Chef Knife for Kids

I've been cooking with my daughter for years. Mostly she has been into baking, but I was thrilled when she asked me for a chef's knife for Christmas. She is now 11. She also knows how to operate a knife, so I don't really have any safety concerns. Anyone have any thoughts on size/brand? I am thinking that 8 inch is probably a maximum length.

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HammeredChef_DEFINITELY_does_NOT_work_at_22134

I have an 11 year old granddaughter. I gave her this Mini chefs knife

I keep it here for her because I have seen what happens to knives at her house :-) . It weighs only 70.3 grams, is balanced, razor sharp, holds an edge and most importantly the blade is extremely thin which makes cutting much easier for less powerful hands (and aids in control). It's less than $20 which kind of bothered me 'cause most of mine cost about 10 times that. It is highly recommended by Americas Test Kitchen (the 8" in particular). I believe they make this blade with a wooden handle also...while I love this non-slip grip, the wood might be a little more impressive for her first Chef's Knife ;-)

Johan_Edstrom_5586

Mine that is 12 has a similar to that one that I just sharpened up when she was around 7, since then she has graduated to stealing mine

robert.c.brown15

Wustof's Classic line has chef knives that come in 5, 6, 7, and 8 inches, I think. Definitely 6 and 8. Maybe the 6 is the best bet?

http://www.amazon.com/Wusthof-Classic-Chefs-Knife-6/dp/B00AEJ7Z2I/ref=sr_1_sc_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1417660743&sr=8-2-spell&keywords=wusof+chef+knife+6%22

stenehjemj

Since length, shape and comfort are so personal and subjective why not tell her on Christmas you're going to take her knife shopping. Make it a fun experience and find the knife that's just right for her. Might make it even more meaningful.

com-chefsteps

Eleven is a lot smaller than the folks I'm talking about, but at the school where I went, even the tiny women still preferred the larger knives - maybe one lighter in weight, but length gives so much more flexibility in the knife edge use, and better balance too.

jordan_poudrier_74905

I'd suggest getting something like a 5-7 inch santoku that she feels comfortable using so either taking her to pick one out would be ideal or getting her something with little maintenance would be ideal like a victorinox as stated.