In my life I have worked around many sharp knives from box cutters to skinning knives and this knife keeps an amazing edge and cuts through meat like butter dead serious.
Showing posts with label kitchen magnetic knife holder. Show all posts
Showing posts with label kitchen magnetic knife holder. Show all posts
Messermeister Four Seasons 12-Inch Fillet Knife with Hollows
In my life I have worked around many sharp knives from box cutters to skinning knives and this knife keeps an amazing edge and cuts through meat like butter dead serious.
Victorinox Kitchen Utility Shears with Bottle Opener
I own four (count 'em, four!) pairs of these shears, purchased from other vendors, but am posting a review here to add my voice to the chorus of admiration for this product.I purchased these shears for use in the kitchen, even though they lacked what I thought was the critical feature of take-apart capability, because I was unable to find kitchen shears that otherwise fit the bill. I subsequently found shears that do come apart for cleaning that I prefer to use in the kitchen, but these shears still remain in constant use in many areas of the house.
I keep one pair in my knife block to use in cutting open packaging in the kitchen when food contamination is not an issue; the shears' sharply pointed blade tips make them excellent for dealing with plastic packaging of all types. I keep a pair in my bedroom nightstand, a pair in my desk, and a pair in my car. (It's amazing how often I use them in the car!) I plan to buy another pair to keep in the garage.
The shears are sized for general kitchen use, being neither too large nor too small, and are amazingly lightweight. The handles are extremely comfortable in my average woman-sized hands; they fit either the right or left hand. The blades are sharp and tough; they have a Rockwell hardness score of 55. (See info @ .) The blade action is extremely smooth and the sharp blade tips make the shears useful for a myriad of kitchen tasks. Unfortunately, the danger involved in cleaning these bad boys without being able to separate the blades, and the extreme caution I prefer to take with regard to contamination, rule out general kitchen use for me. But if you're less squeamish than I am on these subjects, go for it.
I own a pair of Shun kitchen shears for meat/poultry trimming and feel that they're the only shears to use for that purpose (see my review at Shun Kitchen Shears), but the Victorinox shears would be excellent for all other jobs in the kitchen or anywhere else in the house, garage, office, shop, RV, etc. They're available from Amazon on their 4-for-3 promotion if you can think of as many uses for them as I did.
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For the price, they are sharp, durable, and fit my average male hand well. Would buy again.Read Best Reviews of Victorinox Kitchen Utility Shears with Bottle Opener Here
My initial impressions were great. The shears were sharp and the handles fit my hand, but then they started to rust at the pivot. I've always hand washed these shears and dried them with paper towels. I've never had any of my knives or shears rust before, so this is a complete surprise. Needless to say, I'm unhappy with this product.Want Victorinox Kitchen Utility Shears with Bottle Opener Discount?
As with all Forschner/Victorinox products I have purchased, what you get is exceptional value and high quality. Simply one of the best product lines in existence.Save 14% Off
Cambridge Silversmiths Effie Mirror 45-Piece Flatware Set, 18/0 Stainless Steel
This flatware is solid, well finished and styled simply just what I wanted. It arrived quickly, was carefully packaged, so the transaction met or exceeded expectations.Save 5% Off
Felix Platinum Starterset, 3-Piece
I received a couple of Felix knives about 35 years ago when my parents went to Germany. They have been a mainstay in the kitchen ever since. I bought this set for my daughter and I was envious when they arrived. They are of incredible quality. They have great balance. They are sharp beyond belief. I have mine professionally sharpened about once every 7 years and use steel in between. If hers hold half the edge mine have, I am sure she will be using hers 35 years from now.Save 27% Off
Cutco Cutlery Paring Knife 2 3/4" blade Like New
- USA Made
- Forever Guarantee
- Free Factory Sharpening/Replacement
- Ergonomic Handles
- High Grade Steel
1. To my understanding, cutco uses 440A stainless steel in their blades hardened to 56HRC. 440A is such a cheap steel, there is absolutely no justification for the price point. There are a plethora of knives made by reputable knife companies(using far superior steels over 440A)selling at a much lower price point than these exorbitantly expensive cutco knives. The wonderful Wusthof Gourmet 3" paring knife is one such example:Wusthof 4022 Gourmet 3-Inch Paring Knife
2.Also, 56 on the rockwell scale is way too soft for a decent kitchen knife. You really want something at least approaching 59 or 60 for it to have decent edge holding capabilities. And no, it will not be impossible to resharpen at this hardness.
