I was originally looking to purchase a Wustof, because I have a few of them, and love the quality. My friend is an Executive Head Chef in a Boston restaurant. He suggested I buy a Mercer instead, because the quality is that of Wustof, with a much lower price tag. He was right, I love this knife. It was a little lighter than I expected, but the quality is great. I highly recommend Mercer.Mercer Cutlery Renaissance 3-1/2" Riveted Paring Knife
I was originally looking to purchase a Wustof, because I have a few of them, and love the quality. My friend is an Executive Head Chef in a Boston restaurant. He suggested I buy a Mercer instead, because the quality is that of Wustof, with a much lower price tag. He was right, I love this knife. It was a little lighter than I expected, but the quality is great. I highly recommend Mercer.Kuhn Rikon Colori Art Paring Knife with Straight Edge/Pink and Serrated Edge/Black Polka Dot, Set o
Reed & Barton Marie Antoinette 120 Piece Flatware Set, Silverware Service for 12, Plus Serving Piec
It is beautiful and has matching steak knives, teaspoons, and every serving piece I could possibly need. I love it!I was looking for new silverware and there is a lot to choose from on amazon! BUT most everything is made in China. Not that there is anything wrong with that but if you want something made in USA the choices are limited and way more expensive. So I bit the bullet and got this set. Yes it is made in china but the quality and weight are good. I am happy with my choice.This was a gift for my daughter in law. Very happy with such a big set. Love the solid knives.Very heavy and nice quality. The serving pieces are beautiful and an added bonus. This set is much heavier than my first Reed and Barton set I got over 40 years ago. Well worth the money.Hampton Forge San Remo 20 Piece Flatware Set, Blue 747UO202TE
The only bad thing about this flatware is if you want to keep the shine you have to hand wash it. Other than that this is a great deal at an even greater price. The knives are as sharp as any steak knife on the market. They arrived sooner than expected and in the best of condition. I LOVE THIS PRODUCT! :-)Out of the Woods of Oregon Large Wine Bottle Board with Grape Cheese Knife
Furi Rachael Ray Gusto-Grip Basics Line 7-Inch Cook's Knife
First off, the quality of the blade is good but not great. I only say this because I have some Pro S Henckel knives and can tell a difference.The handle is awesome! I love the feel of it although it's kind of hard to clean 'cause it's so sticky. It's good for cutting though. I never feel like I'm going to let go of the blade and cut myself.
The wooden case is cheesy. Make the knives feel cheap; which they aren't but again, compared to the Pro S Henckel's, they look cheap.
One gripe about these blades are that they don't sharpen as fine as the Henckel's. They get pretty sharp but not to the point where I feel like they would cut right through bone.
I don't know if that's what knives are supposed to do but again, comparing these knives against the Henckel Pro S, you can't compare.
These are a deal for your money but definitely look into the Henckel Pro S blades.My mother and I both love Rachael Ray and have been wanting to get her knives for quite some time. I purchased this knife for my mom as a mother's day gift, and we were both surprised and disappointed to find that straight out of the package it was so dull it wouldn't cut butter!
We never thought Rachael Ray would put her name on a defective product!
After several sharpenings we have made the knife usable, but are not happy that we had to go through this!
Maybe we just got a bad knife, but I would suggest really thinking before purchasing this knife because I feel it was a rip off!
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I bought this knife on a daily deal site. It came in a plastic storage sheath that had a "sharpener" inside. To be completely honest I was unbelievably disappointed when I received this knife and it couldn't even cut a tomato skin efficiently. The sharpener inside of the sheath did not make the blade work any better either. It will cut some things, but for the $20 I spent, it is not a good knife. I would not recommend spending your money on these knives as they do not perform as advertised.Read Best Reviews of Furi Rachael Ray Gusto-Grip Basics Line 7-Inch Cook's Knife Here
I read reviews about this knife being dull 'after' I already purchased it. Needless to say, my expectations were not very high. But I can tell you, this knife is as sharp as a razor blade! I've been cut by it 4 times already, and I am not careless. It was in the dish drainer and my hand just lightly brushed it as I reached for something else, and it drew blood immediately. On three other occasions that knife got the better of me. I swear, if I even look in its direction, I get nicked!With that said, it is in fact a cheap knife, and I doubt it would hold up to being man-handled. So don't try to cut a frozen block of cheese with it (like i did my previous Rachel Ray knife) and break the blade.
