Tuscan Grapevine Breeze Tempered Glass Cutting Board 8" X 10"
John Boos Au Jus 18-by-24-Inch Maple Cutting Board
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WOW. I have heard about these boards for a while now but thought what could be different. Well seeing is believing. This is a great board. I used it throughout Christmas Eve and Christmas day. One side for chopping and the other for carving a prime rib.One note this is a huge board. Make sure you have room for it. I measured out the smaller one and did not think it would work; I thought I ordered the next size up (thinking they would be small jumps in size). This thing is HUGE. Not a major problem for me but I could see someone with a small kitchen having trouble.
I have a feeling I will be ordering another "small" one for daily use.
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Love,love,love it. The butcher block was just what I wanted and at a goodprice also.
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Solid, well made, excellent cutting surface. Looks great and shape makes it a perfect carving board for the table. Highly recommend.Update International TCD-24 Stainless Steel Turkish Coffee Decanter, 24-Ounce
The exterior is polished stainless steel, the interior is brushed stainless steel; it's easy to clean and it looks brand new. The long handle stays cool to the touch and the spout pours out water smoothly and evenly.
It's true, the handle had to be tightened, but I only did it once, and now it feels quite sturdy. I had this type of ibrik before, and while it might not last a lifetime, with proper care I'm sure I'll get a good few years' use out of it.
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The others were made in Europe, I think Germany, this was made in China and almost immediately, the handle had to be tightened. What might have taken a year took 10 days.....J.A. Henckels 10-Slot Beechwood Knife Storage Block
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This block is well made and very similar to one I've had for many years. We've figured out they will last even longer if we made sure the blade is wiped dry before inserting it. Maybe we are the only people that learned the hard way but when our old one finally broke we could see the moisture was causing the inside to become soft and moldy. Yea...yuck! This block will las a long time.Read Best Reviews of J.A. Henckels 10-Slot Beechwood Knife Storage Block Here
I like the light color of the wood. It looks good in my kitchen. I have some knives that are the same brand as the knife block as well as a few other knives and they all fit well in the knife block.Want J.A. Henckels 10-Slot Beechwood Knife Storage Block Discount?
Kuhn Rikon Flexi 6-Inch Knife Spatula
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Quick and easy to chop fresh herbs, scoop them into the soup pot, then easy to wash clean for next use. a great product!!!Read Best Reviews of Kuhn Rikon Flexi 6-Inch Knife Spatula Here
I was very disappointed when I received this knife at first. It seemed used it has many small scratches all over the blade on both front and back sides. Moreover, it has some tiny unknown black rocky things stuck on the coating of the blade. I tried to remove one of them but ended up making more scratches, which made me wonder about the quality of the coating. I thought of returning it. ( By the way, their customer service seemed rather good because they tried to communicate with me and to understand whats going on in the first place.) However I did not return it in the end because later my wife found it perfect for cutting lettuces, onions, and some sorts of vegetables and we started to use it everyday. Even though the unknown black rocky thing still stays on the blade, it seems okay. Just that from time to time we have to check back on the thing to make sure it does not go into our food materials.Want Kuhn Rikon Flexi 6-Inch Knife Spatula Discount?
I love the entire line of Kuhn Rikon knives with nonstick coatings. And this knife is no exception. It is very thin, slices like a dream, and has the built-in spatula feature.Because it is so thin, it's not great for hard vegetables (winter squash, large onions, etc.), but hey, it's not made for those anyhow. It's made to thinly slice cucumbers, tomatoes, small onions, and the like. You'll be amazed at how easily you can thinly slice food!
J.A. Henckels International Forged Premio 18-Piece Block Set
the only thing i can think to say is that the paring knife is a little awkward, the grip almost feels too big, or perhaps the blade is too small, but that my just be me. overall a great set of knives for someone who wants quality, reliable cutlery without spending 500+ dollars. i intend on using this set for quite some time into the future.Look, flat out, these knives are probably going to be more than you'll ever need. If you're wondering if this set is going to be good enough for you, then you don't know enough about chef knives to require the $279 Wusthof Santoku that only a chef could appreciate. Besides, most people don't realize that there's more than a hefty price tag to a fancy knife: maintenance. Yes, even the nicest of knives can't hold an edge forever, and the high level of professional care and maintenance required to keep those knives that way is only worth it to the most serious of cooks.