3. Cutco kitchen knives are hollow ground. This edge geometry is not ideal for the average slicing task in the kitchen. A fully flat ground profile is much preferred(the only better edge geometry, other than a fully flat ground blade, would be that of the traditional Japanese single ground edges as seen in the usuba or yanagiba as used by sushi chefs). The advantage of a hollow ground knife is that it allows for a thicker spine(thickness = strength) relative to the fine edge. However, this quality is completely unnecessary in a kitchen knife, unless you plan on using yours to dig a grave or pry open tin cans.
Aside from these 3 basic criticisms, the price point of cutco knives is an enormous turn off. Honestly, the quality of the steel used in them is no better than what you will find in the cheapest knife available at your local wal-mart. As I mentioned above, there are so many good knives made with decent and superior steels(x50CrMov15, aus8A, vg10, etc...), why would you buy a knife made with such a cheap underwhelming steel for the price that they are sold for? The price tag that should be placed on this cutco paring knife? I do think that the construction and handle materials are decent, so, for that alone, I suppose it might be worth 5~10 dollars. However, since the knife won't perform well, that really doesn't matter... so, to me, its not even worth a couple bucks...
Update:
The cutco pairing knife uses 440A steel and the wusthof pairing knife(mentioned above) uses a steel called x50CrMov15. Here is further clarification as to why the Cutco pairing knife loses when compared side by side with the wusthof:
To start with, I must go into a little detail about the steels employed in both knives.
440A tends to contain impurities such as sulfur and phosphorus which make the steel more brittle. X50CrMov15, as far as I am aware, does not. If it does, the quantity is much less. X50CrMov15 has a roughly .15% vanadium content. Vanadium is a carbide former and increases wear resistance and hardenability. Also, vanadium refines the grain structure of the steel, which aids in its toughness and ease of re-sharpening; this means it will allow the steel to take and hold a sharper edge. This is the biggest difference between 440A and x50CrMov15. Although 440A has a higher chromium content, which may give it better corrosion resistance, since chromium forms large complex carbides, it tends to hinder sharpenability. Since any steel with 11~13% chromium is considered "stainless," the 16~18% chromium content in 440A compared with the 14.5% in x50CrMov15 is arguably too much in the application of a kitchen knife(also, I have seen rust spots on many cutco knives...and though this is easily removed, as it is with any "stainless" steel, the increased chromium really does nothing but harm).
Now, depending on the heat treatments/temperings and such there can be a certain amount of difference from one knife with the same steel to another, as it is with all steels. For this reason, please be advised that all pairing knives using x50CrMoV15 may not perform identically one to another. However, in the way that wusthof has treated the steel in this knife, x50CrMov15 seems perfect for a pairing knife because of the following reasons:
1. Ease of sharpening. The wusthof pairing knife I own is one of the easiest knives to re-sharpen. It doesn't take very long for me to touch it up.
2. Excellent sharpenability. In addition to its ease of sharpening, the sharpenaibility means it can take a scary sharp edge.
3. Though x50crMov15 is not the toughest steel out there, in its application for a paring knife, it is perfect. Since a paring knife rarely touches a hard surface such as a cutting board(wood or otherwise) and is primarily used for peeling or detailed work against a relatively soft media such as a fruit or vegetable, it really doesn't dull quickly even when the knife is so thin(which makes it an absolutely magnificent slicer/peeler etc... it just cuts through so easily).
In contrast, the hollow ground profile of the cutco pairing knife combined with its thicker spine do not suit its intended purpose, and if you use them side by side, the difference is astounding. Also, as I mentioned before, the Cutco pairing knife is really hard to get razor sharp..., and when you get it, my experience is that it doesn't maintain that razor sharpness very long.... Which goes along with the analysis of the steels I provided above. I'm just not happy with the steel or the blade geometry. Also, the cost makes the wusthof pairing knife a much better buy in contrast to the cutco. The wusthof is a better knife, it works better, is significantly cheaper, uses better steel, has a better grind for its purpose... what more can I say? That's all...just one user's opinion. Your experiences may very, and I respect those that would rather purchase a USA made product. I hope my data points and opinions have been informative to some:)
Buy Cutco Cutlery Paring Knife 2 3/4" blade Like New Now
I love this little knife. It was sharp when I got it and is sharp a year later. I have other $9 paring knives that just take up space in the drawer. This one feels good and is very sharp exactly what I want in a paring knife.Ok, it lost a star for price. I don't mind paying more for nice knives but paring has always been more worker bee than shining star in my kitchen.
