Order Friedr. Dick 1905 Exclusive Series 8-Inch Chef's Knife

Very nice knife. Long blade with a sharp point for large food prep and for delicate work. Quite sharp out of the box. Likely will last the better part of a century, as I have some F. Dick knives from 1905 in the collection and they still sharpen up very well indeed.Get more detail about Friedr. Dick 1905 Exclusive Series 8-Inch Chef's Knife.

Cheapest Shun 7-3/4-Inch Stainless Steel Chinese Chef's Knife

This is not a knife for everyone, but for those who like this kind of knife, it's wonderful. I bought this to cook Chinese food mainly and it is wonderfully sharp and well-balanced. I still prefer my santoku because I'm more used to the size and weight of it, but I can tell this is a really good knife. When my in-laws (who are excellent Chinese-food cooks) come over to cook -- they like to do this every now and then -- they go straight for this knife, and absolutely love it. They grew up using large knives like this and say it's the best they've ever used. It's really sharp and has a beautiful blade. Since it's all one piece, it's also easy to clean. It is a big knife and excellent for slicing and chopping, but not for a beginner chef, in my opinion. I'm learning to use it and I can understand why some people have trouble holding it and feel like it's sharp on their hands. I felt that way too until I was shown "the correct" way to hold it. Also, it's large, so it doesn't fit upright in most drawers in a drawer knife holder, so either a magnetic wall knife holder, or space in a drawer lying flat are needed. I give it 4 stars because I prefer the molded or wooden handle grips and it's heavy and difficult to hold correctly for newbies like I once was.Get more detail about Shun 7-3/4-Inch Stainless Steel Chinese Chef's Knife.

Where To Buy Wsthof Grand Prix II 8-Inch Hollow-Ground Cook's Knife

Most people would be astonished at this knife and how nicely it holds an edge. The handle is quite ergonomic, as some other reviewers have mentioned. It is very easy to sharpen to scary-razor-sharp status in just a few strokes. I think that might be the best quality of this knife... and that you don't need to hire a professional to sharpen it for you (unlike the Shun Ken Onion?).

I measured this knife at 9 oz (approx. 255 grams) on a postal scale, for those who are curious. I was hoping this 8" knife would be lighter, but the steel is very dense and probably very tough.Get more detail about Wsthof Grand Prix II 8-Inch Hollow-Ground Cook's Knife.

Wüsthof Classic 8-Inch Hollow-Ground Cook's Knife Top Quality

I bought a set of 3 Wusthof knives for my father for Christmas. My boyfriend started complaining about the lack of a good knife in our house, and my dad seemed really happy with the Wusthofs, so I thought this would be a good choice for his birthday.

I have 3 ceramic knives that I love, but they're more fragile then I expected, so he won't use them. This Wusthof knife is just awesome. Heavy duty, nicely weighted and feels great in the hand. Perfect balance. It's a universal kind of knife that will feel comfortable for just about anyone. I'm used to putting some pressure into cutting things, especially sweet potatoes, carrots, etc. With this, it just slices right through it, with no effort. A gorgeous cutting experience.

The only warning I'll give, this knife is SHARP. Be extremely careful, because I have no doubt it will chop thru your finger just as easily as it will slide thru a tomato! Otherwise, take care of it, and it will last a lifetime.Get more detail about Wüsthof Classic 8-Inch Hollow-Ground Cook's Knife.

Cheap Kyocera Kyotop Damascus Pakka Handle 6.0-Inch Chef Knife

I love to cook and prepare a variety of foods, and this Kyocera Kyotop Damascus 6 Inch Chef's Knife is the Best available... I have a full set of German Knives for food prep that I use daily, but when I am prepairing a special dish, this is the knife that I reach for... It is unbelieveably sharp, and cuts meats and vegetables like slicing through warm butter... Highly recommended if you are looking for the "Best Available in a kitchen knife..."Get more detail about Kyocera Kyotop Damascus Pakka Handle 6.0-Inch Chef Knife.

