Steph I have had this one for over 20 years. It is a gem. A few swipes through and your knife is as sharp as can be. I have cut up many deer and elk and used my knives hard. Still going strong. Just remember you need to buy good steel knives. Not the flimsy stainless ones.

shades- I saw some like that - I figured my hand would be to close to the blade - lol! good to know tho that one doesn't have to spend a ton to get a good one.
yikes, I have no idea what my knives are made out of... will look to see if they say. I don't think I have anything that I couldn't pick up at somewhere like T. that's why I thought I should look for my next knife somewhere else... thought BBB would have a good selection.
I think my knives are just paring knives. I wanted to get a small santoku knife with the bumps on the sides. maybe 4-5 inch.
I see now amazon has some that are 5". I don't see any need for a bigger knife - and it'd be dangerous in my hands anyway. shoot, some of those are only 10-15 $s. I thought they'd be more than that. I don't know if any of their brands are good. I see a Henckels, OXO, Farberware and lots I've never heard of before (not that I would). I thought it'd be better to buy locally.

Steph I really do not know much about knives. I have had my same knives for over 40 years. I have three good ones. All different blades. I use steak knives as paring knives. I also have a serrated bread knife.

My knives are Henckels, from BBB.... the Classic Series, bought as individual pieces. The one I use all the time, for everything, is a 5" utility knife, and it says 'no stain' on the blade. I've had it for over 20 years, and reach for it first. It sharpens beautifully. It was not a cheapie, but I figure it will last beyond when I can no longer be trusted with something sharp!!!

glad to know that is a good knife. I'll check it out at BBB. I think I'm going there on Fri. A 5" is probably the biggest I need - or can handle. I'm getting close to the time not to be trusted with sharp objects (or live flames).

I have one of those slicer things where you glide the veggie up and down it over a blade... I lost a few outer layers of my pinkie the first time I used it. (blood everywhere) Never used it again. That finger hurt for over a yr (was bandaged for months with time out for air flow). Even today if I'd scrape it, it'd hurt more than just the scrape should cause. And it's been 3 or 4 yrs now. That gadget will go to GW when I find it again...

I have a mandolin slicer too, which is now packed up waiting for my kitchen to arrive. Thank heaven I have a gas grill outdoors. Over the years, I built up a collection of good knives when they were on sale. The Henckels are my favorites.

If you are looking for ratings on kitchen utinsels, the best mixer/blender/whisk/whatever, check out Cooks Country, Steph. I also like their recipes.

http://www.cookscountry.com/

thx ML - I looked on BBB site and they have a Henckels with 5" blade for about 15.00 - that's good. Also, a knife sharpener for about 8.00 similar to what shades posted. It even says it'll sharpener tools. Don't think I'd want it for my knives after using on tools tho. might end up with 2. I signed up with them and they're gonna send me a 20% off coupon. I'll go to the local store after I get it.

I do need a whisk. I've eyed those with coated 'whiskers' - lol! not sure if those are the best to use tho. It's been probably 20 yrs since I've had one and I miss having one.

I want to get a silicone mat too. (I'm thinking easier cleaning with that) I'll check that website and see what else pops into my head. I'm sure there's more I need but I space it out from month to month. I did buy a misc large spoon and a slotted one (I do have 1 of those) the other day at W. I need some for cooking (what little I do). plastic forks and spoons don't hold up with heat... they were like 2.00 each so no big deal. They'll serve their purpose.

I do need to take a look at what's available and see what else I should put on my list. I have 3 mixers - lol! 2 stand type (maybe I gave 1 away) and my hand mixer. My sister gave me the stand mixers. in 2 yrs I've not used them. That's why I had my nice hand one - I did use it a few times for mashed potatoes. I don't want to overload with 'things' and have put things on my list as I've found the need. (like pulled out my old item and fainted in disgust) A few things I just figured 40 yrs of use and they'd had it, so I got something new. This silicone stuff is new (since I'd bought anything) so I got a few things with that (safe with heat).

I'm sure things will jump out at me when I go into BBB and that website.

ml - that site says 'trial membership' - it costs to be on it? I recognize that guy on first page - I watch that show sometimes on Sat. - if I remember. I really enjoy it. Wish I had the stamina to cook more - well, it'd probably be bake more and I'd weigh a ton.

gave my email addr for newsletter... found 'stuff' review and will scan thru it. looks like I can do that with out getting a membership.

I went to BBB today and got a knife sharpener. It's a bit different than what you posted Shades. They didn't have that one in the store. The one I got is a 'Chef's Choice' brand. It has a piece on the side to hold it by and then 2 places to pull the knife thru. 1 to bevel and 1 to hone? It was 10.00. I'll have to read the pkg again and maybe look on youtube before I do my knives.

I ordered one like you showed (that said for knives and tools) to try on my tools, scissors, pruners. They'll mail it to me. I also bought a pkg of Scrub Daddy scrubbers. They had a knife there that'd work for me - a 5" blade for 14.00 (I forgot to check the brand!). I didn't buy it yet cause I still haven't received the coupon to use. And I figured it could wait a bit if my other knives are sharpened. I'll have to check the brand on that knife! I also forgot to look for a silicone mat... so, next trip there I'll check those out.