AWESOME knives! Affordable for home use, but heavy enough for professional use! Chef's knife is a real STUD!! Partoku is the stand out, most useful knife I have ever had!Really incredible quality for the price!
Showing posts with label shun chef knives. Show all posts
Showing posts with label shun chef knives. Show all posts
FARBERWARE 11 PC FORGED FINE EDGE CUTLERY SET
AWESOME knives! Affordable for home use, but heavy enough for professional use! Chef's knife is a real STUD!! Partoku is the stand out, most useful knife I have ever had!Really incredible quality for the price!
8 Piece Knife Set with Tempered Glass Block
Customer review from the Amazon Vine Program I do the cooking in the house, so I decided to try out this knife set. They are marketed as "professional", but I would say that they are better described as "high end", the sort of thing that makes a nice wedding gift. The knives are sharp and look good; the holder is stylish (but perhaps fragile), but the knives are not as balanced as other quality knives.Pro:
There are a lot of nice knife designs here, at one fairly reasonable price. The knives are German steel, but made in China. The small instruction pamphlet says they are designed in Australia. They are very sharp, and have nice chrome accents.
The holder has a 30 day warranty, but it looks great and holds the knives well. It is designed such that it uses a lot of vertical space, unlike most wood blocks that take up more horizontal space but don't reach as high.
Overall, this is a stylish set, and would look good in any modern kitchen.
25 year warranty on the knives themselves.
Con:
The kitchen sheers are not nearly heavy enough for the kind of work sheers are used for. They are more like scissors. There is a bottle opener on one end and (inexplicably) what appears to be a screwdriver tip on the other side of that end.
For a casual use knife, these are somewhat hard to maintain. Because of the high grade steel, they will need to be sharpened occasionally, and for the same reason they cannot be used in a dish washer (apparently they will stain, but possibly rust I didn't try it).
The knives are of a "1/2 design" the steel tang does not go all the way to the bottom of the handle; instead, the steel blade is inserted into the handle. A really good quality knife will have the steel go from the tip of the blade to the bottom of the handle. But that uses more of the expensive steel, whereas this design uses cheaper handle material in the entire handle. The knives work either way, but this is the cheaper construction.
I do not care for the balance of the knives, particularly the Chef's knife; they are weighted towards the blade.
The handles are designed for a casual rather than professional hold; the indentations work well when the knife is held improperly, but do not work as well when the knife is held according to culinary standards. The two exceptions are the bread knife, which works fine with this design, and the utility knife, which is only used for small cutting.
I was astonished to find that the very large box it comes in did not include an assembled block! Not only that, it has to be screwed together. They were thoughtful in actually providing a small screwdriver, but still, at the price point, to have to construct the block? I think this was done because the block is glass, and they wanted to make sure the sides did not break in shipment.
I am worried that the glass block may break. I think they would have done better to use acrylic or some other transparent material. It will last well, if nothing goes crashing into it at some point. Also, despite the sharpening that will be needed, there is no hole to hold a sharpening steel.
Summary:
The knives work well, and will provide good service for a casual chef. The nice design makes this good for a house warming or wedding present. Recommended for these uses, but don't give this to a trained chef!
The one issue I have is the "knife block". The one I received does not sit flat on the counter. Second, it sits up and down, rather than at an angle. Therefore, it cannot be against most of the walls in my kitchen because you cannot remove a knife without hitting the cabinet above.
Due to the stability issue and having to leave the block in the open, I worry about accidentally knocking it over and either the glass breaking or the block breaking the floor tile. But this is a small issue that I will probably figure out. This is why I really only would knock off a half star for this.
Again, I want to stress that I love the knives and that is what you are buying.
One last thing. This set is well boxed for shipping. The knives each have a plastic blade sleeve with a hard plastic tip protector for shipping. And each knive is then in its own light plastic sleeve. And the knives have their own interior cardboard box to prevent movement while shipping. The block has everything needed for assembly including a pretty nice philips head screw driver! Just be careful when you assemble and make sure the sides line up so there is no wobble.
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Customer review from the Amazon Vine Program As a professional chef I've worked with many styles, variations and quality of knives. As a basic set these knives certainly have a nice ergonomic grip and feel, but need to have better balance. You could tell that the tang doesn't completely go to the end of the handle yet they are not off balance so much so that the average cook would know the difference. I am basing this review from a casual to moderate cook with a good working knowledge of kitchen equipment.I have professional sharpeners at my disposal plus a variety of steels so keeping an edge on these knives is not an issues as other reviewers remarked. I like the ease in which they sharpened and the longevity of maintaining their edge. The fusion aspect of the knives is a little perplexing in that they certainly seem similar to other knives on the market. The short knife (5 inch fusion wave) certainly seemed a bit awkward in its development. Is it a large knife trying to work as a small knife or a small knife trying to pose as a larger knife?
