Suggestions please - cheap utility food prep knife

[Gareth]

That is a nice looking knife Gareth, and to be honest I've never used the Japanese style knives. Am I right in thinking these tend to be chisel ground? 

Actually, Santokus tend *not* to be chisel ground knives.  Sashimi knives are the generally the chisel ground ones.

I really know very little about Japanese knives, but that's certainly true of this one.  No chisel grinds to be found here.

[Carlos]

What about a "necker" type, like the Izula? It has the shape geometry you seem to want and you can fit it a custom handle.

These guys have made a custom clone of it, lower priced, eg. http://bushcraft-pt.org/forum/viewtopic.php?f=14&t=1515&start=495#p39561. There have been good reviews about it.

[jzmtl]

I have a blade guard that is two hinged half fold and lock onto blade, very secure. Found it at lock kitchen supply store, maybe try that if you don't think a regular blade guard will stay on.

Sent from my phone using tap tap tap

[50ft-trad]

It's a good job Christmas is just around the corner and I can't spare the funds or I'd have just snatched up a cluster of knives I think. Marbles Outdoors Safe Grip Fieldcraft, Cold Steel Roach Belly, John Nowills Rabbitter, Svord General Outdoors & Svord Pig Sticker  ... the internet ... your wallet's worst enemy

I think the Izula is a bit small, and having thought through some of the other options I think the Roach Belly seems to currently be one of the few that offers "knuckle room" when chopping i.e. laying the blade flat along a chopping board. Maybe looking for safe/secure carry options for a 5" cooks knife is the way to go after all  Any kydex sheath makers in the UK?

Jzmtl - Sorry mate, I'm struggling to get my noggin around that blade guard. Got any pics?

[50ft-trad]

Well I've made a decision to hold on on new purchases on this for a while, and give some of my other knives a serious culinary workout. Boxing Day's tradition for me is to visit some friends and we have our own Christmas Day affectionately known as the day of food. A couple of years ago I did a 10 course meal up there, but it'll just be a humble cooked breakfast and 5 course midday meal this time round.

I've decided to take the following to compliment (or compensate for) his kitchen knives:

Outdoor Edge Wedge  (should be a good move for detail work I reckon)
Cold Steel Finn Bear   (Utility knife chores)
Cold Steel Bushman    (Chefs knife chores)

Even if they don't do what I want, at least I'll have a better feel of what I do need next time

[bladechick777]

You Could Check Out Kershaw's Kitchen Knives. All Kinds Of Colors And Many For Anything You'd Like To Used Them For, And They're Very Wallet Friendly. 

[50ft-trad]

Well the three I chose did an excellent job of cooking on Boxing Day. The Bushman did an excellent job of the red cabbage and chopping duties, the Finn Bear picking up most of the other chores. The Wedge did OK at the finer tasks too. The only thing tht got me worried was that one I turned my back on one of the knives at somepoint while I was busy doing something, and didn't notice that one of the mates decided to be helpful  - she grabbed the Finn Bear to wash it, then jjust threw it in the draining rack with all the other metal items like she does with  her knives. Festive spirit prevailed and I didn't throw a paddy - I just let her see me inspecting it carefully and take a steel to it for a few minutes before putting it in it's sheath.

I think I'll still be keeping my eyes open for more culinary leaning sheath knives but also consider looking at getting a knife roll with some good kitchen gear in too. I'll take a look at the Kershaws, thanks for the pointer Jessie