The only thing to notice about this is that it's not really made for a five-piece place setting (knife, fork, salad fork, teaspoon, and soup/dessert spoon). Otherwise it's sturdy, washable, dependable Rubbermaid.I have had Yhis exact tray for probably 15 years or more! It is extremely durable and dishwasher safe. I came across it while looking for a way to further organize my silverware drawer. It fits my silverware just fine...I have just been looking for a way to organize the utensils beside it.Rubbermaid Home 2925-RD-BISQU Cutlery Tray
The only thing to notice about this is that it's not really made for a five-piece place setting (knife, fork, salad fork, teaspoon, and soup/dessert spoon). Otherwise it's sturdy, washable, dependable Rubbermaid.I have had Yhis exact tray for probably 15 years or more! It is extremely durable and dishwasher safe. I came across it while looking for a way to further organize my silverware drawer. It fits my silverware just fine...I have just been looking for a way to organize the utensils beside it.Solid Green Bamboo Cheese/Bread Board
MY husband's employer held an auction for the annual charity drive. I filled a cotton tote bag with a bread knife, this cutting board, honey and gave the winner a choice of home-baked breads, which were delivered a few days later. The item earned a nice bid. The fabric is nice and would have been great for an iron-on logo, which I'll do next year! The board is sturdy and sustainable.We underestimated the size of this board, thinking it would be larger than the dimensions indicated. While quality, delivery and packaging were excellent, the board is destined for smaller servings. Stay with one or two portions of more dense, aged cheeses, and smaller crowds. Good price-to-product ratio. Do not expect a green board.Buy Solid Green Bamboo Cheese/Bread Board Now
if i had not used them to make a book press they would have been lovely for their intended purpose.Read Best Reviews of Solid Green Bamboo Cheese/Bread Board Here
Victorinox Paring, Sheep's Foot, Small, Red Nylon, 3.25 in.
I love this knife. It's razor sharp, and the shape is perfect for me, which I prefer over the classic shape. The knife stays clean, it's easy to hold, and the plastic handle is better than wood, since it won't rot and has texture for a good grip.There's absolutely nothing to dislike about this knife, and I like everything about it.
However, note that the blade is pretty thin (and very sharp), so don't use it to pry things open or apart. That's what screwdrivers are for. :-)
LEM Products #10 Stainless Steel Clamp-on Hand Grinder
Buyer beware this item does not have stainless steel blades or plates. The cutting knife had rust on it right out of the box and the plates are shipped in small baggies with plenty of oil covering them (stainless steel does not require packaging in oil). The appearance of the grinder itself is quite nice, much nicer than the typical cast-iron models that you normally see, but that's about where my positive experience stopped.Second major issue with this item: I have a 1.5" thick counter top, and the clamp would not open wide enough to mount. If you remove the rubber feet (which, in my case were white slip-on feet unlike the black shown in the picture) and the cylindrical plastic piece that covers the bottom of the clamp, you might be able to mount it. I would say that this item would mount nicely to a counter with a thickness of 1.25". If you don't care about your counter finish, you can mount it on 1.5" but you will need to remove all of the rubber / plastic from the grinder that keeps your counter protected.
Third, and probably the biggest issue, is that the cutting knife, which needs to come into contact with the plates, does not ride on the plate smoothly. I don't know if this was due to the threads being off or the blade mount being machined incorrectly, but the bottom line is that the knife was not in constant contact with the plate (which is needed to get a good grind).Put my husband right to work making sausage! He had a great time experimenting. No complaints with product; but, he discovered that if you are going to grind chicken, use the larger holed plate. Chicken was mush with the smaller holes!
Buy LEM Products #10 Stainless Steel Clamp-on Hand Grinder Now
I read the reviews of other grinders and decided that his one was the most sturdy-no plastic parts or electric gizmos to fail.It was easy to use and turned the roast into ground beef in record time and at a nice saving. Next time, I will make the coarser grind, but there will be lots of next times.
I got so tired of paying steak prices for decent ground beef, and those tubes of ground something scare me. Who knows where they came from.
I figured my price for lean ground beef at about $3.69 per pound. Knowing when and where it was ground, gives me the confidence to serve it medium rare if I wish.
This grinder is never going to break.
Read Best Reviews of LEM Products #10 Stainless Steel Clamp-on Hand Grinder Here
Excellent grinder. It's just like the meat grinder my grandmother brought over from the the old country. She has had hers forever! It works just like it. Great buy and worth every penny. The grinder and plates are all stainless steel, very important. This grinder will out live me and can passed down through the generations.Want LEM Products #10 Stainless Steel Clamp-on Hand Grinder Discount?
