Get carbon steel knives, they can be sharpened. Regular steel doesn't take a good edge. I have some Chicago Cutlery, very nice, somewhat pricey, and my favorite is an Old Hickory, not expensive at all, but it does get waterstained. Watch her work, determine what sort of knife (e.g. chef's, paring, carver) she uses most, buy that. Sets look nice, but looks are secondary.
Make sure you give her a penny with the knives. Old superstition, a gift of a knife severs the relationship, unless you give a penny with it. |