Lowest Price Victorinox 5-Inch Mini-Chef's Knife with Fibrox Handle

This is one of the best small chef's knife for the price. I have spent money on $90-100 knives and this one is excellent and fits a small hand very wellGet more detail about Victorinox 5-Inch Mini-Chef's Knife with Fibrox Handle.

Lowest Price Wenger Swibo 14-1/10-Inch Butcher Knife, Large Blade

I bought the 14" knife with no particular use in mind. It is much lighter than I expected, and surprisingly well balanced. The stout handle is attached solidly, molded on, not riveted. It's doesn't seem to be a good fit for someone with small hands.

The fit and finish are just superb, and the polish on the blade makes it look like a work of art. The handle color is not "bright yellow" though, it is safety orange. No way it is getting lost in a kitchen or outside cutting up game. This is a slicing knife, I suspect it's too light to be useful for hacking through a bone or opening a coconut. But those are jobs for a cleaver, not a knife, anyway.Get more detail about Wenger Swibo 14-1/10-Inch Butcher Knife, Large Blade.

Raw Star 6" Black Ceramic Knife with Eco Bamboo Handle Decide Now

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.

Lowest Price Friedr. Dick 1905 Exclusive Series 8-Inch Chef's Knife

Very nice knife. Long blade with a sharp point for large food prep and for delicate work. Quite sharp out of the box. Likely will last the better part of a century, as I have some F. Dick knives from 1905 in the collection and they still sharpen up very well indeed.Get more detail about Friedr. Dick 1905 Exclusive Series 8-Inch Chef's Knife.

Save Lamson Sharp 33688 Batard Knife with Folding Wood Handle

This is a typical Chinese low-quality product. I would love it if it were of decent quality.

This is the roughest blade hinge I have ever experienced. The blade grinds and balks when it is opened or closed. I don't believe I have ever felt such a rough knife hinge. It is even worse than a knife that has been dropped in sand. The blade is decent when new, but is poorly sharpened and dulls quickly, especially where it contacts a cutting board. The corkscrew does work smoothly and seems well-finished. They missed a good design opportunity on the corkscrew by not fitting a folding projection to make it a waiter's corkscrew. Nobody likes the brute-force corkscrews, you know. Many people can't even use them. Leverage is a wonderful thing.

The only good thing I can say about this knife is that it is pretty until you use it. It would make a nice gift for someone you knew would not use it, or know the difference.Get more detail about Lamson Sharp 33688 Batard Knife with Folding Wood Handle.

KitchenAid 8-Inch Dupont Delrin Handle Chef Knife, Black Top Quality

I gave this knife a couple of swipes across my sharpener before I tried it. It cuts through a ripe tomato with absolute ease. I can make paper thin slices of onion, and makes quick work of carrots... What can I say? I am blown away that a knife at this price point has become my favorite chef knife in my kitchen. Nice weight and balance, and wonderful performance. I am now adding other Kitchenaid knives to my arsenal.Get more detail about KitchenAid 8-Inch Dupont Delrin Handle Chef Knife, Black.

Shun 7-3/4-Inch Stainless Steel Chinese Chef's Knife Review

This is not a knife for everyone, but for those who like this kind of knife, it's wonderful. I bought this to cook Chinese food mainly and it is wonderfully sharp and well-balanced. I still prefer my santoku because I'm more used to the size and weight of it, but I can tell this is a really good knife. When my in-laws (who are excellent Chinese-food cooks) come over to cook -- they like to do this every now and then -- they go straight for this knife, and absolutely love it. They grew up using large knives like this and say it's the best they've ever used. It's really sharp and has a beautiful blade. Since it's all one piece, it's also easy to clean. It is a big knife and excellent for slicing and chopping, but not for a beginner chef, in my opinion. I'm learning to use it and I can understand why some people have trouble holding it and feel like it's sharp on their hands. I felt that way too until I was shown "the correct" way to hold it. Also, it's large, so it doesn't fit upright in most drawers in a drawer knife holder, so either a magnetic wall knife holder, or space in a drawer lying flat are needed. I give it 4 stars because I prefer the molded or wooden handle grips and it's heavy and difficult to hold correctly for newbies like I once was.Get more detail about Shun 7-3/4-Inch Stainless Steel Chinese Chef's Knife.