Read Best Reviews of Cutco Cutlery Paring Knife 2 3/4" blade Like New Here
We were replacing a lost knife...they are really good quality. Have 3 of them, they are quite durable and sharpWant Cutco Cutlery Paring Knife 2 3/4" blade Like New Discount?
I was thrilled to find a replacement Cutco paring knife after mine disappeared and I felt lost in the kitchen. Best knives ever!
Solo Heavyweight Plastic Knives - 500 Count
We have used these for years for backyard barbecues, picnics, car trips, etc. They work well for a variety of tasks--putting butter on toast, putting mustard on a hot dog, cutting cheese, and even cutting steak and chicken.Shop for price. I buy these at my local Costco for much less than the price on Amazon.
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Just what I needed for that week. It also help my brother when he was low on knife too. I will bye this again.Read Best Reviews of Solo Heavyweight Plastic Knives - 500 Count Here
I got these for picnics, etc., and I love them. They are very sturdy and held up better than the ones I was getting locally. I definitely recommend them!
4 Inch Chic Chefs Ceramic Knife White Blade
I was unconvinced that ceramic knives could really "cut it", until I tried this one. Yes, they really are sharp and maintain their cutting edge. I find that this is the one I always reach for when I need a kitchen utility/paring/slicing knife. My husband likes it so much he bought a whole set of ceramic knives.
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This knife is great. I use it every day and it has held up very well. Remember when using ceramic knives you must use a wooden cutting board and not a glass one or the knife will break. Even the backside of the knife is sharp so watch out when cutting that you dont press on the back part of the ceramic part too hard or youll cut your finger. I had to learn that the hard way.Read Best Reviews of 4 Inch Chic Chefs Ceramic Knife White Blade Here
Oneida Othenia 20-Piece Flatware Set, Service for 4
Just perfect to add to our setshiny and newToo bad I was told this set has been discontinued by Oneida. Time to buy before they are all gone. Also, thanks for the prompt delivery and just as shown.Save 55% Off
Rada Cutlery Heavy Duty Paring Knife, Made in USA
I started buying Rada cutlery at one of the big Home & Garden Shows because I was tired of cheap knives and of peelers that just didn't work. This knife is simply the best for the price you don't need to spend a fortune on the German brands this U.S. made knife is every bit as good at a fraction of the price. It works so well for all you kitchen needs; I use it for salads, chopping meat, and just about anything else.The knife stays extremely sharp I've nicked myself a number of times when I got too close to what I was cutting. You can keep the blade super sharp by using the Rada sharpner, so there's no need to replace this knife ever.
The only drawback, if you are into appearances, is that the handle will discolor if it is not dried after washing or if you allow it to sit in water. Also, these knives should not be put in the dishwasher if you care about appearance the handle will get darkened and somewhat pitted.
As to the handle choices, I have bought both and am now a solid fan of the black ones. The black handles are a hard, durable plastic, and plastic is a deal breaker for some buyers. But, these black handles are attractive, feel good in the hand, don't discolor or nick, and go through the dishwasher beautifully. They are not cheap, brittle plastic, but a modern, dense product.
The silver handles are a brushed aluminum alloy and took really nice when new. I'd rather buy metal than plastic, it would usually last better in the long term. But these handles require "special" care. They must be washed and dried by hand, because dishwashers ruin the appearance of the handles, fast. They will oxidize and the lovely, silver finish turns a dirty gray, which also feels grimy in the hand. You may also buy and use an aluminum polish, such as "BlueMagic", to keep them looking nice (as I must with the silver ones I bought before the black became available).
I'd rather be able to use a modern, sanitizing and time-saving dishwasher for as many kitchen tools as possible. Convenience trumps material in this case, and black handles win for me! The silver handles are quite pretty, and can be maintained that way if some effort is taken. If you have the inclination to hand-wash your knifes and occasionally polish them with an inexpensive aluminum polish, the silver/aluminum handles are especially good looking for this price level. Now you know!
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Best knife I have ever owned...I am now buying ONLY Rada products for my kitchen! Was trying to cut up some steak into small pieces for my dogs...unable to "saw" through the meat with my big old serrated steak knives...got out this little paring knife and voila!!! It cut through the meat like it was butter and the meat was cold also! Just watch out...all this wonderful knives are extremely sharp! Handwash them and dry right away. I have owned this one and the tomato slicer for over a year and no discoloration at all. I just ordered the serrated pie slicer and also the meat cutting set. I am happy these are made in the USA also...much, much better quality and the price is very affordable!Read Best Reviews of Rada Cutlery Heavy Duty Paring Knife, Made in USA Here
Well nice shape, but after few weeks of use it start loosing its sharpness,. it is good for the moneyWant Rada Cutlery Heavy Duty Paring Knife, Made in USA Discount?
