Amazon.com Review

This knife block set carries a useful assortment of standard knives for outfitting a kitchen. The set includes an 8-inch chef’s knife, an 8-inch carving knife, a 5-inch serrated utility knife, and a 4-inch paring knife as well as a sharpening steel and a pair of shears. All components fit within an 11-slot hardwood block, which offers four extra slots for future knife acquisitions.

Part of Henckels’s Twin Signature of knives, the cutlery in this set have high-carbon, stainless-steel blades that have been stamped from one piece of metal. The edge is cut by laser for a more consistent angle on the blade and hand-honed for sharpness. Blades have also undergone Henckels’s Friodur ice-hardening process, which further strengthens them and protects them from discoloration. The ergonomically designed traditional-style polymer handles are securely fastened to the balanced full tangs with three rivets. Handles seamlessly encase the tangs on these knives so no food particles can ever become trapped in a gap. Twin Signature knives are all dishwasher-safe (although Henckels recommends washing by hand) and are covered by a lifetime warranty. --Cristina Vaamonde

What’s in the Box
8-inch chef’s knife, 8-inch carving knife, 5-inch serrated utility knife, 4-inch paring knife, shears, sharpening steel, 11-slot hardwood block. ... Read more

Features

• 7.8 pounds; lifetime warranty
• Includes 8-inch chef's; 8-inch carving; 5-inch utility; 4-inch paring
• Also: sharpening steel, shears, 11-slot hardwood block
• Stamped high-carbon stainless-steel blades with laser-controlled edge
• Ice-hardened blades for strength; hand-honed for sharpness

Reviews (3)

A good starter knife set but don't expect too much
Having used some of Henckel's higher-priced professional lines, when the time came to buy a new set of starter knives I figured I'd stay with the brand. I ended up choosing the Twin Signature line 7-piece block set because it was a good compromise between quality and price.

Because the knives are stamped, not forged, you won't get the precise lines you get on the $80-a-knife lines, but the edges are well-finished and stay fairly sharp if you hand-wash them. I've been generally pleased with how they cut, and the chef's knife in particular has an excellent heft and balance for my somewhat larger hands.

The paring knife and the serrated utility knife are also gems. They're extremely well-sized, and have just enough flex to get the job done without feeling flimsy.

The scissors are sharp and extremely sturdy; I'm hard on this particular piece of kitchenware so I'm very pleased by that. Finally, the block is well-made and thought out. It has room for several more knifes as you expand your set.

The tips on the larger knifes aren't as well-finished as I would like, but that's about my only complaint. Just don't expect the sort of sturdiness you'd find on professional knives; these won't last quite as long without sharpening and you can't bang them about quite as much. For a serious home cook on a budget, though, they'll do just fine.

My plan is to use these for starters, and over time pick up two more Twin Signature paring knives, and one more 8-inch chef's knife from the Five-Star series for serious work.

Excellent quality, excellent price...
My mom & aunt bought these Henckels Twin Signature 7-Piece Block Sets and they absolutely love them.
I bought a Pro S set at Macys last year but didn't get a good discount like Amazon does... The knives are 1 of the best investments in my kitchen.

More Bang for Your Buck!
I SPENT A GOOD FEW HOURS LOOKING OVER ALL THE DIFFERENT TYPES OF HENCKELS KNIVES AND REALIZED THAT THE TWIN COLLECTIONS HAD PRETTY MUCH ALL OF THE SAME FEATURES AS THE 4 AND 5 STARS YET THEY WERE ATLEAST HALF THE PRICE. THEY ARE MADE IN GERMANY, FORGED, ICE HARDENED, FULL TANG, STAMPED HIGH-CARBON STAINLESS STEEL BLADES WITH LASER-CONTROLLED EDGE ETC. I ALSO LIKED THAT THIS BLOCK SET CAME WITH KITCHEN SHEERS AND A SERRATED KNIFE, WHICH SOME OF THE OTHERS DON'T. FOR AN AVERAGE PERSON WHO COOKS AT HOME AND IS LOOKING FOR A DEPENDABLE KNIFE TO DO THE TRICK, THESE ARE WELL OVER QUALIFIED. JUST ONE NOTE: I GIVE THUMBS DOWN TO AMAZON FOR SHIPPING THE KNIVES ONLY IN THEIR MANUFACTURER'S BOX AND NOT IN AN AMAZON BOX AS WELL. THESE WERE TO BE A GIFT BUT CAME UNDISGUISED AND RUINED THE SURPRISE. I WOULD THINK AMAZON WOULD HAVE ENOUGH BRAINS TO KNOW BETTER BUT THEN AGAIN I'M SURE THEY ARE LOOKING AT IT FROM THE POINT OF VIEW THAT THEY ALREADY COME IN THEIR OWN BOX SO WHY SPEND THE EXTRA MONEY TO PUT IT INDSIDE ANOTHER ONE. THAT'S PRETTY BAD! SHAME ON AMAZON! ... Read more

Amazon.com Review

A great gift, this seven-piece set equips a cook with fiveessential kitchen knives, a 9-inch sharpening steel to keep blade edgesaligned, and a hardwood block to store knives and steel on the counter.The knives are a 3-1/2-inch paring knife, a 5-3/4-inch utility knife,an 8-inch carving knife, an 8-inch bread knife to slice crusty loaves,and an 8-inch chef's knife for rocking through chopping and mincingtasks. The knives don't have bolsters and are stamped, not forged fromstainless steel. The steel is of lesser quality than Henckels' premierlines. Handles are also formed of stainless steel, and their satinfinish contrasts stylishly with the blades. The knives aredishwasher-safe and carry a lifetime warranty against defects.--Fred Brack

What's in the Box
3-1/2-inch parer, 5-3/4-inch utility, 8-inch slicer, 8-inch chef's knife, 8-inch bread knife, 9-inch steel, hardwood block ... Read more

Features

• Lifetime warranty against defects
• Set includes 3-1/2-inch parer, 5-3/4-inch utility, 8-inch slicer
• Also: 8-inch chef's knife, 8-inch bread knife, 9-inch steel, hardwood block
• Knives stamped from stainless steel
• Satin-finish stainless-steel handles

Reviews (3)

Just OK
I am not a professional chef, but I am an avid cook and I found this knife set to be a bit disappointing. I purchased it with hopes of getting a good set of Henckels knives with a longwearing stainless steel handle. Instead, these knives feel VERY light, the shape is hard to handle for fast chopping or dicing, and the handles frankly just feel strange in your hand (they have a sort of a sandpaper texture.) I would only recommend these knives for someone who prefers beauty to function- they are attractive in the block on the counter. In my house, however, they never leave the block.

