talking chefs knives and cast iron cookware are....

[janzman]

...Global and Le Crueset that much better than their rivals to justfy their very high pricing.I appreciate there can be big differences in knife quality,but I always thought that the cookware material either was or was not cast iron as there is no quality scale.Maybe I suspect its down to fine marketing to maintain a superior image.What do think and are there any other examples.

[friedgreentomato]

With knives I would say yes I have the knives I was bought as a trainee chef over 20 years ago I know they cost my parents over 300 for the set which tbh I don't think a normal household would use half the knives.

As for the cast iron I have two cast iron pans that bought from home base 10 years ago and they were 20 each just as good as the more expensive pans IMO

[jomifl]

The alloys used in making knives and their tempering and work hardening during manufacture are critical to their service qualities. To achieve a knife that has a hard cutting edge that retains it's sharpness yet is not too brittle requires a good understanding of metallurgy and careful manufacturing. Cast iron pots can vary in porosity and brittleness and thus durability. Cheap pots may be OK but until you drop one you won't know. Good quality pots ay be more resistant to corrosion than cheap pots which may contain impurities that encourage corrosion that leads to cracking.

[EcclesCake]

I'm not a fan of Global knives, just because they don't sit comfortably in my hand. I use a mix of Wusthof, Henckel and Victorinox.

I am inclined to think that people buy Global because they think they look funkier than a standard knife, but they haven't actually handled and used the knives to see if they are comfortable with them. I reckon that for people who buy them it is a case of style over substance.

There are many other types of cast iron pan and IMHO they are just as good as Le Creuset, in the UK Le Creuset are marketed more heavily and therefore are seen as the superior offering.

Dualit is another example of marketing hype. They make great toasters that will be with you forever but the rest of their range, handmixers particularly, are pants.

[DTCwordfan]

I have a set of Sabatier that are 17 years old and my (burgundy-red)Le Creuset is 28 years ago, comprising of a large oval casserole, medium casserole, three sauté pans and a terrine pan. Still in use and going strong.

[tonyav]

There are different grades of cast iron, it all depends on what went into the cake mix if you like.

[vodkancoke]

I use Wusthof knives and I also use a set of Victorinoix knives I was bought when I went to cookery school by my parents 12 years ago. Personally I don't like Global knives. A fellow trainee chef used them, I tried them out but I preferred mine (as did he!)

As for Le Crueset, I have a few of their casserole pots, baking dishes and pans and I love them all. I have also bought cheaper versions online and they have been just as good .

[woofgang]

I have a little hooked global paring knife that fits my hand like an old and dangerous friend but i don't like any of the others. I will only buy knives that I have held to try the balance.

[janzman]

I'm not doubting the superior quality products from these manufacturers and therefore a higher price.There just seems such a huge gulf in pricing between them and their competition.
We have used a Dualit kettle and Dualit toaster for 5 years and counting, we got them from Lakeland when they brought in their own brand and stopped selling Dualit,less than half price.

[janzman]

Incidently this is the knife manufacturer I have used since 1984.


http://www.s-staniforth.co.uk/range/2/Chef

[pdust]

I have le crueset pans or stock pots or whatever they are called.. i love them, but even empty they are too heavy for me to lift (wrist problems), if you forget to go stir stuff it very rarely sticks and they clean dead easy... but saying that i have a set of those copper bottom ones (think maybe viners) and they are great pans too...over 30 years old now and still look like new.

Recent good buys have been a fizzler stock pot and a thomas rosenthal frying pan/wok looking thing... both should have been well over 100 quid but got them less than 30 quid in sale... great buys and i like the wok thing better than le crueset for cooking in

[pdust]

i had a dualit toaster janz an i think a dualit deep fat fryer. the toaster broke after about a year, so only had 3 working slots :(

[humbersloop]

I also use sabatier knives - last years and happily take a new edge

[shaneystar2]

Lol..the Fissler pan will see you out pixie ...We got a set when we got married nearly forty years ago . They are still going strong .

[pdust]

i have sabatier ones humbers and they are years old and i wouldnt part with them. I bought a make ive not heard of a while ago, a big long wide cooks knife from schultz ufer, its brilliant, though i fear one slip and my fingers would be off lol

[pdust]

ooh nice one shaney, hope alls good your end :) xx

its a big 5ltr one and lovely for making soup and stuff in :)

[shaneystar2]

Fissler stuff is brilliant .
Hope you and yours are all well too xx

[pdust]

we're all great thanks :) you made my day telling me that, i was in two minds to buy it as i lost my job a while ago and couldnt really afford it, im so glad i got it now :)

[shaneystar2]

Aw sorry to hear that . Hope you soon find something .
We've got a big stockpot and then several other ones and saute and a frying pan .They were expensive then for the time .They cost mega money now so you got a bargain .Best of German engineering :)
Take care pet xxxx

[pdust]

me too or im going to die of boredom lol and thanks

yeah mine should have been i think 140 quid but got it at cash and carry for £25 maybe £29 when there was a promotion on. you take care too, was nice bumping into you xxx