The blade has to be turned out to rub against the plate otherwise it won't cut the meat and you will have mush. I wish it had a larger opening thread on the auger like their bigger models have. It's still a nice machine.Nenox G-Type Gyutou
Hands down the finest knife I have ever owned. I used to get a lot of flack from people for using a "demo" knife for everyday usage in the kitchen. It is worth the investment , the price is steep but for a serious chef it is an investment, I have never had a problem with this knife holding it's edge. Needs little to no sharpening, I sharpen mine once maybe twice a month, and steeling the knife takes some practice since it's an 80/20. I sharpen mine on 11 degrees and 15 degrees. I also use a jewelry polishing cloth to keep it like new. If you get any stains on th knife a little ajax or comet will remove them with ease.Magnetic Knife Bar, Plastic Base
This product is cheap, strong, and looks nice. One 18" rack can hold almost 10 knives very securely and it also comes with the mounting hardware. I bought two since it was such a great price.LOL. They were stuck to each other....through the boxes! So yes, they have grip! I had to test my knives on it, and they did, right through the box, so I know it will work as soon as my husband mounts in on the wall.....Buy Magnetic Knife Bar, Plastic Base Now
My wife and I fell victim for the cheap price tag. And that's exactly what we got--CHEAP!This item is completely useless as a knife holder. Upon taking it out of the box, we found only a 2" area was strong enough to hold a knife! The other 11" was a huge "dead spot", not even strong enough to hold our smallest paring knife or a metal ruler.
It makes for quite an awkwardly utilitarian fridge magnet, but that's the best that can be said about this brick of plastic and metal. Save your money, don't even consider this item any further.I wanted something to get the sharp knives up, and out of drawers where the grands could get to them. This is awesome. we put it inside a cabinet door right above our prep area. Works like a dream! We have 6 knives on it with room to spare!It's ok. Does the job. I'm not too demanding. Be careful where you place it. Five more words required. fin.
Jamie Oliver Carving Set
Carving set is of acceptable quality, but not the same as a high quality German made set (as far as feel, balance, finish, and knife edge out of the box). Def a couple of grades up from most lower end Chineses made knives though. Knife feels hollow, which does not give it great balance. This set is more than acceptable for occasional use, but if your carving all the time I would recommend buying a better quality German made set......But these sets usually cost at least 3 times the price !!!. I seriously dought Jamie Oliver uses these knifes in real life, only for show on TV, there def not professional knifes. I would also buy a sharperner from Amazon at the same time (great prices), so you can get and keep your knife sharp.I would have given the product 3 stars, but with Amazon's (current) fantastic pricing at just under $28 I give this product 4 stars. I would recommend purchase for someone wanting a carving set for occasional use like Thanksgiving, the odd dinner party every once and a while etc :-). Looks stylish.
Pro's: low cost through Amazon, stylish, has the "look" of a high end knife, def does the job for occasional use, reasonably good stainless steel used, packaged quite well and could make a very presentable gift.
Con's: Handle and bolster of knive not a great weight leading to average balance and handling, handle feels "cold" , Knife blade is wielded together to the handle next to bolster, (unlike higer end knives that are one piece forged steel which equals better strengh and durability), not for high use or commercial uses.The set seems to be well made, good quality, and the knife is razor sharp as we had hoped it would be. For home use, can not really see why anyone would spend more money on a carving set unles they just want a particulr knife. They should last for many years. Glad we bought them.
Buy Jamie Oliver Carving Set Now
I have to admit, my husband and I are both knife snobs!! We only ever purchase the top brands and pay top dollar.I was buying a block knife set and a carving set for my son-in-law and didn't want to disappoint him, but wanted to be frugal about it, therefore I did a ton of leg work before buying. I fell in love with the ones by Jamie Oliver. They have the strength and sturdiness of a German brand knife yet the flexibility of the Japanese knives. It allows for the best of both worlds. I settled on these and had them shipped to my son-in-law. They arrived so quickly and they were loved by their new owner. The weight has a perfect balance in the hand and they are strong and sturdy but also flexible. My son-in-law was really happy with them and I got some brownie points!! I have since then seen them for myself and have to totally agree. The knives are wonderful and this carving set is great. I know when I am in the market for more knives, Jamie Oliver's is the way I will go. I highly recommend them.beautiful set. My kids love it. My son said the knife slices through any kind of meat effortlessly. Must be careful, tho, they are SHARP!!!This product is good value for money. They are nice to hold, good balance and sharp. Just as I expect it to be.
J.A. Henckels International Classic Forged 7-Piece Stainless-Steel Knife Set with Block
Okay, so they are made in Spain rather than Germany...so what? These knives are a great starter set for anyone looking to "upgrade" from the dull knives they got as a hand-me-down or when they went off to college.Chefs say that a safe knife is a sharp knife, and you just can't get that with inferior knives. This line by Henckels probably gets overlooked because you don't find it on the shelves of Williams-Sonoma, but they are just as good. Cutting is also faster with a well-balanced knife with some weight behind it, which this set has as well. I've added kitchen shears since I bought mine, and I'll probably add the utility knife, carving set and cleaver before I'm done. The knives you start with though are all you need. I find myself using just about all of them (except the boning knife) almost every day.