A bargain at twice the price
By far the best cutlery set you will ever own.
A+ in my book, even if this set was twice the price.

Very Polished
The same quality founded in all Henckel's family but with a very polished and contemporary finish at a very affordable price. It looks great in any Stainless Steel countertop, ideal for people who likes quality and beauty in the same object. ... Read more

Amazon.com Review

If top-shelf Henckels knives will break your bank, you can still get high-quality performance and construction with the mid-range Henckels Gourmet line. A full-size collection, this 18-piece set thoroughly outfits a chef, as well as eight steak dinner guests. Each Gourmet knife is stamped from a single piece of high-carbon stainless steel, honed by hand, and hardened by the Friodur ice process, for maximum strength and stain-resistance. These knives boast a full tang, which is triple-riveted to a contoured handle made of Novadur polypropylene. This construction is impact-resistant, comfortable to hold, and durable. Complete with its own storage block, the set includes seven kitchen knives: a 3-inch parer, a 6-inch utility, an 8-inch carver, an 8-inch chef’s, an 8-inch bread, a 6-inch chef’s, and a 5-inch serrated utility. It also includes eight steak knives, a 9-inch steel for sharpening, and a pair of kitchen shears. The block has three extra slots for adding knives as needed. The set is safe for the dishwasher, but washing by hand is recommended. Henckels includes a lifetime warranty. --Emily Bedard

What's in the Box
3-inch parer, 6-inch utility, 8-inch carver, 8-inch chef's, 8-inch bread, 6-inch chef's, 5-inch serrated utility, 9-inch steel, kitchen shears, 8 steak knives, and storage block ... Read more

Features

• Friodur ice-hardening results in superior cutting performance
• Includes 3-inch parer, 6-inch utility, 8-inch carver, 8-inch chef’s, 8-inch bread, 6-inch chef’s, 5-inch serrated utility
• Also comes with 9-inch steel, kitchen shears, 8 steak knives, and storage block
• Stamped high-carbon stainless steel
• Hand-honed, laser-controlled edge, and balanced full tang

Amazon.com Review

This set supplies a cook with a variety of cutting edges and a solid wood block to store them in. The set consists of four kitchen knives, sturdy kitchen shears, a sharpening steel, and the block, which has four extra slots. An 8-inch chef's, a 3-inch paring, an 8-inch carving, and a 5-inch serrated utility knife make up the knives in the set. Classic three-rivet handles distinguish Pro S from Henckels's other quality knives. That makes Pro S handles heavier and knives less weight-forward. Handles are also smaller, which those with small hands might appreciate. Except for fully forged blades less than 6 inches long, such as the paring and utility knives in this set, the blades and bolsters of Henckels's first-rate cutlery lines are formed by a high-tech welding process that combines three high-carbon, stainless-steel types into what appears to be a single piece so a knife's parts have distinct, desirable characteristics. All pieces in the set carry a lifetime warranty against defects. --Fred Brack

What's in the Box
8-inch chef's, 8-inch carving, 3-inch paring, 5-inch serrated utility, sharpening steel, shears, and wood block ... Read more

Features

• Lifetime warranty against defects
• Knives include 8-inch chef's, 8-inch carving, 3-inch paring, 5-inch serrated utility
• Set also includes sharpening steel, shears, and wood block
• High-carbon stainless-steel blades
• Black synthetic, three-rivet, full-tang handles

Reviews (4)

a bit disappointed, but okay and will keep it.
i just got this set after reading the rave reviews posted here. Upon receiving the item, i did a thorough examination and was a bit disappointed with the quality and the packaging. the packaging used is cheap thin corrugated cardboard box and the knives are loosely placed in it where rattling and banging are sure to occur during shipping; though, individual blades are protected with a clear plastic sleeve, except the sheer, that can only be removed by torn it into pieces from the blade and thus made it unusable for future storage purposes. i also examined the sharp edges of the blades the way a carpenter would examine the straightness of a long piece of wood and found that the blades are all crooked, with the chef knife having the most noticeable skewness. With this kind of price, one would expect, at the LEAST, that the sharp edges of the blades to be straight. As for the wood block, all the opening slots where knives are inserted are roughly carved with wood sprinkles noticeably shown all around. Overall it's a good product, but not worth this kind of pricing. Another overhyped and overpriced European product. I would say if you are not looking for brand name, you can get lesser expensive non-European products that are as effective and save your money for your kids' education.

Great for a start
I'm not an expert in the kitchen, but I wanted a good set of knives. I debated between this and the 9 piece set. The 9 pc. set adds an 8" bread knife and a 6" utility knife to this set, for more [$$$]. I opted instead for this set, and purchased a bread knife (actually the 9" French bread knife) . Instead of the utility knife, I bought a carving fork through open stock to complement the carving knife. Total cost was about the same as the 9 pc. set.

Do a little searching on the Internet; you will find plenty of tutorials on how to hone your knives, how to sharpen them, and how to use them correctly. I had never really used good knives before, and now I actually look like I know what I'm doing. These knives wipe clean easily; don't ruin your investment by putting them in the dishwasher.

Incidentally, I thought I would never use the utility scissors, and I find myself using them all the time.