My rating of each knife
8-inch chefs knife Good
7-inch Fusion Santoku Good
5-inch Fusion-wave Average to Below Average
9-inch bread knife Good
6-inch utility knife Below Average
4-inch paring knife Average
Utility kitchen shears Poor
There are no excellent ratings due to the balance being off, the handles shaped more for casual usage, not professional, and poor rating for such lack luster workmanship of the shears. It's like the designers were watching McGyver and trying to come up with a tool that does everything in the kitchen, yet they really missed the mark.
In regards to the block, well, don't even bother putting it together, since the company never bothered to do so. I personally recommend a magnetic knife rack to hold your knives on the wall or cupboard. They stay out of the way, are easy to get too and clean. The gimmick of glass and steel is not worth the bother in putting together. Leave the case in the box and save your time and patience.
Overall, if you own a stamped set of cutlery or something from a bargain chain store then this set will certainly be a nice addition. If you've already invested in quality and are happy with what you have then stick with them and look no further. It's my hope that the company looks at these reviews and goes back to the drawing board and reworks the knives to better represent the professional aspect they were trying to reach. They are not far off, but certainly far enough to where I can't recommend these knives to serious culinarians.
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Customer review from the Amazon Vine Program This is a pretty decent knife set. The scissors try to do way too many things (there's a bottle opener and even a screwdriver-like-thing sticking off the handles) and end up doing most of them badly, but the knives are good. In addition to the old standards chef's knife, bread knife, paring knife, and so on is the knife i especially like: the fusion wave. It's similar in shape to a santoku, but only 5 inches long, and therefore much easier for me to handle. (I find chef's knives and even most santokus a bit unwieldy.)The knives are a little lighter than most others i've used, but not so much that they feel cheap or have terrible balance.
The knife block, though, is cheap, frustrating, and poorly designed. First off, those shiny metal discs in the corner are just cheap plastic covers for the screws. They scratch easily and don't even look that good to start with. The glass loves fingerprints, so be careful when you're assembling it. If you end up with fingerprints between the glass and the plastic, there's no way to wipe them off. And while the clean, vertical design looks nice and takes up less counter space, it also means you can't keep it under any cabinets on the counter. Ours are a pretty standard height, and the only knife we can remove without moving the whole knife block is the paring knife. Lastly, the knife slots are all different sizes, to perfectly fit each knife. That seems like a good idea, except that it's totally unnecessary and makes putting the knives away a chore. The chef's knife, santoku, and fusion wave are all almost the same thickness, so it's really easy to put one of the latter two into the chef's knife slot without realizing. The slots are only a millimeter or two different. Then you end up playing musical knives trying to get everyone into the right slots because the chef's knife can only fit in the chef's knife slot. In a word, annoying.
And while you do have to assemble the knife block yourself, it's pretty easy and comes with its own decent little screwdriver.
--
Update:
After using these knives near-daily for most of a year, they've all held their edges very well. In some cases, better than far more expensive knives.
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Customer review from the Amazon Vine Program I've been having a lot of trouble with my hands over the past couple of years, so I was eager to try these knives with ergonomic handles. At first the handles feel small compared to the regular wooden handles, but that size and shape is what makes these knives so comfortable to use. After a couple of months of use, I find the most notable thing about the handles is that I don't notice them. With my old knives, I was always thinking about how much my hand hurt while I was chopping. Now I don't think about it at all.The knife blades are wonderful. They're high-quality steel, and very sharp. I think your appreciation of these blades will depend on what you've been using. If you're used to very expensive knives, these may not seem all that special. I cook a lot, but I've always used a mismatched set of fairly cheap knives, so these new ones are a wonderful change for me. They're so sharp that I had to adjust my usual way of chopping to avoid nicking my fingernails and fingers. If you buy these knives, be sure to ditch your cheap knife sharpener and get one that's appropriate for these better knives. Otherwise you may see a reduction in performance over time.
The knife block has some good features, but also one thing I'm still adjusting to. It takes up very little space, which is nice. You can slide it flat up against the wall when you want it out of the way. It's more sanitary than the traditional wooden knife blocks. You can wash the entire block if you want to. It's also nice to be able to see which knife you're selecting before you pull it out.
The one drawback for me is the way the knives sit straight up and down in the block. Pulling them out and putting them back is a little awkward if you're used to the conventional angled knife block.