For those of you who are home cooks who want to treat themselves to something nice for their kitchen, this is the highest level of cutlery you'll require. These knives require just the right amount of care to make them worth their weight, balance, and precision. I promise you, the quality will surprise you.
There are two reasons I didn't give this item 5 stars.
1) The description says "Made In Germany." I still think these are awesome, but the blade clearly says "Made in China." So, for those of you out their chastising us reviewers for no noticing the "International" in the title, the description still needs to be fixed.
...on a more practical note...
2) These knives definitely could have a sharper edge than the one out of the box. Depending on your skill and/or devotion, I would recommend either investing in some sharpening blocks and training, or take them to a professional. I tend to stay away from those "insta-sharpen" products, but that's just me. If treated correctly, these knives are more than capable of having a razor edge.
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I bought these knives after looking at Costco, Sam's club, Bed, Bath and Beyond, and a number of online venues. I finally ordered these despite the lack of reviews. I was a little disappointed to see that my knives were on back order. It stated that they were going to be shipped in two months. I was pleasantly surprised when they showed up three weeks later. This is the best price I could find for the the amount of knives you get, especially for the high quality of Henckels. I have had the knives for about two months, they are great! They feel great in your had and cut extremely well. I absolutely love them! I would highly recommend this set to anyone. As stated earlier, if you are after a high quality knife set this was the best bang for your buck I could find. All of the knives are forged, even the steak knives, which is something that may differ between other Henckel block sets.Read Best Reviews of J.A. Henckels International Forged Premio 18-Piece Block Set Here
These are quality knives without an overly expensive price tag. That said, they are worth the $200. Consider it an investment. I use these knives every day and every day I am pleased with how they perform. They are very sharp, as they should be, so be careful with them.Want J.A. Henckels International Forged Premio 18-Piece Block Set Discount?
I have a set of these Henckles forged knives and love them, so I spent a lot of time online finding the best set as a gift for relatives. They absolutely loved the set and raved about how sharp all of them were, and were especially happy with the paring knives. All in all, a fine value, and with 8 steak knives, can be used for big family get togethers. I recommend them and own them.Victorinox Cutlery UltraShield Cut Resistant Glove, Medium
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At last! I can now use my mandoline(s) for a multitude of kitchen chores without fear of a trip to the emergency room! Naturally, I haven't tried to see how well the glove stops the blade, but after several apple pies and shoestring potatoes, I remain undamaged! The size medium glove just fits--I normally wear a womens' Large. Great product.Read Best Reviews of Victorinox Cutlery UltraShield Cut Resistant Glove, Medium Here
Just purchased this to use with a mandoline slicer. I was able to confidently slice vegetables that are too skinny to use the hand guard that came with the mandoline, such as carrots, summer squash and greenhouse cucumbers. I still exercise caution since the glove states cut resistant, not cut proof.Want Victorinox Cutlery UltraShield Cut Resistant Glove, Medium Discount?
I am a professional Chef, you would think I wouldn't cut myself, but it happens. This glove is great. It gives dexterity to my fingers and the resistance to cuts is exceptional. It's a bit pricy but well worth it. I bought several through the years and wont buy another brand.Mikasa Bravo Large Salad Serving Fork
Arcos 12-Piece Forged Steak Knife and Fork Set, 4-Inch
Furi Rachael Ray Gusto-Grip 8-Inch Sharp and Store Chef's Rocker Self-Sharpening Knife with Stand
Always sharp, good balance. As good as some of our more expensive german steel knives. Highly recommend this product.The knife definitely met my expectations. Very ergonomically comfortable. I like having the storage/sharpener. The cost from Amazon was much more economical.I am very pleased with the knife and i would recommend the product to other people because i know that after they use the knife they will be as pleased with the results as i was.Always ready for use with a sharp blade. My husband loves it too. I would like one designed a bit smaller.I use this knife all the time. I love that it has a sheath and a sharpener in it. I can give it a few extra swipes when I take it out of the sheath to sharpen and then do my chopping. The price was great and I'm very happy with it, good buy.
