Showing posts with label best cooking knives. Show all posts
Showing posts with label best cooking knives. Show all posts

Wusthof Hardwood Knife Blocks

Wusthof 35 Slot Storage Block, CherryJust bought this block from another source (Sorry Amazon). It appears to be quite well made but does have a small amount of chipping at 2 of the openings. I figure it will get a lot worse before I ever worry about it. Quite heavy, sits well on the Formica counter-top and doesn't leave marks if you drag it around. Since I have no experience with it, I'll confine these remarks to the slot sizes (which I sure wish the manufacturer would put in with the other data). There are 9 horizontal rows, and I'm calling the top row "1" and the lowest (vertical) row "9". All slots are slightly over 3/16" high (thick?) except as stated. All measurements are in inches so when I err it's understating the slot size. I suspect the damn thing has metric dimensions, which is an abomination of a different color. I'm knocking it down from 5 to 4 stars because of the kinda narrow slots on rows 2, 3, and 4. They could provide more variety here.

1. 9/16 square; 2 9/16; 2 9/16

2. 2 1/16; 2 1/16; 2 1/16

3. 2 1/16; 2 1/16; 2 1/16

4. 2 1/16; 2 1/16; 2 1/16

5. 1 1/2; 1 1/2; 1 1/2; 1 1/2

6. 3 9/16; 1 5/16 X 1/2

7. 1 5/16 X 3/8; 1; 1 1/2; 2 1/16

8. 1; 1; 1; 1 5/16; 1 7/16

9. All 8 slots are 1" high and on 27/32 centers.

That's the best that I can do with a cheap tape but it's still better than Wusthof did for ya, eh?

This is the biggest knife block I could find and I love it. It is very well made, stable, and well designed (knife positions). Many other large blocks have the cleaver slot at the very top, even thought most cleavers are only 6 inches long while chef's knives are up to 14 inches. This block also fits many knives into a relatively small space. I have had blocks that only hold 10 or so knives and this one is not that much bigger. The only competition for this block is the Henckel 22 slot-block (with the cleaver on top) and the chef knife slots are not wide enough to hold serious chef knives (read the reviews for yourself).

My only complaint for this block (so really a 4.5 rating) is that it has slots for 5 paring knives. Who needs 5 little knives? This is a serious block for serious cooks who generally use larger knives, so I feel that 3 little slots would be sufficient. After all, a little knife can fit in a large slot, but not the other way around. I have modified mine a bit to hold more large knives, but everyone likes different knives.

The only thing better than this block is finding the knives to fill it with.

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A remodel of my kitchen left me with no place for the magnetic knife holders that I have used for years. Not having used a knife block before, I wasn't sure I could find one large enough for my blade collection. I picked this one from a large selection on Amazon and I find it perfectly satisfactory.

The block is heavy because there is a lot of wood but it is no larger (and thus no heavier) than it needs to be. There are slots in multiple sizes and the depth of the top slots is adequate for my 12" knives. Only the cleaver slot is too short. Asian cleavers may fit within it; American cleavers will not.

Fit and finish are excellent. All the joints are tight and the wood is smoothly sanded and finished for water resistance.

I still long for my magnetic bars but this has proved to be a fine substitute. Those with lots of knives can order it with confidence.

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This is a solid well-made knife block which saved me a lot of precious drawer space. It's great not to have my sharp paring knives clattering around in the silverware drawer, damaging their edges or my fingertips while scrounging around. Plenty of room for spreaders and other utility utensils. The vertical spacing is a bit narrow. The handles of some of my larger knives (and cleaver) bump the adjacent row causing them to rest at a slight angle. Not a big deal unless you're a neat freak. I was annoyed that my block came coated with dense hidden sawdust on the inside of the slots. I had to remove and clean all my knives, then used compressed air to blast out the dust.

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I bought the 25-slot without the swivel.

This block is a great value and reasonably made. A little rough on the underside but who is going to see that. I also noticed the MADE IN CHINA sticker on it as reported by another reviewer but that does not detract from its functionality.

It was purchased to go along with a 14 piece Wusthof Gourmet set that I bought, along with 8 Wusthof Gourmet steak knives and some Wusthof scissors, sharpener, etc. All together I think I only had a few slots left. Unlike another review that must have had some wider handle steak knives, the 8 Wusthof steak knives fit perfectly.

On the downside, I guess I was surprised at the mismatch between the size of the slots and the size of the knives I ended up with in my "set". Everything fit, but often in a slot that was 2X larger than needed.

I did notice that the 12" roast carver knife when installed in the longest slot (on top) was touching my granite counter top. So that knife had to go into a drawer. I suppose if I had bought the swivel version, that extra raised space would have helped. Still, the block is actually about 11-1/2" at its longest, and my 12" roast slicer blade is more like 12-1/2". So beware on your extra long blades if you don't have the swivel base.

For the Amazon low price, I can't complain.

Calphalon 3-Piece Cheese Knife Set

Calphalon 3-Piece Cheese Knife SetPurchased as a gift. Great quality, materials, and craftsmanship consistent with Calphalon name. Only good for soft cheeses though; great for Brie.