I'm generally happy with the set after two months of use. I think it's a good mid-range knife set for home use. I especially love the chef's knife, paring knife and bread knife, but I'm finding more and more reasons to love the serrated utility knife, which is one I've never had before.
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Lolasaturdays Wedding Party Cake Knife Server Set with Faux Crystal Handle and diamond accents
I loved this product from the time I opened it. Its looks just like it does in the picture I'm sure it will get the job done and look nice well doing it =)
I would highly recommend this to anyone who is on a budget and will use it for one day. (Yes your Wedding)
I was pleased and impressed with the quality of the product.
Thanks again for sending it so fast, time is the essence when you are planning a wedding and a day is like
a minute. (smile)I purchased this set for my wedding. The theme was black, white, and blingand this set was perfect. The faux rhinestones around the knife & server matched the faux rhinestones around the 3 tiers of my cake. These will only ever be used once and the price is unbeatable.Great for the price it was offered at. Beautiful and elegant, will go well with crustal decorations. The handles don't look very well done, will see for how long they will last.
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Totally Bamboo Lattice Flatware Caddy
Love this silverware caddy, perfect for the large family get togethers. Strong and sturdy, cubbies are large enough to hold service pieces for 20, lots of napkins and the fold down handle is great, move the handle out of the way when not needed. I think it's going to work great for summer barbecues too.
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The small compartments can hold about 10 utensils each. Overall, the item seems to be built solidly. Ideal for small households.Read Best Reviews of Totally Bamboo Lattice Flatware Caddy Here
This thing is cool and looks beautiful. I think its bit of expensive 4-5$ more than usual. But worth having if you are a fan of such items. I highly recommend it.Want Totally Bamboo Lattice Flatware Caddy Discount?
I've been using this bamboo flatware caddy all summer and I love the size and weight of it. It doesn't tip in a breeze and the folding handle makes it store easily between uses. I'm very glad I purchased this one.Save 31% Off
Deluxe 45pc Stainless Steel Flatware Set - Service for 8
I've had this for a few months now but it's starting to rust. but what can you expect with cheep silverware...
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I received this product in unsat.condition. The box appeared to be "bent and chewed up". The flatware looked cheap and even discolored.It was all out in the box. This was ordered for a christmas gift. I did not give it, instead I went out and bought more.Read Best Reviews of Deluxe 45pc Stainless Steel Flatware Set - Service for 8 Here
I feel stupid, I should have read the customer reviews BEFORE I bought this set. Hopefully others will read them and not buy.Want Deluxe 45pc Stainless Steel Flatware Set - Service for 8 Discount?
I bought this silverware set for my daughter and was very embarrassed when I saw the quality. You definitely pay for what you get. This is a cheap, lightweight silverware set and I would not recommend it if you are looking for quality over value.
Hampton Forge Amare 20-Piece Flatware Set, Service for 4
We purchased 3 sets of Hampton Forge Amare Frosted approximately 2001. Love the pattern, the heavy feel and the durability. They still look almost new. We decided to order one more set because even with 12 place settings we run out of spoons and forks before the dishwasher is full. The pieces look exactly like our original Amare Frosted. EXCEPT: they feel just a tiny bit lighter and thinner. Blindfolded I could easily tell which is the original and which is the new. I would estimate that the new pieces are 95% the size, weight and thickness of the originals. This applies to the cereal spoon, salad fork, and dinner fork. Knife is almost identical. The larger soup/serving spoon is the most different at 90% the size and weight of he original.I understand that the originals were manufactured under the name Hampton Silversmiths and the newer pieces are manufactured under the name Hampton Forge. Make no mistake, the newer Amare Frosted pieces are beautiful high quality flatware. If you don't own a set already you will have no issue what so ever. Just be prepared if your adding or replacing pieces like I did, that the newer pieces are just slightly lighter weight and ever so slightly smaller than the old.
5 stars for quality. 4 stars for matching original pattern.
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I had purchased this set in 2005, and have loved it, but over the years, we've lost some of it. Decided to get a 8 more settings, and am disappointed that they aren't as heavy, slightly different shape and especially the "Big" spoon is much smaller than my old set. It's shorter and the spoon part is almost as small as the small spoon. Wish they hadn't changed it, as they look great and were nice and heavy!Read Best Reviews of Hampton Forge Amare 20-Piece Flatware Set, Service for 4 Here
I bought this item because I own the older, heavier, more sturdy Hampton Silversmith flatware, I read the other reviews that these were about 80-90% the same weight as the old ones, but thats totally inaccurate. Its about half the weight and sturdyness of the old flatware. It no longer stands out from other flatware, now its the same as any other cheap flatware. Very disappointed and will not by hampton i the future unless they go back to the original standards.Want Hampton Forge Amare 20-Piece Flatware Set, Service for 4 Discount?
