Ceramic knives

[scotman]

Hi all professional chefs and enthusiastic amateurs.

Have any of you ever bought or used a ceramic bladed cook's knife? I like the idea of them but just wonder if they really NEVER need sharpening. If you have one would you recommend them?

Thanks

[gingejbee]

Yes, I have a large one and a small one. Not an expensive big name (Kyocera) but inexpensive ones from Aldi about a month ago. Very, very sharp but too soon to comment on staying sharp. If eventually they need sharpening, it must be done on a diamond sharpener. They cost £7.99 and £4.99.

[scotman]

Thanks for that. How large is 'large'?

[gingejbee]

...sorry. WOULD recommend if you're a keen cook, but not at the silly prices of the big names.

[ChuckFickens]

They are quite brittle though, so it's easy to chip an edge if you're not careful with them

[gingejbee]

The large is 15 cm long (blade length). Small is 10 cm. Come with safety covers for the blades.

[scotman]

I think I first became aware of them a few years ago. If I remember correctly it was on 'Ready Steady Cook' AWT turned up with one. Never saw it again though.
I have difficulty keeping steel knives sharp. I can't really work a steel and none of the other gizmo type sharpeners seem to work well either.

[gingejbee]

Yes, you have to take care- best for meat and fish,also veg. Not for helping lids off jars!

[masma]

I have one, the blade is about 6 inches long - got it from Aldi a couple of years ago. It's o.k. but not as sharp as my metal ones once they've been sharpened. The main problem is, as ChuckFickens says, they are very brittle as I found out after my son tried to cut a hole in a plastic lid.....

[jomifl]

If you want to sharpen a steel knife use the diamond plane/ blade sharpeners that come in as a set of three in a plastic case, costing about £5. If the blade is good quality you can easily get a knife as sharp as a cutthroat razor. If you want to know how I will explain. The main problem with keeping knives sharp is that they are abused horribly by most users. Would you chuck a cutthroat razor in the sink with the washing up. No.. so dont do it with your chefs's knives.

[scotman]

Thanks for the reply
Do you have a link or something for the sharpeners you refer to?

[jomifl]

Hi Scotman, As I now live in France I don't know where you can currently get a set for a fiver but Screwfix do them for an extortionate price. Post the link below into google then you will know what you are looking for. You can get them in cheapy shops for a fiver.B&Q might stock them, also Robert Dyas. If you cant find them I could post you a set.
http://www.screwfix.c...-pad-6-x-2-3-pc/29735

[scotman]

Thanks for that. I can get those or similar here.

[thugulike]

I had a ceramic knife and liked it but dropped it and the blade broke. Back to my Victorinox knives I was bought in 1966.

[RATTER15]

Ive always bought Sabatier knives but just started noticing that the rivets in the handles are disintegrating, I think this is probably due to the dishwasher chemicals.

Very disappointed :-(