Great set
I love this set. I wish I had it years ago. It would have saved alot of tearing. Cuts through a cabbage in less than 2 seconds. Steel scratches easily though, but other than that, the quality is great. I thought of buying a non-German brand that came with more knives for less cost, but it turns out that this set has all the knives most people need, except the bread knife.

The Best Knives I'VE ever used!!
I'm no knife expert, but I've never regretted purchasing this set: they're beautiful and they really do the job! To be able to easily slice through raw meat, vegetables, tough skinned tomatoes - well, it's a pleasure to work with these knives! I can't recommend them highly enough! ... Read more

Features

• Hand washing recommended; limited lifetime warranty; made in Germany
• 3-inch paring knife, 5-1/2-inch boning knife, 5-inch serrated knife, 7-inch hollow edge Santoku knife, kitchen shears, sharpening steel, and hardwood block
• Ice-hardened forged high-carbon stainless-steel blades
• Bolster and full tang on every blade for superb weight and balance
• Ergonomically shaped one-piece polypropylene handles

Amazon.com Review

A revelation to any cook with a drawer full of stained, blunt knives, this set satisfies every basic kitchen-cutlery need in a package compact enough to keep on the counter within easy reach. The set includes an 8-inch chef's knife, a 6-inch utility knife, a 5-inch serrated utility knife, an 8-inch bread knife, an 8-inch carving knife for slicing tasks, and a 3-inch paring knife for peeling and cleaning vegetables and fruits. A 9-inch sharpening steel keeps their edges in order. A pair of kitchen shears to snip herbs, flowers, or string is also included. Everything fits snugly in the rubber-footed, solid block. The block even has two extra slots, for future acquisitions or loyalty to old knives. Henckels' Pro S knives have heavy, three-rivet handles and are less weight-forward than those in the company's other lines. Their handles are also smaller, a feature those with small hands might appreciate. While this set is dishwasher-safe, hand washing is recommended. --Fred Brack

What's in the Box
8-inch chef's knife, a 6-inch utility knife, a 5-inch serrated utility knife, an 8-inch bread knife, an 8-inch carving knife, 3-inch paring knife, 9-inch sharpening steel, kitchen shears, block with two extra slots ... Read more

Features

• Made in Germany; lifetime warranty
• Includes 8-inch chef's, 6-inch utility, 5-inch serrated utility, 8-inch bread, 8-inch carving, 3-inch paring knives
• Also includes 9-inch sharpening steel; kitchen shears; rubber-footed, solid wood block with two extra slots
• High-carbon stainless-steel blades
• Black, synthetic, three-rivet, full-tang knife handles

Reviews (26)

Overall ok, but not as good as I expected.
I'm like the reader from New York. I needed a good, stong set of knives so I looked at .... I saw all the great customer reivews on these knives and I ran out and bought my very own set.

Now, I'm a little disappointed. Overall the knives are ok, but not as sturdy as I expected. After only two months of use the plastic handles have scratches. The handle on the Chef's knife is loose and I just sent it back for replacement. I just received a letter from the store where I bought the knives and they are sending me back the knife so I can send it to Germany for replacement because it's supposed to be a manufacturing error. I have a feeling it's going to be harder then I thought just to get one knife replaced. As if that's not bad enough, I just noticed the handle on the kitchen shears are also not as tight as they were when I first got the set.And this is just from everyday cooking and use.

The blades are sharp and durable, so the knives aren't that bad. For the high price of these knives, I expected a little more durability, stronger and slightly bigger handles that were somewhat scratch resistant and a better replacement policy.

I've done some research into these knives and I know they are rated highly by consumers, maybe I just got a bad batch, but nevertheless, I'm not 100% satisfied with these knives and rightfully so if the handles are loose and scratched.

Excellent quality
This is a very nice set of knives. I love them. They are very high quality. In case you don't know it, one of the key things to look at when determining the quality of the knife is the way the blade connect to the handle. In the case of a cheap knife, if you flex the blade you will likely see a gap between the blade and the handle. This is evidence of how flimsy the knife is, and how flimsy it can be when you are cutting something. The Henckels Pro S knives, on the other hand, are very solid. The blade itself actually forms an integral part of the handle. Notice how the silver line extends up the handle in the picture? This is a continuation of the blade up into the handle, and this makes for very solid construction. The attachment of the black portion is amazingly smooth and very comfortable. And it is very hard to even get the blade to flex. The whole knife is very solid feeling and fun to use. The sissors are great too. They are so sharp and sturdy, and easy to find since they are always stored right there on the face of the block. The biggest knife is great for cutting meets and vegetables. The bread knife is great is great for slicing french bread or bagels. The paring knife is for cutting up fruits. It is really a neat set. I've had a set of these for over 3 years. I hardly ever sharpen them and when I do it is mainly just for kicks because they don't really even need it much. I also HIGHLY recommend the matching steak knifes. We bought a dozen or so of them (I think they come in sets of 4). These are so much better than my old cheapy knives, and I know that they will probably last a lifetime. This is one of my favorite purchase ever. We even bought a set for my inlaws, replacing the set of knifes they had used for years. It is such a thrill to have a nice, high quality set of knives.

These are great knives
I bought this knife and block set as a Christmas gift for my wife. She loves it. Our only disappointment was that the block was a different style than that shown on Amazon or, for that matter, on the box it arrived in. The picture showed a block with six slots for steak knives. The block we got is the one now shown in the Amazon add. Apparently Henckel made a change in their set about the same time I ordered it. We can live with the substitution though as the knive set is now selling for $50 more than what I paid for it in December 03. I would have bought the set regardless of the block design but the steak knive slots was a nice feature that appealed to me. The knives are well crafted, have a great feel, extremely sharp and we love them. There were two extra slots in the block that accomodated another Henckel knife we already owned and one other. We also love the selection of knives, especially the paring knife and small serrated knife. Some other reviewers have mentioned scratches or uneven sharpening but we've not noticed either of these conditions.