Dexter-Russell Cook's Style Parer, 3-1/4" Blade
i was tired of my henckel paring knife. no matter how often i honed or sharpened it (on a whet stone) it did not cut well. it was actually a nighmare to use it. i still have it and i hate it.i watched a show on TV and they were talking about dexter-russel company. they showed the knives used in a butcher shop, so i thought "if they are using them, it should be good for me too".
so, before i bought it from amazon, i happened to find a local restaurant supply store that carried it. better yet, the local store sells them for $4 each.
i bought 2, gave one for my mom and i kept one.
i really like it. it's sharp, i have had it for 2 months now.
the only issue i have with it that the handle does not "tell" you which side the blade is pointing towards. i have found myself trying to cut something and when i look down, i am cutting with the "wrong" side. Essentially, without looking at the knife, i could be using the spine side without even knowing it.
but that's a minor issue. i'd get another one simply because it's so cheap. and so far, it works great!!
While I'm sure there are better paring knives out there, for the price, it's definitely a five star purchase.
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We have a series of DextrRussell Knife. They are a great product at a resonable price. My wife loves to cook and she enjoys useing her Dexter Russell Knifes.Read Best Reviews of Dexter-Russell Cook's Style Parer, 3-1/4" Blade Here
That says it all it's a great little sharp knife! They say I need a few more words for this review, but what more is there to say!Want Dexter-Russell Cook's Style Parer, 3-1/4" Blade Discount?
I keep this knife in a sheath on the deck of my kayak. It is always in easy reach in event of an emergency, or I just need to cut something. Great little knife.It will rust, and it does bend easily so don't use it as a pry bar.
Yoshihiro- Damascus "Kiritsuke" Yanagi Sushi Chef Knife Japanese Sword Type 11.7" 300mm - Made in J
5/5 Stars I seriously love this knife. But no knife will ever be perfect ;)-The balance on this knife is extremely well done. Very comfortable to hold and use for extended periods of time. Though the handle seems a little larger than most others it feels nice once you get used to it.
-the blade comes fairly sharpened out of the box. very short work on the whet stones yields very pleasing results compared to my other white steel knife. *warning* The very tip of the knife is very thin and looks like it will break off quite easily. (by tip i mean the very point... about 1mm)
-Saya -A little disappointed in the saya, I wish it fits a little bit more snug; however, it gets the job done. I don't transport my knife around much so this isn't a big deal for me.
-Damascus layering is a little "in-your-face" at first but it gets less prominent as i have been sharpening and cleaning and I like it much better.
-Overall it is holding up to the use/abuse I put it through daily. I use this knife as my primary work knife so it sees 50 hours a week at a VERY high volume sushi bar/restaurant.
OXO Good Grips Pro Swivel Peeler
7 STARS ! Having been a Head Chef (4 STAR Hotel in Hampton Court Henry VIII's Palace) in a previous life, I know the benefits of using a highly efficient tool to make a boring repetitive task bearable. After thoroughly researching the market, I came a cross this little beauty. It even makes peeling spuds FUN ! Shush ! don't tell anyone I said that, as I don't want to be thought of as SAD. It does its job superbly well, and is a joy to use.NOTE: In use, I found the swivel peeler to be better for rounder items such as Spuds, and the Y peeler better for longer items such as Carrots and Parsnips. Horses for courses.
When something exceeds your expectations by a country mile, then it must be really good. BUY IT NOW, you won't regret it. Its macho boyfriend, the i-Series Y Peeler, is also superb, and is also a BUY IT NOW !
If you buy both, you will make them very happy, as they can then canoodle together in the drawer in the dark !
A super sharp replaceable blade, a rubber tacky grip, a vastly superior potato eye remover, and it has a great comfortable feel & balance. It has a little heft to it. Highly recommended by me!
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I laughed when my mother said that one potato peeler was better than another. But then I tried using hers and I stopped laughing. If you normally use a peeler (that is, if you are not a tried-and-true knife-wielding peeler) you should try one of these. Borrow a friend's if you must. I don't know why the handle should make such a difference; you'd think the blade was the important part. Maybe the blade is better quality too, who knows. But it makes a world of difference to the person who is peeling, so much easier to peel, better control, whatever. I don't know. But the difference is amazing. I have one now, you betcha!After you get one for yourself, you might be like me and end up buying them for every bridal shower's wishing well.
