Consumer Reports' testers tried out 49 knife sets, which included anywhere from 3 to 20 pieces. The sets ranged from $50 to almost $600. Included in the tests some from TV celebrities such as Paula Deen, Martha Stewart, Emeril Lagasse, and Rachael Ray.
To check for cutting performance of chef's knives, testers chopped carrots, onions, and celery. Testers cut potatoes with the smaller paring knives. And they sliced salami with slicers, which have long narrow blades that are great for cutting meats.
So how did the famous chefs' knives size up? None of the celebrity knife sets tested was in the top 10 of the ratings. The Martha Stewart was down at the bottom and the Paula Deen didn't fare much better.
When all the tests were done, the eight-piece Ginsu Chikara knife set sliced its way to a Best Buy with its excellent cutting performance. It costs $100. For less money, the $60 Chicago Cutlery Metropolitan set did very good cutting. It's also an eight-piece set. You can order the Chicago Cutlery Metropolitan set online through the company's Web site.
When buying knives, Consumer Reports says it's always a good idea to hold it in your hand to make sure it feels comfortable and balanced. Textured-plastic, rubber, or bare-wood handles provide the best grip for wet hands.
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