+1... I even use to sell them! lol
Lifetime warranty too.

Henckels, all I remember is that there are two different kinds; German (top'o'line indicated by two of the "men" on the blade/handle and the, I believe, Indian manufacturer noted by just one of the "men". Neither have a lifetime warranty even due to neglect and mis-use. Go Cutco if you can find a salesman...

 

Are there any good Japanese knived around? This is like BMWs VS Acuras

 

All day long and nobody said Ginsu yet...

Yall are slippin...

 

Bringing this thread back from the dead, I am looking for the last knive set I will purchase in my life. Any experience with Shun? Henckel's seem good, but I am curious if there is better available.

 

I was looking at Shun for awhile, I like them alot. I ended up going with Calphalon's Katana Series though.

They are very similar to Shun in that they are made of layered (33 layers) high carbon VG-1 Steel...

I chose these over the alternatives because they were simply the most comfortable to me. I hold a blade by pinching the bolster and letting the handle rest along my fingers... the Katana series facilitates this by having an extremely comfortable grade from the tang to the blade. Most knives, including Shun, have a very thick and sharp edged bolster that makes cutting uncomfortable for me.

The other alternative was Global, they are very similar to the Katanas in shape. However, I don't find Globals "sand in handle" balancing system to be all that comfortable unless you're cutting vigorously.

All-in-all, I just liked the quality and design of the Katanas. The handle is a synthetic material yet feels of extremely high quality and has the benefit of longevity over the wood handles on the Shuns.

Also, the set comes with a diamond steel that will realign AND sharpen your blades, rather then your typical honing steel.


I would check them out. In the end just get whats comfortable for you. Check out these along with Shun's new Alton Brown series... they have a handle angled at 10-degrees... which could be very handy if you don't like that knuckles on the cutting board feeling. Again though, I don't like Shun's bolster.

 

Do they beg for money or catch fire if you're not careful with them?

 

Oh, also, check out ceramic knives.

I got my girlfriend a ceramic blade in October, it's easily the sharpest thing I've ever seen. 4 months old and it's still sharp enough to cut a tomato into completely transparent less than paper thin slices.

I don't think I could use ceramic blades full time, they are extremely light... look like toys... and aren't comfortable for certain kinds of chopping... but boy are they fucking SHARP and durable.

Depending on how much weight you like in a knife, you may just enjoy them.

 

I don't get it.

 

 

They announce they are leaving your house, only to reappear 4 months later.

 

The Katana's look nice, did you get them locally? I'd like to play with them before I purchase them if at all possible. I've checked out the ceremic knives, but like you said they look and feel like toys, I don't want someone hurting themselves if they didn't know how sharp they were because of there light weight and toy like feel. But it might make sense to keep one around, they are cheap enough.

 

I use lamsonsharp. I think their an awsome knife. But still a little expensive...

 

Got them at Bed, Bath, & Beyond... used one of those 20% coupons they mail out every month. (Can find in paper some Sundays too).

You could get them at like, Macy's, Linens & Things, or anywhere that sells Knives + Calphalon cookware. The only place that doesn't carry them (yet) is Williams Sonoma, but they never change their displays and it's a new series... so I'm sure by Spring they'll have caught up.

Like I said, definately give all your options a try first. I bought the Katana's because they were most comfortable to me, the only real competitor was Global. Similarly, I liked the look. Originally I started out looking at Shun because I wanted a Damuscus Blade, but they werent comfortable. Calphalon combined the best of both worlds for me, PLUS, most of my cookware is Calphalon... I've always been pleased... so I have some brand loyalty.

Point is, you won't know whats best for you until you try them all.

 

I just bought my wife a set of Wustof's (Classic line) for Christmas and they're freaking incredible.

We did a lot of research before buying and if you want a perfect balance with a top quality blade, go with the Wustof's over the Henckels. Before I bought them, I knew nothing about knives. Our old set was made by Faberware (sp?) and couldn't cut through Jello.... (yes, they were a gift from years ago)

The Wustof knives will cut through a warm, soft loaf of bread almst without pressure. Our old knives would compress the bread into a pancake and tear it before actually cutting through it. The Wustof's cut perfectly every time. I'm absolutely sold on them

They also make a set of matching steak knives (like the ones at Outback)... I'm getting those before the summer grilling season hits full swing this spring.

 

Pretty much all top-shelf steel blades cut with the same authority. Just be sure to hone your blade before every use and it'll give you fine, effortless cuts for years.

You pretty much have a choice between two types of steel in high quality "brand name" knives... German or Japanese. Most all of the German blades and many of the Japanese blades are forged from a single blank of steel. Few are forged with multiple layers of steel.

Moral of the story is, other then the difference between German and Japanese steel, most all top-shelf knives are constructed in a similar manner... negating the differences of cutting ability between brands.

The main thing is how it feels in YOUR hand. There is no exact science to balancing a knife, it's all in the hand of the beholder. There's 3 commonly practiced techniques for "proper" knife wielding, and virtually limitless variations between individuals on those techniques... each knife will feel differently to each person depending on their tastes.

Long story short, don't be fooled into buying a knife because it's supposedly "sharper" than any other. If sharp is what you're looking for buy a ceramic blade. Steel is about balance in YOUR hand.

 

* note: I put "brand name" in quotes because there are many custom blade manufacturers around the world who build knives by hand... so there is greater room for variation.

"brand names" like Wustof, Henckels, Calphalon, Shun, Global, etc... all use very similar techniques.

 

... and speaking of "niche" blades...

I came across a very positive review of these absofuckinglutely gorgeous knives with their equally attractive "two-grain (tone) whetstone" designed by french chef Michel Bras in Gourmet last week...



They're Japanese Steel manufactured by Kai/Shun.

One day, I will own a set of all the worlds sexiest blades.

 

I have the a Grand Prix set. I do not endorse Emeril in anyway, buy they had a killer deal on the block set I have. I got all the knives and more for 150 shipped. My mom took a few of the pearing knives.

 

Here is some great info on knives (kitchen) if anyone is interested. Good reading

 

Good article

I had no idea Henckels was no longer forging their knives.

 

Good article.

 

This graphic from the image gallery in that article could be useful...

 

I just picked this for my girlfriend who is a great home chef:

Spyderco Yang 6" blade

 

the wife has the grand prix series. since she got it we added a couple santoku knives to the collection. probably about $500 tied up in that block

 

We have a starter set of Henckel knives. Worth every penny I paid for them. I'm looking at getting a set of steak knives to add to them.

My biggest problem is when my mom comes up and she just puts dishes on top of my boning knife and I get home to find it flexing. It always happens. I've gotten the wife to stop doing it, now I just have to work on everyone else.

 

I thought about ceramic but I drop knives too often. I love the Global knives. Looking for a new set down the road.

 

Just bought myself this: http://www.calphalon.com/calphalon/c...Id=CLCat230053

Calphalon Contemporary Cutlery 17 Piece Set
still in the box though