Received as indicated good quality I like that the knives are labeled for quick and easy indentification as I store them in my Calphalon knife block previously purchased.

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Shenzhen Knives. White Ceramic 6" Chef's Knife

Shenzhen Knives. White Ceramic 6' Chef's KnifeI've been waiting for ceramic knives to come into the consumer price range, and the Shenzhen product is a great tryout for those who wonder if they'll like ceramic better than metal. (Ceramic blades tend to be a little thicker than their metal counterparts.) I've been comparing this knife to a similar product from Kyocera which costs about twice as much, and so far, I like how the Shenzhen holds up. I may even like the Shenzhen handle a little better, as it encourages a better and more functional grip than the home cook normally uses.

For the usual sorts of kitchen duties it works as well as any other knife in my collection, with the added benefit that the ceramic doesn't discolor the foods that a metal blade might. It doesn't have the same weight as some chef's knives--and to be fair, I favor those that come out a little more on the light side anyway.

My Victorinox Fibrox chef's knife is still holding sway as my favorite, but this may change soon.

(Yes. You can't put it in a dishwasher. It's not hard to clean--90 seconds at most, including drying it. Why would you ever put a good knife in the dishwasher?)

Remember that there are still some reasons you need to have steel blades around. You can't use this to pry bones out of sockets, or cut frozen items, or smash garlic with the flat of the blade. Zirconium oxide makes a very sharp blade, but a brittle blade. (That's chemistry. No way around it.) Nevertheless, I'm pretty sure you'll find yourself reaching for this for a lot of kitchen cutting tasks. I know I do.

I recommend for anyone who's looking for a ceramic knife

and does not want to pay $75+ for 1 knife.

What I like:

Sharper than steel knives, and holds edge longer (since I bought it

earlier this year I have not needed to sharpen it)

Ergonomic and comfortable rubber handle

A bargain!

What I did not like:

If I do need to get it sharpened, I have to take it to a professional

knife store to sharpen it with a diamond wheel

Do not drop it! As it may snap the tip.

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Purchase Summary:

Great knife at a great price! Recommended purchase.

Positives:

1) Cuts fruits and veggies very easily! Minimal pressure needed

2) Ergonomic handle that makes it comfortable to use for long periods

3) Affordable price

Negatives:

1) Brittle blade, cannot use to chop or de-bone as it may snap (it is ceramic, after all)

2) Cannot be washed in dishwasher or put in utensil drawer (it might chip when it bumps against metal utensils)

I really like cooking for friends and hosting dinner parties, and I've been reading a lot about ceramic knives since I was looking to add to my kitchen knife collection. From my research, the ceramic blades hold their edge for a long time and are beneficial for cutting fruits and vegetables (as they do not leave any metallic aftertaste or react with the fruit). Unfortunately, because the manufacturing process to make ceramic blades are complex, the knives can be cost prohibitive (Kyocera knives can run $80-100 for one knife!).

During my research, I came across this Chef's knife and decided to buy it based on its reasonable price. For less than half the price of a Kyocera knife, I got this Chef's knife. I figured that the worst case scenario would be that I wouldn't like ceramic knives, but at least I wouldn't have spent twice the amount of money on a Kyocera knife just to try out a ceramic knife. All I can say is that I made a good decision and that I LOVE my Chef's knife. I use it for practically all my slicing tasks. The ergonomic rubber handle is very easy to hold, and it reduces hand and wrist strain when I'm cutting a lot of ingredients (especially handy when I have dinner parties!). I know being a good cook requires having good tools, and I'm glad I got the Chef's knife because it just makes tedious slicing and cutting tasks easier and go more smoothly.

Read Best Reviews of Shenzhen Knives. White Ceramic 6" Chef's Knife Here

Cutting some hard vegetables on a plastic cutting board has caused the blade to chip, albeit the chipped areas are small. After spending $40 on this knife, it is disappointing to see that this is so impracticle for everyday use.

I am currently in the process of returning it. Will update with my experience.

* Update *

The return process was smooth and I got my money refunded prompty.

They also sent me a ceramic peeler as a gift.

Great seller.

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I was skeptical at first at the price of the knife and whether or not it was of good quality. But when i used the knife I was pleasantly surprised and now use it for most of my slicing needs. I use it for all my fruit and vegetable cutting, and it's amazing how easily they cut.

Bamboo Cutlery Silverware Organizer - Deep Flatware Drawer Organizer Tray

Bamboo Cutlery Silverware Organizer - Deep Flatware Drawer Organizer TrayAddS the eco friendly and healthy touch of bamboo to your kitchen drawers. Fashioned from bamboo, silverware organizer is great to keep your drawers organized with a natural look. Its great for all your flatware sets, knives, or small kitchen gadgets.

It fits perfectly in my drawer. I was able to get it very quickly and finally organize my stuff. Thanks!