Defective
The chef knife in the set I received has forging defect. The support person kept telling me that Henckels had almost perfect quality control. The knives should not have any defect. But, it did. I had to return the chef knife for replacement. The sufaces for couple other knives were scratched also. after two weeks, I did receive the replacement knife, but it didn't match the original set. I didn't bother to send it back again. Quality: poor. Support person: not knowledgable.

what's the problem?
not until i read the customer reviews did i notice the scratches on the handles. as with any product, there are occasional rejects that make it to the market. but, overall i'd say the knives are well worth the money especially if you wait till they are on sale ... instead of the usual [price]. the "scratches" are grinder marks left when the bolster is "hand-finished" by a living person who is capable of mistakes. i myself find that the marks give character to the knives knowing that no two will be alike. i think that most complaintants are [people] who bought the knives to impress others as an art piece and have no intention of using them. if they did, they would notice that knives,that are used ocasionally, will become "scratched" and "dinged". maybe these people should look at cheaper knives that are stamped and tooled by a machine in order to achieve that pristine, picture-perfect look which is so much more important than how the knives perform. ... Read more

Features

• Never need sharpening; resist corrosion; dishwasher-safe
• Set of 8 steak knives; blades feature a serrated cutting edge
• Each knife forged from a single piece of stain-resistant steel
• Triple-riveted handles provide strength and longevity; full tang
• Ideal as a wedding or shower gift; attractive and classic design

Reviews (2)

Great Product!
I received a set of these knives aboout 5 years ago as a wedding present and bought another set to complete 12. These are great quality, durable and I've even used them combined with more formal silverware. I highly recommend it.

Best EVER
These are absolutely by far the best knives I have ever used. They are perfect to cut anything! They are a little expensive for my taste, but are worth every penny. You will not be disappointed at all when you buy these! ... Read more

Amazon.com Review

This set places a lot of useful kitchen cutting edges within reach. The set consists of an 8-inch chef's knife, a 6-inch utility knife, a 5-inch serrated utility knife, a 3-inch paring knife, a pair of multipurpose kitchen shears, and a 9-inch sharpening steel to keep knife edges in order. It all fits in a heavy wood block with four extra slots for future acquisitions or old favorites. Except for the fully forged paring knife, the knives in this set--like other top-grade Henckels knives--are formed by a high-tech welding process that combines three steel types into what appears to be a single piece so a knife's parts have distinct characteristics. Traditionalists might insist on single-piece forging for strength, but Henckels says the invisible welds are stronger than the steel. These knife handles don't have full tangs, but they're made of tough polypropylene. Hand washing is recommended. --Fred Brack

What's in the Box
8-inch chef's, 6-inch utility 5-inch serrated utility, and 3-inch paring, shears, 9-inch sharpening steel, storage block with four extra slots ... Read more

Features

• Polypropelene handles
• Knives include 8-inch chef's, 6-inch utility 5-inch serrated utility, and 3-inch paring
• Set includes shears and 9-inch sharpening steel
• Storage block has four extra slots
• Forged of three types of steel for added strength

Reviews (10)

Excellent starter set for the burgeoning chef
When first advised to buy Henckels by a friend and culinary aficionado, I hesitated; $200+ for a set of knives? But after purchasing this 7-piece Henckels set, I was pleasantly surprised. There are excellent knives and definitely worth the money.

I would advise you go to a store that carries most of the Henckels knife series before you purchase online. While I recommend all of Henckels' forged blades, the handles are key; there are at least 4 handle types, each with personal pro/cons depending on your hand shape and size. The four-star handles are mid-size poly; the five-star handles are similar but a bit larger and more ergonomic. Henckels also makes a "classic" handle, both in poly and wood, and also an all-metal handle.

Excellent knife set
This is a great knife set. The knives are high quality and well balanced. The utility knife is great. After using this set for almost two years, I only have two complaints. The paring knife is a little small to cover all potential uses. Another 1/2 inch and it would be perfect. Also, the bread knife is almost useless. In addition to the fact it is the least used knife in the set, it is too short to be effective on all types of breads (varying loaf sizes, etc.). Add a longer paring knife and a carving or boning knife instead of the bread knife and this set would get five stars.

No comparison...
First, I can't attest that these knives are better than similar knives by other makers, like Wusthof or Global. I did my share of research based on comments but I haven't had the privilege of using knives by other high end manufacturers. My wife and I mostly just cook relatively simple foods for ourselves.

This being said, the experience I can relate with authority is the absolute joy I've felt using the Henckels 4-Star knives over the past several months after previously being stuck with no-name, bargain basement serrated knives.

Our old knives were given to us as a wedding gift. Over two years, what had been a 15 knife set was whittled (pun intended...) down to 7 knives, four of which now have loose handles. Two of the knives in this set had blades which broke, and the others had the blade break loose from the handle since they were not full tang. Of course quality, or lack thereof, was just one major deficiency of this set. The main problem was their awful performance. The handles were poorly contoured. The blades were light and thin, would wander aimlessly through the food, and the densely serrated edges shred your food. Ingredients clung to the blades, which were so flimsy you'd continually be worried they'd break in midstroke. They also became stained over time, and showed signs of spot rusting

Why am I detailing our terrible, dollar store quality knives in such detail? Because I think it's necessary to illustrate why it's absolutely NECESSARY, if you do any amount of cooking at all, to buy good quality knives as soon as you possibly can!

In contrast with the old knives, the Henckels cut through our ingredients with authority and precision. Food slides off of them easily. Handles are solid and fit the hand like a glove. They are weighty, but they slice through the food so effortlessly, you really don't feel the extra heft. Also, because they are so efficient, you'll fly through cutting chores that take twice as long with lesser quality knives. In the end, I now get tasks done much faster but more deftly. I cut thinner, smaller, more accurately. It's a WORLD of difference!

Anyone who says that you can get by with cheapo knives and don't need 'them 'spensive knives...' is leading you astray. They can't have possibly EVER used good knives. They are advising based on ignorance. Even the simplest task is made better with our Henckels set. Do yourself a favor, pass by whatever is being hawked by the hucksters on HSN and the late night infomercials and get something with quality.