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The way the handle and blade connect, it is not comfortable to cut with and after a while the bottom part of the blade cuts into your index finger.J.A. Henckels International Classic Forged Stainless Steel Steak Knives, Set of 4
You expect the Henckels name to presume quality craftsmanship, personal choices for everyone, and ultimately some of the most useful and reliable knives that you will ever own. I've only been using my new set for about a month and a half, but what I presumed has been almost entirely true. This set is great, and I certainly would recommend it to anyone so long as they understand the following two negatives that I've found while using them.(1) The handles are smaller than what one might expect. My wife and I looked at these in the store and agreed that the size was acceptable to us, but I'm sure, and have seen other reviews, that some people will not like the slenderness and lightweight design.
(2) These knives survive best when not used in dishwashers, and Henckels even states that they should not be dishwashed. So I always clean, rinse, and dry one knife at a time whenever I use them. Thus they are a bit higher maintenance than that 29.99 16-piece set that you can get at Walmart.
A great set of knives but they require more caring owners.I love Henckel knives, and I expect a lot out of them.
I paid 80$ for this set and I was dissapointed. The blade is a little thin. The handle is a bit small. The finish on the blade was a little rough.
These knives are manufactured in Spain, not in Germany and it shows. For 80$ you can find better knives than these.
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These knives are beautiful and extremely sharp. I am using them to cut everything! They are great for steak but work well on fruit and cheese as well.Once Again, Henckels has another great product. The steak knives work wonderfully, slicing through even tough cuts of meat is if they were butter.My husband and I LOVE these knives. We use them all the time. They clean really nicely and always remain sharp.
A great buy at any price!
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I have an old set of these forged knives purchased many years ago. Henckels' Int'l line means they are not made in Germany. The steak knives I have are forged and made in Holland???? You can't even find them at Ebay, lol. The current knives are made in Spain. I don't know what type of steel they used, definitely not SG2 or VG10. But once they lose their edge, very difficult to sharpen. Using a Norton triple stone oil bath sharpening system will restore their edge with a bit of elbow grease.Wonderful steak knives if you have small hands. Their Pro S triple rivet style, full tang handles are a bit on the wimpy side. But, IMO, great bang for the buck.
Before purchasing, head to a store like Sur La Table, Williams-Sonoma et al and determine their heft and balance, then decide.
You could always buy Wüsthof or Henckels steak knives.....real deal Made in Germany for twice the price, set of four.
Chicago Cutlery Metropolitan 3-Piece Knife Set
Victorinox Stainless Steel 7 Inch Santoku Knife with Rosewood Handle
1) From TV viewing, I was under the impression that when chopping an onion or tomato with a Santoku, the slices wouldn't stick. NOT. Basically, as others have said in reviews of other Santokus, it's -no more, no less a chef's knife.2) Having said that, this knife is SHARP. Love it. I would buy this brand again (when you come right down to it, Henkels is overrated. Ditto Wusthof).
3) Well balanced & nice fit to my hand (tho prob too small for an extra large hand). I like it much better than our classical (huge) chef's knife as it's easier to use.
4) Attractive "traditional" appearance
Overall? Major bang for buck. I will try Victorinox again (btw, this knife is made in Solingen, Germany).Beware of the odor that the wooden handle has. It's a shame, because the blade cuts beautifully and it sits well in the hand. Maybe I will re-order with plastic handle.
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Cookinex Kung Fu Master Electric Can Opener
I purchased this to replace a electric can opener, the kind you had to hold the handle down to make it work. It turned out to be a weak point of can-openers. This product does not require you to hold anything down, you just get started and it finishes the job on its own. This works really well, also it is not very loud. One more thing, you just cant go wrong with that name.Kung Fu all those unopened cans with this can opener.....I've been using a hand held and got TIRED OF IT....So I bought this one....It arrived promptly and I love it!.....The sharpening feature is an extra good one!....I would recommend..Buy Cookinex Kung Fu Master Electric Can Opener Now
I needed a new can opener, and saw all the great reviews for the Cookinex. It does the job quite well. Seems sturdy and well made. Should last for a long time.Read Best Reviews of Cookinex Kung Fu Master Electric Can Opener Here
This blade on this can opener won't even cut the can to get it started! I am going to return it!Knork Matte 20-Piece Flatware Set, Silver
The description for this product is incorrect. Knork makes either an 18/0 or 18/10. For this price, this is the 18/0. The other is twice as expensive. I own this product in the latter, better quality version and love it. I am sure the 18/0 is fine as well, but people should be informed about their flatware before buying. I like the weight of the product, the ergonomic feel in my hand, and most of all...MY SILVERWEAR DOESN'T BEND! Held up to my old stuff, there is a clear difference in the luster. But don't take my word for it....From FoodServiceWarehouse.com:
If a product has the number 18/10 located in its spec, there is 18 percent chromium and 10 percent nickel content. If the product has an 18/0 construction, there is 18 percent chromium with zero nickel matter. The 18/10 and 18/0 specifications are simply figures that illustrate the percentages of chromium and nickel content present in the stainless steel. Chromium is a hard metallic substance that helps increase product hardness. Nickel is defined as a silvery metallic element that helps resist corrosion.