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This product looks just like the picture. It matches with just about any decor, the wood stain is a medium shade. I like the size of it, it fits in smaller utensil drawers, since it is made of bamboo it is lightweight. Perfect for people that live alone or with one other person. They make cheap plastic silverwear organizers for this price and they don't look nice. This one looks a bit fancier without paying much at all for it. For these reasons listed prior, I would recommend this product.

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I purchased two from a big box store, and use wood glue to connected the 2 together, and they work and look great.

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The dimensions listed were not the actual dimensions of the product so it didn't fit my drawer. I was able to return it but had to pay the return postage. I would not have purchased it if I had known the actual size.

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BUILT Neoprene Gourmet Getaway Tote, Lush Flower

BUILT Neoprene Gourmet Getaway Tote, Lush FlowerLoving it...all my coworkers want one!!!! Fits my lunch OK and its veerrrrrrry cute! I am actually planning to get some friends and coworkers one

These lunch bags are the perfect size for me and are so durable! I love all the different adorable patterns they come in.

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My daughters begged for these for middle school. I was skeptical of their insulation but they tell me they work great. I've washed many times and they hold up. The zipper seems very durable considering how it's been stretched over an oversize waterbottle each day.

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Love this bag. I don't like to carry a purse, I just use a little phone wallet. But I needed something to take my lunch and snacks in. This is perfect. I can fit almost anything in it, and throw my papers and such in there too.

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Very good, takes every item I put in with space to spare! Light weight, good quality, durable and easy to clean. All my friends want me to get one for them! I love it!

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Toastmaster 2247 Electric Can Opener with Soft Touch Handle

Toastmaster 2247 Electric Can Opener with Soft Touch HandleThis is a very nice and affordable can opener. It is small enough to tuck out of the way when it's not in use, which is great for a small kitchen. Since it is tall, you can even open the 'family size' cans.

**TIP**

Still keep a hand can opener around if the power is out.

This low-end can opener is practically useless. 90% of the time it fails to operate completely, opening a portion of the can and then stopping. I paid $14.00 for it... and it's worth about ... well, it's not worth anything actually. I would NOT recommend this horrible can opener. I'd prefer using a nail and a hammer over this thing!

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Here are the problems I had. It cuts out after 1/4 inch of cutting. I constantly had to reset the can and try over and over. I had to hold the can on it. It wouldn't take the smaller cans. It lets go of cans. More than once tomato sauce ended up on the counter and floor. It falls over. I threw it back in the box and gave it to charity. It is not worth a penny. I would recommend that you not purchase it. Check out the Black and Decker rechargable canopener on amazon. I bought one and just love it. Amazon shouldn't sell this toastmaster piece of crap. Here's the link for the Black and Decker. Great price right now too. Definately a good deal.

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00005MF9Q/qid=1141868289/sr=8-1/ref=sr_1_1/002-1979604-1048835?%5Fencoding=UTF8&v=glance&n=284507

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I will never think "what's the difference" a can opener is just a can opener again. While the price is indeed low, it simply would be nice to have an item that works!

It's down right spooky there is a photo of the product depicting it holding a can of Tomato Paste. That was the first can I used it on and this can opener failed miserably to open the tiny 6oz. can. I have been cooking for forty years and have never seen anything this pityful. Who designed this?

This can opener is one for the trash heap right out of the box. For the price of it, I should have simply bought a pizza for dinner.

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My husband recently purchased this opener at a local Target. I hate it!! I am a cooking enthusiast and this opener does nothing for me. It is not worth the money you will pay for it. I have attempted to use this device three times without any luck the only thing it manages to do is just pierce the can. The part that holds the can and rotates it just simple stops after you have placed the can on. The motor keeps running however the can simple will not spin. So I am now forced to purchase a new opener after only having this one for about two weeks. Do yourself a BIG favor spend a couple extra dollars and get a nicer one as I am doing.

Victorinox Diamond Honing Steel Round with Solid Core, Black Plastic Handle

Victorinox Diamond Honing Steel 10-Inch Round with Solid Core, Black Plastic HandleI've had one of these sharpeners for years. I bought this one for my son as a present. Keeping your knife sharp is important and this diamond steel is the way to accomplish it.

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NEW Zhen Japanese VG-10 Light Slicer Chopping Chef Butcher Knife 6.5"

NEW Zhen Japanese VG-10 Light Slicer Chopping Chef Butcher Knife 6.5'Great Asian knife similar to Shen. Nice size and easy to handle from cutting meat to slicing and dicing veggies. Would recommend to anyone looking for a cheaper alternative to Shen.

Good grip and balanced weight.

Looks elegant and its not that heavy.

I am happy with this purchase. Although the plastic pouch to house the blade is very cheap.

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The Pampered Chef Pastry Blender

The Pampered Chef Pastry BlenderI like this pastry blender because it is all stainless steel. It doesn't absorb and is easily washed.

It doesn't have a comfort grip handle but that's okay with me because I don't use it so long that I'd need that.

I'm very happy with my purchase.

I highly recommend this product.

While I've been happy with other Pampered Chef products, there are better pastry blenders out there.

The problem with this one is the tine blades bend, so it's hard to cut butter mixtures into fine pieces.