I like using this knife. It is sharp enough and is the right size for me. I'd recommend it if you're just a home cook.
Gourmet Settings Silver Tear 20-Piece Flatware Set, Service for 4
After 12 years (and many missing pieces), it was time to update my flatware set. My old set was Martha Stewart and had served me very well, but I wanted something "different" this time and the entire handmade Gourmet Settings line definitely caught my eye. I let my family vote on the pattern, and they all liked the twisted look on the Silver Tear set.After receiving the set, my first impression was that they looked absolutely awesome but they felt quite a bit heavier than what I was used to. They also do not rest completely flat on your finger when you use them (because of the round shape of the stem). But this didn't seem to bother anyone in my family except me so I decided to wait awhile and see if it was just a matter of getting used to them.
Well I'm glad I waited because after only a week of daily use I am completely used to them. The quality of the set is exceptional and I love they way they look and feel in my hand. The bowls on the spoons are very smooth and comfortable to eat from. I have added the demitasse spoons and the spreaders and will eventually purchase another 4 place settings.
I also purchased the J.A. Henckels International Flatware Tray to store them in (see my uploaded picture above).
If you are looking for something out of the ordinary, this set is sure to please. Also, Amazon has the best price that I could find anywhere (and believe me I searched..).
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I was specifically shopping for flatware with a woven handle when I stumbled across this pattern. I ordered because the pre-Christmas sale price was too good to pass up. I almost didn't order them because the handles looked thinner than some other brands.I'm thrilled I ordered this set because the handles are not skimpy at all. In fact, the reason they probably look thinner in comparison to some other brands is because this flatware is very large, real shovel-it-in large. For example, the table knife is 9-and-a-half inches long, and the teaspoon -the smaller spoon of the place setting -holds over two teaspoons of liquid. I literally had to purchase larger drawer holders to accommodate these pieces.
These Silver Tear pieces are hefty and beautiful, and even when not on special sale are a great value.
Read Best Reviews of Gourmet Settings Silver Tear 20-Piece Flatware Set, Service for 4 Here
this flatware is really GREAT! There was a little gliche when I received the 2 sets I ordered. They were labeled Silver Tear, but were not Silver Tear. I notified Amazon and they immediately shipped out another order for me. Customer Service...EXCELLENT!Want Gourmet Settings Silver Tear 20-Piece Flatware Set, Service for 4 Discount?
After extensive reviews of flatware in this price range, I took a chance on this set. Many reviews had said flatware began to rust which I find completely not acceptable. This one according to reviews for the most part said it does not happen. One person says the knives were not sharp...Are you kidding me? These things will cut steak and that's pretty good for a flatware knife in this price range, although I will be buying Global steak knives soon as I am particular about my steak knives, and Global is as good as Shun for a lower cost. Anyway, the heft in these pieces is perfect. I like heft. In addition, the sizing of each piece is slightly on the larger size which I tend to prefer. I find the design unique, and did note that to many complaints existed for the other set with the musical staff curl at the bottom. That is rust happened to some people, and I do not do rust. While I expect this can stand up to a dish washer, I hand wash all my flatware anyway. It is shiny and keeps that shine, and is not obnoxious in the shine. I love the semi rustic design and it works with my Le-Creuset stone ware plate settings. The photo of this product is accurate. I received this item well packaged (Amazon has greatly improved in this area ), and did get the product a few days earlier than anticipated. I say buy it if you like the design and enjoy heft and rustic. However, although this is quality, it is not designed to use the spoon to scoop frozen ice cream for you risk bending. Buy a ice cream scoop for that, or spend 200 on 80/10 Nordic style 20 piece flatware set or 50 dollars for a four piece highest quality set; the price of the G.Settings Silver Tear 20 piece setit is a fine buy and will last, the price is right! One thing though, back of these items is stamped 80/10 but I would still suspect a possible bend with frozen ice cream, and this is why God made ice cream scoops! Again, knife had edge!Save 11% Off
Mundial Magnetic Bar
I am a chef living on a small island in a small house.Storage is always a challenge. Am so glad I got this bar for my knives.
It holds 3 cleavers, a 10" chef knife and a 12" serrated knife. Plus several other smaller knives. Had no problem putting it up and nothing has fallen off. It's perfect. Holds more then any block and frees up much valued counter space.
A great investment.
Our son loves it so it was a no-brainer. Hubby said it was easy to hang and our big steak knives hang on this strip with no problem! It holds 8 of them nicely.
