EvoStu wrote:Omni wrote:As long as they look the part you still get the main benefit which is Internet dick upgrade. Nobody will know they're not real, like having a fake breitling, only the most discerning connoisseur like Stu will know the difference, to everyone else as long as they think it can call out a helicopter they'll still be impressed.
Not quite true. You can tell a fake watch a mile off, you don't have to be a "discerning connoisseur". Knives are a bit more difficult as there are some VERY good copies out there. Like I say its all down to the quality of the steel used. The fakes just pit and blunt so much more easily. The big giveaway is the logo on the blade though and the balance of the knife.
This is quite a good little post from a chap on FleaBay........ironically you can't sell knives on ebay anyway. 
The Dimples.
The dimples on the handle should be uniformly presented. You should be able to see straight lines in four different direction. The dimples should all be the same size. The black in the dimples is not paint - it a darker shade of the metal (where it has been anodised) and exactly fits inside dimple. If you can see paint outside the dimple it is a fake. You can also go onto the Global website and find a picture of the knife to count the number of dimples and compare to the handle you have.
The Blade.
The blade should be 2mm thick on the blunt edge (apart from the flexible knives which are thinner). The sharp edge should be feathered into the blade with uniform thickness along the blade. You should also be able to see concentric rings along the blade - this is from the manufacturing process.
The Logo.
The logo is anodised onto the blade (as per the dimples) not painted. If there is paint on the blade then it is a fake. There should be an "r" in a circle and other markings (go to the Global website to compare). There should be the knife model number present.
Balance.
Balance the kinfe on your finger at the point where the handle joins the blade - it should balance in a horizontal position. If it tips forward or backwards then it is a fake.
The Cut Test.
Cut something hardish like an onion with the knife. If you've never used a Global before and it is genuine then you'll know it - they come out of the factory as sharp as anything I have ever used. If you have used a Global before then you'll soon be able to tell if it is a fake.
The shake test. This is the easiest way to spot a fake. Take the knife and shake it with the handle near your ear (be careful, its sharp!). Global knives have sand in the hollow of the handle to balance them - you can hear the sand moving about inside the handle. The larger the blade the more weight it needs so the more sand and the more likely you are to hear it - small knives make hardly any noise.
The numbers on the blades vary on the fakes too.
Usually a 17 replaces the 18.
New ones are brilliant out of the packet and there isn't a professional I know that hasn't had/used one. In my experience with them I think that they are a smidge overrated and way over priced. Diamond Steels for example. I had one (cost around £80) and it did what all diamond steels eventually do and wore out. Now use a £14.99 Vogue item and replace it annually against the tax bill Lasts just as long any way. Ended up giving away a whole bunch of their knives after losing patience with them blunting up. Much prefer Henkels/Wuhstof in terms of comfort/vfm/longevity. I can box away kilos and kilos of Veg/Meat using those without fuss. Sabatier used to be ok but the quality of their blades has diminished. My Global equivalents give me a nice blister/callous due to the handle design and they blunt up super quick compared to the German steels.
That said, my filleting Global is bang on and I still use the paring knife.
Also, if you've done agency work before, you don't want a "look at me" knife set as you can guarantee someone will have 'em away. The German stuff looks pretty much like any other generic knife set. It's only if you know what they are would you take a closer look.
Everyone is different though I guess. I still think Levi jeans rule the world...............but there will always be an Armani fan who will say otherwise
EDIT. Rob, another Chef friend has a set of Globals which must be getting on for around £1800 worth in his stupidly over-sized knife roll. What does he use on a daily basis? (save for filleting/julienne work)............a £35 Victorinox pastry knife (aka a wonderbat). It's a bit of an ongoing joke given he could do his entire job with 3 knives! If you ever ask him about the Global stuff it'll usually be met with a shrug and the words "first decent pay packet after college".
Yet on the other side another one, Tom. swears by them and won't use anything else.
And FYI, I don't pay full price for anything.......I'm a tight fisted tw*t when it comes to money. 
broken record mate...