The stainless steel is nice, there have been no problems with rusting, although the handle isn't particularly comfortable to use (and I have small hands).

Long ago I owned another garage-sale pastry blender that didn't have this problem. Unfortunately, the red paint on the old wooden handle flaked off so I got rid of it. Wish I would have sanded down the handle and kept it now!

Pampered Chef needs to work on this design. Their products aren't inexpensive so it makes me think twice about buying other products from the company, especially since it seems it would be a hassle to try to return anything. That's unfortunate, because I'm sure the people who count on income from Pampered Chef are having a hard enough time booking parties in the current economy.

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I am on my second pastry blender, the first one broke within one month of purchase. Yes it is guaranteed but when you have to send it back to the company at your expense which costs almost the price of the article to start with this defeats the purpose of the guarantee. Yes they sent me another and it is also broke. I don't think I will return it as there are a lot better pastry blenders out there. I will say that I thought it did a decent job when it wasn't broke. The one I buy at garage sales for 25 cents do just as good a job and will last 5 to 10 years. I will not be purchasing anything else from Pampered Chef as I see there guarantee as useless, if the price of the article was reasonable to start with then that would make a difference.

Read Best Reviews of The Pampered Chef Pastry Blender Here

Purchased this Pampered Chef Pastry Blender, and it was just what the advertisement said it was, was delivered in a reasonable time, and at a reasonable cost.

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I was excited to find this item second-hand, because I was starting to make my own pies, and wanted an easier way (than a fork) to blend butter and flour together. Anyone that makes pie crust knows that all the recipes call for using cold (very cold) butter. This pastry blender will not cut through cold butter without bending. Also, the round handle rolls when you press on it, making it hard to push straight down. Pampered Chef must have known about this, as they added a little tab to keep the handle from rolling, but the slot pushes away from the tab when the metal bends (when cutting cold butter). Even when the handle stays in place, it is ROUND METAL, so of course it will easily slide in your hand, especially if you have butter on them! Overall, this is a very poorly designed product!

I thought I had found such a deal, but this is no deal if it is this frustrating to use. Back to using my fork and my fingers, until I can get the other one on order (my next one will be the highly-rated Oxo Good Grips Dough Blender with Blades).

Also, unlike other reviewers, I have never been impressed with Pampered Chef's quality. My knives rust and have jagged edges (poor quality steel, I imagine), and the finish is coming off my garlic press INTO my pressed garlic (and I paid full price for those items). None of this stuff seems worth the money. OXO on the other hand has never disappointed yet.

Wusthof Culinar 6-Piece Steak Knife Set

Wusthof Culinar 6-Piece Steak Knife SetWusthof has been known for creating premier kitchen knives for nearly two centuries. Most of their knives, including the ones in this set, have a one piece forged stainless steel blade, bolster, and full length tang. (The bolster is the thick part at the base of the blade next to the handle; the tang is the part that goes down into the handle to stabilize the blade, and the tang's being full length means it runs the full length of the handle, providing maximum stability to the blade.)

Wusthof's classic knife design has handles of black polypropylene riveted to the tang with three stainless steel rivets, and a white trident in circle on a red background as the symbol you may be familiar with the look. In the 1990s, Wusthof introduced the Culinar line for commercial use, with hollow stainless steel handles shaped to provide the best possible grip, and a single stainless steel rivet with the trident symbol securing the tang at the base of the handle. These knives are the steak knives in the Culinar line.

I had been using inexpensive but serviceable steak knives for years, but when I got married in 2000, I wanted to get some nicer steak knives to go with our wedding silver. I'd really liked my classic Wusthof kitchen knives, so I looked at Wusthof's steak knives.

The Culinar knives seemed a good match for wedding silver because of the metal handles, but it wasn't until I picked them up that I was really sold. The handle shape lends itself to really effortless use, both for myself and my wife, and the balance is perfect, solid without being heavy. The blades, of course, cut through steak like butter, and require much less sharpening than the stamped steel blades of most steak knives.

Once I took them home, I couldn't resist using them every day, rather than just with the wedding silver. Two things that I had been slightly worried about the clip at the tip of the blade, and the possibility that the metal handles would feel cold have not been issues at all; in actual use the handles are perfect, and the clip, not as noticeable against a tablecloth as against the black background in the case, helps prevent the knives from being point heavy and gives them a sharper tip that is occasionally useful. They are simply wonderful knives.

Now, it must be said that the list price for these knives reflects their premium quality. If they're not currently on sale, you could consider the Wüsthof Classic 6-Piece Steak Knife Set, with equally good blades and the classic black polypropylene handles, for about half the price. Avoid the even cheaper "Wusthof Gourmet" knives; they have stamped blades like the inexpensive knives you can get in the grocery store, not the quality forged blades of these Culinar series knives.

If these Culinar steak knives are within your price range, though even if you have to stretch a bit definitely get them. You'll thank yourself every time you have steak!

