Showing posts with label santoku. Show all posts
Showing posts with label santoku. Show all posts

12/18/2011

Zwilling J.A. Henckels Twin Pro S 7-Inch Santoku Knife with Hollow Edge Review

Zwilling J.A. Henckels Twin Pro S 7-Inch Santoku Knife with Hollow Edge
Average Reviews:

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You need to make sure that you have the "PRO S" version of this knife as Henckels has several 7-Inch Santoku knives with hollow edge and they had been shipping wrong ones in the past. However, they might have straightened out their act after I reported the mistake to their customer service. So, please, please make sure you knife says "PRO S" and has a twin tribal men on the logo.
As some of the previous reviewers posted (and some had been deleted), Amazon had been listing the wrong item here. Many people were purchasing the Henckels International Classic 7-Inch Santoku Knife with Hollow Edge, not "Part of the Pro S series of cutlery" as stated in the Amazon product review by Cristina Vaamonde or the "J.A. Henckels Professional S 7 inch Santoku knife with hollow edge" as stated in the Amazon product description. And even though the photo of the product shows the double Henckels men, the knife being shipped only had one Henckels man...another indication that it's not worth $74.99-$84.99 Amazon price or the $110.00 retail price it's listing. The International Classic knife can be purchased at Target, JCPenny and a whole bunch of other stores for the retail price of $39.99. If you paid $74.99-84.99 for the wrong knife, please get your money back!!!

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J.A. Henckels's Professional S 7-inch santoku knife with hollow edge, scalloped blade: Full tang, three-rivet construction with patented Henckels blade process, enabling knife edge to stay sharper longer and resharpen more easily. German steel, stainless

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10/23/2011

Shun Classic 8-Inch Ultimate Cooks Knife Review

Shun Classic 8-Inch Ultimate Cooks Knife
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The knife edge has a very pronounced curve, the 'belly' of the knife doesn't transition to a straightened out 'edge' before ending up at the 'bolster'. This may be a great feature if you rock the knife alot mincing herbs and vegetables, but I personally prefer a more traditional chef's knife profile where the 'edge' of the knife is more flat creating a longer cutting edge that is actually in contact with the board. When you place the edge of the "Ultimate Cook's" knife against the cutting board, you will see that at any angle, very little of the knife's edge is in contact with the board.
What I noticed when quickly slicing, dicing, and chopping various vegetables (green onions, bell peppers in my case), was that I was not completely slicing through items that were closer to me. Because of the continuous curve of the 'edge', items closer to the bolster weren't getting cut completely. You really have to adjust your slicing motion to account for part of the blade / edge that you might say is missing from a traditional chef's knife or santoku.
Bottom line, I am happier with the 8" Shun Steel Chef's Knife. The U-Cook's knife is beautiful, sharp and well made, but it did seem a little blade heavy. The serrations on the U-Cooks seemed like a great idea, but when you have a razor sharp Chef's knife you don't really need them.

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The Shun Classic 8-Inch Ultimate Chefs knife is extremely versatile. The first 3 inches of the knife from the tip has a reversed scallop edge for cutting bread, and soft skinned vegetables, the remaining 5-inch (belly) is perfect for general prep and cutting.Great for making sandwiches since its cuts like a dream and the special blunt tip allows for spreading mayo.You can cut through bread without tearing and just as easily the tough skin of a pineapple.It works wonders on soft-skinned vegetables, hard cheeses, and sandwich meats. It makes a superb pastry knife, slicing through delicate dough or spreading icing with ease.Our Shun Classic 8-Inch Ultimate Chefs knife effortlessly dices and chops its way through all your recipes, and looks beautiful doing it. All knives in our Shun Classic Series feature VG-10 "super steel", which is made of Carbon, Chromium, Cobalt, Manganese, Molybdenum, Silicon, and Vanadium. They all feature our "D" shape Ebony-black PakkaWood handle, specifically designed for premium applications.These specially shaped handles rest perfectly in the curve of the fingers, for a more secure grip.The bolster is ground out more on the right side for proper finger placement, as well as balancing the knives perfectly. Precision blades and handle engineering mean long-lasting use and comfort-no matter how large or small you kitchen prep may be.