Sekizo Yanagiba Sashimi Knife 240mm #F741
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To be clear, I am a newbie to in-home sushi making. This knife is pretty inexpensive, but I wanted to get an idea of how to sharpen and use it effectively before buying a more expensive knife. This knife is very sharp and handles well. Although, I am new to sushi I am not new to cooking. This knife works well for it's purpose. I recommend this as an alternative to spending $200 on more authentic sushi knife.Read Best Reviews of Sekizo Yanagiba Sashimi Knife 240mm #F741 Here
I bought this knife specifically for the task of slicing sushi rolls. I can't stress how important a good knife is when making sushi. When I first got the knife I tested it by trying to shave my arm, I was not expecting it to be that sharp. I was very wrong the thing is razor sharp. The metal is thin and it doesn't have much weight, definitely not the best knife in the world, but for the price and quality it can't be beat. I am so glad i bought this knife! I am sure that the knife will stay sharp for years since I only plan to cut sushi with it and maybe some meats on occasion. Be very careful when you use this knife, I cut myself slightly just by brushing up against while I was moving some food around. Long term heavy use I can't imagine the knife will be able to hold its edge, but man for light occasional use, this knife can't be beat. One more thing, hand wash it and dry it, be careful while you clean. Don't get careless with the knife and it will treat you well.The knife is well-balanced and the blade arrived sharp and ready-to-go right out of the box. The handle, however, is porous, somewhat rough, unfinished wood and a bit irritating to the hand and fingers with only moderate usage. I recommend finish sanding with 320-grit sandpaper and sealing with an appropriate water-proof finish. With 20 minutes of work, I am now very pleased.CulinHome Melrose Collection 3-Inch Peeling Knife
Magmates Magnetic Blade Guard
KitchenAid Cooks Stamped 5-1/2-Inch Serrated Utility Knife
Cuts well and has a thick, long handle.
The bad....
There is no hilt and the flare between the handle and the blade is nearly nonexistent. Where the cutting edge of the blade meets the handle, the blade is razor sharp most kitchen knives seem to have a short section of blade there that is blunt. So two people in our household have gashed the tips of their thumbs.
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I had to return these knives. They were red,not black as shown in the picture and they were the wrong knife. That was MY fault. The color was theirs. THey gladly refunded me. Great company to deal with.Read Best Reviews of KitchenAid Cooks Stamped 5-1/2-Inch Serrated Utility Knife Here
Victorinox Cutlery 10-Inch Sandwich Knife, White Fibrox Handle
For the next fifteen years, it received heavy usage around the home until we moved all of my professional cutlery disappeared while in transit with the moving company.
Basically, for twenty-four years this knife received almost everyday usage. It was never resharpened during this time and was either kept in a proper knife block or used only on a wooden cutting board. At the end of this period, I could easily remove a 1/16" slice from a very ripe tomato.
I recently discovered that this piece of cutlery was available on the internet and though disappointed that the "Rosewood" handle was no longer in production (Thanks NSF), and ordered a replacement.
While it has been my experience that a "factory edge" means that they at least tried to grind the blade, this is not the case with this blade. The 2" straight section nearest the handle will shave you as delivered, and the remaining 8" of "Waverly"edge is virtually surgically sharp.
DO NOT get stupid or careless with this knife!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
It cuts three ways DEEP, WIDE, and CONTINUOUSLY!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Buy one for yourself,store it in a protected location and use it only with a wooden cutting board and expect to give it to one of your children when you pass on.
Shun Elite 3-1/2-Inch Paring Knife
Yes, they were sharper than my freshly sharpened Henckels 4 Star's, but not in a great and dramatic way, and considering I had spent $180 for two knives, I wasn't exactly thrilled. The Shuns were, however, much more comfortable and much more sexy (for cutlery) than my classic Henckels, no doubt about that. Still, I wanted something ultra "Japanese" sharp with those insane 16 degree edges. I returned the two Classic knives and invested even more (almost double the original amount) in the same two knives from the Shun Elite line--an 8" Chefs knife and a 3.5" paring knife. I had done my homework and read about the new powder steel technology involved with these Elite knives (and how many see this as the future for finer cutlery), and how the blades started and stayed sharper because of this harder SG-2 powder steel (Rockwell rating of 64). All in all, it sounded good, but these were BIG bucks I was laying out, and I had been less than thrilled with the Shun Classic knives...
Well, happy to report that these are the Japanese knives I have been dreaming of--EXTREMELY sharp and sushi-knife like; they go through food as if they are powered, as if everything is butter. The Chef's knife is the sharper of the two and dicing a raw potato or cutting through a butternut squash is a marvelous experience with these knives. While examining the chef's knife's edge at a restaurant over lunch, right after purchasing them, I semi-cut myself on this incredibly sharp knife-it sliced the top layer of skin, though there was no blood. It delighted me actually, as this is how the sharp single edged Japanese sushi knives are--scary (as in you have to be careful) sharp.