These might cost 4 times as much as lesser brands, but they will last far longer, and make your time in the kitchen immeasurably less stressful. In fact, they restore the pleasure to cooking.

High quality and user friendly
The Henckels 4 star knives are wonderful. I am able to get such a good grip on these. Very happy with the set. The only difference between this 4 star set and the 5 star set is the handles. I personally liked how my hand contoured to these handles. Previously owned the famous and expensive cutco knives. These are just as well balanced. Highly recommend.

It's not a bread knife
Just to clarify on those who commented that the "bread knife" in the set is too short. Technically, it's a serrated utility knife, not a bread knife and is fabulous for cutting tomatoes. The bread knife is also serrated, but is much larger...I have one myself and it's great for cutting big loaves of bread. ... Read more

Amazon.com Review

From one of Henckels' moderately priced cutlery lines, theseeight steak knives divide any rib eye, chop, or roast into bite-sizepieces and then store in a handsome wood box. The thin, curved bladesare perfect for precise cutting, although their fine serrations tend totear meat fibers rather than slice neatly through them. Stamped fromhigh-carbon stainless steel, the knives are lighter in weight thanforged knives and don't have bolsters, which might not be essentialwhen confronting a thick prime rib. The synthetic handles featureclassic three-rivet styling with full tangs for strength. The storagebox is stained a rich auburn. It has brass hinges and snap closures andmeasures 15-1/4 inches long, 1-3/4 inches high, and 5-5/8 inches wide.The knives are dishwasher-safe and carry a lifetime warranty againstdefects. --Fred Brack ... Read more

Features

• Lifetime warranty against defects
• 4-1/2-inch serrated blades slice steaks, chops, roasts
• Made of high-carbon stainless steel with synthetic handles
• Wood storage box has hinged top, two snap closures
• Dishwasher-safe knives; made in Germany

Reviews (2)

Great Set Of Knifes!!
I just received these knifes and I was very pleased. The quality was great on the knifes and the box was even nice. You are always hesitant buying something without seeing it, but I was pleasantly surprised with this set. For the money you just can't beat it.

A winner!!
Don't let the price fool you. Yes, they seem expensive but they are worth every penny. If you are a meat and steak lover, these are for you!! ... Read more

Amazon.com Review

The Japanese version of the chef’s knife, the santoku is useful for straight chopping, mincing, and slicing of larger quantities of vegetables and meat. Cooks with smaller hands may prefer this 7-inch blade as the shorter length offers better control while cutting. The width also provides a great platform for transporting chopped vegetables from cutting board to sauté pan. This version of the santoku actually has a hollow edge or oval cut-outs along the blade. The benefit to this blade style is that cooks can cut paper-thin slices and individual slices won’t stick to the blade.

Part of the Five Star series of cutlery, this santoku has a fully forged high-carbon stainless-steel blade. The blade, bolster, and tang are welded of one piece of metal using Henckels’s Sinter Metal Component Technology, which distributes the right quantities of metal to each part of the knife. The result is a longer-lasting edge and a more consistent angle on the blade. The blade has also undergone Henckels’s Friodur ice-hardening process, which further strengthens it and protects it from discoloration. The ergonomically designed black polypropelene handle offers a secure and comfortable grip and is hygienically attached so there are no gaps between the handle and blade for food to become trapped. Knives in the Five Star series have larger handles than other Henckels knives so this santoku would be most comfortable for chefs with bigger hands. This santoku should be hand washed and is covered by a lifetime warranty. --Cristina Vaamonde ... Read more

Features

• Lifetime warranty
• 7-inch hollow-edge blade allows for paper-thin slices, keeps food from sticking
• High-carbon stainless-steel; optimum grades of metal welded into each part of knife
• Friodur ice-hardening process strengthens knife and prevents staining
• Full tang and bolster; black ergonomic polypropelene handle

Reviews (3)

Great wedding present!
I have never had good knives before. After looking around and trying a few on for their feel, we picked a few of these five star knives and put them on our registry. Excellent wedding present! And this is the most useful of all our new Henckel knives. Not a day goes by when I do not marvel at this knife. I've never before been able to thinly slice tomatoes without a serrated edge! Slicing lemons or veggies is like going through soft butter, but with precision.
I highly recommend this knife.

Best knife I've ever had
This knife is no less than awesome. It does everything a traditional chef's knife does, and then some. It chops and dices almost effortlessly, but it also slices razor thin slices of vegetables that make presentation a dream. The knife feels solid, balanced and strong, and the hand grip is perfectly contoured to fit the hand - a far superior grip to the Wusthof, which is thinner, straight and flat. I recently purchased Global's highly rated 8" Chef's knife too - I love it, but not quite as much as the santoku. The deeper blade on the santoku makes cutting and slicing a bit smoother, especially with thicker foods. Buy one and enjoy - it is truly a staple of the kitchen.

Fantastic Knife
This knife is a kitchen wonder. The shape of the blade makes it easier than a chef's knife for chopping. The handle fit is very comfortable. Food doesn't stick to the blade and fall off on the next slice (try cutting carrot rounds without having them roll off the blade-this knife makes it possible). It's worth every penny. ... Read more

Amazon.com Review

Henckels is acknowledged as one of the world's finest cutlery manufacturers of high-end knives. Henckels developed its International line, featuring knives that still perform admirably in the kitchen, for a more moderate price. This six-piece Classic set is manufactured using high-carbon stainless steel, a premium material but one that's of slightly lesser quality than the company's other cutlery lines. The knives are well balanced in the hand, with narrow yet still heavy handles for thorough slicing. This set includes a 4-inch paring knife, 6-inch utility knife, 5-1/2-inch boning knife, 7-inch bread knife, 8-inch chef's knife, and 9-inch sharpening steel, all stored in an attractive natural hardwood block. The variety of knives gives you an arsenal to handle virtually any kitchen task, from slicing vegetables and meat to mincing garlic to dividing a long loaf of French bread. Durable and attractive, the knives feature Henckels' trademark black polypropylene handles, each fastened by three rivets to the fully visible tang. While the knives are dishwasher-safe, hand washing is recommended. Like all Henckels knives, this cutlery set carries a lifetime warranty. --Rivers Janssen ... Read more