Would definitely buy again and recommend this to anyone!
Read Best Reviews of Mundial Magnetic Bar Here
I've installed two of these in my kitchen. They look good. I am a little concerned about the strength of the magnets and wish they were a little stronger. But they are holding a lot of knives and so far so good!Want Mundial Magnetic Bar Discount?
Being I didn't want a butcher block on my counter taking up space ,and I didn't want to throw my 4 new Wusthof Ikon knives along with my 6 Wusthof Classic knives in a draw to get beat up I went for mag bar. It is holding all knives with no problem including a very heavy cleaver. I would recommendSave 13% Off
Wusthof Silverpoint II 8-Inch Bread Knife
Every kitchen needs a knife dedicated to breads only so that the blades stay true. I have had a few bread knives and this Wusthof is a bargain for an inexpensive knife. Great kitchen basic investment and knife for a gift!
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This knife is part of my set and it really does its job on bread and rolls but also works well on tough skinned fruit and veggies. The whole set is a bargain and all the knives perform very well as this one does.Read Best Reviews of Wusthof Silverpoint II 8-Inch Bread Knife Here
Great deal on a fantastic product. Works well, sturdy, light, durable, easy to clean. I'd recommend this to anyone looking for an affordable, good-quality bread knife.Want Wusthof Silverpoint II 8-Inch Bread Knife Discount?
After using a cheap dollar store bread knife for years and being unable to slice a piece of garlic bread without ruining the entire loaf I decided it was time to purchase something a little more expensive. Earlier in the year I'd had the wonderful opportunity to review a complete set of Wusthof knives from Amazon and they impressed me so much that I knew what brand of knife my next bread knife would be.Now, I'm not one to spend hundreds of dollars on a single knife, so I looked for the cheapest Wusthof bread knife I could find; and this was it.
It's a beautifully manufactured piece that is ideal for cutting bread. It gets the bread sliced the first time, every time, yet you still need to start with the tip of the knife to begin cutting. Carved from high-carbon no-stain steel, this knife holds a sharp edge that makes cutting through anything a breeze.
The grip is solid and comfortable and doesn't pose any slip issues.
If you're on a budget but need a bread knife I wouldn't hesitate to recommend this one.
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SteakBrands CLASSIC-FD Fire Department Steak Branding Iron
This is a sturdy product. It is well made and lots of fun on the bbq. No allowance for burning the steaks with this brand on it, right?
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Wusthof Gourmet 6.3-Inch Fish Fillet Knife (16cm)
...delivered in a timely manner. Fillets (my own caught) catfish very well. A bit pricey for a simple knife (that's why I didn't give it 5 stars). Recommend, but you might shop around and save some money.Save 21% Off
Wusthof Classic Hollow-Ground Santoku
I love stir fries, Mexican, and spicy food in general, so after reading the Amazon reviews of this knife and the Wusthof Grand Prix Asian chef's knife (same knife, different handle) I was dying to get my hands on one. A local store that deals in Wusthof FINALLY got a hollow-edge Classic santoku in, and I tried it out, along with a Grand Prix chef's knife with the same handle.My conclusion while the Grand Prix handle DOES fit perfectly and firmly in the hand, the Classic handle encourages placing the thumb, extended, on top of the flat handle, producing a slight forward "roll" conducive to chopping and dicing. Thus, after much deliberation, I purchased the Classic santoku knife.
When I tried this knife at home, I was not disappointed; the santoku knife chops and dices quickly and cleanly, and cleaves serrano and Fresno peppers neatly in two. The knife is light and well-balanced, and while not quite as all-around versatile, is much better suited to chopping operations than the chef's knife. The hollow edge seems to help it to cut cleanly, and reduces but does not eliminate food sticking to the knife when chopped.
It's too late I can no longer pick a favorite knife. Right now it's a tie between my Wusthof Classic santoku knife and my Henckels four-star 6" chef's. This knife is definitely a keeper.
The thing is, when this knife's nice and sharpened up it seriously flies through anything you throw at it, though I don't suggest knife fighting with it. If you've ever found cutting poultry a pain in the ass, well this knife goes through uncooked chicken like you were cutting jell-o; it's a pretty amazing feeling. You simply draw the knife toward you, and through whatever you're cutting, and repeat.
In the hand, the santoku feels maybe a little dainty, compared to say a nine-inch chef's knife, which is like wielding a claymore. Perhaps that's what gives the santoku its almost surgical feel. It's light, it's awesomely balanced, and the shape of the blade allows you to accomplish multiple tasks, from slicing chicken breasts, to chopping rosemary, to dicing garlic.