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Mac Knife Superior Bread Knife, 10-1/2-Inch

Mac Knife Superior Bread Knife, 10-1/2-InchFor slicing bread or carving roasts we need three important features:

1~ Quality steel that takes AND HOLDS a fine edge...

2~ L-O-N-G curved blade with serrated edge

3~ Ergonomic design.

Steel...

Obviously, if the steel won't get sharp, you can't cut effectively. Sharpen-ability is a function of the grain-size in the steel.

This commercially-produced steel takes an edge to 0.5 micron, so you can be sure it has sufficiently small grain size.

Durability is a different matter! The same metallurgical properties that make steel great for taking a fine edge also make the edge brittle. Steel formulations that are strong & resilient won't take the finest edge. There is always some compromise.

For a bread / carving knife like this one, the ideal trade-off is to have strong steel that maintains a minimum level of sharpness for a long time. ALL the MAC knives I have used and sharpened, including this one, have these qualities.

The Japanese are world-renown for their expertise in tool steel. They are also world leaders in modern production techniques that very closely mimic traditional qualities of hand-made tools. This MAC knife represents the current state-of-the-art in knife production. I do not know exactly HOW they accomplish this level of quality in large-scale production knives, but I know that ALL of them are consistent. Since I sharpen knives and tools for friends and family, I have a lot of experience with all kinds of sharpening. When you sharpen ANY tool, you get to know the steel. That's why I can say with confidence this is VERY good quality steel. After using my MAC for almost five years, I know it holds up well! ( Even in a house with people who don't appreciate tools or metallurgy!)

Blade length...

Alton Brown fans know he recommends the longest blade available for carving or slicing. He's right! The reasons are few and simple: You want your food to look good (without unsightly saw-marks), you want the food to appear tender, moist, easy-to-carve, AND you don't want the embarrassment of struggling to carve at the dinner table. LONG BLADES help! A LONG, slightly curved blade is easier to start and control. Many good carving kinves have this feature for that very reason. This one is among the longest in this price-range; slightly over 10 inches.

Ergonomic design...

When carving that thanksgiving turkey, a holiday ham or the sunday roast, or just slicing your daily bread, you MUST have the elevated handle. That makes it easier to see and feel your work, gives better control & leverage, AND it makes your job SAFER. You want your hand safely above the carving surface, especially at the critical moment when you go through the end of the slice. (which should ALWAYS be on the pull-stroke)

On Safety...

The sole feature I do not like about this model it that the end is a little too pointed. A carving knife requires a "slicing" motion: forward and back. A pointed tip can catch on the cutting board or in the food. That's why a rounded tip is safer. This small complaint is an esoteric design criticism, I know. But it is especially important for those who are NOT experts at carving & slicing. It is also important for those turkey carvers and late-night snack-makers who drink! (please do not ask me how I learned this)

Still that is a small complaint and easily remedied by one of two ways: You can round the tip. That is not expensive and will not damage the knife.

~OR~

You can BE CAREFUL! (a.k.a SOBER.)

Now that I've bored you with this tedious lecture & arcane facts, here is my opinion:

This is the BEST VALUE in a HIGH QUALITY slicing / carving knife I have seen. The only way to get any better is to pay double or triple the price for handmade knives. This gives me 97% of the edge-retention, sharpness etc. but costs less than a C-note. That's great for families with kids that don't care for daddy's tools, leave knives dirty or throw them in the dishwasher. Don't get me wrong, I LOVE my kids, but weep in anguish when those crimes occur. Strangely, no one in our house has ever admitted to doing any of those things. At this price-point, an occasional trespass causes less gnashing of teeth.

The steel is superb for this application. It has sufficiently small grain-size to take a fine edge. It has the right metal formulation to keep that edge for a year of daily use (with regular honing and care of course!)

The tang-through, riveted construction is sturdy and attractive. The handle is "beefy" enough for manly carving duties and small enough that my daughter can easily slice crusty homemade bread. The balance and "feel" is professional & "fast". (obviously, that depends on your skill & experience)

I prefer a rounded tip, but that is a small complaint and easily remedied. A rounded tip allows you to use this ONE tool slice your bread, carve some ham and spread the mayo. That is efficient for late night snacks (made during commercials) and means you only have to clean one tool. (Why am I hungry right now?)

It is rare to find a chef's knife of this quality for under $100 today (2012). So despite my personal quibble with the pointed tip, I still believe this is a five-star value. If you are in the market for a fine bread / carving knife but can't justify $150 to $300 (or more) for the premium cutlery, this gets my vote for best choice.

Maybe when that redolent dilatory kid on my couch finally moves out, I'll spring for the Shun. That'll be fun!

Until then, I'll be using this MAC for my snack attack.

This is my third MAC brand knife, and I must say, I'm in love with them. I bought this knife to be my serrated bread/carving knife at work, and it far exceeds my expectations. It's a little larger than I imagined it, but it will carve or slice anything you have. I love it, and will buy many more MAC knives in the future.

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This bread knife cuts crusty bread like it was slicing through butter! Cuts cleanly and quickly with little effort and without tearing up the bread. I love it and recommend it highly.