Features

• Protected by lifetime warranty
• 4-inch paring, 6-inch utility, 5-1/2-inch boning, 7-inch bread, and 8-inch chef's knife, plus 9-inch sharpening steel and hardwood storage block
• High-carbon stainless-steel manufacture for long-lasting performance
• Black polypropylene handles are well balanced in the hand
• Dishwasher-safe, though hand washing is recommended

Reviews (10)

Well balanced forged knives at a very competitive price
Thses knives stack up quite well when compared to Henckel's made in Germany forged knives. The feel and balance are excellent, they are razor sharp (though you will need to hone them regularly to keep them that way) and the quality is apparent when you hold them in your hand. I would also reccomend getting the 5 inch serrated utility knife for slicing ripe tomatoes and smaller pieces of bread. Women with small hands may also like to get the 6 inch chef's knife if they find the large version included to be too cumbersome and tiring to use.

Overall an excellent set, so far I am completely satisfied with them.

All the quality at half the price
Okay, so they are made in Spain rather than Germany...so what? These knives are a great starter set for anyone looking to "upgrade" from the dull knives they got as a hand-me-down or when they went off to college.

Chefs say that a safe knife is a sharp knife, and you just can't get that with inferior knives. This line by Henckels probably gets overlooked because you don't find it on the shelves of Williams-Sonoma, but they are just as good. Cutting is also faster with a well-balanced knife with some weight behind it, which this set has as well. I've added kitchen shears since I bought mine, and I'll probably add the utility knife, carving set and cleaver before I'm done. The knives you start with though are all you need. I find myself using just about all of them (except the boning knife) almost every day.

Two caveats though...don't put them in the dishwasher and don't forget to use the steel either before or after you use your knives. My sister put her knives (not Henckels, but of similiar quality) in the dishwasher on a consistant basis and the edges got nicked from all the banging around that goes on. Also, using the steel will keep you from having to have the knives professionally sharpened.

Great knives for the amateur chef
I bought this block set to replace my Chicago Cutlery chef's knife and paring knife, which I've owned for years. The Henckels are excellently balanced and construction is solid. Out of the box, they are not the sharpest knives ever. However, they're likely to be sharper than the knives they're replacing, and if you get them sharpened, they'll hold an edge with good maintenance. I've used every blade in the set and have been satisfied with them all. I have some slight discoloration of the blades, but nothing too terrible. I've been hand-washing them religiously, but a friend has the same set and tosses them in the dishwasher, and his knives have held up better than mine.

Con:
1. Not the sharpest knives ever.
2. Require significant maintenance.
3. Shears should be included in this set.

Pro:
1. Excellent balance, highly functional.
2. All the basic blades are included.
3. They hold an edge well.
4. Block is utterly functional.
5. You will never be able to buy cheap knives again.

Overall, this block set was a fantastic investment. I'd recommend it to anyone getting into cooking. If you're a professional, you'll probably want something better (there are better Henckels, and Wustof too). If you don't cook much at all, this set is probably overkill.

Well balanced and pretty...but dull. Get the 4 star instead
These knives were really nice looking and felt good in the hand...much like the Henckels Pro S line, but they were not very sharp. This could have just been a bad set, but that may be due to lower standards at the manufacturing facility in Spain. I recommend spending the extra few bucks and getting the Henckels Four Star knives made at the original facility in Germany. When I got the Four Star set they were razor sharp, felt great and worked beautifully. There is a reason the International line is so much cheaper...

Wonderful knives!
These are great knives, especially for the price. They are just like the Pro-S line from Henckels only are not hardened the same way. They are sharp. The chefs knife sliced a very ripe tomato straight out of the box. They have excellent weight and balance and the handles are comfortable. All in all, a great buy! I can't believe I used dull knives for some many years when these wonderful and affordable knives were so accessible. Definitely worth their weight in gold. ... Read more

Amazon.com Review

The Japanese version of the chef’s knife, the santoku is useful for straight chopping, mincing, and slicing of larger quantities of vegetables and meat. Cooks with smaller hands may prefer this 7-inch blade as the shorter length offers better control while cutting. The width also provides a great platform for transporting chopped vegetables from cutting board to sauté pan. This version of the santoku actually has a hollow edge or oval cut-outs along the blade. The benefit to this blade style is that cooks can cut paper-thin slices and individual slices won’t stick to the blade.

Part of the Four Star series of cutlery, this santoku has a fully forged high-carbon stainless-steel blade. The blade, bolster, and tang are welded of one piece of metal using Henckels’s Sinter Metal Component Technology, which distributes the right quantities of metal to each part of the knife. The result is a longer-lasting edge and a more consistent angle on the blade. The blade has also undergone Henckels’s Friodur ice-hardening process, which further strengthens it and protects it from discoloration. The black polypropelene handle offers a secure and comfortable grip and is hygienically attached so there are no gaps between the handle and blade for food to become trapped. This santoku should be hand washed and is covered by a lifetime warranty. --Cristina Vaamonde ... Read more

Features

• Lifetime warranty
• 7-inch hollow-edge blade allows for paper-thin slices, keeps food from sticking
• High-carbon stainless-steel; optimum grades of metal welded into each part of knife
• Friodur ice-hardening process strengthens knife and prevents staining
• Full tang and bolster; black polypropelene handle

Reviews (2)

iowa cook
I received this knife just a few days ago by accident and was told to keep it. I am extrememly happy for the mess up. I love this knife, it is extremely sharp and makes cutting large quantities of food a dream. It is also well balanced and the handle fits my hand rather nicely. My husband loves the way the knife just "sings" as it is being pulled out of the block. The stainless steel is a very high quality.

ultra sharp!!
It is a very sharp knife. Must use with care.
I am very pleased with it. It is pricey. I hope it last a lifetime. ... Read more

Amazon.com Review

Most of the Henckels lines--including the popular Four Star series--feature blades made of Friodur, a special ice-hardened, no-stain steel created and patented by the company in 1939. This special formula was designed for exceptional hardness and high resistance to corrosion. The blades on these steak knives are slim and narrow to facilitate even, precise meat cutting and flexible enough to allow thin slicing. The ergonomically designed polypropylene handles--like that of all the products in the Four-Star line--are designed to balance perfectly in the hand.