This is a piece of Wusthof steel mind you, which means you might be passing it on to the kids, granted you follow some simple rules. First, don't ever put a knife like this in the dishwasher; it's bad for it. Two, don't use the blade to scrape together whatever you're chopping. I once saw Rachael Ray doing this on her 30-minute meals show, and it was the equivalent of fingernails on chalkboard to me. Instead, turn the knife over, and use the spine, this maintains your edge longer. Lastly, you need to buy a sharpener, because nothing is more useless, frustrating, or dangerous in cooking than using a dull knife. I use a simple Chef's Choice Manual Diamond Hone, which cost me a cool Jackson. It's a 2 step apparatus that's ugly as sin, but yields an edge that makes tomatoes as easy to cut as anything else. You should know however that while the hollowing of the blade, those oval shaped grind marks, was a brilliant idea; it still needs some tinkering because everything gets stuck to my blade. Oh well, this is an awesome piece of steel that's helped me cook many mediocre meals for outstanding people, and there's no reason not to expect the same.
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One trend that has eventually made it's way to home chef's is that it's OK TO MIX KNIVES! German , French, Japanese STYLE all have they're champions and advantages for various cutting and chopping jobs. Despite what you see on TV shows, you'll actually find very few professionals who have all German or all Oriental style knives. And don't tell the kitchen snobs, but it's OK to mix BRANDS too! Buy what feels good, what costs right and how often you'll use it.The Wusthof Classic 7-inch Hollow Edge Santoku Knife combines several ideas that combined, make slicing vegetables into precise pieces. This looks nice, but also lets the food all cook at a quick and similar amount of time. Be aware that a Santoku knife is NOT MADE TO CHOP THROUGH BONES or frozen foods! Despite a small similarity, that is best left to a Cleaver.
The high "wall" of the knife blade makes for quick slicing and chopping. The identations or "kullens" reduce friction and suction, preventing food from sticking to the side of the blade.
The Wüsthof Classic 7-Inch Hollow Edge Santoku Knife is just slightly bowed to facilitate the rocking motion needed for what this knife is made to do.
Also realize that with the intermingling of knife designs one Santoku is not EXACTLY like another. Compare any knife design before purchase! And don't feel bad if you end up with a few from the Big Boys, and even a few left over from your grandmother!
I enjoy knives. I know alot about em. BUT especially enjoy USING knives. I do that mostly in the kitchen like everyone else.
This is a purchase I'm happy with!
John Row
Read Best Reviews of Wusthof Classic Hollow-Ground Santoku Here
I have been using the Wusthof Santoku Knife for several months. It has a good balance and feel. You are able to slice and dice like a Pro. The blade is thin but still ridgid enough to cut and slice straight, allowing very thin slices. It cuts meat very well and is very, very sharp. The edge is ground to a very narrow angle. Looks to be about 7 to 10 degrees. The shallow edge angle is what allows it to be so sharp. Due to the very thin edge of the blade, it should not be used for chooping or heavy duty cutting. The steel used is excellent and holds its edge forever. I touch it up ocassionaly with a ceramic sharpener. It only takes a couple of swipes with the cerramic. I think it is as sharp now as the day I received it. The dropped point is a great design. I use the back of the point to scrape garbage off of the cutting board.Want Wusthof Classic Hollow-Ground Santoku Discount?
Over time, I've discovered buying the right quality items once is far better than buying sub-standard junk 4 or 5 times. Hence, my search for the right "general use" knife for my kitchen.I cook alot of stir fry sometimes 3 or 4 times a week. This means a fair amount of cutting, dicing and chopping of many different items from hard and soft vegetables to beef, pork or chicken. For many years, I struggled with cheap knives I had either received as a wedding present or bought from a large department store. In the end, I was sawing the food rather than cutting it; it was a chore rather than a pleasureable part of the cooking process. I decided to bite the bullet and buy the last knife I would need.
During my search, I discovered a few things you may find helpful:
understand what you do in the kitchen and only buy what you need. It's easy to get sucked into buying a full set of 8, 10 or 12 knives. You don't have to think about it and voila! everything's there. Granted, you will save money, but I contend you'll end up with knives you don't need. I strongly recommend buying knives separately as you discover you just can't do without that XYZ knife. Ex: I bought the 7" Classic Hollow Santoku and a small classic paring knife as a set. I found a I need a smaller utility knife for cutting sandwiches, etc... and purchased a Classic 5" knife. I can accomplish 99% of my cutting tasks with these 3 knives.