18/10
* Brilliant luster
* Rust-resistant material
* Durable construction
* Easy to maintain
18/0
* Soft shine
* Zero nickel content
* Economical design
* Subject to staining For years I have heard my husband's complaints about our cutlery. "It's off balance, it falls off the plate, it falls out of my hand..." Kind of tongue-in-cheek, my sister and I were looking online for cutlery for the disabled (no, he isn't) and came across the 'Knork' cutlery. I ordered this set and now my husband won't use anything else. I have to say I like it too. It has a silky finish and a good weight. The fact that one utensil can serve for most meals is a bonus, but I especially like the way it looks. I can heartily recommend it!
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We first encountered Knork flatware at a local restaurant. We then purchased 3 sets and are very happy with the quality and functionality of the flatware. You can cut a steak with the fork. The ergonomics are great. Nice, substaintial, heavy feel. A high quality product.Read Best Reviews of Knork Matte 20-Piece Flatware Set, Silver Here
While the 18/0's have no nickel to prevent corrosion, my 20 piece Knorks have never rusted. Of course, it helps that I don't leave my dirty flatware lying in pools of dirty water in my sink! If you're lazy, you might want to go with the 18/10's. For those of you who clean as you go, these are just fine. Clean them before you go to bed, place them in your rack and they'll go rust free forever.Being that the chromium gives the flatware its hardness, you will find the 18/0's just as sturdy and hefty as the 18/10's. I prefer the matte finish so shine is not an issue (yeah, the nickel in the 18/10's impart a brilliance that the 18/0's lack). While the $80 price range isn't awful, you can find a better deal from time to time. I found mine for almost half the regular price. Sometimes you just get lucky!
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I have purchase these directly through Knork.net, and got the 18/0 Satin Finish sets (x2).Looking at their video and how they describe the no need for knife was the thing that really made me wanted these flatware. Very excited from the looks of it because it looks high quality.
I was very very disappointed when these went through the first wash cycle. Right out of the box, straight into my new dish washer (installed 2 days prior). Used Finish dish washing detergent, and had Jet Dry in also. When it was finish, I took the flatware out. It was still hot to the touch. What I saw amazed me. 3 out of the 2 sets (2 spoon and a fork) had rust stain on them. Wasn't there when it went in, but there when it came out. Used a cotton cloth to try to remove as much as possible. Have permanent stain on them now. 2 weeks in, spotted another spoon with the same issue. Been a Knork owner for 2 months now, and still spotting these issues once in a while and needed polishing after wash to remove these stains. For the price, I could have gone to Target and gotten something for $20 and would last longer than this. (Actually previous set was from Target (~$22) and lasted 5 years before seeing any issues).
I would not recommend this product to anyone because of my experience. But I can not discount the fact that the forks can cut through steak by rocking it back and forward. And I am sure this idea will be copied by some other brand and sells it at a fraction of the price. Wait for that.
Takeda Aogami Super Gyutou - 240mm (9.4")
Excellent knife, great fit and finish. This is my first Takeda knife and Im hooked on the steel and craftsmanship.Pros:
* High quality carbon steel, Aogami Super Steel (AS).
* The blades are forged entirety by hand.
* Knife has a 50/50 edge so it makes sharpening easier (for those who sharpen their own knives).
* Octagonal handles work for both right handed or left handed users.
Cons:
* Since the knife is high carbon it can rust, so you need to take care to wipe the blade down after each use.
* At 240mm it might be long for some knife blocks.
Pure Komachi 2 Series Bread Knife
At my house, the bread knife gets used every single day, by every member of the family. It gets hammered.This thing was under ten bucks, cuts through even hard crusty bread like a laser, leaves very few crumbs on the cutting board, and still cuts like a champ a year later.