Wsthof Grand Prix II 8-Inch Hollow-Ground Cook's Knife Best Quality

Most people would be astonished at this knife and how nicely it holds an edge. The handle is quite ergonomic, as some other reviewers have mentioned. It is very easy to sharpen to scary-razor-sharp status in just a few strokes. I think that might be the best quality of this knife... and that you don't need to hire a professional to sharpen it for you (unlike the Shun Ken Onion?).

I measured this knife at 9 oz (approx. 255 grams) on a postal scale, for those who are curious. I was hoping this 8" knife would be lighter, but the steel is very dense and probably very tough.Get more detail about Wsthof Grand Prix II 8-Inch Hollow-Ground Cook's Knife.

Kyocera Kyotop Damascus Pakka Handle 6.0-Inch Chef Knife Order Now

I love to cook and prepare a variety of foods, and this Kyocera Kyotop Damascus 6 Inch Chef's Knife is the Best available... I have a full set of German Knives for food prep that I use daily, but when I am prepairing a special dish, this is the knife that I reach for... It is unbelieveably sharp, and cuts meats and vegetables like slicing through warm butter... Highly recommended if you are looking for the "Best Available in a kitchen knife..."Get more detail about Kyocera Kyotop Damascus Pakka Handle 6.0-Inch Chef Knife.

Lowest Price Victorinox 5-Inch Mini-Chef's Knife with Fibrox Handle

This is one of the best small chef's knife for the price. I have spent money on $90-100 knives and this one is excellent and fits a small hand very wellGet more detail about Victorinox 5-Inch Mini-Chef's Knife with Fibrox Handle.

Purchase Chef's Choice Trizor Professional Chef's Knife 8-in.

We ordered these knives (8- and 10-inch) for our restaurant kitchen back in 2006 and it was a decision we quickly came to regret: they didn't hold up well at all under the stress of daily use and we were out a lot of money. The handles discolored after the first month and being unbalanced (blade-heavy), they made your fingers ache after a while. On top of that, we spent more time sharpening and resharpening them than actually cutting. In the end our frustration led to throwing them out. We didn't feel right donating them to a charity kitchen given their inherent flaws.

Chef's Choice is a low-end sharpener company that delved into the knife business a few years back and garnered a handful TV-celebrity chef endorsements. This is a knife for the Rachel Ray/Emeril/Paula Deen crowd at best. Since then, that crowd has moved on to even cheaper knives. Blade hardness is only one of many factors that comprise a good knife. That 60Rc rating that hacks like Chad Ward ("An Edge in the Kitchen") promote actually works against you in the kitchen because you're ALWAYS sharpening this knife because it's so brittle! But Chad likes it so much his book is virtually a Chef's Choice marketing pamphlet. Chad's book only recommends you use three knives in the kitchen, and of those three, he finds no value in Santoku knives. That alone should tell you he's a reporter, not a chef, and his book is composed of outdated and misguided information about the knife industry.

Take it from someone who's worked in professional kitchens and restaurants for a lifetime, skip this knife and skip this brand. Your hard-earned money is better spent elsewhere. Also, I could care less where my knives are made. There's a reason why the best knives have been made in Germany and Japan for centuries -- because they're the best at it and have been in the business with chefs since the beginning.Get more detail about Chef's Choice Trizor Professional Chef's Knife 8-in..