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me gusta el corte que hace limpio y el precio esta muy bien, es muy bueno. solo digo que me encanto.

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This an exceptionally sharp knife and cuts bread like "Gee Whiz"!

Fit & finish could be a little better.

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Chefs Choice Model 1520 Angle Select Sharpener - Brushed Metal

Chef's Choice 1520 Angle Select Diamond Hone Sharpener, Brushed MetalThe sharpener arrived four days early so I commend Amazon on their speed of shipping. After opening the box it came in, I read the manual from front to back just to make sure I understood everything about this sharpener. I was still fairly unfamiliar how to hold the knife in the sharpener. So I started out with a large but cheap kitchen knife that was not serrated and I put it in the 15 degree slot. I thought 15 degrees should make this knife good and sharp, so away I went. On the first pass the knife didn't easily slide into either the left or the right slot. Ends up the alignment slots are a bit tricky to insert thick-bladed knives into and I noticed there are plastic tabs that are supposed to help hold the knife in place to keep the proper angle. So I removed a star from my review. I just couldn't figure out what was happening so I went online to youtube. There is a video that teaches how to sharpen knives with this model sharpener. So after the first pass through with both sides I inspected the knife and found (what I thought to be) was the sharpener took too much off the edge. I felt the blade, for sharpness; and it just wasn't that sharp. So I ran the knife through another seven times. Now it was getting quite sharp, but there were quite a bit of tiny shavings on the table where I was working. Next time I just put paper towel under the sharpener and it caught all the spare shavings. I ran the knife through the strop/polisher five times on each side, just like the book states. Make double sure you alternate from side to side on the sharpener because the manual says so. Also I noticed the reviews on the earlier model sharpeners noting the sharpener made scratches on the blades. It did not make any scratches on the blades and I frankly don't see how it could because everything in the sharpener except for the grinding wheel is plastic. Next I offered to sharpen my dads pocket knife. I again chose 15 degrees to try to keep the pocket knife looking good and making it quite sharp. Boy, was I wrong to do that. I looked at it and thought crap! That stupid sharpener took seriously way too much off the blade. Turns out that 15 degrees is quite thin and pocket knives (in my mind) should only be sharpened between 20 degrees to 23 degrees. In the end it does do quite a nice job on pocket knives as well as bigger kitchen knives. Next I tried a trickier knife. I switched to a one sided short but fat half-serrated pocket knife. The job I did was fair until I slid the knife in without watching what angle it was. I guess the plastic guide is easier to use with longer knives. I pretty much ruined that knife! The sharpener took way too much off the knifes edge. Oh well, it was only 5 dollars anyway. Just be careful with short knives because they're harder to keep straight while sliding them through the sharpening wheels. One last note about the sharpener. It doesn't sharpen all the way to the hilt on pocket knives. I'm not talking about the notch at the beginning of the blade, it's farther out than that. There's about an eighth of an inch past that on the blade that the grinding wheels just can't get to because of the plastic alignment guides. Pocket knives just won't go up into the sharpener far enough. On kitchen knives the handle is on top of the blade thus the blade slides all the way through. So I removed another star from my review. Yeah it sucks, but kitchen style knives end up quite nice. That's why I gave it three stars.

Product was everything it said it was.

Diverse with all types of knives.

Would recommend it to anyone who cares about their cutlery.

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I love a sharp knife but didn't take my knives in to be sharpened as often as they needed. This makes it much more convenient to keep your knives sharp and in optimum condition.

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The 1520 is the best and most flexible Chef's Choice Electric Sharpener for most users. The 120 and 130 are highly rated by many reviewers and have been available for a few years. Both of these sharpeners are for 20 degree knives only. The 1520 is unique in that it has fine diamond grinding slots for both 15 and 20 degree angles as well as a stropping/finishing slot used for either angle. It also has newly designed and improved guides that have less tendency to scratch knives and are very easy to use.

Most Asian knives are ground at a 15 degree angle whereas most European and American knives are ground at 20 degrees. This sharpener will do both, including Asian knives that have the 15 degree angle on only one side.

I find it very useful to grind 20 degree knives to 15 degrees to narrow the cutting edge and then give a couple of pulls thru the 20 degree slot to create a 20 degree micro bevel. I then finish with the stropping stage. This method is described in the User's Guide but is unfamiliar to most people. i would suggest that you try it first on a small paring knife. I think you will be extremely pleased with the result. One major advantage of this technique is that the cutting edge doesn't widen much after repeated sharpening. Touchup will normally only require using the third slot. Only when absolutely necessary make a pull thru the second stage once or twice before using the third stage.

The additional flexibility of both 15 and 20 degree diamond slots and improved guides makes this sharpener a superior choice to either the 120 or 130. The Chef's Choice 1520 electric sharpener is very highly recommended.

