Help find a kniferoll for a young would-be chef?

November 15, 2008 1:27 PM

Where can a Canadian buy an inexpensive knife roll for a young chef that is suitable for being silk screened?

My partner and I would like to buy a knife roll for my nephew. He already works in a kitchen, and is thinking of going to cooking school. We thought a knife roll would be a great, and encouraging, gift for Christmas. We've seen a few at a restaurant supply store, but we thought we might find a better deal on the Internet. The only real catch is we'd especially like it if it would be possible to get a small picture (or some other personal touch) put on it at a silk screening shop.

We don't have a lot of money to spend on the gift--maybe $40-$50 CDN--and were hoping the hive could help us out.

posted by synecdoche to shopping (4 comments total)

When I was messing around in the kitchen for the first summer, one set of relatives got me an inexpensive knife roll while another got me a great starter chef's knife.

Once I gained a little skill, the cheaper knives were almost useless (as I invested in a good set). Also, any culinary school will require that you get a better roll. I would suggest getting him a really great knife like the one linked and get it engraved.
posted by scabrous at 2:36 PM on November 15, 2008

Cutlery & more has a variety of knife cases. It's hard to tell if the material will work for screenprinting though. And they have a minimum order of US$59 to ship to Canada.

I would instead second scabrous's suggestion of a really nice chef's knife that you could have his initials engraved on. That will last a lot longer than the case, even if he doesn't go to school it will be something he could always use. If you got a case and he went to school, it might end up being outgrown very quickly as his collection of knives and utensils grows or not meet the requirements of the school. And they get beat up and need to be replaced within a few years too, so it wouldn't be a long-lived gift.
posted by saffry at 3:11 PM on November 15, 2008

Thanks, but he already received a good knife for his birthday.
posted by synecdoche at 5:53 PM on November 15, 2008

Knife rolls are usually made with material that resists stains and is easily washed so I don't think it would be absorbent enough for silkscreen. Instead you should look into getting it embroidered with his initials or a message.
posted by junesix at 8:00 PM on November 15, 2008