Henckels Twin Professional "S" Chef's Knife 10-in. Buy Now

I finally decided to get top quality knife, to replace my Chicago Cutlery 8"
chefs knife (I got tired of sharpening it every other week).
It was supposed to come 5 days after it shipped, but I got it in two, it came in a nice black box, sharp and ready for work.
So far I can tell you it is worth every penny, now I can do large volume of work with little effort. Chopping, dicing, slicing etc is easy due to the heftiness and sharpness of the knife. I remember watching a video on YouTube of some guy slicing a piece of paper in very thin horizontal strips with a Shun, well let me tell you that this knife can do the same with ease.
The handle is very comfortable for me, I have large hands, but it fits perfectly well in them.
Blade is about 2 " wide, very sharp and can cut through anything with ease, for example I was able to cut onions in almost transparently thin slices. The heftiness helps a lot with cutting and when doing big volume jobs because it saves effort pushing down with the knife.
Balance is great,when I hold the knife with the pinch grip with two fingers right before the bolster it maintains perfect horizontal position. Size is also good, I didn't really expect it to have a mini-sword like look, but the definitely impresses.
I find the standard block set sharpening steel to be highly inefficient, so I use Kyocera 9-Inch Ceramic Sharpener. This sharpened hones as well as sharpens the knife and keeps the edge rasor sharp.
Overall great knife well made and balanced, now I regret I didn't buy this in the first place but went for cheaper brand.Get more detail about Henckels Twin Professional "S" Chef's Knife 10-in..

Shun 7-3/4-Inch Stainless Steel Chinese Chef's Knife Order Now

The chinese blade originated from battlefield when soldiers needed a durable, easy to sharpen blade for cooking; so they broke a sword in half, and created the modern chinese cleaver. Modern chinese blades reflect those traditions because the chinese knives are heavy and have a thick spine to break bones, or to tenderize meat. A short handle is all that's needed to control the blade. Tradition blades come with a plumpy round wooden handle as a grip. Long length and large surface area to be used as a food scrapper, so those were important factors for the basis of this comparitive review.

The shun knife is a Japanese made designer blade which I've been using for more than 6 months in my kitchen. I'm impressed by the light weight and sharpness of the blade, and the aesthetic beauty of the solid heat-pressed VG-10 steel. The length of handle is unnecessary because control is located at the blade, gripping the entire handle is impractical and dangerous because the user would lose control of the weight of the blade. The weight of the blade is too light, so it's good for home chef for light-duty cooking. The blade is extremely sharp, so sharp that I've chipped the blade when cutting chicken. I understand that chef's would rather treat the Shun blade as a chef's knife, but it would take away the original practicality of the chinese blade and there are better alternatives from japanese chefs knives.

The reason why I rated it so low is because:
1) VG steel is very hard to resharpen
2) Long and thin handle is good for small hands, but impractical med-large hands.
3) It's too light for its use
4) The primary blade is a bit short for practical use

Overall Shun knives are great blades, exotic, elegant, and a great collection for a home chef. The Shun chinese blade however, can endure light use in the long-run. There are other great choices out there, so look around.

Get more detail about Shun 7-3/4-Inch Stainless Steel Chinese Chef's Knife.

Buy Chicago Cutlery Metropolitan 7-1/2-Inch Chef's Knife

I'm not happy with with knife . It's too thin and don't work as well.
look for something more solid . I had better thoughts about Chicago cutlery products Get more detail about Chicago Cutlery Metropolitan 7-1/2-Inch Chef's Knife.

Cheap KitchenAid 8-Inch Dupont Delrin Handle Chef Knife, Black

I am a cook at a local restaurant which serves many different kinds of cuisine. I bought this knife with an all purpose use in mind. I don't really use any other knife in the kitchen. It's blade holds an edge wonderfully and is balanced nicely. The tip is fine enough for the most exact slices. Great product.Get more detail about KitchenAid 8-Inch Dupont Delrin Handle Chef Knife, Black.