Read Best Reviews of OXO Good Grips Pro Swivel Peeler Here
This is just a fantastic peeler at a very reasonable price. Has a very comfortable handle that gives you nice control. The metal construction is a nice improvement over the original OXO peeler: its potato eyer is much sharper and easier to use. The blade is ultra sharp also. Not sure if I'll ever need to replace the blade, but its a nice option to have.Want OXO Good Grips Pro Swivel Peeler Discount?
I've been using a dull old Kitchenaid vegetable peeler for more than a year now, and got fed up with it. The appeal (HA!) of this peeler is that the blade is replaceable. So it might get dull in a year, yes, but I won't have to shell out ten bucks for another peeler, I'll be able to shell out slightly less (hopefully!) for a replacement blade. And this blade is SO sharp. It seems much sharper than the Kitchenaid peeler's blade was, so hopefully it won't get dull as quickly.
Wusthof blade guard parer
I use these guards for my Wusthof 10" Chef's (x2), 3" parer (x2), and 10" Santoku (x2) knives. I place the guards inside a travel bag for my Wusthofs to prevent the knives from cutting up the bag or piercing the bag. The inside of the guards have a velvet-like material in order to prevent scratching. As long as you place in the guards when they are completely dry, it works great. These guards stay sharp due to the plush lining and the fact that I have sharpener, I'm not worried about knife dullness. These guards do not stick to the knives or have any type of locking mechanism to prevent the knives from slipping out, so be cautious as to keep them in the sleeves of your case, if you use one. If you are looking for a guard that locks the knives in, then seek another product. I purchased these to prevent the knives from piercing my travel knife bag (I keep the guards in the sleeves of the bag at all times), so the ease of getting the knives in and out of the bag is simple and easy. These work fine for these purposes. I am happy with the purchase.
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This knife protector fits the Santoku knife perfectly as well as the 8" Chefs knife. I purchased different sizes for use intraveling. They fit perfectly without fear of slipping off the blade. Of course, we put them between clothing in
the luggage. The Wusthof blade protectors can also be used for protecting your blades in drawers. However, Wusthof
makes an in-drawer knife holder that is perfect for storage. It holds three long blades on the bottom and four
shorter ones on top. These single holders are a must if you have invested in good knives.
The worse thing you can do to a knife is throw it in a drawer without protection. It will destroy the blade.
Read Best Reviews of Wusthof blade guard parer Here
The felt inside is easy on the knife and nicely cushions a global pairing knife. However, if it ever gets dirty (and what doesn't get in a kitchen), I see no way of properly cleaning this device nor did it come with any cleaning instructions. So, it seems like it has a built in limited life.Want Wusthof blade guard parer Discount?
I bought a set of 8 Wusthof steak knives a while ago and the set didn't come with a storage box. So I had put them all in my drawer organizer. It was horrible. The blades weren't protected and they just banged into each other all the time. But I didn't have another option at the time. Until I saw these blade guards. They work perfect in my drawer. The blades are snugly protected and so are my hands. Plus, using blade guards take up far less room than those in drawer knife blocks. I don't have enough drawers to devote one whole drawer just for knives, so this was a great solution!
J.A. Henckels International Classic Forged 8-Inch Hollow Edge Carving Knife
I got this knife for Christmas. Specifically to carve a 20lb prime rib. It is great. It's nearest competition is more than 100 dollars and I simply cannot justify that amount of money. If you cook whole chickens or duck, any large piece of meat this knife will give the ability to carve in a way that will help highlight what you have been working on all day. I have an entire set of Henckels classics. They are all high quality at an affordable price point. My only concern was how long it would last, it's forged so as long as you know how to sharpen a knife, it will last.
it's not the real solid, high quality knife expected (from having other Henckels knives).
guess you get what you pay for.
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Frist this knife is NOT made in China. Appears to be well constructed. It has nice feel and nice balance. It is what we were looking for. Time will tell more.
Kai Wasabi Black Eastern Knife Set, 3pc
Having coveted a particularly spendy chef's knife made by Shun but not quite ready to make that kind of financial commitment I was looking for a way to take smaller step into the world of super-fine cutlery. Made in Japan, this Wasabi line was developed in partnership with Shun in 2008 and has since garnered a reputation for being among the most well made and sharpest of knives.I was lucky to find the 4 1/8 inch Deba knife locally and over the past six months it has become a favorite in my kitchen.
Single edge, beveled blade is super sharp and I mean *scary* sharp!
Contemporary designed handle is made of powdered bamboo and resin. A sort of D shaped handle that is thinner than I am used to but provides the right balance to work with proper control of the blade.
Made of high-carbon stainless steel which has better edge retention over time.
I use this mostly with vegetables and smaller cuts of meat, with the ability to get incredibly thin slices when needed. Works easily and delicately with things like a chiffonade of basil without blackening the tender leaves.
