
The Raw Gourmand
P.O. Box 520
Sardis, MS 38666-0520
323-I-EAT-RAW
rawcritic@yahoo.com
REVIEW OF:
Bryan Au, Raw Organic Eco Chef
Raw Star Ceramic Knives
Contact: Bryan Au
P.O. Box 1911
Manhattan Beach, CA 90267
Website: [...]
E-Mail: rawbryan@hotmail.com
Many people have told me "a knife is just a knife!" This could not be further from the truth. I was asked by Chef Bryan Au to review his ceramic knives. And, here it is; this is my honest opinion and my review of the ceramic knives in general, and his specifically.
Ceramic knives are special and better in so many ways. First, a ceramic knife will never rust since it is not made of steel. There is no chance of getting metal ions in your prepared foods. As a raw/vegan and a person concerned about health, I do not want possible toxins in my food. Since ceramic will not react with foods the way metal can, sliced foods stay fresh longer. Best of all, your fruits and vegetables will not wilt or turn brown because of contact with metal. With these knives, there is another advantage. Since the handle is made from Eco Luxurious Bamboo, it also helps to save the environment.
Until now, Kyocera has produced the most popular black ceramic blade. Their 6" Ceramic Chef's Knife retails for $225.00, and can be found on sale for around $202.50. They do have some cheaper models, but even those run $15-$18 per inch. This is quite an investment for the beginning chef. The question is, how will the Raw Star Ceramic Knife compare to the "top of the line" Kyoceras.
The first thing I noticed about the knife was the sleek design. The black blade with the bamboo handle is very, very elegant. But, having a lot of experience with knives, I know that appearance is not everything. As I removed the knife from its box, I could not help but notice that it had a perfect balance for cutting. The Au knife has wonderful balance from hilt to tip for cutting all types of foods where a serrated edge is not required. With a blade slightly heavier than the handle, the balance is precise. In the case of this knife, the heft (weight) allows the user to rely more on gravity than on sheer muscle. However, the relative lightness compared to stainless steel knives is noticeable.
Personally, I love the fact that ceramic knives tend to stay sharp and hold an edge 10-15 times longer than the finest stainless steel knives. With the knife, I was able to slice tomatoes, carrots, celery and other vegetables with no effort whatsoever. From the tip, through the edge, and all the way to the heel, the knife cuts evenly and effortlessly. With raw carrots, slight pressure on the spine allows a good clean cut. The bolster of this knife provided excellent protection for my fingers while cutting these and other root vegetables.
While preparing a salad using the new knife, I also decided to smash some garlic cloves. I have long used the blade of my knife for this action, but that has always been with a stainless steel knife, and never with a ceramic. I found that the ceramic, despite its lightweight feel, worked wonders. The hard ceramic surface of the blade makes an excellent "garlic smasher."
At a price of about $10 an inch, these knives are a steal for the experienced and amateur chef. I found them on his website at a great price, and also on www.amazon.com. As an extra incentive to my readers, Chef Au is willing to include a free 100% organic cotton t-shirt with every knife order (a $20 value) if you mention that you read about his knives in this review. Listed on his website, you will find an 8" knife for $80, a 7"knife for $70, a 6" knife for $60 and a 4" knife for $25.
Personally, I will be adding several to my kitchen utensil collection. I can make you a promise; if you use one of these knives one time, you will not want to go back to using stainless steel. Cleanup is quick and easy. They will also make great holiday and birthday gifts for friends and family.
Watch for our next review in a couple of days. This one will be on a DVD that Chef Au has produced. You will love it, and it will help you prepare some wonderful raw meals, hopefully using your new black ceramic knives.Get more detail about
Raw Star 6" Black Ceramic Knife with Eco Bamboo Handle.