Two caveats though...don't put them in the dishwasher and don't forget to use the steel either before or after you use your knives. My sister put her knives (not Henckels, but of similiar quality) in the dishwasher on a consistant basis and the edges got nicked from all the banging around that goes on. Also, using the steel will keep you from having to have the knives professionally sharpened.I have owned an overgrown set of these knives for about 4 (UPDATE: NOW 7 YEARS AND STILL LOVE THESE BLADES) years now and waited until I had significant use and comparison to write this review. I also own similar knives in Wusthof Classic and will compare directly. This review has been copied from other Henckels International Classic Reviews I wrote and has been modified slightly for the particular item being reviewed although I left comments about the other knives in.
Disclaimer: I enjoy sharpening knives so edge retention is rarely an issue for me as I probably sharpen even my best knives too much. Besides stone sharpening every 6 months or so, I also steel my knives just about every time I use them.
The bottome line: I really love this set of knives (although I got one dud in the bunch; the only reason I am not giving this line a 5 rating). The edges are almost if not just as good as the more expensive knives but the finish is lacking (although only somewhat). Relatively great value. I did not feel like these knives were very sharp out of the box but they take a scary edge quite easily and keep it for a long time (many, many months with regular steeling and home use).
8 Inch Chef: This is a very nice knife if you can get over the fact that the finish is not as nice as the higher end stuff. By this I mean that the edges on the handle and bolster are sharper than they are on my Wusthof Classic. It takes and holds an edge well. I also own a Wusthof 8 inch chefs knife and feel like this one takes just as sharp of an edge. I have yet to determine a difference in edge retention between the two lines, so that means they are at least comparible. As much as I thought I would be enamored with the wusthof, I really don't believe that the additional cost is worth the small amount of performance gain you might get by buying the Wusthof. In truth, I still enjoy using the Henckels International Chef's knife just as much as the Wusthof. The heft is wonderful and the curvature of the blade is ideal for chopping. I really like how the point is taperd to a very thin blade. Finish aside, this is right up there with the best of them and allows the user to slice with the point quite effectively.
6 Inch Chef: My wife swears by this knife and it is consistantly one of the sharpest we own. For some reason (perhaps the thinner blade), it holds its edge like the sharp little devil it is. This knife is a true pleasure to own and use. It is very effective and feels wonderful in my hand. I may be becoming a knife snob, but I see no reason to buy any other 6 inch chef's knife, as all you would be getting is a fancier name and smoother edges along the handle and bolster. We reach for this one multiple times each day and it retains its edge far better than expected for the price.
4 inch parer: I don't like this one as much as my Wusthof parers but my wife likes it much better. It is always the one she reaches for (many times per day). I personaly prefer the thinness and flexibility of the wusthof parer blades. This one is quite rigid and although it is very sharp, it does not seem to be as sharp as the thinner wusthof parers, nor does it hold its edge as long. On the other hand, its size is perfect for a parer, coming in at the sweet spot between the 3.5 inch wusthof and 4.5 inch wusthof parers I compare it to. I would love to own a 4 inch wusthof parer. Aditionally, the diminished depth of the blade is probably preferable to the deeper wusthof parer blades for tasks such as peeling toward you. I bought one of these for my mother and it is a good test for edge retention as she rarely sharpens and never steels. .
6 inch utility: I do not use this knife much. It seems to be quite redundant with my 4.5 inch Wusthof parer (which also does not see much use) or my favorite boning knife (a beat up and resurected chicago cutlery 5 inch utility that is scary sharp and a joy to use). In truth, almost every task in my kitchen is done quite well with either a parer or a chef's knife. I really don't see much use for a 6 inch utility. That said, this knife is sharp and pleasureable to use. Still, on this one, I would prefer a thinner and perhaps more flexible blade. It is quite rigid and that makes me not want to use it as much. For sandwiches, cheese, tomatoes, etc. it is quite appropriate, but I would still probably prefer my 6 inch or even 8 inch chefs knives for such tasks as they are thinner at the edge and therefore seem much sharper.
Bread knife: Aside from the fact that this would benefit from a longer blade, this is as effective as any other we have tried. You don't have to have a bread knife this nice, but this one certainly does the job well.
Boning knife: I have honestly never used this knife on more than a trial basis. It just does not stack up to my older chicago cutlery boning/utility knife. You can't really compare the two, however, since one is very flexible and thin(CC) and the other is very rigid and thick(HIC). I strongly prefer a thin, flexible boning knife. The finish on this knife was horrible in my particular set. It was rounded (not supposed to be) on the end and the blade had not been sharpened at the point, leaving a rounded and blunt tip (exactly the opposite of what you want in a good boning knife). I have never been able to get the point to where I want it. I am certain that I just have a lemon and will try to return it if possible.
So overall, I love these knives. Between myself and my wife, they get just as much use as my Wusthof Classics. Unless finish is critical to you or you like to have other people know that you spent a lot of money, do your pocketbook a favor. I think these knives are just as good for much less money.