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i love this product i think one of the reason is because i love knifes and i'm not a pro so it's easy for me to use it and u don't need the angel and these pro stuff

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Joyce Chen 50-0045, My Handy Little Knife, 4-Inch

Joyce Chen 50-0045, My Handy Little Knife, 4-InchI ran into this knife when I was actually hoping to find one of those short Japanese sushi knives with the nice little wood sheath. A nice multi-purpose portable knife. I have a lot of small pocket knives, but but one of the most common uses I end up needing them for is food. SO here comes a great idea: a small kitchen knife with a sheath!

But there are some problems that could easily be fixed with little or no cost:

1. The handle guard hangs down below the blade, while a food knife is usually better if the blade hangs down so it can chop flat onto a plate or board.

2. The handle is shorter than the blade, but a short kitchen knife (ie, paring knife) usually gives you a useful handle length with a short blade. To make it worse, some handle length at the back end is wasted with that stylish drop-down bump, which is right where my pinky wants to sit.

3. The sheath has no drainage hole. It's basically impossible to give the sheath a good inside cleaning. Plastic sheaths for many hunting or utility knives often have a small hole at the end, so you can flush it out all the way just by holding it under the faucet. It's like trying to clean a cup by slowly filling it with water and pouring it out. Not very sanitary for somthing I want to use for food.

4. The plastic is cheap. Oils or alcohols are causing red stains when I wipe them on a paper towell. That means the plastic is not stable. Not only is the sheath difficult to clean, you have to be worried about what you clean it with.

5. The steel isn't that great either. It was sharp when new, but that didn't last very long and when it was time to sharpen it the thing just didn't want to get sharp. I have sharpened hundreds of knives and I have a dozen different stones, and this is one of those knives that just doesn't like to get very sharp. It's not an expensive knife, but I had a Victorinox parer I got for 5 bucks that was better.

For the price it's still handy to have, but it could be 10 times better and still be cheap.

I have had this knife for many years kept at my desk to slice fresh fruit. It was so liked by co-workers someone absconded with mine while I was out of town. So I am back to order several more. The blade stays nice and sharp easy to clean and the blade is right sized for small tasks and reduced risk of cutting fingers. I love the cover and knowing that visitors to my desk are protected and blade is not exposed while not in use. Highly recommend this knife!

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This near-razor sharp little knife is a great kitchen or camp tool and a handy self defense item for a lady's purse or concealed carry: The built in plastic sheath has a friction fit that keeps the knife safe until it is extracted for use as a deep slashing or stabbing edged weapon or innocent looking apple slicer.

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I love this knife. We've had ours for about ten years and we take it with us when we're going on trips and picnics. It is extremely useful for slicing meat, cheese and bread; for spreading butter and cream cheese; and for cutting and peeling fresh fruit and vegetables. The blade has remained sharp over the years and it's small enough that it easily slips into a picnic basket or a cooler. The sheath fits well so you don't have to worry about it becoming accidentally separated from the knife. It's easy to clean. It's perfect.

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I love this for camping, picnics, or whenever you need a take-along-knife for food prep or serving. It's sharp and compact. Just make sure the blade is dry before you place it back in the sheath and there will be no problems. I have one that I have used for 10 years and it is still as sharp and shiny as new. I also include them in gift baskets of cheese, etc., for friends, so I have purchased several. I like that they are more attractive and stylish (for my gift baskets) than the other brands on the market.

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Kershaw 9900 Series 5-Inch Stainless-Steel Boning Knife (Model # 9920X)

Kershaw 9900 Series 5-Inch Stainless-Steel Boning KnifeGood solid handle, great cutting edge, overall super product, will get more knifes from this company. Hope they sell multiblke unit package.

I've had these knives for overa year and they are wonderful. I run these through the dishwasher and the handles and blades are holding up great.

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I've butchered a number of deer with this knife and really enjoy using it. Its nice and sharp, comfortable to use, seems to hold an edge relatively well. I recommend a sharpening steel if you are going to be going through a large amount of meat. Touching up the edge after continued use helps make things go a little quicker and safer.

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I love this knife. When my housemate saw it was Kershaw, he lamented over losing his Kershaw pocket knife that he said was the best. Not related to this kitchen knife, but his comment tells me that the brand Kershaw is known for quality. It's sturdy, comfortable to grip, cuts like a charm.

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When i bought this at first it was amazing how sharp it was and slowly just like other knives it started getting blunt in a month or so but the grip and the quality are all decent and gives a nice look.Otherwise i guess if we sharpen it regularly it should be a wonderful knife to use.

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Box of 2 Opinel Paring Knives No 112 Yellow Handle

Box of 2 Opinel Paring Knives No 112 Yellow Handlethis is a very nice knife. comes razor sharp, maintains edge pretty vell and is easy to sharpen.

opinel is best in low cost cutlery, would recommend to a friend :)

Van Vacter Ice Cream Knife, Black and Stainless steel

Van Vacter Ice Cream Knife, Black and Stainless steelThis is by far the only ice cream scoop I will ever own in my kitchen again. If anyone has ever tried to scoop the hardest ice cream such as Costco's Kirkland Ice Cream, you know that there is nothing on the market that can hang...until now. You don't even notice the ice cream is tough when using this tool. The heavy duty grip and saw like features on the knife get the job done. It rocks!