When it dulls, if I can't sharpen it using a pull-through sharpener (had a little success with this so far) then I'll just buy another just like it. Your serrated, bread-type knives, should be just like this one. Cheap to replace because sharpening them is just a pain, able to hold a good edge for their purpose, easy to clean, and high performance in their intended job. The Kai reverse-scallop edge on this knife is as close to perfect in this price class as I could find.
The only change I'd make is to make it an inch longer and charge a dollar more. You can still cut the big loaves with this, but you'll wish your blade were longer. A small price to pay.
Best bread knife anywhere. Sits proudly in the block with my Shuns, which get professionally sharpened on a regular basis.
You can buy a Shun or Global bread knife, and they are insanely great. But you'll regret the cost when they need sharpening. This knife uses the Shun bread knife edge, has good quality steel, and is easily cleaned with its nonstick coating. I have two Pure Komachi knives, this one and the sandwich knife with the same edge style. I depend on both. The rest of my knives are full-on Global and Shun, and I recommend them just as highly.
Sometimes the best knife is expensive, sometimes the best knife is inexpensive. In this case, I go with the inexpensive one.
Try it--it's only a few bucks and you'll probably love it as much as I do.This is the best bread knife my husband and I have ever used. It cuts all kinds of bread (spongy, hard-crusted, holiday fruit and nut-filled cakes,etc.)smoothly and quickly without tearing or excessive crumbs. It's also been used to slice turkey and other items -it's hard to keep it only for bread because it works so well, and also the bright orange color calls out from the knife block! But don't be fooled by the toy-like color; it's supersharp and sent me to the ER for several stitches when I fumbled it as I was showing it off to a visitor (it barely touched my finger and I didn't even feel it when it cut my finger.) The light weight of the knife may have contributed to the fumble, and is something to keep in mind when first handling it. In spite of that, it immediately became a favorite in our kitchen. This was supposed to be a temporary knife until a "good one" came on sale, but we are no longer in the market for a high-end (expensive) bread knife; this knife is great and we both highly recommend it!
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I bake bread..lots of bread. Mostly, I bake the hard, crusty hearth type breads...artisan bread, if you will. When you take the time to create a decent loaf, the last thing you want is to have your bread ripped and shredded because you don't have a sharp serrated bread knife . This is the best bread knife I own. I'm ordering 2 more because my family uses the one I have now for just about everything, and I'm tired of digging around the dishwasher to find the dang thing. I like the feel of it, and the weight..it has a good balance, and the curve of the blade is great for cutting into a crusty loaf of rustic bread. I have the expensive jobbies, and nice though they are, this one is everyone's favorite. The one I have is about a year and a half old and still has a good sharp edge. For the money.....the Komachi can't be beat. (This is also great for cutting into a cantelope)Read Best Reviews of Pure Komachi 2 Series Bread Knife Here
We bought an entire set of these Knives. I read the praise from other Reviewers and they are right. These are wicked sharp and as careful as I tried to be, still wound up cutting myself while cleaning one.My gripe with these Knives are the Handle material. It is a Hard Plastic. It has no texture, design grip or rubberized coating, etc. It makes it not only feel super cheap, but outright dangerous for slipping when your hands are wet. I really was not expecting much for $8-10 a knife, but this is not something to overlook. The worst part is if the plastic gets a nick in it; you get a reminder of how cheap these knives are each time you use it, as the bur digs into you hand like a thorn. Sorry, Pure Komachi... I really wanted to like these Knives because the Blade is of fantastic high quality for the price.I own a set of the Komachi knives: Santoku Multi, Veggie, Fish, and Tomato blade. This is by far my favorite out of all of them! This light weight blade easily maneuvers through tough crusts like butter! With the other knives, I feel like I need extra weight to the blade for stability. This is not so with the bread knife. The scalloped blade makes for a really clean cut that you can't get with a serrated edge. Excellent product for an excellent price!
Alaskan Ulu Etched Bear Wood Handle Knife & Display Stand
I had a stroke that left the without the use of my left hand.With this knife I can eat a steak again. Very sharp, cuts steak with ease.
I would definitely recommend.I am learning how to use. I have bought several for friends and family. Has worked great so far. I got one for my brother who is handicap, I think it will be easier to use then a regular knife.