I haven't tried the other two knives in this set but something tells me that I'll soon need to be getting a larger knife block.
Shun Ken Onion Chef's Knife
I got this knife as a kind of impulsive indulgence, I think it looked cool in its own holder and I had heard good things about Shun knives. However, all those good things are true. It is by far the sharpest knife I've owned, and I've got Henckel Zwillings (not the cheapo kind you get at Target) that have been sharpened to what I USED to think was the sharpest blade around.I'm not dissing the Henckels if I had not indulged in the Shun I would have been very happy with their performance. But I did get a chance to make some observations on how the Shun shone (no, it's not the same "u" as in "Sun" but it's a borderline pun):
Ripe tomato: The Shun needed no sawing action whatsoever. It cut the initial waxy and soft skin like it was being dipped in water. All my other knives need to break the skin either with pressure, angle, or a teensy bit of sawing motion
Dish brush: While cleaning the blade side with a circular motion in sudsy water (safe for sharp knives) I found bits of the brush bristles in the water. Anything that touched the sharp edge was cut, and that has never happened with the best knife I'd had prior to that. I can normally touch a sharp blade without cutting myself, I am not going to try that with the Shun.
Tortilla stack: I make chips out of 8" flour tortillas by taking a thick stack and chopping it into diamonds or strips, then frying. I've always had to get over the knife and press it in because the multiple layers (20) would slow down the blade. Or I'd work in batches of 6-8. With this knife, I cut the whole 20-thick stack with less pressure than I've used for half that many.
Potato while hardly a test for a knife (anything cuts potato) the slicing was awesome. After cutting into the potato, it felt like the Shun DREW the potato into itself and the potato came apart like it was already sliced. If you've ever held a potato in your hand and expected to re-position your hand after you're halfway through, DON'T do it with this knife. It will be cutting into your hand before you even realize it.
If anything got close to cutting like a lightsaber, this would be it. I kid you not. I wonder how long the sharpness lasts, but I'm enjoying it while it's there.
About the Ken Onion design those used to the generous handle on Henckels might find the handle appearing to be a bit short (I have big hands) but that's until you find the thumb and forefinger position that fits almost over the blade. However, once you hold it, you realize it gives you an added cutting advantage. My only complaint is that the advantage is wasted. You'd have to wait till the blade goes blunt before the handle's design can actually help you cut better.
Did I mention I'm extremely happy with it? Happy indulging.
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I have a whole set of these blades, so I'm breaking down my review to two parts: Review of the Shun Classic Blades, and the portion as it pertains to this knife in particular.I absolutely love this knife and it's my main work horse knife. The 8" blade is perfect size for everyday uses for chopping, dicing, smashing garlic, etc.. In my daily cooking, I reach for this knife first, and may pair it up with the Paring Knife for smaller tasks. I love the look and feel of this knife, I love that it's so unique and beautiful, I love that it comes with it's own bamboo stand for disply when not in use. I don't hold this knife only by the handle though, I wrap my hand around the handle and base of the blade to give me a very steady hand. Many chefs do this with regular knives and that's where I got the idea from, it allows more control and steadiness (you really feel this when you're using the larger knives). I'm right handed and do rest my left hand on the curve on top of the blade to steady and control rocking motion when dicing. I found that it's very ergonomical and seemed to be designed just for me. I have absolutely no complaints about this knife, I wish they made more like it.
Shun knives are beautiful creations period. Since I'm Asian, I love the tradition look and feel of this Japanese knife. I love the beauty of the blade and the dark, polished, Pakkawood handle. The unique "D"-shaped, Wood handles are preferable. The shape fits my hand perfectly, and the wood does not get slippery when wet providing a very secure hold. The steel is of utmost quality and sharpness. Do not put this blade into any old electric knife sharpener! Electric knife sharpeners are made to put one angle on any blade. These blades come with a 16 degree angle and you don't want to be changing that angle. There are electric knife sharpeners that can sharpen these knives, but you'll have to do some research and find out which ones can be a fit with these knives. I prefer to hone with a sharpening steel and manually sharpen with a stone if necessary (and I don't see it being necessary to touch it to a stone any time soon). The blade is sharp straight off the factory and as Alton Brown says it's the sharpest straight out of the factory edge as he's ever seen.