"I don't always scoop ice cream, but when I do I prefer to use a Van Vacter. Stay hungry, my friends."

I wasn't sure about leaving a review for this at first. I thought perhaps people were exaggerating about its effectiveness since it didn't initially seem to be that much better than any other scoop. However, with additional use I figured out there is a bit of a technique to it; you have to do a bit of a sawing motion while turning your wrist slightly in a scooping motion, then carving out more as more surface area is exposed. A bit like ice cream excavation. At least that's what I find works pretty well, and by employing this technique I find the Van Vacter superior to normal scoops.

This tool is best suited for anyone who for whatever reason doesn't already own an ice cream scoop or eats a lot of ice cream and can frequently make use of the improved design. It doesn't work quite well enough to endorse for those in between unless they love kitchen gadgets.

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My only complaint is I am left handed and I didn't think about that when I ordered. BUT... Can dIg straight down with no problem! Best I've ever bought and I just shared it in Facebook bc everyone should buy it! Thanks!!!!

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This is a very belated review...and I think maybe the first I've actually given at Amazon. I've had this ice cream scoop for over 2 years and hands down, its the best ever. We have a family of five, use it at least once a week and it has held up wonderfully. I hope it lasts forever-lol! I see it is not in stock at Amazon at this time. Its well worth the effort to track one down.

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I dish up ice cream every evening for our family. I've used (and gone through) many ice cream scoopers and this scoop works. My technic with this scoop for hard ice cream is to jab it into the ice cream nose first and then just twist the head around in a clockwise motion using the "teeth" to dig into the hard ice cream. I haven't used the "teeth" as a saw to cut the ice cream like others seem to suggest. I want my ice cream NOW. The stainless steel seems strong enough and I don't anticipate it bending or breaking.

The only other scoop that I've liked better had a standard scoop head with serrated teeth all the way around. I haven't been able to find one again.

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Kuhn Rikon Colori Bulk Pack Polka Dot Paring Knife, 4-Inch

Kuhn Rikon Colori Bulk Pack Polka Dot Paring Knife, 4-Inch, RedI got the green polka dot paring knife for 4.99 at Marshalls. After a year of nearly everyday use, it's still extremely sharp. Kuhn Rikon makes excellent products, and their knives especially are top notch.

Victorinox Swiss Classic 4-1/2-Inch Utility Knife with Round Tip, Yellow Handle

Victorinox Swiss Classic 4-1/2-Inch Utility Knife with Round Tip, Yellow HandleJoins another identical knife I have used daily for over 15 years. Slices easily through fruits, vegetables and meats. Used more frequently than more expensive knives I own .

Yamazaki Hafnia 5-Piece Flatware Place Setting, Service for 1

Yamazaki Hafnia 5-Piece Flatware Place Setting, Service for 1I personally have had a set of this style for at least 10 years that I purchased for everyday service and don't regret it one bit. I wanted a set that would hold up for years, and silly as it might sound, a spoon that could dig into the hardest of ice creams without bending. After much search, and also wanting a fairly simple design that wasn't too frilly, this is what I found.

When it comes to durability, I have yet to find a match. One day many years ago I dropped one of these spoons down a running disposer, and not even that bent it, all it came away from the experience was two small gouges that I ground away with a dremel to make the back of it smooth again.

The only thing I can say as a downside, is that it can be easy enough for a piece to drop off of a plate or out of a shallow bowl if it's haphazzardly set too close to the edge due to the weight of the handles, and I do find the teaspoons to be deeper than I would care for if I was designing the perfect set, but in my experience with the set, neither of those would be enough to consider I'd buy a different style or brand if I for some reason had to buy a new set of flatware again.

I'd recommend this set to anyone that is concerned with strength, as it's heavy enough to be used every day even with the most unruly diners.

I first got this flatware about 15 years ago. Loved it then and love it now. I like the pattern as, to me, it's very sleek. The weight is a little heavier than average, but I like that aspect. The balance has a very good feel. The spoons have a deeper cut, that's great to me. The set I got years ago still looks amazingly good, dishwasher safe too. All in all, this is my favorite flatware. Hope this helps.

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We got this set and is awesome. Every piece is unique in shape & comfort to handle and to eat. Gorgeous. The spoons shape hold soup or cereal perfectly. The forks have the "spoon" shape tipe that gets the food (like rice) so good. The knifes are awesome for it use and for spread. We are more than happy with this elegant set. Worth the price, no regrets ! LOVE IT !

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I've had Hafnia for 15 years, using it everyday. It's classic, good-looking, heavy, and holds up well for everyday use and in the dishwasher. Forks and spoons can easily fall off when carrying a plate -you have to set them further in or turn them upside down.

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I have had this flatware for almost eighteen years and I still enjoy using it. It has an elegant, yet substantial design that feels good in the hand with a nice balance and weight. Like other commenters have mentioned, it won't bend when scouping ice cream, and I love how the spoons can actually hold a swallow of soup. It says something when your teenage son's friends even comment on how nice your silverware is! I would buy this again and again...

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