I love the handle and grip on these knives--the Classics were comfortable enough with their D shaped handles, but the Elite's handle is more ergonomically designed for the hand, and very beautiful to look at it too with it's copper trim and tiny inlaid plaque midway in the PakkaWood handle. I must say however that the PakkaWood finish is much better on the paring knife--glossy black and shiny; on the Chef's knife the PakkaWood is much duller and you can literally see visible scratches from the polishing process; perhaps this is Shun's final touch for the ancient Samurai effect, but personally on a $200 knife I would like a perfect glossy finish. This is really nitpicking, I realize, but I did examine 4 brand new 8" Elite Chef's knives at the store and they were all like this, and one in fact was more severe than the others (the scratches were severe enough to mar over the inlaid plaque).
The relationship between knife and cook is a very personal thing--you really need to feel and handle a knife before buying when investing this much in cutlery. The Shun Elites fit my big hand wonderfully, creating second nature from the first moment, and the balance is perfect (for me). I adore how these Elites have turned daily chopping and cutting and mincing into a sensuous and delightful experience. I quarter and then filet fruits such as Kiwi for my parrot and I, and with the Elite paring knife it is like doing so with barely any effort at all--as if the knife is following my mental plotting through the fruit, all on its scary sharpness own.
Adoring these 2 Shun Elite knives, I honestly feel it was worth the almost $340 that they cost me. And I know from experience that are a definite and BIG dramatic step up from the Shun Classic line. The Elites are truly about performance and the cutting edge in knife sharpness, and not just a hype "fancier embellished" product for wealthy kitchen freaks looking to unload their disposable dollars.
My only caveat? BE CAREFUL, these are the sharpest knives I have ever experienced (short of single edged Japanese sushi knives) in 30 years of being in the kitchen and around knives, including graduating from CIA and working as a professional chef for a few years.
_________________________________________________________________________________________________
***UPDATE:
A friend, inspired by my kitchen equipment renovation, went out and bought Global knives, preferring them for his high-tech shiny stainless kitchen. He asked me over for a cutlery show-down with my new Shun Elites. I was ready to rub his Globals into the dust!
After an entire afternoon of chopping and comparing, we both came to the same overwhelming conclusion--the Globals were sharper and easier to use. It's not that they are sharper per say, but if you examine them closely, the Global's edges are slightly concave, and are burred and rough, while the Shun Elites are polished to a gleaming and shiny, and taper to a much more straight point. My friend and I both felt that the Global's burred concave edges allowed the Globals to sorta gripe and slice/slid through everything from carrots to meat with more ease than the Shun's polished and acute edge. Because of this ease, we can also logically foresee the Global's staying sharper longer as well, despite the higher rockwell rating of the Shun's high tech SG-s powder steel. However, who knows...?
We even tried shaving hair off of our arms, and the Globals won this test with ease.
I loved my Shun Elites--they were sexy and beautiful. But the Globals were obviously designed by and for chefs--they are much easier and nicer to use, and as I said, they just effortlessly (read rip) through any food with no effort at all; I was very impressed--so much so that I returned my Shun Elites and exchanged them for a complete set of Globals, which are less than half the cost of the Elites--and I got twice as many knives (never have had a good bread or boning knife before!)
While everything I originally wrote above is still very true, I highly recommend that if you are searching for truly sharp (as in Hello, Mr. Winter Squash!), easy to use kitchen cutlery, that feels like an extension of your hand and arm, that you check out Globals as well as the Shun Elites. They are both wonderful knives, but I genuinely have to say I see why Globals are so popular with professional Chefs--they are awesome knives--maybe not as sexy and hand crafted as the Shun's, but they more than make up for that with an incredible ergonomic ease and free flowing sharpness that makes them a joy to use.Added 5/3/11......I'm not removing any stars. I am not retracting anything written below. However, I did just become aware that Shun's previously advertised complimentary resharpening service has been discontinued. I am resentful. It's one of the reasons I purchased the knife. It was a value-added component of the item which has been taken from me without consideration. I understand it, but I resent it.
Here is my original post: A few months ago I finally got tired of my el-cheapo parers and got a Tojiro 3 1/2" (blind purchase for me; it came out on top of one internet review) Excellent blade steel but straight edge configuration not to my liking. Prefer a slightly curved edge, sort of like a mini-chef's knife curve, like most of them have.