Buy J.A. Henckels International Classic Forged 7-Piece Stainless-Steel Knife Set with Block Now
Looks like there are three kinds of Henckels knives on the market: the ultra expensive kind (which don't have the word "International" tacked onto the end), the expensive kind (which do have the word "International" tacked onto the end and which are made in Spain), and the less expensive kind (which also say "International," made in China or elsewhere). I have the Spanish set and a couple of the Chinese knives, and I just don't think the Chinese ones are worth the price. The Spanish knives, on the other hand, are so amazing that I assume the only reason anybody might want the ultra high-end ones probably has something to do with snobbery. My spouse and I comment almost every time we use the Spanish Henckels knives, "Wow! Why didn't we buy these years ago? Who knew what we were missing?" These knives are absolutely superb and ultra sharp. And speaking of sharp, I've never had to sharpen the Spanish Henckels knives, even a year later, but I did make the mistake of buying a Henckels sharpener, the kind with ceramic disks inside that you're supposed to draw the blade through several times, and tested it out on another stainless knife I've had for years. It took off way too much metal. The sword-like sharpener that comes with this Henckels set is far more effective and gentle, if you ever need it.I bought this block set to replace my Chicago Cutlery chef's knife and paring knife, which I've owned for years. The Henckels are excellently balanced and construction is solid. Out of the box, they are not the sharpest knives ever. However, they're likely to be sharper than the knives they're replacing, and if you get them sharpened, they'll hold an edge with good maintenance. I've used every blade in the set and have been satisfied with them all. I have some slight discoloration of the blades, but nothing too terrible. I've been hand-washing them religiously, but a friend has the same set and tosses them in the dishwasher, and his knives have held up better than mine.Con:
1. Not the sharpest knives ever.
2. Require significant maintenance.
3. Shears should be included in this set.
Pro:
1. Excellent balance, highly functional.
2. All the basic blades are included.
3. They hold an edge well.
4. Block is utterly functional.
5. You will never be able to buy cheap knives again.
Overall, this block set was a fantastic investment. I'd recommend it to anyone getting into cooking. If you're a professional, you'll probably want something better (there are better Henckels, and Wustof too). If you don't cook much at all, this set is probably overkill.I love these knives. They are heavier than the Wusthof Grand Prix line that I looked at, and for not being made in Germany, they are remarkably well-made.
They are fully forged and razor sharp.
I compared these side by side to several sets of Henckels and Wusthof knives, particularily the Henckels Pro S made in Solingen, and I could not tell a major difference.
They might not be top notch, but they are certainly nice enough for anything I'll ever need them for.
Sterling Home 8510 Elite Collection 2 Piece Santoku Knife Set
For the price you would think that these are junk knives but I love a good knife and these are great for the price. Compared to the Henkels they are similar in quality. They hone well, have a nice angle to them for chopping and work well. I was suprised how well these keep up with the $120 chef knife. For the price try it; give to the kids if you don't like them.Wusthof Grand Prix II 6-Inch Carving Knife
I adore this knife, tonite I effortlessly cut a watermelon up, even though it's a little short for that, it's so sharp, it just ran right through the rind! My plan is to obtain 2 or 3 more Wusthof Grand Prix knives. The craftmanship is obvious in the heavy and even feeling of the knife. Last Christmas I gave them as gifts, and everyone in my family commented on how they've become their favorites!Bought this knife for my father. I have used it numerous times as well. It is a great knife, holds a great edge, and is perfect for carving/ slicing. Not the best for chopping, but its not really made for it. Highly recommend.Buy Wusthof Grand Prix II 6-Inch Carving Knife Now
I have been a fan of Wusthof since i was introduced to them at the first restaurant i worked at. The heft and balance is perfect. The handel is study and feels well.. Just awesome cutlery tools.. only thing to note is that all wusthof knives (like any pro set) are really heavy so i dont recommend for anyone who has weak wrists or are scared of really really sharp knives.. This is a professionals knife which means you can slice your finger to the bone if you make a mistake.. but then, thats just another awesome selling point of these knives...Read Best Reviews of Wusthof Grand Prix II 6-Inch Carving Knife Here
Proteak Teak Cutting Board Rectangle 24-by-18-by-1-1/2-Inch Edge Grain with Hand Grip
I bought this based on a recommendation in "Cook's Illustrated" magazine and season 2011 America's Test Kitchen equipment review video. I like the way it looks, it's a great size and thickness, and handles cutting very well, it has convenient hand-holds to lift and carry it. "Cook's Illustrated" said that the weight of the board kept it in place. My beautiful board, however, is not perfectly flat on either side, so it wobbles. I'm dealing with the problem the same way I have to for my cheaper cutting boards, non-skid pads underneath; not a great solution, but I'm keeping the board anyway. My package arrived crushed, the paper product information band torn off and crumbled laying beside the the board (how did that happen, I wonder). The packing tape was barely adhered to the box. What is happening to Amazon's shipping department, or do I blame a 3rd party...too much to think about, I just want to cut my veggies.Two previous reviewers wrote they got cracked boards. Mine was not only cracked, but it was broken down the middle. The packaging was extremely poor! They did not try to package it properly; the board was placed in in big flat box, with nothing to hold it. Their loss percentage has to be high. They need a good dose of quality control!!Buy Proteak Teak Cutting Board Rectangle 24-by-18-by-1-1/2-Inch Edge Grain with Hand Grip Now
I, too, was interested in this because of Cook's Illustrated's review. I didn't order it from Amazon (it can be found cheaper elsewhere online), but the one I got in January 2012 is completely free of defects and seems to be everything that CI said it was. Highly recommended.My wife turned me on this. And true to my nature, I did a lot of research before making a purchase. My instructions were to get a big durable cutting board. One that would not slide over the granite counter top. This cutting board weighs about 14 lbs and is 1 1/2" thick.. It isn't going any where. The instructions advise you to put 4 coats of mineral oil (That I bought at Wal-Mart for $1) prior to first use. A over night drying period and testing was under way. Solid, stable surface to work on and with a little care (mineral oil once a month) it will last a life time. Large enough to prepare the evening meal, and stable enough to insure safety with large knives.Want Proteak Teak Cutting Board Rectangle 24-by-18-by-1-1/2-Inch Edge Grain with Hand Grip Discount?
