J.A. Henckels International Fine Edge Pro 13-Piece Knife Set with Block

After using a friends set of Henckels, I thought I'd grab a set for myself. What I've discovered in my research is Henckels now makes some cheaper quality and cheaper priced knives as well as their high quality stuff. Fortunately, they have an easy way to identify which is which. The higher quality knives have the original "Twins" logo (looks like two little stick figures side by side) where the cheaper sets have just a single little stick figure man. They still make some very nice sets, this particular one isn't one of them. Just look for the twins and you'll get a much nicer set.

The short story:

Pay a little more money and buy Wusthof cutlery,

and get a lot more bang for the buck.

The long story:

J. A. Henckles make different lines of cutlery. Their

"International" line is lower quality and less expensive

than their top lines "Pro S" and "Five Star."

(The only difference between the "Pro S" and "Five Star"

is the handle. The "Pro S" has a full-tang riveted handle,

and the "Five Star" has a bigger, synthetic handle. Some

people claim the full-tang riveted handles have better

balance.)

Though, Henckels name is more well known than Wusthof

and they sell more knives to the general public, people

who have used the two brands, for the most part, agree

that Wusthof is the better knife. Also, Wusthof seems

to employ much better quality control than Henckels.

Henckels cuts corners when it comes to their sets.

Henckels supplies a relatively small, low grade

sharpening steel with their top line "Pro S" and

"Five Star" sets.

In their top line 18 piece sets, their steak

knives come from a lower line.

Henckels has a recommended retail price and a sale

price on their cutlery. Just about all vendors,

sell Henckels knives at the "sale" price. Henckels'

warranty department will only give you credit for

the sale price of their product, even if you pay

more, and have a receipt to prove it.

On the other, hand, Henckels warranty department is

generous when it comes to replacing old Henckels knives

damaged due to consumer misuse. I thought knives

completely submerged in salt-free water would

not corrode. I thought corrosion needed salt or

air. Wrong. My Henckels knives corroded even

though I just left them submerged in soapy water.

The most popular knife today is the Wusthof

Grand Prix, Santaku knife with a granton

edge. This is the knife used by Rachel Ray

and other chefs on the Food Network. "Granton"

means the knife has semi hollowed-out ovals on

its sides. Granton edges may provide a smoother

cut, with less drag. Vegetables may stick to

their sides less. But knives with granton

edges are not supposed to be sharpened at home.

Moreover, they have very little edge to sharpen

and so have much less life expectancy than an

Identical knife without a granton edge.

Buy J.A. Henckels International Fine Edge Pro 13-Piece Knife Set with Block Now

one of the blades broke within 3 weeks, and the box does not contain any warranty information or an (800) number to call the company for a replacement.

Read Best Reviews of J.A. Henckels International Fine Edge Pro 13-Piece Knife Set with Block Here

I have owned these knives for two weeks and they were everything they said they would be. I found them to be well balanced between blade and handle and the seraded edge on the steak knives made for easy slicing. Although not their most expensive set, I don't think the average user could tell the difference.

Want J.A. Henckels International Fine Edge Pro 13-Piece Knife Set with Block Discount?

I've owned this set for over a year now with no real complaints. The knives have performed beyond my expectations. They keep an edge despite daily use and abuse.

If I could improve anything at all about the set it would be the steak knives. These are thinner than the rest of the knives but are more than adequate to the task.

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