The Chicago steak knives proved their worth as they sliced right through our rare steak. Henckels smoothly sliced through crusty cuisinart knife bread without snagging or tearing the soft interior. We were also very pleased to find how razor-thin it sliced tomatoes.
Where the set falls short is the chef’s knife, specifically the length. The 6.5-inch blade is shorter than most chef’s knives, which may be a problem for some. Those with larger hands may not like the petite size of the paring knife and want something with more heft. However, if premium quality and performance are what you’re after, the Wusthof is hard to beat. Cuisinart Advantage Colored Knives have stamped stainless steel blades with non-stick coating.
All the knife handles join flawlessly to their steel blades. Even the solid wood storage block is crafted with detail as it houses each knife on its side for better blade protection. The workhorse of the kitchen knife set is the chef’s knife, which allows you to glide through dense vegetables and tough meats or mince just about anything. The santoku blade is a handy tool for slicing, dicing, and chopping, while the serrated bread knife will be perfect for all of your crusty loaves. The shorter yet versatile utility and paring knives can be used for smaller or more delicate jobs.
The steel is heated, pounded, and molded into shape before being cleaned, attached to a handle, polished, and sharpened. Just about any peice of steel can be sharpend to razor sharpness. So last night I finally busted one out and let me tell you, the first thing I cut was a 16th-inch slice of tomato that peeled off like warm butter. I sharpen my Wustoff regularly, but the thing feels like a toothbrush compared to these new knives. Cuisinart, universally known for introducing the food processor in America, is a leader in culinary appliances, professional quality cookware and kitchen accessories.
Housed in a handsome wooden block, the knives are made with high-carbon stainless steel blades. That’s the bare minimum for a high-quality knife in the modern world — other materials are simply inferior. Carbon offers the promise of a sharp blade, while stainless steel lends them added strength along with aesthetic appeal. The Cuisinart Stainless Steel Hollow Handle 15-Piece Cutlery Block Set offers a nice selection of knives in a modern countertop storage block at an affordable price. The knives are sharp, lightweight, and comfortable to use. The inclusion of kitchen shears, steak knives, and a sharpener make it a complete set.
We were pretty turned off by this detail and it seemed to cheapen the otherwise high-end appearance. The knife block feels sturdy and we liked how it’s angled which makes it easier to see which tool you’re reaching for. The slot design on the block could use some tweaking, though.
For those who can’t pay top dollar, the Henckels is our first choice. The full tang, riveted handles have an endcap polished off with thick stainless steel to increase durability. Throughout testing, the blades remained sharp, and there wasn’t any sign of warping. It features remarkable quality given the price, and it’s more robust than others, making it able to withstand the abuse of big meals. However, the handles are angled right where they meet the blade providing a solid pinch grip. The sharper angles can dig into your palm when slicing larger quantities of tougher ingredients, such as butternut squash.
Precise cuts are a common trait of Japanese-style knives, and it didn’t disappoint. It gave us thin cucumber and avocado slices that would make any sushi roll proud. We tested each chef’s knife gotham steel cookware sets on a piece of thin magazine paper and observed how smooth or ragged the cut was to compare sharpness. We track prices for every brand we review and alert our readers when they’re on sale.