I have a friend in Canada whose birthday is just around the corner. They mentioned how their kitchen knives suck. I’d like to order them a whetstone, sharpener and/or a new set of knives. Are there any shops or brands that you recommend?
I’m not in Canada, so ideally I’d buy the item online and have it delivered to my friend.
If you’re in or around Vancouver, I highly recommend the Gourmet Warehouse (https://gourmetwarehouse.ca/). Knowledgeable staff, good selection, and they allow you to test the knives before you purchase them.
[Edit] I just read that you are not in Canada, my bad for missing that. Will leave this up as a recommendation for other people looking for a kitchen knife though. If you want to order a good set of knives online, I can recommend House of Knives: https://houseofknives.ca/