Product DescriptionA perfect starter set. High-quality German stainless steel blades with break-proof, triple-riveted polypropylene handles. Dishwasher safe. Includes a 3" parer, 5" utility knife, 8" chef's knife, 7" santoku, kitchen shears, a sharpening steel and a hardwood storage block. Manufacturer's lifetime warranty.
Product Details
- Amazon Sales Rank: #10711 in Kitchen & Housewares
- Brand: Henckels
- Model: 35340-000
- Dimensions: 6.00" h x 4.00" w x 13.00" l, 4.75 pounds
Features
- 3-inch Parer, 5-inch Serrated Utility, 8-inch Chef's, 7-inch Hollow Edge Santoku, Kitchen Shears, 9-inch Steel, Hardwood Block
- Stamped stainless-steel blades
- Knives have black plastic, three-rivet, full-tang handles
- Knives made in China
- Lifetime warranty
Amazon.com Review
This set represents a revelation for any cook with a drawer full of stained, blunt knives. Nearly every basic kitchen-cutlery need is satisfied in one package compact enough to place on the counter within reach. The set includes a 7-inch hollow-edge santoku, an 8-inch chef's knife, a 5-inch serrated utility, and a 3-inch paring knife for peeling and cleaning vegetables and fruits. A 9-inch sharpening steel keeps their edges in order, and a pair of kitchen shears to snip herbs, flowers, or string is also included. Everything fits into the rubber-footed, solid hardwood block. International Fine Edge is an inexpensive cutlery line made in countries other than Henckels's home of Germany. The knives don't have bolsters and the steel is of lesser quality than Henckels's premier lines--the blades are less strong. Knives are dishwasher-safe, but it's not recommended. --Fred Brack
Customer Reviews
Henckels Makes The Very Best--Even In Their Lower Line
I have had this set of Henckels International Line knifes and block for a few years now and am very satisfied. No, it is not the most expensive grouping they make but they are wonderful. They stay sharp with very fine edges. My favorite is the bread knife, perfectly balanced to finely slice my homemade rye & pumpernickle swirl breads. Note: I do hand-wash mine, even though thay are dishwasher safe.
At a good bargain price, you get 5 knifes for almost any task, the wood block with the Henckels logo, a sharpener, and even a slot to add a pair of Henckels kitchen shears (which I highly recommend).
Of course, if you can afford it, the higher line must be exquisite. But due to their lower cost, I was able to give a set of these to my brother last year with a gift certificate to a gourmet butcher shop & he was ecstatic. This grouping makes a perfect starter set--great for newlyweds, house-warming parties, and holiday gifts--just ask my brother!
Not what you might hope for
These knives could be worse, but given the fancy name and reputation, they could be a lot better, too. The blades are not as stiff as you might like. Flexy blades scare me not out of fear of breakage, but rather that they are harder to control and more likely to cut something you don't want cut. Also, the Chef's knife has a pretty shallow blade, and you can't do the cool chef-chop without rapping your knuckles on the cutting board. For the money, there are better (though less prestigious) knife sets out there.
You can get a lot better knife for the price
I don't even feel these knives are worth the advertised price. I have used these for about 5 years and have been thoroughly unimpressed. I gave these one star because Henckels should be ashamed to put their name on these knives.
pros: They work (sort of), they are relatively cheap, and you get the Henckels name. I have washed mine in a dishwasher for 5 years and they still hold up.
cons: The steel is poor quality (doesn't hold an edge well), the fit and finish is poor, and the set is over priced for their underwhelming performance.
bottom line: You can get an equivalent set of knives for less money that performs better, you just won't have the Henckels name.
I sharpen these knives and they are dull within just a few uses. The stainless steel is soft and unimpressive. The honing steel that comes with these should only be used for these knives as it puts micro serrations in the blades to give them the impression of being sharp (using this every time will keep these knives nice and sharp feeling).
I think most people will find much better performance from a high carbon stainless knife set from most other companies (like Chicago Cutlery's Forum line), you just have to put up with a little staining.
I have been slowly building a professional level knife collection. Start with a high quality chef's (or something like a santoku), bread/carving knife, and a paring knife and work up from there. I couldn't tell you how happy I have been moving to "real" knives, the difference is amazing. If you buy Henckels make sure to buy the ones with the 2 stick men as they are higher quality (non international). The Wusthof Classic set is also a good starting point for good knives. My current set contains an Al Mar paring knife, a Fallkniven chef's knife, and a Wusthof Classic Santoku along with all these Henckels that I am replacing.
If you want cheap but very functional knives, I would recommend Forschner knives. They aren't pretty, but they function as well as any of the good Henckel's or Wusthof's.
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