Cheap paring knife - fix or replace?

[elustaz]

I have a very cheap (probably about $6) supermarket-bought paring knife, and I noticed tonight that the tang is beginning to creep up through the two halves of the haft. This means that I nearly cut my thumb open on, of all things, the *handle* of the knife. In case you're wondering if the haft is just wearing away: I wondered the same thing, but on the underside of the haft, the tang has receded between the pieces. The thing is bolted together through the haft, and I have no idea how this quirk developed, but seeing and feeling is believing.

I don't think it would be a smart idea to ignore this little problem and wait until something drastic convinces me to do something. (Like visit the ER!) So, considering how cheap this knife was (in terms of both price and quality), is there anything that I can or should do to repair it? Or should I just go to the supermarket and get another knife with a six-month (!) life expectancy?

And, before I get the most reasonable response of all, I should note that I'm planning to move abroad in about six months' time, so now probably isn't the time to stock up on lifetime-guaranteed cookware. :)

[elustaz]

Thanks for all the suggestions! I just stopped by a good cookware store and picked up one of the little Victorinox Forschners that most of you recommended. You were dead right: the thing was less expensive than the knife it replaced!

Looking forward to a more settled and lucrative lifestyle in a few years, when I don't have to throw all of my Stateside belongings in storage and can contemplate investing in some really good cutlery and cookware! Until then, at least I have other 'hounds to point me in the right direction.

[Eiron]

Does it have rivets fastening the handle to the tang? If so, you can try realigning the tang in the haft & giving it a few whacks with the proper sized punch to reset them.

Otherwise, I also recommend the Victorinox parer. All the stores around my area price it at $7. If you really want to splurge, get the Forschner Rosewood parer (also by Victorinox) for $14. Much more comfortable in my hand than the NSF certified plastic, & the blade seems just a bit nicer as well.

[monku]

I was on a Princess cruise and the executive head chef says he and his whole staff carry the $4-$5 Victoronix paring knife. They're especially good for the intricate fruit and vegetable carvings they do. I bought two and they stay razor sharp.

[rtms]

for a quick short term fix use duct tape. when you return get a decent knife. you're going to use it all the time, get something that will work, safely and that you'll enjoy using.

[Chemicalkinetics]

Elustaz,

There are better paring knives at the price point you mentioned. If the bolts are just loose, then a quick fix is just to duct tape the thing. However, if the bolts are broken, then the blade can slip out even with duct tape.

If you want to buy a cheap decent paring knife, then there are many choice like the Wusthof Gourment paring knife, Kuhn Rikon paring knife (usually $5 in HomeGoods, TJ Maxx). I have to say supermarkets are the worse place to buy a knife. They are usually low quality and always overpriced.

http://www.amazon.com/W%C3%BCsthof-Gourmet-3-Inch-Paring-Knife/dp/B0000DJYE5/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&s=home-garden&qid=1269064048&sr=8-2

http://www.amazon.com/Kuhn-Rikon-Pari...

P.S.: I don't understand why moving aboard prevent you to stock up lifetime cookware especially a small one like a paring knife.

[paulj]

I've even bought these Victoronix paring knives at decent prices at a knife shop in a mall.

[Chemicalkinetics]

:) I consider knife shops offer better knife deal than supermarkets.

[monku]

Don't know where you live, but check out a restaurant supply place and get yourself a Victoronix paring knife for $4-$5.