Author Topic: Cheap ceramic kitchen knives  (Read 2161 times)

sonofsven

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Cheap ceramic kitchen knives
« on: January 21, 2022, 07:32:25 AM »
I made the pilgrimage to Harbor Freight recently to buy some new kitchen knives. Ceramic, very sharp.
 If I take good care of them they generally last four years at least before they chip. Keep out of the sink and dishwasher.
$6.47 for the five inch, $8.99 for the six inch.

uniwelder

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Re: Cheap ceramic kitchen knives
« Reply #1 on: January 21, 2022, 08:56:47 AM »
Sonofsven, You've bought ceramic knives from Harbor Freight before?  Or you've had other ceramic knives and this time you found some at Harbor Freight? 

I have one that I bought for about $20 (not HF) about 8 years ago and it still cuts decently well, but not as sharp as our other steel knives that I use a $4 sharpener on.  For a while, the ceramic knife was my go to, but I'm just not much of a fan anymore since getting the cheap sharpener.  I also tried sharpening it on a diamond grit tool I have, but its too coarse and just seemed to make the edge jagged. 

sonofsven

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Re: Cheap ceramic kitchen knives
« Reply #2 on: January 21, 2022, 09:49:06 AM »
I've been buying them at HF for a decade at least.

Wintergreen78

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Re: Cheap ceramic kitchen knives
« Reply #3 on: January 21, 2022, 01:50:37 PM »
Why not buy a decent steel kitchen knife for $40-$50 and use it the rest of your life?

nereo

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Re: Cheap ceramic kitchen knives
« Reply #4 on: January 21, 2022, 05:57:45 PM »
Ceramic and steel…. They’re similar - but different.  Out of the box (or sharpened, if you are fortunate to know how or know someone who knows how) ceramic is sharper. Steel can almost get there with good sharpening skills, but not quite. But to me the real difference is the weight. Sometimes the feather-lightness of the ceramic is an asset, sometimes it’s a hindrance.  I like and use both. Just don’t try to smash a clove of garlic which a ceramic knife.  Not that I made that mistake or anything…


sonofsven

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Re: Cheap ceramic kitchen knives
« Reply #5 on: January 23, 2022, 12:36:51 PM »
Why not buy a decent steel kitchen knife for $40-$50 and use it the rest of your life?

I prefer ceramic for their sharpness. I did use a carbon steel kitchen knife for many years and found I could sharpen it to a finer edge than any stainless knife, which is harder to sharpen.
If you have a link to a decent carbon steel knife for $40 I'd love to see it.


nalor511

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Re: Cheap ceramic kitchen knives
« Reply #6 on: January 23, 2022, 01:38:34 PM »
Ceramic and steel…. They’re similar - but different.  Out of the box (or sharpened, if you are fortunate to know how or know someone who knows how) ceramic is sharper. Steel can almost get there with good sharpening skills, but not quite. But to me the real difference is the weight. Sometimes the feather-lightness of the ceramic is an asset, sometimes it’s a hindrance.  I like and use both. Just don’t try to smash a clove of garlic which a ceramic knife.  Not that I made that mistake or anything…

If you use a plastic/wood (NOT glass/ceramic/marble) cutting board then the edge should also stay a lot longer on ceramic knives

Wintergreen78

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Re: Cheap ceramic kitchen knives
« Reply #7 on: January 23, 2022, 05:08:57 PM »
Why not buy a decent steel kitchen knife for $40-$50 and use it the rest of your life?

I prefer ceramic for their sharpness. I did use a carbon steel kitchen knife for many years and found I could sharpen it to a finer edge than any stainless knife, which is harder to sharpen.
If you have a link to a decent carbon steel knife for $40 I'd love to see it.

Here is a forged stainless one for $33: https://www.webstaurantstore.com/mercer-culinary-m20608-genesis-8-forged-chef-knife-with-full-tang-blade/470M20608.html

The knife I’ve had for the last 20 years is a Wusthof stainless. It looks like the ones they list for $100+ But I’m positive I didn’t pay more than $40-50 for it. I agree you can sharpen high-carbon steel to a finer edge, but I’ve never felt limited in anything I do in the kitchen.

sonofsven

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Re: Cheap ceramic kitchen knives
« Reply #8 on: January 24, 2022, 06:33:00 AM »
Why not buy a decent steel kitchen knife for $40-$50 and use it the rest of your life?

I prefer ceramic for their sharpness. I did use a carbon steel kitchen knife for many years and found I could sharpen it to a finer edge than any stainless knife, which is harder to sharpen.
If you have a link to a decent carbon steel knife for $40 I'd love to see it.

Here is a forged stainless one for $33: https://www.webstaurantstore.com/mercer-culinary-m20608-genesis-8-forged-chef-knife-with-full-tang-blade/470M20608.html

The knife I’ve had for the last 20 years is a Wusthof stainless. It looks like the ones they list for $100+ But I’m positive I didn’t pay more than $40-50 for it. I agree you can sharpen high-carbon steel to a finer edge, but I’ve never felt limited in anything I do in the kitchen.
Thanks, but I'm not interested in any more stainless knives, having found ceramic to be (and stay) much sharper. To each their own.

nereo

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Re: Cheap ceramic kitchen knives
« Reply #9 on: January 24, 2022, 06:52:18 AM »
Why not buy a decent steel kitchen knife for $40-$50 and use it the rest of your life?

