Best Knife Sets: Zwilling JA Henckels 11- Piece Knife Set Review
A Great Knife Set For Those Who Love To Cook!
While I am an amateur chef at best and a master chef at the kind of food you pop into the microwave, I’ve always found that a good set of knives is invaluable in the kitchen. My knives have in general been the kind that you buy one by one from your local departmental store, although I do have one or two really good ones that have been given to me as a gift.
As such, I do know that there are some really excellent knives out there, with a great balance to them while offering a sharpness and durability that you cannot find from a $10 set from Wal-Mart. Unfortunately, I also know that my two good henckel knives will probably cost more than all my other knives, cutlery and some kitchen appliances put together, and then some.
However, this is no longer the case as there are now some very affordable yet excellent knives currently in the high-end entry level market, so getting a set of knives like the Zwilling JA Henckels TWIN Signature Knife Block Set is a very good idea, especially if you’re also looking to get someone a gift (or get yourself a treat instead).
What Do People Look For in a Really Good Set Of Knives?
As with every other piece of kitchenware, most people know and understand the saying that you get what you pay for. If all you’re looking for something to cut stuff with then a cheap knife will be fine with you. However, if you’re looking for a good set of knives, then you’re going to have to look out for some things which include:
- Variety of the knife set
- Durability of the blade
- The balance of the blade
The experience of cutting and handling something with a good knife is out of this world, especially if you’ve had to make do with knives that feel flimsy, that bend dangerously and tend to tarnish or rust only a few months after buying it.
Variety of the Knife Set
Since you’re looking for a knife set, then you’ll want knives that cover a full range of uses rather than just two or three sizes of meat cleavers and a couple of paring knives. These henckel knives on the other hand offer just the right amount of variety necessary with the total set consisting of:
While there will be one general purpose knife in this set which you will use the most like the 8-inch chef’s knife or 6-inch utility knife, trying to cut a loaf of fresh bread with either one will require more finesse and care than necessary. So having a bread knife or a paring knife on hand for a specific purpose does make your life a whole lot easier.
As Tough As Possible
Quite obviously, you want kitchenware that will outlast you, or at least it will be something your kids will covet as part of their inheritance. As such it is a very good idea to get knives from a well known brand such as Zwilling JA Henckels. It is also a good idea to check that the knife set has a seal of authenticity as there are just as many cheap knockoffs in the market as there are fish in the sea.
Check that the blade is made in Germany by looking for the engraving in the blade or labeling on the handle. A set of real henckel knives such as these will be made from high-carbon stainless steel cut from a single piece using a laser. This will ensure a more consistent edge and result in a generally tougher and longer lasting blade. Henckel knives also go through a proprietary Friodur ice-hardening process that strengthens them even further and protects them from discoloration or tarnishing.
Balanced Blades
Anyone who has picked up a knife to cook will tell you that the balance of a blade will be the make or break reason you either buy it or keep looking. Too light and the knife feels flimsy. Too heavy and the knife will feel like you’re maneuvering a fork lift instead of something you’re trying really hard to chop something with (and keep your fingers intact in the process).
While the blade does play a factor in a more balanced feel, it is actually the handle that plays a much larger factor in terms of balancing out the blade. These henckel knives feature ergonomically designed polymer handles that look very traditional and are fastened to the full tangs of the blades with three rivets for some really well balanced knives.
Other features
Aside from the three reasons above, the Zwilling JA Henckels TWIN Signature Knife Block Sets offer a number of other features. While the company does mention that the best way to treat these henckel knives is to wash them by hand, they are also dishwasher safe so you can stick them into your dishwasher without worry.
Nitpicks
While the henckel knives themselves are wonderful, almost all previous users have said that the wooden knife block that it came with is too generic (this is mainly because the block was made in China instead of Germany). This is because the holes are not custom fitted with each blade so you end up with some blades sticking out unevenly. Some users have also mentioned that the blades themselves feel a little too lightweight, however, this is a complaint that people who haven’t encountered balanced blades before often feel, and so rest assured that the quality is guaranteed.
Price
As mentioned earlier the Zwilling JA Henckels TWIN Signature Knife Block Set is more of an entry-level product in a high-end range of knife products. However, the price is far from the usual $1000 price range you would normally see in such knives. The normal price for these henckel knives is generally around $480 to $500 but some other places such as Amazon are selling these knives at a more than 50% discount and will fall in the range of $220 to $230 per set.
Where Can I read More Reviews for the Zwilling JA Henckels TWIN Signature Knife Block Set?
The best place to find more customer reviews is Amazon. Click here to read more.
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