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9/01/2011

Victorinox 47529 Fibrox 7-Inch Granton Edge Santoku Knife Review

Victorinox 47529 Fibrox 7-Inch Granton Edge Santoku Knife
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Forschner is by far the best knife for the money. They always arrive razor sharp, and have the ability to hold an edge far longer than much more expensive knives. I purchased one for all of my line cooks as they are very durable and can be used to perform almost any task in a professional kitchen.
The "sports mom" comment that it "felt cheap" was probably due to its light weight and composite plastic handle. To an untrained eye, it could be confused for a "cheap" knife, but after de-boning a chicken, slicing through a butternut squash, it still glides through tomatoes like butter and can perform the most surgical of cuts. The composite plastic handle has an amazing grip even when your hands are covered in duck fat, it won't slip.
I own knives that can run up into the $1200 range, but still prefer this little powerhouse for everyday use. If you only own one sharp knife in your entire kitchen, this should be the one. I also have the 10 inch forschner chefs knife, but prefer the graton edge on this one, especially while slicing potatoes.

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From the inventors of the famous Swiss Army knife comes a line of fine cutlery designed for accomplished and aspiring chefs at work or in the home. Each blade in the Stamped collection is expertly made in Switzerland from high-carbon stainless steel and undergoes a special tempering process for an edge that can be resharpened again and again. The result is a knife that can keep its original sharpness throughout the entire life of the blade. Each blade is conical ground throughout its length and depth, which results in a wider break point with less risk of the blade breaking and less resistance for easier cutting, and then laser tested to ensure optimum cutting power and durability. Ergonomically designed to minimize wrist tension, the unique, patented Fibrox handles are slip resistant when wet. Plus, all Stamped cutlery with Fibrox handles is approved by the National Sanitary Foundation (NSF). Although cutlery steel is naturally sanitary, materials and construction details of these handles minimize crevices that may otherwise offer hospitality to bacteria. The Victorinox Stamped collection is an extensive range with open-stock pieces as well as handy and versatile sets.
A specialty knife with a wide variety of uses, the wavy-edged bread knife with scalloped-edge teeth can cut through harder crusts or peel items without squashing its tender insides. The specially designed wavy edge provides 40 percent more cutting edge in contact with the product than with a traditional plain-edge knife. Made to the same exacting standards, the wavy edge is designed to provide the perfect cutting-edge profile for cutting items such as bread, gateaux, and pastry products. The edge requires no sharpening, so is ideal for fast-food outlets, busy canteens, and restaurants. It makes a great gift for the home chef who already has everything else, or anyone looking to round out a collection. All Stamped cutlery should be washed by hand for best care, and Victorinox covers each piece with a lifetime warranty against manufacturer defects.
From the Manufacturer
Who is Victorinox? Although Victorinox is known the world over as the creator of the Original Swiss Army Knife, the company started out in 1884 as a cutlery workshop. By the time company creator Karl Elsener delivered his first pocket knife to the Swiss Army, his cutlery business was already booming. Over the next century, Victorinox cutlery became a top-rated choice among professionals worldwide, with over 300 blades to offer.
Victorinox knives have regularly appeared as highly ranked and recommended kitchen tools in Cook\'s Illustrated, Men\'s Health, The Cincinnati Enquirer, New York Magazine, and Natural Health, just to name a few. In 2009, the company announced a partnership with professional chef, Daniel Humm, of Eleven Madison Park in New York City. In addition, building on the success of its cutlery business, Victorinox has brought all the same quality and expertise to a wider range of products and accessories, including other kitchen tools, pocket tools, watches, luggage, and clothing.
Who is R.H. Forschner? Victorinox had been a staple in European commercial cutlery for over 50 years when approached by New York\'s R.H. Forschner, known since 1855 as a builder of scales for butchers, to be their sole cutlery supplier. The two companies joined forces in 1937, and R.H. Forschner subsequently became North America\'s dominant professional brand, as ubiquitous in the bustling meatpacking plants of the Midwest as it is in the gleaming, four-star restaurant kitchens of Midtown Manhattan.
As a division of Victorinox/Swiss Army Brands, R.H. Forschner marketed cutlery under the brand name "RH Forschner by Victorinox" and distributed to the commercial, food service, and retail trade classes. That brand has been considered a top choice of professionals worldwide with over 300 styles of blades bearing the R.H. Forschner name. However, in 2009, in conjunction with Victorinox\'s 125th anniversary, the company, Victorinox Swiss Army, Inc., has decided to remove the "RH Forschner" name from all blades. Blades thenceforth only include the "Victorinox" name.