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Great design, works very well when I use it to cut through and separate waffles, bread dough, cinnamon rolls, etc. It makes a great useful gift that really is appreciated. We use ours a lot. No kitchen should be without it!!Read Best Reviews of Alaskan Ulu Etched Bear Wood Handle Knife & Display Stand Here
perfect for mincing and dicing fresh herbs, and the price was unbelievable. I have it displayed on my kitchen counter, because I like the bear engraved in the handle. (but that's just me)Want Alaskan Ulu Etched Bear Wood Handle Knife & Display Stand Discount?
i bought this for my boyfriend--he loves cooking. but he can't use it because it's not sharp enough. and i don't know how to sharpen it...so we're going to have to find a way. it is beautiful, though, and we can't wait to use it!BladePod 4"-Paring
A small price to pay to protect a high quality knife. Gave it as a gift with the paring knife and have had great feedback. Personally I hang my knives. If you drawer them or keep them n a camp kit then the sheath is a must have.I always keep my paring knife in my pocket at work. This is a great blade cover to protect from any accidents. High quality plastic and easy to clean.J.K. Adams 9-1/2-Inch-by-9 inch by 6-1/2-Inch Maple Wood Universal Knife Storage Block, 13-Slot
Customer review from the Amazon Vine Program This is not your run-of-the-mill, keep-your-knives-in-a-45 degree-angle-knife block.It is distinctively higher than most of those blocks that store the knifes in a 45 degree angle. But it is also distinctively less deep then those other blocks, contributing to a relatively slender footprint.
Because the slots for the big knives are not only on top of the block, but extend half down the front, it is a very different motion with which you pull a knife out not with one swooping pull, but kind of first straight forward and then out. After a few times, this motion becomes natural, though, and you should not have any problems with that. Our big chef knifes have about 5 inches room between the end of their handles and the cabinet floor when they are in the block, and that is ample space to put them into the block and pull them out.
The height of the block is sufficient to not let our big chef knives touch the counter-top.
A very nice feature of this block is its open construction, which lets the knives dry very easily should there still be some moisture when you store them away. With most 45 degree blocks, the moisture is trapped in the narrow slots and could contribute to forming mold there.
Also, my wife uses our knife as holder to dry out her water bottles, which works now much better through the upright position the bottles are in, sitting on one of the knife handles, than formerly with our old 45 degree block.
The block is also very handsomely crafted and seems to be very durable. Plus, I personally like the light wooden color, and that they use maple wood and not plastic, and mineral oil as surface protection instead of some form of paint.
This block is certainly not a cheap buy, but it's features and looks make it worth the price. Customer review from the Amazon Vine Program If you feel, as a home cook, that your knives and block are sufficient for your needs, you may not wish to consider the J. K. Adams block. However, if you are a chef, a serious home cook, or one who aspires to be one or the other and will be purchasing your knives individually, this beautifully crafted maple block may be one you should consider. For example, you may wish to choose your knives from one manufacturer, but if you want top quality knives of your choice from Westhof, Viking, Masahiro, Henckel Pro, or Messermeister, Ginsu, Cutco or any number of excellent knife manufacturers you may be selecting a block as well. Serious chefs will consider everything from the handle of a knife, the steel, to the way it balances in one's hand. Selecting a proper block should receive the same consideration.
This block is designed to hold an assortment of knives. A chef's knife does range in size from six to twelve inches so those who are considering adding the larger knife need to keep in mind that the block itself is approximately nine inches tall. Carving, slicing, utility, boning, fillet, paring, and other specialty knives can either be placed on the top or bottom sleeves. One word of caution is that the six sleeves for your smaller knives are open on the bottom. This block obviously will not fit every knife blade in the world and blades longer that five inches may be damaged if you simply toss them in the shorter sleeve without thinking. If you are considering purchasing this beautifully crafted maple block for your home or professional kitchen, think about the knives you'll be using.
I definitely like the open design of this block. The first thing that came to mind is that it would be easy to clean and much more sanitary than the closed in blocks. There will be little chance of any stray pieces of food lodging in the slots as the J. K. Adams Universal Knife Block has an open, easy to clean design. I would not recommend it if you have little hands that are helping you out in your home kitchen. Another thing I like is that when I reach for a knife I can tip it forward and toward me instead of pulling it straight out or up as in some blocks I've seen. The block can be "seasoned" and maintained with a touch of mineral oil now and then. This block is not for everyone, but for those who want beauty, quality, and function, this is one that you may wish to add to your counter. Customer review from the Amazon Vine Program When I got this, I tore off the shrink wrap, took my knifes out of the drawer they'd been sleeping in and put them in this rack. First the big knives and they went in swimmingly, looked good.