WOW. This thing is HUGE. Make sure you check the dimensions before buying so it will fit on your counter. No cracks, no wobbling for me. Just a thick, massive, gigantic, manly, yet beautiful cutting board. I'm happy.Shun DM0760 Classic Asian Chef's Knife, 7-Inch
I have a few other good knives in the kitchen. However, when I want precision and guaranteed cutting to any thinness, I choose this knife. It's weird, but because of the price and the VERY sharp edge, I feel...different...in my food preparation when I use the knife. I think, "Whoa, you lucky onion!" I'm not kidding (weird, I know). But it's so precise; I know that whatever I set out to do to my vegetables, etc., it WILL be done the way I want, and with ease. It's like doing surgery or using Photoshop and zooming way in to do professional, detailed work.I have a dry rag nearby and I just quickly rise and wipe (since they don't recommend you put it in a dishwasher).
The 7" is great for me since I already have a heavy, 8" chef knife, a santoku, etc.
And the FIRST thing that I noticed upon picking it up was the LIGHT weight of it. Other people say the say thing. I don't miss the typical, heavy weight of most knives (that I do have). It's like a scalpel...and the sharpness, I guess, takes the place of the need for the heaviness of many other knives.
I do love it. Buy it. And it's very pretty, too (the wavy pattern of the metal as well as the wooden handle).This knife is fantastic. Not much to say other than it is incredibly sharp and it looks great too. Definitely recommend this knife.
Buy Shun DM0760 Classic Asian Chef's Knife, 7-Inch Now
Recently purchased this knife at a local store while it was on sale and I LOVE it so far. I wasn't even planing on buying a new chefs knife but I was easily talked into it because of its beauty and affordable price. I am a wok chef and I have always loved anything Oriental, and this knife is just gorgeous! Very sharp and it makes my prep work a lot easier. After purchasing, I found out one of my coworkers has this same knife and he's been using it for 10 years! His is only slightly faded and it's still very sharp, minus a chip from him abusing it. He said he had a full set of Shuns that he keeps at home and he would recommend the brand to any chef. I plan on buying more from this brand in the future. I would recommend to any working chef or home cook who doesn't mind spending the money on superior quality knives.Read Best Reviews of Shun DM0760 Classic Asian Chef's Knife, 7-Inch Here
I am a man of many knives, and this is the sharpest one I've ever owned. The blade is beautiful, extremely sharp and holds an edge very well. The handle is equally pleasing to look at and well suited to it's purpose.Overall the knife is lightweight, well balanced and the blade shape is excellent for a number of cutting and chopping tasks. I have a block full of German knives and I go straight to this one when I need to cut anything, it's that good.
Do yourself a favor and buy one of these, you won't regret it.
Want Shun DM0760 Classic Asian Chef's Knife, 7-Inch Discount?
I do a fair amount of cooking at home. I'm not ready for my own TV show, but I can get the job done. My Shun makes my life so much easier and I've never had a knife like this before. I recommend also getting a good honing steel to keep your edge at it's best.Edgeware V-Slot 10-Second Knife and Scissors Sharpener
When it comes to sharpening knives, I must admit that it's not one of my best talents... period.I've tried sharpening kitchen knives, Swiss Army knives and the blades on multi-tools for years with sharpening steel implements and stones, and have had very inconsistent results with each of them, no matter how many different techniques that I've used. Then a few years back a friend introduced me to the very basic yellow handled Smith Abrasives Jiffy Sharpener, and for the first time I was able to put a reasonable cutting edge on my kitchen knives and scissors. Within 30 seconds I was sold, and that weekend bought my first one. The key to this tool is that it provided a proper sharpening angle on a blade every time.