Finally gritted my teeth and bought the Shun Elite 3 1/2". I'm no longer gritting my teeth. This is a wonderful knife! Better (maybe best?) blade steel, substantial easy-to-manipulate handle, and the gently curved edge I prefer. Comes to my hand like an old friend and really performs in-the-hand or on-the-board. Wish it was cheaper, but it is absolutely the best parer I've ever used -and that would be a lot of them over the decades. This is my second Shun Elite (also have 8" chef's knife) and I'm becoming quite a fan of SG2 blade-steel. It's quite rigid, very little flex -a quality I prefer, especially in smaller knives.
I really like the larger Mac knives but Mac's smaller knives all have handles that are annoyingly short for my hand. Some people like that, but I absolutely do not. I think a quality blade needs a substantial handle to really perform and be easy and safe to handle. This Shun has one.
Can't speak to edge-retention at this early date but if it's anything like the Elite 8" chef's I already have, I'm not concerned in the least.
Promptly bought two more for gifts. If you've got the bucks, I recommend it without hesitation.
Buy Shun Elite 3-1/2-Inch Paring Knife Now
This is one lovely knife, from the beautiful blade to the handsome handle. It is a joy to use. It has a perfect weight and balance.If there is someone special in your life who is getting married and they like to entertain, 4 or 6 of these would make a splendid gift. To my knowledge, there is no box available to store them between between dinner parties. I'd make a roll out of nice leather. If the party menu included meat to be cut, the dining experience would be substantially enhanced. It is a perfect steak knife.
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It's a well crafted knife but it got dull very easily; I'm still not sure how the sharpness will hold after having it sharpened for the first time.Victorinox 10-Inch Slicing Knife, Rosewood Handle
Dezine Black Handled Crinkle Cut Knife
Very economical and practical. Would highly recommend.
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This knife is perfect for cutting cheese and vegetables. We use ours mostly to cut bricks of cheese. It is so easy and we no longer have uneven slices of cheese . It slices through the cheese effortlessly.Read Best Reviews of Dezine Black Handled Crinkle Cut Knife Here
THIS IS THE CAT'S MEOW OF CRINKLE CUTTERS. SUPER SHARP, WELL MADE, EASY TO CLEAN AND EASY TO USE.Bought this for my wife with the intention of using it as a soap-cutter for homemade soap loaves... works like a champ! Grooves are wide enough to clean easily, construction seems sturdy, handle is comfortable (although it could use a bit rougher texture for better grip).Zwilling J.A. Henckels Twin Four Star 5 Inch Hollow Edge Santoku
I am an advocate of EXCELLENT kitchen knives because they are so much more safe to use than crappy knives. When you use one of these, you are in control, even when cutting something hard and round like a winter squash or a huge, firm onion.
After Hurricane Katrina, when my stuff was in storage on the other side of the country, I went out and bought some inexpensive (OK, CHEAP) kitchen tools to get me by until I could get my things out of storage. I had TWO different knives break apart in my hands while I was using them! You know the kind: cheap plastic handle, poorly joined to the blade, not terribly sharp. Yikes.
What a relief it is to have a good knife in my hand again. I can focus on cooking, rather than on avoiding maiming myself with a cheap blade.
Every household needs at least three good kitchen knives--a paring knife (for trimming mushrooms and slicing small veggies, like carrots), a smaller chef's knife (for chopping onions and small cabbages) and a large chef's knife (for slicing bigger, harder things like watermelons and butternut squash.)
This 5" santoku nicely bridges the gap between the small and large chef's knives--perfect for people on a more limited budget. I used mine tonight to thinly slice a large onion. It slid through the onion like a warm knife through soft butter and the slices fell away from the knife cleanly as advertised. Using a good tool made well is one of life's enduring little pleasures.
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This knife helps to round out my collection of Twin Four Star knives. This model is a little less cumbersome than the 7" version but I wouldn't trade either of them for anything!Read Best Reviews of Zwilling J.A. Henckels Twin Four Star 5 Inch Hollow Edge Santoku Here
i bought this as it was advertised-a 5 inch blade.the pkg. claims it is slightly longer.it works well for small hands and is very sharp.Want Zwilling J.A. Henckels Twin Four Star 5 Inch Hollow Edge Santoku Discount?
This is an outstanding knife. It has replaced my Henckels 6" chef knife as my go to knife for smaller jobs. I thought my knives were sharp, but this knife is so much sharper that I'm now sending my other knives out to be professionally sharpened. I highly recommend this knife and at the sale price, it's a real bargain.