What is a stamped blade? A stamped knife can usually be identified by the absence of a bolster. Stamped blades are cut into their shapes from cold-rolled pieces of steel and then ground, tempered, and sharpened. Creating them requires many less steps than forging and results in lighter, narrower blades. Some professionals prefer the thicker, heavier forged blades, but many pros, who spend much of their day cutting and slicing, enjoy a lighter knife since it\'s less fatiguing and easier to manipulate at speed.
Stamped knives are easier to produce and therefore less expensive. They perform very well and can approach the quality of a forged blade, but not the weight or feel. Victorinox manufactures a complete range of stamped blades with unique, patented Fibrox handles and they are considered among the greatest values in the knife industry.
What knives do I need to own? Knife choice or selection is determined by many factors--size, function, style, and preference. The most important factor is function. Different knives have different uses. It is important to use the proper knife for a specific task, since proper knife selection and the use of a proper-sized, sharp knife make for safe cutting. General kitchen tasks and the knife to use for them are as follows:
Paring: The most common to own and use, a paring knife is generally for small cutting jobs and peeling of vegetables or fruit. The blade size is usually from three to four inches. Choose the shape and size to fit your hand. Since this is one of the more versatile knives, owning more than one is recommended.
Chef's: The most important tool and essential to every cook, a chef\'s knife is most often used in a rocking method to mince, dice, and chop vegetables and herbs. This one is known as the chef\'s best friend.
Slicer: Most commonly used to slice meats, poultry, and seafood, the slicer is an important companion to any host or hostess.
Boning: As its name suggests, a boning knife is used to trim or remove meat and fish from the bone.
Bread: Designed with a special edge, a bread knife makes easy work of cutting through crusty bread, pastries, or any item with a crust and a soft interior.
Fillet: Most often used by pros and seasoned home chefs, the fillet knife is used to fillet meat and fish.
Cleaver: An important addition to any collection, a cleaver is often used to cut or chop through bones.
Santoku: This knife combines the features of a cleaver with a chef's knife. The curved blade helps the rocking motion used for chopping, and the wide blade works well for scooping sliced food off a cutting board and for crushing garlic. The santoku can also be used to slice meat and has a narrow spine for making thin cuts.
Utility: An all-purpose knife often referred to as a sandwich knife, the utility knife peels and slices fruits and vegetables, and even carves small meats.
Shaping: With its curved blade, a shaping knife is great for small precision cuts where control is essential, such as peeling, trimming, or garnishing.
What are the different knife edges and what do they do? Straight: The vast majority of Victorinox knives come with a straight or fine edge. This means it has a perfect taper along the blade and no serrations. It is designed to cut without tearing or shredding.
Serrated: An edge designed with small, jagged teeth along the edge.
Scalloped: A blade with waves along the edge generally used to cut breads with a hard crust and soft interior, as well as tougher-skinned fruits and vegetables.
Granton: This edge has hollowed-out grooves or dimples on the sides of the blade. These grooves fill with the fat and juices of the product being cut, allowing for thin, even cuts without tearing. Even with the grooves, these are still straight-edge knives and can be honed with a sharpening steel.
How should I care for my cutlery? After use, knives should not be allowed to soak in water. The best practice is to hand wash and dry them immediately. This is especially true if they have been used on fruit or salty foods, which may cause some staining, even on stainless steel. Most knives require very little maintenance and it is worth the effort to protect your investment.
Though Victorinox knives are dishwasher safe, this is strongly discouraged. The dishwasher\'s agitation may cause damage. Additionally, harsh detergents can be harmful and cause pitting and spotting on the blades. The handles may also discolor and develop a white film with constant use of the dishwasher. Plus, intense heat associated with dishwashers is not good for the temper of the blade.
How do I keep my knives sharp? All quality knives require proper maintenance to keep them in perfect cutting shape. The best of edges will quickly dull if it strikes metal, glass, or Formica. A wooden cutting board makes the best cutting surface. And, if a slip occurs, a proper cutting board is safer for the user. Frequent use of a Victorinox sharpening steel will keep blades in tip top working condition. All straight-edge knives need steeling to keep their edges.