These knives are more expensive than most, but I think it's definitely worth it. To have the sharpest, most beautiful knife around it's no contest. If you are on a budget, build your collection slowly. It's been said that there are only 3 knives that are the absolute basics for any kitchen: A 8" Chef's Knife, a Paring Knife, and a Long Serrated blade for cutting bread and larger items. I would add a thin utility knife and a boning knife to that list next. Then I would add those "in-between" sizes as I get more money flow in. =)
If you plan on spending any time in the kitchen, good kitchen knives are a definite must. Preparation is the bulk of cooking and when you have good knives, it cuts down on the danger of cutting yourself, it adds pleasure to the work, and it cuts down on prep time. Knives are also a very personal choice and it's best to at least go to a store and try it out for yourself first. Shun Knives are designed by the Japanese, so remember it's designed for small hands. This makes it fit most women's hands perfectly, but I've heard of guys with larger hands not like it so much and going back to the German knives. So definitely try it out. It's a personal thing, it needs to fit you.
Why spend so much money on a knife? Well, if you spend a lot of time in the kitchen, and you almost always have to bust out a knife to prep a meal from scratch why not use the best? Why spend that time with items that you love and brings you pleasure to use? Many times, it's the small things that brings us the most pleasure in life, and I consider my Shun knives as one of those things. Having something so beautiful and yet so sharp and perfect it makes my time cooking just that much more enjoyable.
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Shun makes the best knives I've ever owned, bar none. They all come with a razor edge and are easy to re-hone with just a few strokes on the Kershaw-Shun steel (well worth purchasing to accompany this knife). It was scary sharp right out of the box. The damascus pattern and perfectly crafted profile slice through darn near anything (food-like anyway) with ease. This one took me a bit to get used to, but after a few tries I've come to really appreciate the ergonomic design. The stand is kind of nice too. The weight, balance, and shape of this knife are perfect for chopping (and heavy slicing). It rocks much better than the "classic" chef's knife design. The only downside is that it tore the heck out of my bamboo cutting board so I had to replace it with an end-grain, hardwood one. I've had it for just under six months and use it just about every day. It has proven to be a great chef's knife, one that really holds up to heavy use and abuse.Want Shun Ken Onion Chef's Knife Discount?
I received this knife for Christmas and recently broke it while doing a straight-down cut through cheese that was frozen in the middle.The lead customer service rep at Shun, named Brittany, said "This is not a chef's knife it is ONLY for cutting fruits and vegetables. Not meats or anything else." Thus, they will not honor the lifetime warranty on the knife.
I'm extremely unimpressed and will not buy another Shun knife again, and although it was nice for the 3 months it lasted it doesn't seem to be as hardy as a true chef's knife.
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Japanese Wooden Butter Knife Red Handle #0669
just what i was looking for. great butter knife, made of a single piece of wood, dipped at the end to make the smooth red surface. good price, showed up pretty quickly.
Victorinox 7-1/2-Inch Wavy Edge Chef's Knife/Carver, Rosewood Handle
I have a friend who's a chef and I've always loved his kitchen knives, but I figured they must be some crazy expensive specialty items that only a hard-core chef would invest in. One day while our families were at a get-together I commented on how much I loved this knife I was using and he told me that not only was it an awesome knife, but it was so cheap; less than $38! I immediately ordered one, along with a sharpening steel. I have to say it's the best money I've spent in the kitchen in a long time. The expression 'cuts through like butter' is right on the money with this one. Awesome. I also picked up a 'Victorinox 47302 Cutlery BladeSafe for 6-Inch to 8-Inch Knife Blades' blade sheath for it (which also works great), as I was a bit paranoid of just popping it into a drawer for fear of slicing a finger or damaging the blade with it just sitting loose with the other utensils. Long story long, get this knife... you won't be sorry.Victorinox Cutlery 7-1/2-Inch Wavy Edge Chef's Knife, Black Fibrox Handle
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Hampton Forge Silversmiths Lauzanne Mirror 45-Piece Flatware Set
I have to say that I am disappointed with this set. We have an original set from many years ago and they have clearly cheapened this product, which is probably why the place we originally bought it from no longer carries this product. It is not as heavy or sturdy I practically bent one of the pieces getting it out of the box. I am considering sending the whole thing back.... The price is right but the quality isn't there. If I didn't have anything to compare it to, then I would say the set is nice enough.
But it's not an ugly set. It's just I know it'll have to be replaced again and at the rate I'm going, I'm using silverware like plastic spoons, forks, etc. Spend a little more and get something you won't have to replace all the time. I hope these last a little longer though and I at least get my $60 worth.
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I own a set (8 place settings) of flatware (same maker and style) and wanted to add to it. This is the same style, but not at all the same quality(it is much lighter and the handles on spoons and forks are "hollow"). The price was good with my new Amazon card, but I would caution folks before buying.I have had for about 1 month and think it is too early to tell if it will hold up.