Your first knife should be either a Santoku or Chef's knife. These knives are the workhorses of the kitchen and will be used for a majority of your cutting tasks. Once purchased and used for awhile, you can better determine what will make your life easier and go after that.
"Handle" the knives. Unlike pot/pan handles, a knife will be in your hand for a fair amount of time, so it needs to be comfortable and well balanced. Believe me, these things matter. An unbalanced knife that doesn't feel right will tire you out and turn this part of cooking into a chore. I checked out 7" Santoku knives from Wusthof, Henckel and Global. The Wusthof had a more solid feel and felt better balanced in MY hand. All 3 manufacturers make excellent knives, but your connection with the knife is very personal and it must feel right to YOU.
Now, on to the Wusthof. First, it's very well balanced. Put your index finger against the bolster and under the handle; the knife will balance without effort. Second, it has a little more weight to it than the other 2 knives I've mentioned above. That's not to say it's heavy; rather it felt more solid to me. Third, the hollow design ("dimples" on the side of the blade) help prevent food from sticking. The hollow design won't totally prevent food from sticking to the blade (slices of "wet" vegetables like onions or tomatoes still stick), but it definitely helps.
Please, please, please take care of good knives. Never put them in the dishwasher. The detergent can damage them over time but, most importantly, they will bang around against other utensils and get knicked or damaged. Always wash and dry them immediately after use. Store them in a block or on a magnetic knife strip; never in a draw where they can, again, get banged around.
I sharpen my knives about once a month using a sharpening stone. There's tons of info on the net about how to do this and it is a daunting task at first. My advice is to take a cheaper knife and practice with the stone. Once you get comfortable, try it with your new knife. A sharp knife should cut a piece of paper, holding the paper in one hand and slicing from the top.
If you buy this knife and follow the tips above, you'll be rewarded with "the last knife you'll ever need". Enjoy!
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Linden Sweden-Daloplast Anita Covered Cutting Board, 9-3/4 by 6 Inch, with Spreader Knife, Purple
The first one of these I received had the corner chipped offbut Amazon had another out to me within 24 hours! I love this set. I can put some cheese and crackers and veggies on it, and put it in the fridge for my son, and he has a nice snack all ready for him. Plus, since I can serve it up ahead of time, he doesn't leave my cheeses unwrapped in the fridge to dry out when he serves himself off the main wheel. It's saved me cheese, and a certain amount of frustration.
TUPPERWARE GADGET Set of 2 CITRUS PEELERS blue NEW
I got on an orange kick recently and remembered using these little gadgets as a kid. They are just like "unzipping" the peel. I don't use the flat side but the pointed end is perfect for dragging down the sides and making nice peelable sections.
Rada Cutlery Super Parer Knife, Made in USA (Pack of 2)
Brought some of these at a great price, they are pretty nice.With these, I haven't been using any of my older ones since I
received these. You do need to be very careful with these because
they are very sharp! I have had to use a few Band-aids since using
these!! I can't even remember having to use any Band-aids with the
old ones!! And yes, I do like them even more because they are
American Made. Mostly all the older ones I have are not and they
are very dull, even when I went to sharped them. So I will put
them in the trash! "Out" with the old and "In" with the New.........
I do know what brand to buy next time "Rada"!!! If you buy these
make sure you have some Band-aids handy!!!
Buy Rada Cutlery Super Parer Knife, Made in USA (Pack of 2) Now
Rada cutlery are the best knives you can buy for the price. Great Product love the alumium Hadles and the fact that they are made in the USA.Read Best Reviews of Rada Cutlery Super Parer Knife, Made in USA (Pack of 2) Here
Rada makes an inexpensive, good knife for everyday use. I like them because they can go in the dishwasher, feel good in my hand, and last a long time. I have had these knives over a year, and they are still my favorite everyday knives. How many times have you pulled your expensive Cutco or Henkels knives out of your drawer where and worried about using them, washing them, or damaging them until they are back in the drawer? Never the case with these knives. I have multiple knives of different sizes and types and continue to build my collection--they're great!Want Rada Cutlery Super Parer Knife, Made in USA (Pack of 2) Discount?
For the price, how could I go wrong? Very thin blades which is what I wanted and good for everyday use. I'd buy again when I need more knives.