Then I put in the steak knives in front and thunk, thunk, thunk, six thunks I heard as the knives dropped through their allotted slots and hit the marble counter under the rack. It was too short, the part of the rack for the steak knives was too short. Too short it was.
I got another set of steak knives, same deal, the rack was too short. You drop the knives in and they hit with a thunk whatever is below the rack. Somebody should have measured when they designed this thing.
And before you ask, I tried two sets of steak knives and both sets found this rack wanting. So I called my neighbor, asked her to bring over her steak knives, the ones that are in the knife rack by her microwave. And my rack was too short for them too. So, all in all, this rack was a waste of wood. Customer review from the Amazon Vine Program This holds 6 "short" knives (like steak knives) and 7 larger knives total.
This items takes up the space of TWO of my smaller cheap-o butcher blocks, but only holds half the amount of knives. (it's footprint is twice as large as one old knife holder, so it takes up more of the premium counter space.
There is considerably less clearance above this item when beneath kitchen cupboards, than, compared to my old knife holders. That's why I say it is too tall. I'm used to being able to just stick my hand under the cupboard to get to my knives. This one would force me to leave it out on the counter closer to the counter's edge than the back splash, making it more possible that it could get knocked off by accident. With young kids in the house, the risk of that happening just isn't worth it.
There is hardly any room between the large knives for the smaller ones to fit in when full.
In a world of innovative design, this plain old wooden box with slits in it doesn't impress me. Customer review from the Amazon Vine Program I love to cook, and that generates an equivalent love of kitchen gadgets. Over the years, I've ended up with an assortment of extra kitchen knives that don't go in the knife block that came with my nice set. There's a bread knive, tomato knives, steak knives and more. For years I've had them in little bins in a kitchen drawer, but I like having my knives at more convenient reach, in a knife block.
The J.K. Adams 13-Slot Maple Universal Knife Storage Block seemed a good option to collect all of those loose knives into a block. When I received it, however, the block seemed oversized considering how many knives it holds, and is rather utilitarian in appearance, promoting function over form while I prefer a happy balance of both qualities. The wood is an attractive color and finish, but the shape is just completely uninspired. Worse, it is almost completely vertical with no slant to the unit. I prefer a knife block that has a bit of a slant and makes the knives easier to access quickly.
The block has 7 slots for larger knives and 6 for small knives. The small knives fit everything from steak knives to small tomato knives. The larger slots will hold butcher knives, bread knives, and more. Even still, the block takes up much more counter space than I would like for something that only holds thirteen knives.
This knife block works, but it isn't the best option I've seen.
Chef'sChoice Edge Select Pro Electric Sharpener M120
I was very suspicious of this guy, but having actually used it I can only recommend it.We've had one in my house for quite some time. My mother bought it because she is not interested in learning the ins and outs of knife maintenance and read several great reviews of the 120.
I was suspicious, mainly from bad experience with cheezy knife sharpening gadgets, but also because my mom's knives, which had been through the Chef's Choice, always had crappy edges. I had made something of a habit of looking sideways at the Chef's Choice 120 on our kitchen counter.
I finally read one too many good reviews of this product (when I wasn't even looking for them, they just seem to pop up here and there if you read enough about cooking and cutlery), I decided to give it a shot on a Henckel's 5-star Santoku that had lost it's edge. I love the size and shape of a santoku, but it had gotten dull and was superceded by a Kasumi chef's knife I received as a gift. I figured the worst thing that could happen was that a knife I wasn't using would remain unusable.
First off, I Read The Freakin Manual. Do not underestimate the importance of this step. If I had just bought it based on good reviews and ripped open the box, I might have done this, but since I was already suspicious of it, I read through every word of their instructions. If you don't read the manual, the way you assume it works may be wrong (the big mistake might actually be overusing it). More on that later.
Next, before I turned it on, I did a few practice pulls with the power off. Get a feel for pulling the knife through smoothly and evenly. Make sure you keep the knife blade properly aligned with the wheel (i.e. if the knife you're sharpening has a curve, pull in a curve to keep proper contact with the sharpening wheels). Look at a clock, and make sure you're pulling at roughly the speed recommended for your knife's length.
