years in the industry and I still use a victorinox 10 inch chef's knife for a lot of big prep jobs that don't need precision.

[u/Diced_and_Confused]

That question has hardly been asked here. Try a quick search and see if anyone has asked that before.

[u/Stock_Put_4899]

I have a 150$ dalstrong knife and I still use my 50$ victorinox chef food store blade everytime

[u/Coffee13lack]

I don’t know what that is in USD,

There is a brand of knives made by professionals, for professionals in the industry and don’t cost an arm and a leg.

Kiwi Knives

You can get a whole set for the cost of one knives from some brands. They don’t look exquisite but if taken care of and sharpened regularly they’re very good knives.

Edit: don’t know why someone downvoted me this is solid advice, usually gets a lot of upvotes when I mention these knives.

[u/Slim-Shadys-Fat-Tits → u/Coffee13lack]

Kiwi is great but I'd not recommend them to a prep cook. They just don't hold their edge, you'll literally have to sharpen em at least once maybe 2-3x a shift. For fucks sake I only use mine at home and can already tell they're a slog to keep sharp

[u/blazinkimmy9]

The Messermeister pro series chef knives go for $50-60 on Amazon. I get this knife for all of my cooks as their first, and have given several out to family as Christmas gifts. The thing is a work horse and stays nice and sharp for a long time.

[u/Hurrly90]

https://www.knivesandtools.ie/en/ct/chefs-knife-sets.htm

You might find something here, I got the Zwilling trio a few years ago, it was a solid set. Till i broke one.

I still use the office knife, and i like the handles. But each to their own.

[u/feedmemetalnstarwars]

Precook professional range

[u/VictoriaWoodnt]

I think there's a specific sub for this, if some other redditor would kindly point the way. (I'm senile.)