Founded in 1731, the J.A. Henckels company is not only one of the world's oldest cutlery manufacturers, it's also one of the most well-respected, creating best-selling knives guaranteed to last a lifetime. --Kim Harwell ... Read more

Features

• Lifetime warranty
• Celebrate Henckels 120th with a great price on this set of four knives
• Specially formulated high-carbon stainless-steel blades
• Sturdy black molded polypropylene handles
• Dishwasher safe, but hand washing recommended

Reviews (2)

Excellent
The cost of these knives probably puts them out of reach for the average household (who wants to spend $35 a piece for a steak knife for company to scratch against stoneware plates?), but if you want top-of-the-line knives that cut through anything, hold their edge, and feel sturdy in your hand, give these knives a second look. They compare favorably to the other more expensive Henckels, as well as the pricey Wusthof lines.

Wonderful steak knives
These are wonderful knives. They cut the meat as easily as a case knife going through butter. I am very happy with this product and plan to purchase more. ... Read more

Amazon.com Review

This set is sure to cover every chopping, paring, slicing, skinning, or mincing need any cook could possibly have in the kitchen. The kitchen shears are heavy duty, great for use with fresh flowers or poultry skin, and the sharpening steel makes it easier to maintain a sharp edge on all knives between professional sharpenings. The knives cover a terrific range--the list includes a 3-inch paring knife, 5-inch serrated utility, 6-inch straight utility, 8-inch carving, 8-inch chef's, and an 8-inch serrated bread knife. The handles are smooth and comfortable--the curve takes a bit of getting used to, but after a week, straight-handled knives just won't feel right. The balance is exceptional in each piece, and the serrated items work equally well for lefties or righties. Every bit of the set--minus the block--is dishwasher-safe, and has a full, lifetime guarantee. --Jill Lightner

What's in the Box
3-inch paring knife, 5-inch serrated utility, 6-inch straight utility, 8-inch carving, 8-inch chef's, 8-inch serrated bread knife, kitchen shears, sharpening steel, 8-slot knife block ... Read more

Features

• Dishwasher-safe; full, lifetime guarantee
• Includes 3-inch paring knife, 5-inch serrated utility, 6-inch straight utility
• Also includes 8-inch carving, 8-inch chef's, and 8-inch serrated bread knives
• Forged high-carbon stainless-steel blades, full tang and bolster
• Ergonomically designed polypropylene handle

Reviews (18)

Handles may be scratched and discolored
I purchased the 5 piece set which is a nice combination. However, the handles were marred and discolored. I sent them back and got another set with the same problem. I have since visited many retail stores and seen the same problem. I contacted Henkels and they told me that they were aware of the problem and to try rubbing some oil on them. I did which darken them up but did nothing to the scratches.
The blades are excellent, however the 5-star handles have issues. Just check them out carefully before you buy.

How many Cutco(s) in use in professional kitchens
Just a word... ask a chef (one who wears whites and checkered pants 15 hours a day and smells of fish and garlic) How many Cutco knives are in their kitchens.

If you're using a knife 8 hours a day, trust me... your cutco knife will be relegated to the trash can or cutting boxes.

Test before you buy
I have one Henckels Five Star knife (5 inch blade approximately, cost about 70$), and a set of Cutco. Both are pretty good, but I'd go with the cutco, as the Henckels gets dull pretty quickly when it contacts either a plate or cutting board, and the handle is definitely not dishwasher friendly, it gets marred quite readily. As for balance, both are balanced pretty well, but the handle of Cutco feels better. Cutco is expensive, and so is Henckels, so be smart when you buy, and try to get the most free stuff you can from the Cutco rep if you choose to go that route. The warranty for Cutco is definitely better than Henckels, which basically has no warranty. Hope this was helpful.

First-time knife buyer
My mom always told me that when I go to buy my first set of knives, buy ones that will last a lifetime. My parents have their Cutco knives at home, however she recommended the Henckels brand to me. I love these knives, they came very sharpt, are ergo, and cut beautifully!!! There's even some extra slots in the block to add more knives to the set.

Henckels v Cutco
These knives are of superior quality but really do not match up to Cutco. I have both sets in my kitchens in US and France, the Cutco knives are more durable and are weighted better. If you want to impress people then buy Henckels if you want a blade to serve you for a lifetime buy Cutco.

Chris. ... Read more

Features

• Lifetime warranty
• Serrated for slicing bread
• High-tech welded, high-carbon stainless-steel blade
• Black synthetic, three-rivet, full-tang handle
• Made in Germany

Reviews (6)

Nice, but not worth 65.00
When I was washing the knife I noticed that the fine edge on the serrations had bent over to the non-scalloped side of the blade. I guess i found this a little irritating since i spent a fortune on this knife. It cuts bread fine, but i would not purchase again if i had the choice.

lesser of the 2 Henckels bread knives
A fine knife for most bread but when cutting large, tough loaves it has trouble "finishing" off the bottom of the crust. A better design is a knife with a slight curve, and sure enough Henckels has one of those as well. If you like hearty, thick crusted bread, then spend a few more dollars and buy the 9" instead.

Another great Henckels knife.
What can you really say about Henckels knives? Only that they are the best on the market. As such you'd expect to see a 5star rating, however the reason it only attained 4 from me is because of one minor incident.

The first time I used the knife it was on a very hard crusted loaf from Panera that decided to not have them slice because i wanted to play with the new addition to my collection. The Henckles made quick work of the loaf as expected. When I was washing the knife I noticed that the fine edge on the serrations had bent over to the non-scalloped side of the blade. Nothing visiable, but you could feel them when running your fingers over them. A swipe or two with the honing steel from the back and a few twisting pulls in each scallop from the other side trued the folds straight again.