I prefer ceramic for their sharpness. I did use a carbon steel kitchen knife for many years and found I could sharpen it to a finer edge than any stainless knife, which is harder to sharpen.
If you have a link to a decent carbon steel knife for $40 I'd love to see it.

Here is a forged stainless one for $33: https://www.webstaurantstore.com/mercer-culinary-m20608-genesis-8-forged-chef-knife-with-full-tang-blade/470M20608.html

The knife I’ve had for the last 20 years is a Wusthof stainless. It looks like the ones they list for $100+ But I’m positive I didn’t pay more than $40-50 for it. I agree you can sharpen high-carbon steel to a finer edge, but I’ve never felt limited in anything I do in the kitchen.
Thanks, but I'm not interested in any more stainless knives, having found ceramic to be (and stay) much sharper. To each their own.

FWIW every carbon knife I own I've picked up at a swap meet (flea market), typically coated in rust and in desperate need of some serious sharpening.  Takes more work but at least I've had good luck getting them for <$20

Wintergreen78

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Re: Cheap ceramic kitchen knives
« Reply #10 on: January 24, 2022, 08:14:08 AM »
Why not buy a decent steel kitchen knife for $40-$50 and use it the rest of your life?

I prefer ceramic for their sharpness. I did use a carbon steel kitchen knife for many years and found I could sharpen it to a finer edge than any stainless knife, which is harder to sharpen.
If you have a link to a decent carbon steel knife for $40 I'd love to see it.

Here is a forged stainless one for $33: https://www.webstaurantstore.com/mercer-culinary-m20608-genesis-8-forged-chef-knife-with-full-tang-blade/470M20608.html

The knife I’ve had for the last 20 years is a Wusthof stainless. It looks like the ones they list for $100+ But I’m positive I didn’t pay more than $40-50 for it. I agree you can sharpen high-carbon steel to a finer edge, but I’ve never felt limited in anything I do in the kitchen.
Thanks, but I'm not interested in any more stainless knives, having found ceramic to be (and stay) much sharper. To each their own.

FWIW every carbon knife I own I've picked up at a swap meet (flea market), typically coated in rust and in desperate need of some serious sharpening.  Takes more work but at least I've had good luck getting them for <$20

That’s a good point. Swap meets are probably the best place to find carbon steel knives. You can soak them in vinegar or another acid overnight to remove the rust.

Sharpening is a bit of a time investment, and you do want to have a fairly aggressive stone if you start with a really dull knfe.

jnw

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Re: Cheap ceramic kitchen knives
« Reply #11 on: February 07, 2022, 12:57:57 PM »
I got myself a Victorinox 8" Chef Knife back in 2008 for $20.  I still use it to this day.. it will last me the rest of my life.  I also have a $12 sharpening stone that will last me the rest of my life.   I sharpen the chef knife, steak knives , pearing knife, boning knife with it.  All the knives I have will last me the rest of my life.  I make sure to hand wash them all and handle them carefully not tossing them into sink.  Learning how to sharpen on stone is pretty easy.. at first I practiced with an angle block.. now I hit the angle every time iwthout it.

windytrail

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Re: Cheap ceramic kitchen knives
« Reply #12 on: February 07, 2022, 01:33:36 PM »
Another vote for finding a well-used steel knife that will last you the rest of your life.

About sharpening -- I started off using whetstones, which is fun to practice, but found it difficult to keep the knife at the correct angle by hand. Now I use the Lansky sharpening kit (https://lansky.com/products/std-3-stone-system/) which you can find used for ~$20. Solves the steady-angle issue and will last a long time for home use.

Cranky

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Re: Cheap ceramic kitchen knives
« Reply #13 on: February 07, 2022, 02:00:46 PM »
Like you only need one knife! LOL

I have plenty of good knives (which I bought cheap) but I mostly use a little paring knife that I probably bought at the dollar store at some point. If it gives up the ghost I’ll replace it with anothe cheap paring knife. I have small hands and a little knife is just more comfortable for most uses.

jnw

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Re: Cheap ceramic kitchen knives
« Reply #14 on: February 07, 2022, 03:32:14 PM »
8-12" Chef Knife is mandatory alogn with pearing (or small utility) knife :)  Also to me steak knives are mandatory and I get german steel ones non serrated, which I sharpen as well :) 

Also good to watch some videos on youtube how to properly handle a chef knife.  The grip, the claw, rocking etc.  I didnt' learn how to properly use a chef knife until 2008 at 38 years old:P
« Last Edit: February 07, 2022, 03:41:03 PM by JenniferW »

clarkfan1979

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Re: Cheap ceramic kitchen knives
« Reply #15 on: February 08, 2022, 01:24:36 PM »
We buy the ceramic set from Target. Works for us.