If this sounds like a blurb for some "As Seen On TV" spot, it's not meant to. I'm posting this because there have to be others out there who have had similar problems trying to find a no-hassle solution to this household and handyman dilema.
The newer, more refined version of the original is the Smith's Abrasive V-Slot 10 Second Knife and Scissors Sharpener, and it does exactly the same thing as the original version, but adds a rubberized handle for better control and comfort. It also adds non-slip rubber feet for stability.
Both of these devices will basicly put a good, sharp edge onto almost any blade, and will do so by passing the blade through the "V" in the head, which allows the replaceable tungsten carbide cutters to remove metal from the blade. Do this three or four times and you'll feel less resistance, then your blade is sharp.
The downside to all of this is that you're not really honing the blade, which is the correct way to treat it. You're removing metal from the blade, and if you overdo it, you can wear out a good knife blade before its time, so use it judiciously if you have good knives. If you have a small sharpening stone, such as the Smith's Arkansas Stone, you can "touch up" the blade and put a shiny chef's edge on the blade as a final step.
If your knives are really dull, these devices will do a nice job of reshaping the blade edge so that they're serviceable again, and they'll do it in just a few seconds. But as with all new implements,
be sure to RTFM... (Read The Flaming Manual) before you proceed.
These implements really shine when it comes to sharpening scissors that have become dull and/or have lost their edge, and both versions can be used with right or left-handed scissors. The scissors sharpener is located in the handle, and employs a floating sharpening rod thast will put the correct edge back on almost any scissors by drawing them through this section as listed in the instructions.
Pros:
* Does the job of sharpening your blades very quickly.
* Reasonably priced solution that does its job well.
* Restores the edge to worn out blades
* Does a great job sharpening scissors.
Cons:
* Removes more metal from a blade than a stone or steel.
If your knives or scissors have become dull with use, then either of these sharpeners from Smith's will do the job. For those unlike me who are adept at using a conventional sharpening steel to hone a fine professional edge to a knife blade, you might look for the Smith's Abrasive Standard Sharpening Steel, a 9-inch version of a conventional sharpening steel with an oversized hand guard and a hang ring.
Should your sharpening needs be more geared to items like Swiss Army knives or multi-tools from Gerber, Leatherman or Victorinox, then the Gerber DF6 Compact Sharpener might be a good alternative. This one is also easy to use, and features perfect 30 degree edges quickly and easily every time.
It's been said many times that the most dangerous knife is the one that's not sharp. Look at the specs for each of these and see which fits your needs best. The top two from Smith's are excellent choices if you find sharpening your knives to be a challenge. Whichever one of these 5-star implements you choose, remember to read the instructions carefully before use... and think sharp!Who doesn't wish their scissors were sharper? This is the fix. Now all my scissors are sharp, and will remain so.
GOOD POINTS:
-The angle of the sharpening stone to the scissors blade is fixed, so you never make a mistake.
-The stone is pretty good, so you gently draw the scissors over it repeatedly and get great results.
-You can open them wide to get almost all the way to the hinge, and by slightly compressing them, you can sharpen both blades evenly.
DRAWBACKS:
-You can't remove the stone, so as it wears, the tool becomes useless. But I may not live that long, so it's a small problem. Plus, the thing's only, like, 6 or 7 bucks. Still, it would be nice if the stone slot were capped by, say, a setscrew, so you could change stones.
-This is built for a right-hander sharpening right-hand scissors, or vice-versa. It's just a bit klutzy when your preferred hand does not match the parity of the scissors. But this is also minor.
I looked at 20 different sharpeners. Pound for pound and dollar for dollar, this rocks! [even on paper! rocks/scissors/paper :-) ]
Buy Edgeware V-Slot 10-Second Knife and Scissors Sharpener Now
Great product for everyday use. Not a good recomendation for an expensive artisanal knife which you do not remove metal but just align the edge, but it definetely works for cheap stainless knives and scissors. I can use that paper cutters, too. I revived single use knives and almost-dumped out scissors, and saved my money. I'm very happy with the results.Read Best Reviews of Edgeware V-Slot 10-Second Knife and Scissors Sharpener Here
I am a mechanical engineer. I looked at a bunch of units online. The quality of the unit was good for the price and the instruction were easy to read and follow.I liked one of the reviews here noting this class of sharpener is not re-edging but honing. That explained a bunch of what was going on with these vs the more expensive grinders. I think it is worth noting that you can only grind so many times before wearing out the blade (while Honing can be done much more often), and that Honing would appear to not work on a notched blade.
Anyway I tried these on some short bladed pruners and a some expensive sewing scissors. The wife is very happy with both results and pronounced them both "much better". Anechdotal evidence at best, but if she's happy, I'm happy.
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The Edgeware V-slot sharpener puts a decent edge on dull blades.It's difficult to add more to my review, because my only other
experience is with electric sharpeners. As a manual sharpener,
the product does a pretty good job. It's a real bargain for the
price, and I would recommend it to anyone who wants a simple,
easy-to-use manual sharpener.