Chefs Choice Trizor 8-in. Chefs Knife
I have an 8" chefs knife ,forged Trizor edge, and have owned it for about 12 years or so. It's not my only chef knife but I do have a fondness for it. When I purchased it Amazon was selling them for around $35, yes $35 NOT $135. I don't know why the average price was around a $100, but I bought it as a "try me" knife.The fit and finish of the knife was on par with any of the well known German manufacturers, that is-excellant. I didn't like how sharp the spine or the back of the spine (the choil) were though and rounded them sand paper for comfort. The 8" knife is handle heavy. The balance point is just about where the handle fits to the bolster, although it tends to give the impression of being handle heavy when handling the knife. I use a pinch grip when I use the knife. The knife has a lot of belly, so if you prefer a straighter French or Japanese style profile you probably won't like it. I was not terribly impressed with the out of the box sharpness and as I recall there was some literature that came with the knife explaining it doesn't feel as sharp as it is. Ok?. I used it some and it wasn't really dull , but it was about average for out of the box German knife sharpness. I tried honing it on the finish wheel of a Chefs Choice 120 sharpener, still good not really impressed. Did sharpen it once as directed on the 120 --with about the same results. I should mention that I have used a 120 to quite acceptable result with Forschner knives, but they are thinner therefore would seem sharper. I finally hand sharpened this, and when I did I thinned the edge and reduced the bevel to 15 degrees or so. I use India and Arkansas stones and took it up through a translucent hard white. While not spectacular( and this could be due to my lack of skill as a sharpener) it was an improvement. I found the edge retention on par with German forged cutlery, but found it responded to "steeling" quite well on my ceramic rod hone. I almost always use it on a plastic cutting board. I've never put it in the dishwasher and and have experienced no issues with the handle turning colors, or the blade reacting. Because of it's large belly I use the knife mostly for herbs and processing garlic. It is a great "rock n roll" knife. I have found it competent for most average home cooking tasks, though I prefer my Japanese knives for most any given task. I gave the knife 4 stars because I think for what I paid for it and it's never let me down it was a 4 star value. At it's current price however, I'd give it 2 to 3 stars. It's really on par with well known German cutlery for all intent and purposes. It's a thick, heavy, round belly knife that will stand up to most home use, but excell at none. The in thing now seems to be toward a more light thin sharper knife that doesn't have a finger guard. In this price range there are many many knives to choose from, but his is the only one that's American made. For the money I really think the average home cook can do quite a bit better.
Buy Chefs Choice Trizor 8-in. Chefs Knife Now
We ordered these knives (8and 10-inch) for our restaurant kitchen back in 2006 and it was a decision we quickly came to regret: they didn't hold up well at all under the stress of daily use and we were out a lot of money. The handles discolored after the first month and being unbalanced (blade-heavy), they made your fingers ache after a while. On top of that, we spent more time sharpening and resharpening them than actually cutting. In the end our frustration led to throwing them out. We didn't feel right donating them to a charity kitchen given their inherent flaws.Chef's Choice is a low-end sharpener company that delved into the knife business a few years back and garnered a handful TV-celebrity chef endorsements. This is a knife for the Rachel Ray/Emeril/Paula Deen crowd at best. Since then, that crowd has moved on to even cheaper knives. Blade hardness is only one of many factors that comprise a good knife. That 60Rc rating that hacks like Chad Ward ("An Edge in the Kitchen") promote actually works against you in the kitchen because you're ALWAYS sharpening this knife because it's so brittle! But Chad likes it so much his book is virtually a Chef's Choice marketing pamphlet. Chad's book only recommends you use three knives in the kitchen, and of those three, he finds no value in Santoku knives. That alone should tell you he's a reporter, not a chef, and his book is composed of outdated and misguided information about the knife industry.
Take it from someone who's worked in professional kitchens and restaurants for a lifetime, skip this knife and skip this brand. Your hard-earned money is better spent elsewhere. Also, I could care less where my knives are made. There's a reason why the best knives have been made in Germany and Japan for centuries -because they're the best at it and have been in the business with chefs since the beginning.
Read Best Reviews of Chefs Choice Trizor 8-in. Chefs Knife Here
A Di Alessi "Knifeforkspoon" 9-3/4-Inch Serving Fork
I purchased two of these primarily for pulling large (8-12 lbs) pork shoulders. These are more than up to that task, and shred the pork quickly, with barely any effort (using a pair of regular forks was a pain). I even use these to pull the pork shoulder out of the smoker, so they can handle the weight easily.The forks look great too I like the dull-shine of the Satin finish (kind of like a matte photograph), and the simple-yet-elegant design is perfect (and unfortunately outclasses anything else I have in the kitchen, so it looks like I'll have to fix that soon).
They've held up nicely in the dishwasher, and show no signs of wear so far.
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