I've examined more than 15 knife sets at this price range, both in stores and at home. I like this set the most in the under $100 price range. I'm not a five-star kind of reviewer, but all-in-all, this set deserves it.
Firstly I want to say to the zillions of rust-complainers on the internet, that ALL KNIVES RUST IF YOU TREAT THEM IMPROPERLY. Have some knife-respect and wash & dry knives promptly.
PROS:
1. Quality:
Unlike most sets at this price range, these knives are NOT hollow, light, slippery or flimsy. There is nothing worse than so-called "nice" knives from "good" companies or "respected" celebrity chefs, that STILL feel cheapy.
I previously had the Henckel's International Synergy set ($60), and the feel of this set is much better. For only $12 dollars more this set is on another level. These knives have a HAND-FEEL better than many...and I mean many, high priced sets.
These knives are solid; even heavy, and the blades are nice and long. I'm telling you, if you're someone who respects feel and integrity in his tools, you'll be down with these knives. Way down. Like, lowdown.
2. Handle Length:
For some reason most steak knives have inexplicably short handles. These handles are longer and extend properly into the palm. If you're a steak guy, you know what I mean. Don't ask me to cut my steak with a Kewpie doll knife. The other knives in this set have longer handles as well. I'm sick of dainty handles. Even Chicago Cutlery, with its big macho sounding name, give you the typical stubby handles.
Another advantage of these longer handles, is that when cutting, your index finger rests more on the comfortable bolster, than the sharp back of the blade. These are well thought-out knives.
3. Handle Texture:
Some knives are too slick, some too grippy. I don't know what kind of material the handles are (Onieda calls it POM), but the grip is just right. PERFECT in fact. You don't want rubbery, which feels a bit cheepy-cheesy, and lacks class, and you don't want too slick a steel.
Many knife handles, even expensive ones, are often some kind of hard plastic or graphite. Even top quality plastic feels...well, like plastic. These Oneida's feel nothing like that.
Also some sets have handles that are flat and some that are round; without going into it, I don't care for either. This set strikes the right shape; sort of a curved square.
4. Sharp Enough:
I'm not going to tell you that these blades are the best. This is not an expensive set. They're plenty sharp.
Web reviewers that get all frazzled because their new knives are "DULL!", are most likely starting their cut like a clutz. Yes, I've experienced un-sharp knives right out of the box too...these ain't them.
These blades are straight-edged (smooth), not serrated (jagged). Personally I like smooth edged like these. If you keep it sharp, it slices like silk, and your guests will exclaim, "wow, THAT'S a steak knife". Serrated edges are OK, but when they get dull they start to tear at meat, rather than slice it smooth and sexy like.
Serrated are also harder to sharpen.
5. Blade Strength:
The blades are a bit stronger than most. They are not flimsy, which is a common problem at this range.
Mind you, they are not super rigid like some $200+ set, but they will NOT embarrass you. These are high carbon stainless steel after all.
I test blades for strength and rigidity by gripping the handle with one hand, and pinching the blade tip with the other hand, then flexing the blade from side to side, observing the amount of wiggle. Again, these pass the wiggle test just fine.
6. Blade Length:
All but one of the knives complies with recommended lengths. Often you will get a short santoku knife. Not here, it is the full 7 inches. The chef's knife is a big mother. Put the chef's knife in one hand and the santoku in the other and go to war.
7. Value:
For quality, weighty knives like this, it's a good deal indeed.
9. Appearances:
It looks like a proper knife block set. Others may like something prettier. The trim on the block is a bit course maybe. As for the knives, I like that they are rivetless, with the steel traveling seamlessly from the blade to the bolster and on through the handle. Sleek and solid looking. And no place for gunk to hide.
Also the block has a small footprint, so if you have a small counter it works out.
Knife block slots are labelled. Kinda neat. One tends to get sloppy with slots. This keeps you honest.
10. No Rust:
So far no rust, and I've no reason to think it will. If they do start to rust, even though I care for them properly, I will be certain to update this review in BIG FAT LETTERS.
CONS:
1. By tradition and expert recommendation, pairing knives should be 3.5 to 4 inches. This one is only 3 inches. Bummer. That half-inch makes a difference. A good pairing knife may be the most important knife in a kitchen, so this was a real shortcoming on Oneida's part. I have a favorite paring knife, so I just substituted mine for theirs in the pairing slot. But still, one shouldn't have too. It's a waste of a tool and some bucks. I guess it's OK for grapes, whatever.
2. No sharpening steel. Truly, any self-respecting block set (like this one certainly is) SHOULD have a sharpening steel. It's just what's done. It's kinda like selling a pair of shoes without the laces.
3. Block: The steak knife slots are narrowly aligned, so the steak knives are bunched together rather untidily. Knives should line up military straight. Well, as mentioned before, the block itself lacks a bit of fit & finish.
The block is at a medium to slight angle. To access the longer knives you may have to pull it out from under a cabinet. But it will STORE under all but the most low slung cabinetry. It could have been a bit more angled.
4. Kitchen shears (scissors): Personally I don't like the look of scissors in my knife block. Scissor's should be kept in your wife's knitting drawer. I'd rather Oneida have supplied another type of knife instead of these shears. No big deal. I just stuck another pairing knife in the shears slot, and put the shears in a drawer. Now I'm all cool again.
SUMMARY:
This is simply the best knife block set at this price range, period.
I bought this and not only was the black box cracked and broken, I had to go through several ways for them to replace it for me. Today while trying to cut some tillamook cheese the blad broke in half, i have never experience something this poorly made for how expensive it is.
Buy Oneida 13-Pc Side Tang Cutlery Set w/ Block Now
When I received this flatware, I was a little put off by the "made in Korea" stamp after WMF CROMAGNON, a famous trademark from this German company. But after using it for nearly a year now, I am impressed with the durability of the very highly polished surface and the strength of these slender and graceful implements.