Wusthof Garlic Press
This is the only garlic press I've found in about 15 years of searching that: 1. Always works, 2. Cleans up easily, and most importantly, 3. I can't break it. I'll never buy any other kind of press. It's a bit spendy by comparison with some other models; but well worth the price. There are a fine screen and a coarse screen, I always use the coarse screen, though the fine one works well too. We use about 2 entire bulbs (not cloves) of garlic per week. This press stands up to the work -for about 7 years now, with no problems.First, without a doubt, this is the best garlic press I have ever used. It is very sturdy, has a nice feel, is easy to clean, and works well on the first go. The only problem arises when you need to press more than one load of food because of the removable baskets. They tend to pop out with each use. This isn't much of a problem when you have two hands to spare or if you only need a small amount of garlic or other food pressed. However, if you're trying to press a lot of food fast or if you have a baby in one arm and are trying to work one handed it can get rather annoying. Though that does knock it down a star for me, I still really like the baskets. This works very well in different dishes and with different ingredients being pressed. Most of all, it makes the press very easy to clean because when you remove the baskets there aren't any cracks and crevices that can be a real pain to clean in other presses.This is a wonderful garlic press! It is easy to use and clean. The press has 2 baskets with smaller and larger grates. I have tried may other presses, but Wusthof has made the very best!Wusthof Grand Prix2 6-Piece Knife Set with Block
Nothing more to say here, the set was perfect, all the essentials for starter chefs (or experienced chefs who are just starting their kitchen). Don't have these knives yet? Buy them. Dishwasher safe, simple and contemporary design, and as sharp as Excalibur.I just moved into a new condo this spring and was looking for a set of high quality knives to use in my new kitchen. This set is the most reasonably priced out of the Wusthof forged knife sets. It contains all the essential knives that you need, and they seem like they will last for years.Buy Wusthof Grand Prix2 6-Piece Knife Set with Block Now
We bought this after we got married. LOVE THEM. Lost the paring knife. Bought a Henkels replacement. But not nearly the same. Highly recommended.Read Best Reviews of Wusthof Grand Prix2 6-Piece Knife Set with Block Here
Mikasa Riverside Satin 18/0 45-Piece Flatware Set
I ordered two sets of this flatware. While I thought it was beautiful, I have had issues with the quality of the flatware. The second set arriveded with three pieces that were chipped. It took 6 weeks to get replacements, after countless emails...and the replacements didn't match the originals in style or size. This morning I discovered that the knives are chipping as well.I hand-wash my dishes and flatware and I have never left the flatware to soak. After I use it, I wipe it off with a paper towel and then place it on the counter for washing. Mikasa advertises that the flatware comes with a lifetime warranty....but I don't want to spend the rest of my life asking for replacements, piece by piece.
I wish I could return BOTH sets to Amazon. I am very unhappy.
Zwilling J.A. Henckels Twin Finishing Stone Pro Sharpening Stone
Much cheaper than other Japanese stones, man-made or natural, for what you get. You'll be easily paying this much for a Japanese man-made stone for a single grit stone above 5000. You get 3000 and 8000 grit, which are critical for mirror shine finish. Very easy to work with and if you use it along with the 250/1000 sharpening stone, they will get you knives like a sword. I'm pretty certain that both 250/1000 and 3000/8000 are man-made since you don't have to soak the stone....just a splash of water would do it.They are made in Japan and despite what others said, in my opinion, Nagura stone is a must. I think a lot of other people use Nagura stone for grits lower than 5000 (and you're supposed to use them for 5000&UP) hence the improper usage. For those not familiar, Nagura stone is for creating a slur, evening out the fine grit stones, and removing metal residue trapped on the stone. After a few strokes, the stones will have gray color deposits (from the knife blade). You can use Nagura stone apply in circular motion will remove the residue and get your stone to sharpen again rather than your knife sliding across it (you will hear and feel this).
Most of the sharpening is done on 250 grit (reshape the nicks and the bade/cutting bevel). The 3000/8000 get used for only about a few minutes per side (vs some time close to an hour on 250 grit with neglected knife).....so this item will last a LONG time.I've been using this to keep my Henckels Pro S, Miyabi, and Shun knives sharp. From the softer German steel, to the harder Japanese steel, it works great. These are rebranded Naniwa Super Stones and the dual surface makes it a great value for people that don't need to sharpen that often since it saves you from buying separate stones and each side will still last a very long time.