How to "Steel" a Knife 1. Hold the steel firmly in your left hand with the guard positioned to stop the blade should it slip. 2. Hold the knife in your right hand and place on top part of steel as shown. 3. Raise back of blade one-eighth inch. 4. Now, moving the blade only, draw it across the steel in an arching curve, pivoted at your wrist. The blade tip should leave the steel about two-thirds of the way down. 5. Repeat the same action with the Blade on the bottom side of the steel. Always maintain the same pressure and angle on both sides of the steel. 6. Repeat five or six times.
When a sharpening steel no longer does the job, it\'s time to take the knife to a qualified knife sharpener who will place a new edge on it. This, along with use of the sharpening steel, will give you many years of sharp, safe blades.
Please note that electric knife sharpeners can be harmful. They have to be used carefully as they remove too much metal, can harm the temper of the blade, and most important can change the factory-applied edge angle.
How should I store my knives? Safety is the biggest concern of storage, both to the user and to protect the knife's edge. Choices include a knife magnet, knife block, drawer insets, and also individual knife protectors.

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4/18/2011

Wusthof Classic Ikon 8-Inch Bread Knife, Black Review

Wusthof Classic Ikon  8-Inch Bread Knife, Black
Average Reviews:

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The reputation of the high quality of Wusthof Classic Ikon knives is well deserved. It is very sharp, and well balanced.

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Tackle that crusty italian loaf of bread withthe Wusthof Classic Ikon bread knife.The long serrated edge cuts easily through thick crust without crushing the tender center.Wusthof Classic Ikon is culmination of all the best features of each of the Wusthof knife lines. The combined riveted handle design is combined with a contoured shape to add comfort and control. The Classic Ikon adds a rear bolster that acts as a counter balance when using the knife.This second bolster adds significant blade control.Classic Ikon has a unique forward bolster as well.The forward partial bolster is designed so you can sharpen the complete length of the blade.This bolster is also curvered inwards to allow your fingers greater control while holding the knife by the blade.Located in The Cutlery Capital of the World, Solingen Germany, the Wusthof factoryhistory goes back as far as 1814 when the company was listed with the Duchy of Berg. To this day, the company remains family owned.Throughout it\'s history, Wusthof has focused almost solely on the manufacturing of forged knives for the professional chef and home cooking enthusiast.Wusthof uses a special blend of German steel through out the whole length of the knife. The ingredients of this steel are proudly etched on each blade. Wusthof not only uses the best materials to make a fine knife,but it is also crucial that each blade is precisely tempered.This tempering allows the knife to hold its edge for an extremelylong time, yet still be able to be maintained in your home kitchen with out the need to be sent away for maintenance. Our unique compound angle is not seen in many knives.This angle tapers from the spine of the knife to the edge to allow for a sturdy, yet extremely sharp edge while it also tapers from the bolster to the tip to give the knife strength as well as flexibility.

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