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Antique Ivory Cheese Spreaders
Very disappointed at this product. Looked better in photo than reality. Cheap, plastic, waste of money and certainly no antique or ivory.
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This looked like there was some gold in the handle decorations, but it did not. Thought they looked very cheap and wish I could return them.Read Best Reviews of Antique Ivory Cheese Spreaders Here
Excellent. Our customers love these with their granite cheese boards. Makes a great set to give as a gift. Professional.Want Antique Ivory Cheese Spreaders Discount?
I've been very happy with these cheese/pate spreaders. They have an antique look but are durable. Liked them so much I bought two sets.
Messermeister Culinary Instruments 6-Inch Cheese and Tomato Knife
This was a gift to my daughter in-law and she loves it! Very pleased with the knife and uses it all the time!
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I recommend the Messermeister 6-inch Cheese and Tomato Knife. It is sharp and has a comfortable handle. It slices vegetables with ease... makes quick work of slicing hard cheeses. The cut-out design in the blade releases food readily. I do not recommend this knife for soft cheeses because of the cut-out design.Read Best Reviews of Messermeister Culinary Instruments 6-Inch Cheese and Tomato Knife Here
Yoshihiro- Ebony Damascus Aoko Blue Steel #1"Kiritsuke" Yanagi Sushi Chef Knife (Japan11.7" (300mm)
it looks very good.the knife is very sharp and i cut the some raw fish.
the raw fish was not hurt.
The knife arrived exactly like the description. It is very sharp and flat on one side for perfectly thin cuts.
It is well worth the money. You definitely get what you pay for. The craftsmanship is excellent.
It met my expectations and then some. Then again these guys have been making knives for over 500 years.
The knife fits perfectly in the sheath and the sheath has a locking plastic bolt.
Make sure you get the japanese whetstones as this knife needs to be sharpened correctly as the edge is flat on one side.
Thanks Yoshihiro!
Wusthof Culinar 5-Inch Boning Knife
There are really two main competitors in the high-end mainstream kitchen knife market: Henckels and Wusthof. Those who have used both usually have a preference. My preference (and therefore bias you should know about) is for the Wusthofs.The Wusthof Culinar line is an all stainless steel look, rather than a black handle. Although the picture and some descriptions want you to think this is a single piece knife, be advised that the hand is a separate piece of stainless steel molded onto the tang. I personally prefer the handle of the Grand Prix and Classic, because the grip is surer for me, but this is, to some extent, a matter of personal preference. This series "looks" more professional to some (like a Viking stove).
This particular model, the 5 inch boning knife is a good knife. In my review of the 6 inch cleaver in the Classic and Grand Prix lines, I noted that most people really don't use a cleaver anymore, as they buy either pre-cut/pre-packaged meats, or they have the butcher cut the meat into loins or steaks for them. However, I think this knife is slightly more useful for the everyday cook than the cleaver. I find this knife useful for both boning and fat trimming. Although this knife is probably not essential for a starter collection, I would add this knife before a cleaver.
That does not work as well as one might think. A larger knife, like a chef's knife or a cleaver, is too clumsy to follow the irregular surface between bone and meat; I've ended up with wasted meat on the bone, and chips of bone on the meat. A smaller knife, such as a utility knife, is just not up to the force required for cutting through tough tendon or gristle.
Enter the boning knife, specially designed for this task. The slim, slightly flexible blade is maneuverable enough to follow the curve of the bone; the oversize handle facilitates a good, strong grip, making it easier to part gristle and connective tissue.
The special features of Wusthof's Culinar line are especially useful in a boning knife. Wusthof's blade alloy the best in the business holds a razor edge well, greatly reducing the required cutting effort. The curve of the stainless steel handle fills out the palm of the hand, making it easy to apply whatever force is needed, while the taper of the handle makes it comfortable no matter what your hand size. Since cutting raw meat can be a messy job, the easy cleanup of this all stainless knife is also a nice feature. Contrary to one of the other reviews, these advantages add up to far more than looks.
My first use of this knife felt magical the knife became part of my hand, and the meat seemed to fall off the bone by itself. If you ever need a boning knife, you won't regret having this one.
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I wanted to replace my cheap knife block set with a great one that can last a generation and found Wushtof Culinar Series to my liking. Initially, I thought the metallic handle could be slippery. So, I went to a local store and tested it and found it to be be very very grippy and solid to hold. I liked how these knives curve on the handle. That helps handle get a perfect grip in the hand.I always hated cutting meat because of hard it was to cut out some fat that was streching forever with my old knife. This knife is not only very sharp but it is not slippery even though the handle is steel.
This probably will be your favorite knife if you cut meat a lot.
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