Cutlery Reviews

These knives are awesome - make no mistake. But there is one huge reason why I would not buy this set in particular and that is because it has a cartoon emblazoned onto the blade that has the likeness of Alton Brown. I love Alton Brown, but that goofy looking cartoon face stamped onto these blades really clashes with the class and elegance of the rest of the design - in my eyes and my honest opinion.

There is good news though. You can find these exact knives without that cartoon face on it. So if you feel as I do, you can buy those instead. The design is good in that it keeps your knuckes from rapping on the cutting board. Another good thing to know is that although the Shun Knives are usually offered for right-handers, you can get these knives for left-handers. You just need to find the guys who stock and sell those ones as they are less known, and less common.

Shun knives are beautiful creations period. Since I'm Asian, I love the tradition look and feel of this Japanese knife. I love the beauty of the blade and the dark, polished, Pakkawood handle. The unique "D"-shaped, Wood handles are preferable. The shape fits my hand perfectly, and the wood does not get slippery when wet - providing a very secure hold. The steel is of utmost quality and sharpness. Do not put this blade into any old electric knife sharpener! Electric knife sharpeners are made to put one angle on any blade. These blades come with a 16 degree angle and you don't want to be changing that angle. There are electric knife sharpeners that can sharpen these knives, but you'll have to do some research and find out which ones can be a fit with these knives. I prefer to hone with a sharpening steel and manually sharpen with a stone if necessary (and I don't see it being necessary to touch it to a stone any time soon). The blade is sharp straight off the factory and as Alton Brown says - it's the sharpest straight out of the factory edge as he's ever seen.

These knives are more expensive than most, but I think it's definitely worth it. To have the sharpest, most beautiful knife around - it's no contest. If you are on a budget, build your collection slowly. It's been said that there are only 3 knives that are the absolute basics for any kitchen: A 8" Chef's Knife, a Paring Knife, and a Long Serrated blade for cutting bread and larger items. I would add a thin utility knife and a boning knife to that list next. Then I would add those "in-between" sizes as I get more money flow in. =)

If you plan on spending any time in the kitchen, good kitchen knives are a definite must. Preparation is the bulk of cooking and when you have good knives, it cuts down on the danger of cutting yourself, it adds pleasure to the work, and it cuts down on prep time. Knives are also a very personal choice and it's best to at least go to a store and try it out for yourself first. Shun Knives are designed by the Japanese, so remember - it's designed for small hands. This makes it fit most women's hands perfectly, but I've heard of guys with larger hands not like it so much and going back to the German knives. So definitely try it out. It's a personal thing, it needs to fit you.

Why spend so much money on a knife? Well, if you spend a lot of time in the kitchen, and you almost always have to bust out a knife to prep a meal from scratch - why not use the best? Why spend that time with items that you love and brings you pleasure to use? Many times, it's the small things that brings us the most pleasure in life, and I consider my Shun knives as one of those things. Having something so beautiful and yet so sharp and perfect - it makes my time cooking just that much more enjoyable.

Another good thing to know is that although the Shun Knives are usually offered for right-handers, you can get these knives for left-handers. You just need to find the guys who stock and sell those ones as they are less known, and less common

My biggest complaint with the set is that the box mine came in, while very nice, and well constructed, was not made for the knives in my set. The indentions are for straight handled knives, and are the wrong size for the knives that are included in the set.

Also, on one of my knives the piece on the very end ofthe handle is not flush, it feels as if it was not constructed properly.

The reviewer below is mistaken, you cannot get these knives without Alton Brown's pic on them. There are Kershaw Shun knives which are the same in steel and blade design, but they don't have the angled handles, which are limited to the Brown ones. This may be a tragedy if you can't stand the cartoon, but the knives themselves are fantastic. Great balance, super-comfortable handle (try it, it doesn't look ergo but is much nicer to hold than most of the ones that claim to be), amazing blade that doesn't stick and glides through everything. I'm not qualified to say they're the best knives in the world because I haven't used them all, but they're better than Wusthof and Henckels for sure.

Moved into a new home with tile backsplashes..there went my magnetic knife holders. But I have an eclectic collection of knives, no normal block would work!

I found this and I paid a LOT more for it than this!

This block is wonderful! No hunting for the right slot! I can turn my knife handles any way I like. I was so used to the magnetic holders that I like the handles horizontal now.

The only drawback is that my Wusthof 12 inch bread knife won't go into it all the way, but I just keep it at the top of the block to keep from slicing my hand off when I grab it.

This knife "block" is fantastic! It is a perfect blend of style and function. It was exactly what I needed and when I saw it online I HAD to have it. It allows you to keep exactly the knives you want on hand...nothing more and nothing less. The smooth-ended plastic "broom-like" pieces are packed in a high tech looking case an it keeps all of your knives (whether you are storing 5 or 15 knives) protected, safe and accessible. (Think of placing your knives in the end of a compacted plastic broom). The case is a polished stainless steel--the whole package has a modern edge to it. Everyone that sees it in my kitchen remarks on it--mostly on the modern appearance and then when they look at it further, the functional perspective.

I like to keep specific quanities of different knives on-hand in the kitchen. I don't just have one chef's knife, one utility knife, one paring knife, one slicing knife, etc....Candidly, I like what I like in the kitchen based upon my cooking needs. I was struggling with choosing other knife blocks because I was either not going to have enough slots for the knives I wanted to keep on-hand (deeper slotted knives like chef's knives and santoku knives, mainly) or I was looking at the option of having a large cumbersome "block of wood" sitting on my countertop taking away from the space available on my countertop.

This is a total win in my book...WMF came though again with another thought-filled product that suited the most efficient use possible in the kitchen--both from a practical perspective and a aesthetic perspective.

If you have a stainless steel kitchen...this one is a must!