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Wallace Silverware/Flatware Chest, Holds Service for 16
I trusted the maker (Wallace) and thought I was getting a great deal on this silver chest. I wish I had spent more money and had gotten something that was of quality. This piece looks tacky and cheap. The design was nice for a 16 piece set, and that was the draw for me. But the wood had no tone, pattern, etc., and the hardware is awful. The worst feature was the knife rack on the top of the chest. The length of the inserts to put the knives into was of varying sizes. So, on mine, there are knife handles that are up and down across the lid. The picture shows a very straight line of handles. Mine are anything but.....I recently purchased two nice 8 place setting flatware sets with serving pieces included with each set. This chest easily holds all place settings and service pieces. It is not the finest quality wood or hardware, nor would a reasonable person expect the finest wood and hardware at this price point. The appearance of the chest is acceptable and the inside is well padded with all the expected slots to protect all flatware pieces. I will store the filled chest in a drawer. The chest does not have protrusions that make storing it difficult. I am most interested in protecting my flatware and therefore did not see a reason to spend a great deal of money on something that will rarely be seen. If your taste and needs are similar to what I describe, you will be happy with this flatware chest.Buy Wallace Silverware/Flatware Chest, Holds Service for 16 Now
I was very excited with the quality of this flatware storage case. It holds my entire two sets of flatware, including the hostess pieces and even some extra butter knives that I like to have on hand for special dinners. However, the knives will not stay in the slots (under the lid of the case) assigned to them when the case is closed. So that when I open the case, the knives are scattered on top of the perfectly organized flatware beneath them. It's very aggravating.Read Best Reviews of Wallace Silverware/Flatware Chest, Holds Service for 16 Here
This box is gorgeous. I'm very happy with it. The only thing I was surprised about was how long the box is and I think it may be hard for me to find shelf space for it. The dimensions are approx. 18.5"L x 10.5"W x 3"H.Want Wallace Silverware/Flatware Chest, Holds Service for 16 Discount?
The chest stores a set of my silverware very nicely and is placed under a small telephone table I have in my dinning/kitchen area. It is of good quality and prevents damage to my silverware.Chicago Cutlery Metropolitan 15-Piece Block Knife Set
First these are made by a Chinese Company contracted to produce under and old American cutlery name so they aren't an American product . They are stamped steel . The metal in these knives is only fair in hardness and durability . The larger knives do a fair job but edge holding will not be a key point . If a cheap set of cutlery is what you can afford these are fair but there is Tramontina cutlery (many items produced in the U.S. too) which is a better cutlery and still cheap . I have had a set of those for 25 years and they are good cheap cutlery . The Steak knives in this set are a joke, get ready to sharpen them right out of the box . They do have comfortable handles though . I have used the screw driver on the shears to tighten screws on a couple cooking pans . I honestly bought these to take on picnics etc. and if one is lost I don't lose that much . If you can afford better I would recommend in stamped cutlery the Victorinox brand . Have those and although the blades are thin their heat treating and chill methods make a superior blade that's almost as good as a forged blade . They do cost a bit more though . I have tried to write a very honest review so hope it doesn't sound too negative . I do reside in Illinois and feel it's a shame a once great American cutlery company has become a basically a second rate company contracting it's products .For a very inexpensive knife set, these serve very well. The blades seem to stay sharp for a long time. We don't use the steak knives much because I have a set of those we like very well, but I use the kitchen shears frequently, as well as the paring knives and the 7 inch knife.The kitchen shears are fantastic. I want to pick up a couple spare pairs. They wash very easily and I use them instead of a knife to cut up chicken breasts for tacos, on tortillas to make corn chips and anything else I can think of instead of using a knife!
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This seems to be a nice set for the money. The Partoku and Santoku seem to be lesser quality compaired to the rest of the set. They are thinner, lighter and more flimsy. However they are sharp and cut well. Will see if they hold-up as well as the others. Would have prefered the Chef and Slicing knives over them.Read Best Reviews of Chicago Cutlery Metropolitan 15-Piece Block Knife Set Here
This set of knives is wonderful! It has a knife for every occasion! I've had the set for awhile now, put it through the washer quite a few times and they still look as good as new! Haven't had to use the sharpener yet and the way these knives still cut through everything I don't think I'll have to for a long while!! Great buy, highly recommended.Want Chicago Cutlery Metropolitan 15-Piece Block Knife Set Discount?
I'm not a professional chef by any means, but I know a good and bad knife when I see one. I trusted this knife set, based on my past experience with Chicago Cutlery and their reputation in general. Things have changed...The blade on these knives are fantastic. I love the design of the blade, the weight/feel of it and they are very sharp. What really disappointed me are the handles on these knives. The handle is made of a very cheap plastic. I've had cheap, generic knife sets that had better quality handles. But the handle did not even come to the end of the full-tang blade. The end of the blade comes out just past the end of the handle, and mine had VERY sharp metal edges on the end of the blade. I could cut my finger on those alone.
I tried to convince myself that I was just being too picky, but then I decided "No... this is not what I expect from Chicago Cutlery", and returned them. I then ordered a set of Fine Edge Synergy knives from J.A. Henckels. WOW. THESE are knives. I paid $20 more, but that's nothing for the quality of the Henckels knives. I'm going to go write that review now... it'll be 5 stars.
Bottom line... if you don't care about the appearance or finishing touches on knives, these are very sharp, quality blades. Too bad they have such a cruddy handle attached.


