Help me pick good/affordable knife set: Calphalon Comtemporary set vs. Wusthof Classic 9 piece block

[marria77]

Hi there,

I am registering for a knife set (I have no good ones to speak of). I want to have a good quality set but feel like I cannot ask for anything over 200-300.

Option one is the Calphalon Contemporary 17 Piece Block Set, which is $200 at Crate an Barrel

http://www.crateandbarrel.com/kitchen-and-food/knife-sets/calphalon-contemporary-17-piece-block-set/s297685

Option two is the Wusthof Classic 9 Piece Block Set, which is $300 at Williams-Sonoma

http://www.williams-sonoma.com/produc...

Help : )

Any thoughts would be very appreciated. Thank you so much!

[trakman]

I agree with Ruth 53. I'm not really a fan of sets. I have Wusthofs. One chefs knive, one paring knife, one Santoku knife (which was a gift, I didnt look to buy it myself), and a boning knife. Also a sharpening steel which doesn't have to be Wusthof. bought a block to hold them along the way, but the total cost of it all comes no where what a set would be. Really dont need anything else which would come in the set.

[Ruth53]

I recommend buying individual Wusthof Classic knives - buy the sizes you would most use. I have had mine for up to 35 years and still going strong!

[DAVESGIRL]

This is what I have and I love them. Bought them a few years ago and they were affordable. Apparently they are pretty sought after and some sellers are now asking for $400+ for these sets. That's CRAZY. They are beautiful pieces of cutlery IMO.

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000XOGYZI/ref=ox_sc_act_title_9?ie=UTF8&m=A17JMGFJQ7S29T

http://www.amazon.com/Anolon-Advanced-Stainless-Steel-15-Piece/dp/tags-on-product/B0014JUPM4

http://www.amazon.com/Calphalon-Contemporary-Stainless-Steel-15-Piece-Knife/dp/B0000Y74C8

I also have the steak knives, a chef knife, santoku, and carving set from this line. Been kicking myself that I didn't buy the whole set because it is GORGEOUS!

http://www.amazon.com/Anolon-Brunello...

Most of this stuff is hard to find now but not impossible. I can't comment on a Wusthof as I've never been crazy about them and haven't given them a fair shot.

[NE_Elaine]

I would go with the Wusthof over the Calphalon, but if you have not held the Wusthof Ikon in your hand, I would go to a store and give that a try, I love the Ikon handle. I might also go with single items or a smaller set unless you definitely want the block and those particular sized knives.
I still have my starter set of Wusthof knives and they must be 30 years old now.

[marria77]

Thanks very much. That is helpful!

[Chemicalkinetics]

Do we have to have a set? Won't it be nicer to have one really high quality Chef's knife or Santoku and keep the rest on a budget price?

To answer your specific question, if I am limited to these two choices, I would go with Wusthof.