Once I thought I knew how to use it, I made one pull through each side of stage 1. Felt the blade, as per the manual, and I had the burr they said I should feel for. Cool, it seemed to be working. I would recommend doing the burr check, because it does tell you that things are going according to plan. The same test is performed when knife sharpening is done by hand with a stone. After that, one pull on each side in the number 2 slot. Again, I had a burr, things seemed to be going well. Then I made 3 pairs of passes through stage 3, doing the left then right side, as recommended in the manual. Did a cutting test on some veggies. Wow, that thing was SHARP. Definately a better edge than you get from the factory on say, Henckle's or Wusthof's knives. I think my Shun and Kasumi knives were as sharp or sharper from the factory, but this was a nice, sharp, effortless, smooth-cutting edge, and it was equally sharp along the whole length. It's theoretically possible to get a sharper edge, but practically there is nothing left to desire from the edges I get from the Chef's choice, and I will happily be putting that knife back to regular use.
I asked my mom to have a go with the knife, and she was amazed at the edge I got from the same device she'd been using on her knives. It turns out she wasn't using it as recommended by the instructions. For example, she was making multiple pulls on the same side of the knife (you're supposed to alternate, left and then right side), and probably making too many passes. I redid the edges on all our knives, and now they are just awesome. I do feel like I got slightly better results the second and third time I used the machine. Splitting hairs, but it's safe to say it gets better as you get the hang of it. As other reviewers have said, the best thing would be to practice on something inexpensive or throw-away to be absolutely safe. I didn't really have anything that fit that bill, so I just jumped in with a good knife.
So, bottom line is this sharpener can do a very good job, but it's a tool. Like any tool, it needs to be used properly. It may be electric, and it may be a lot easier and faster than a whetstone, but it doesn't have a brain. That's what you're for, so read the manual, make some practice pulls with the power off, sharpen a cheap knife first if you can, and then enjoy. Don't worry about a reviewer who says the thing jams if you try to push the knife against the wheels and thus doesn't sharpen the knife. The manual says not to do that, just use enough pressure to make contact with the wheels.I initially purchased a model 100 from a local Target store. It looked identical to the model 110 that is listed on Amazon's site. After bringing it home and trying it, I discovered that it did not sharpen the knife all the way to the hilt. After calling the 800 number for Chef's Choice, I found out that the 100 is different from the model 110 because of the inability to sharpen the full length of the blade. Both the 100 and the 110 use reciprocating flat stones to do the sharpening. I found that the model 100 had a tendency to leave irregular sharpening marks on the knife, They were sharp but purely on an aesthetic view they didn't look that good after sharpening. I then opted to go for the Model 120.
The Model 120 uses three sets of rotary stones that are controlled by springs that keep a constant pressure between the blade and the knife. It also has spring loaded slots that keep the knife at an exact grinding angle. It is an almost foolproof method of sharpening knives. As long as you maintain an even speed pulling the knife through the sharpener and you allow the spring to hold the knife at the proper angle, you should get the same excellent results that I got. The first stage only has to be used the first time that you sharpen a knife with the unit after that only stage two and three should be necessary.
One of my concerns about using an electric knife sharpener has always been about how much steel is removed from the blade during sharpening. The model 120 has a magnetic cleanout plug under the machine that collects the steel removed during the sharpening process. After sharpening eight knives the filings that accumulated on the magnet were almost non-existent.
I have always been reluctant to try an electric knife sharpener on our Henkels Four Star knives. We have had the knives for over twenty five years and the only sharpening that they have ever seen has been with the Henkel's fixed wheel pull through sharpener and steel along with an occasional "tune-up" by a professional knife sharpener. After using the Chef's Choice the edges of the knives are a good as the day they were purchased.
I highly recommend this unit.
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Nothing beats a good whetstone, but you need to not only know how to use one correctly and hold your blade at a very precise angle, but you also have the time to do it right. I originally bought the (much) cheaper two-stage Chef's Choice sharpener which was great for quickly and accurately honing cheap kitchen knives. I've even used it on machettes, anything with a flat grind can be sharpened with these things...Since upgrading to high-end Shun knives, however, I was uncomfortable with the amount of metal the old one removed and the rough finish it left. After heavy daily use, a manual honing rod simply isn't always enough to keep your blades razor sharp so you'll either need a whetstone or a mechanical device. Dull knives not only work poorly, but they are dangerous to use as well. I've tried the Lansky rod system but it's very hard to hold certain knives in the clamp, which also leaves scratch marks. Not an acceptable solution for $125 plus blades. Sooo, I've upgraded to this device to supplement my whetstone.
