Please be specific and to the point.

Shun Classic 8-Piece Knife Set with Bamboo Block
Price: $499.99
amazon.com/Shun-Classic-8-Piece-Knife-Bamboo/dp/B000ASHWRG

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 (or some kind of similar, large-ish 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. Now if you’re buying a whole set like this, you’ll get it all in one shot and it becomes a better deal than pieceing your collection together, one-by-one.

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.

5 Responses

1. Peter Says:
   November 25th, 2010 at 12:26 am

   kawasakiknife is fast and sharp around the corners.
   References :

2. Jonathan Says:
   November 25th, 2010 at 12:36 am

   Not sure what you consider “affordable”, and I don’t buy knives in sets, but here’s my picks of individual knives in several price ranges.

   $20 – $50: Kai Pure Komachi
   $30 – $100: Fujiwara FKM series
   $100 – $300: Hattori HD series

   I don’t consider any knife above $150 “affordable”, but Hattori knives are amazing. I wish I could afford more of his stuff.
   References :

3. tattoo Says:
   November 25th, 2010 at 1:05 am

   The site below; Japanese Chefs Knife, carries some of the best Japanese chef’s knives. Whether you consider them affordable is up to you but the prices are comparable to high quality chef’s knives made by European makers such as Victorinox and Forschner. Any of their offerings would qualify as among the best.
   japanesechefsknife.com/
   References :

4. duckwing Says:
   November 25th, 2010 at 1:30 am

   Shun Classic 8-Piece Knife Set with Bamboo Block
   Price: $499.99
   amazon.com/Shun-Classic-8-Piece-Knife-Bamboo/dp/B000ASHWRG

   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 (or some kind of similar, large-ish 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. Now if you’re buying a whole set like this, you’ll get it all in one shot and it becomes a better deal than pieceing your collection together, one-by-one.

   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.
   References :
   amazon.com/Shun-Classic-8-Piece-Knife-Bamboo/dp/B000ASHWRG

5. John Davidson Says:
   November 25th, 2010 at 1:45 am

   I recommend and use Raco as they are of great quality and very affordable.
   References :
   Japan Australia Blog
   japan-australia.blogspot.com/search/label/Japanese%20Recipe

Leave a Comment

KitchenAid KA1SS14TB 14-Piece Stainless Steel Knife Set with Block for $44.97 shipped.  Here is a screenshot for your reference.  The set features 8-inch chef, 8-inch slicer, 7-inch santoku, 5-1/2-inch utility, and 3-1/2-inch paring knives. It also includes black hardwood knife block, 6 steak knives, a sharpening steel, and a pair of kitchen shears.  Most places have this knife set for about $49 before shipping and much more.

Eight Piece Block Set, High Carbon Steel Knives, Hardwood Storage BlockCheap Eight Piece Block Set, High Carbon Steel Knives, Hardwood Storage Block reviews

Forged Eight Piece Block Set. Includes 4 1/2″ tomato, 3 3/4″ vegetable, 5 3/4″ chef’s, 5 1/4″ utility, 7 1/2″ slicing, sharpening steel with 9 1/4″ rod, and shears with 3 1/4″ blade. Knives feature high carbon stainless ( Shun – 95007 )

October 16th, 2010

Forged Gourmet Cutlery Set, Wood Block, 8 Piece (TL1207) Category: Kitchen Knife Sets

##more detail##

Forged Gourmet Cutlery Set, Wood Block, 8 Piece (TL1207) Category: Kitchen Knife Sets Overview
Item #: TL1207. 420 stainless steel. Dishwasher safe. Contains one of each: paring knife, boning knife, slicing knife, bread knife, 6 in. French style chef knife, 8 in. French style chef knife, and sharpening steel.. 420 stainless steel. Dishwasher safe. Contains one of each: paring knife, boning knife, slicing knife, bread knife, 6 in. French style chef knife, 8 in. French style chef knife, and sharpening steel.
Customers also search for: Professional Cutlery Kitchen Knife Sets

**more detail**

More Info: Forged Gourmet Cutlery Set, Wood Block, 8 Piece (TL1207) Category: Kitchen Knife Sets

Tags: Block, Category, Cutlery, Forged, Gourmet, Kitchen, TL1207
Posted in Knife Block Sets | No Comments »

Today’s deal of the day @ Housewares.com is this Farberware 15 pc. Forged Knife Block Set (reg. $133) for only $35.

Set includes: 8-inch chef’s knife, 8-inch bread knife, 8-inch slicer knife, 6-inch cleaver, 5-inch utility knife, 3-1/2 inch paring knife, 6 steak knives, sharpening steel, and all purpose household kitchen shears.

While school shopping this year I strayed away from the backpacks and bobbles to house wares. I happened upon a set of Cuisinart Kitchen Pro knives and threw them in my cart. I really did not need new knives I just wanted them.

When I got home, I told my husband what I had done and then showed him the knife set. He was not pleased I spent money on an item we did not have to have. We opened the box anyway.

The wood block was the first thing we saw, as the knives were individually packaged. The block holds the cutlery neatly and is designed for function. It is heavy but not bulky. It is also rather spiffy looking with its smooth curves and metal detail nameplate.

We began opening the knives. This is where my husband raised an eyebrow. The knives are very light. I say this is a good feature since I do a lot of cutting in the kitchen. If your knife is heavy, your arm gets tired. The blades are made from high-carbon stainless steel so, light or not, they are durable.

The knives are well made. The handle is riveted three times supporting the whole blade end (full-tang), which is a sign of quality. The edges support “Fine-edge” sharpness. Let me tell you, they are sharp and cut nicely.

I have been using the Cuisinart cutlery for about two months now. While slicing with them, I found they are extremely well balanced. In fact, I can balance the handle on my finger and the weight of the blade matches the weight of the handle.

The set consists of a pair of 8″ shears, 8 4 1/2″ steak knives, 3 1/2″ Santoku/Parer, 3 1/2″ Paring knife, 4 1/2″ Utility knife, 5″ Santoku (multipurpose) knife, 5 1/2″ Serrated Utility knife, 8″ Slicing knife, 8″ Bread knife, 8″ Chef knife, and an 8″ Sharpening Steel.

Lifetime Brands has put a lifetime warranty on their Cuisinart Kitchen Pro cutlery. This tells me they know what they are doing when it comes to knives. For what I paid, these knives have exceeded my expectations.

Farberware Traditions 20-Piece Cutlery Set

##more detail##

Farberware Traditions 20-Piece Cutlery Set Overview
20-Piece Cutlery Set Includes: 7-Inch Cleaver, 8-Inch Chef, 7-Inch Santoku, 7-Inch Bread, 7-Inch Slicer, 6-1/2-Inch Fork, 4-1/2-Inch Utility, Eight 4-Inch Steak knives, 3-Inch Parer, Mini Shear, Kitchen Shear, Sharpening Steel, Natural Wood Block This set features a riveted style comfort grip handles that is permanently bonded to the blade.