This one costs three times as much as the two-stage model, but it works at least three times better. Gradations between the hones is excellent and the third wheel leaves a nice smooth finish. After the initial sharpening you'll probably never use the first one again on any given knife but it's nice to have available. The guides work very well too, helping you maintain a consistent, accurate grind. The down side is that you cannot sharpen hunting knives, daggers, or other blades with a diamond grind or large center spine. Anything flat-, tapered, or hollow-ground works fine. Be cautious not to remove too much material with repeated use though--the diamond hone wheels are very quick and efficient, sometimes more so than you'd expect... They seem to hold up quite well over time too.
All in all I'm glad I bought it. Still need to do things manually from time to time depending on the type of blade and how delicate I need to be, but this really is a top of the line sharpener. Recommended.
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The three stage strategy works very well. I've used many non-powered techniques over the years with mixed success. Rods, stones, gizmos... Most work fine under limited circumstances, but all fall short in either the time and effort involved or their ability to do a particular stage of the sharpening.I have a mixed bag of knives, ranging from Chef's Choice trizor and Sabatier au carbone to no-name stamped junk. Of course, this sharpener had no problem bringing them back to an extremely fine edge, but the interesting thing to me, was how differently these knives progress through the different stages of the sharpening. This may account for some of the different sounding reviews here.
The manual has good tips, read it!
I also have a knife that has primarily been used for construction tasks including sheet metal, sheet rock and digging. Needless to say, this knife was a mess. The 1st stage of the sharpener reshaped the edge in no time.
Once your knives are in good shape, it takes very little time to touch them up with the last two stages. Stage 3 is for straightening and polishing the blade, and stage 2 is a very light sharpening. Someone else here mentioned using a steel between sharpenings which is always a good idea. It's also a lot quicker/easier to pull out and put away, and for some softer knives, I think I get a somewhat sharper edge. (BTW this is an F. Dick 12" fine oval steel)
There was also a comment about not having much success with serrated knives that I have to echo. It can help true an already sharp edge but it can't sharpen a dull serrated blade.
Overall, I've had great results. Both in the quality of the edge it produces and the ease of use.
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Wusthof Gourmet 3-Piece Paring Knife Set
I bought this knife set mostly because i needed a paring knife. I also wanted the Wusthof brand since all of my other knives are that brand and have proved to be of superb quality.The price is what attracted me to this set. I figured it would be better to get more knives for this price rather than one paring knife for about the same price. At first, wasn't convinced that I would use the other two knives with the set until I received them. Now i use the other two more than I use the paring knife. I use the curved knife for boning chicken theighs and for cutting the joints when I'm carving a whole chicken. Its the perfect size. The other utility knife I use for small cutting jobs like cutting a small piece of cheese for a snack or cutting the ends off of an apple, peeling an orange, or even cubing other veggies. These knives are very sharp and don't lose their edge easy. They are also very easy to sharpen. I recommend these to anyone!All three knives are the Wusthof quality I expected. Three different shapes seemed over-kill at first but I found them extremely useful. A well thought out product.
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These knives are a great addition to any kitchen -super sharp, well crafted, versatile. Highly recommended!Read Best Reviews of Wusthof Gourmet 3-Piece Paring Knife Set Here
Wusthof knives are the best knives ever. I got my first one free from a Central Market giveaway. The handles are very comfortable and they stay nice and sharp.Three wonderful small sharp paring knives which are incredibly sharp and great to use for a variety of small cutting tasks. This it the first time I have bought and used Wusthof paring knives, and I thought the ones I had were quite satisfactory until I used the Wusthof knives. I will never go back to using economy knives again I have been spoiled.Wusthof Grand Prix II Herb Set, 2 piece
this set is awesome, if hideously colored lol. they are excellent quality blades to match the rest of the grand prix II line. I love the break apart scissors so I can clean them properly and also use a steel on them. I got the set cuz I thought a smaller knife would be better for finely mincing herbs like oregano with shorter rocking motions like the youtube videos showed me was the pro way to do (lol). however, after having learned to do that the right way, I think a larger knife might be better for me. still, it's a great knife.they green parts feel light and cheap but I don't feel like they are of poor quality.
Le Creuset Stoneware Tea Bag Holder, Pink
I absolutely adore this little tea bag holder! I actually use it more frequently as a spoon rest though. It drives me nuts when my husband stirs his coffee & then places the sticky spoon directly on the counter, so with this little cutie we don't have that issue any longer :) It is the perfect size for a tea or tablespoon, but too small to be used as a spoon rest for cooking utensils. Adorable & good quality as most of Le Creuset's pieces are!