Honestly its a little my fault too for taking it straight to this "rock" before breaking it in a little first. Not that Henckels need to be broken in, but you know what I mean.

I like bread & butter.
Mmm cut thick bread good, but too big for butter.

Seriously, this is a perfect bread knife, especially for someone slicing through tough-crusted baguettes almost daily. However, since it's "only" a bread knife, I can only give it four stars. But just as soon as I get my hands on one of those Santoku knives...

Misnamed...
They shouldn't call this a bread knife, they should call it the Everything knife. The ultra-sharp steel saws through just about everything...I use it as my carving knife for meats, and it has held up without any problems for more than two years so far.
The design is beautiful, the weight has a solid, heavy feeling, and you can wash them in the dishwasher. This is a classic design that will last for years and years. ... Read more

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. Everything fits into the rubber-footed, solid block. Included are a 3-inch paring knife, a 5-inch utility knife, an 8-inch chef's knife, a 5-inch boning knife, an 8-inch bread knife, a 9-inch steel, and six 4-inch steak knives. 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' premier lines--the blades are less strong. The knives are dishwasher-safe, but it's not recommended. --Fred Brack

What's in the Box
3-inch paring, 5-inch utility, 8-inch chef's, 5-inch boning, 8-inch bread, 9-inch steel, six 4-inch steak knives, solid wood block ... Read more

Features

• Dishwasher-safe
• 3-inch paring, 5-inch utility, 8-inch chef's, 5-inch boning, 8-inch bread, 9-inch steel, six 4-inch steak knives
• Rubber-footed, solid wood block
• Stamped high-carbon stainless-steel blades
• Full, three-rivet tangs and polypropylene handles

Reviews (18)

great set
We received these knives as a wedding gift when we had them on our registry, and they've been great! Been using them for two years now, and they are still extremely sharp. They are well balanced, a nice weight and easy to use. I always hand wash mine, just to be on the safe side, and they are just like new. I cook often and can't stand a cheap or dull knife, and these have been a great deal for the money. Ours is a 7-knife set with no steak knives. Highly recommend them (and per an above review, these are a 'single man' marked set, not a double or twin marked set, so not Henckels top of the line, even).

Decent starter block
For the price you cannot expect any more than you get. If you want high-end quality then spend some dough. If you want a good starter set to thrash on for every day use, then, for 40 bucks, you cannot go wrong with this knife set. It has all the basic knives a person could want. The block is of lesser quality and stunk like glue! It was a little overpowering at first. But, like I said, this is my first block set and I'm treating it that way. Great starter set, I'd recommend it.

Excellent value for Money
Unless your consistently cutting steel cans or opening them with your knives, this set is great. It holds the edge well and you'd spend 5 times the money to get the better "lifetime " Henkels. Do you really want the same set of knives your whole life anyway?

A really good buy!

Great Knives!
We got this as a wedding present...what a great gift! I use these knives constantly, but especially for cutting up meat or vegetables. They are so sharp but even cut up baby tomatoes with ease. The wood block is small enough to be stored on a counter top and not take up much space at all. I'm so happy we got these!

Don't buy these!
I registered for these because Henckels has a good reputation, but i am really disappointed. The knives are not recommended for the dishwasher and I have hand washed them all. Despite this after one time of using the chopping knife and hand washing it, it has begun to rust. I wish I would have registered for the more expensive knives. In the long run it would have saved me money! ... Read more

Amazon.com Review

Classically shaped (center-tip style, with curved back and edge), this knife comes in handy at breakfast, lunch, and dinner. In the afternoons, when no one is looking, it'll slice open a package. Classic three-rivet handles distinguish Pro S from Henckels' other quality lines: TwinStar, Five Star, and Four Star. While this paring knife is dishwasher-safe, hand washing is recommended. --Fred Brack ... Read more

Features

• Lifetime warranty
• Cuts, peels, and cleans small fruits and vegetables
• 4-inch forged, high-carbon stainless-steel blade
• Black synthetic, three-rivet, full-tang handle
• Made in Germany

Reviews (1)

Great Knives
Henkel Pro S knives are second to none. They will last a lifetime and make a tremendous difference in your cooking. These knives take the 'chore' out of cutting vegis. ... Read more

Amazon.com Review

The Japanese version of the chef’s knife, the santoku is useful for straight chopping, mincing, and slicing of larger quantities of vegetables and meat. Cooks with smaller hands may prefer this 7-inch blade as the shorter length offers better control while cutting. The width also provides a great platform for transporting chopped vegetables from cutting board to sauté pan. This version of the santoku actually has a hollow edge or oval cut-outs along the blade. The benefit to this blade style is that cooks can cut paper-thin slices and individual slices won’t stick to the blade.

Part of the Pro S series of cutlery, this knife has a fully forged high-carbon stainless-steel blade. The blade, bolster, and tang are welded of one piece of metal using Henckels’s Sinter Metal Component Technology, which distributes the right quantities of metal to each part of the knife. The result is a longer-lasting edge and a more consistent angle on the blade. The blade has also undergone Henckels’s Friodur ice-hardening process, which further strengthens it and protects it from discoloration. The traditional-style black synthetic handle is secured to the tang with three stainless-steel rivets. This santoku is covered by a lifetime warranty. --Cristina Vaamonde ... Read more

Features

• Lifetime warranty
• 7-inch hollow-edge blade allows for paper-thin slices, keeps food from sticking
• High-carbon stainless-steel; optimum grades of metal welded into each part of knife
• Friodur ice-hardening process strengthens knife and prevents staining
• Full tang and bolster; triple-riveted black synthetic handle

Reviews (3)

This knife might as well be gold plated.
This knife is the cream of the crop. I am in the food industry and i have never used a knife this awesome. The weight and feel is unbeatable. Definatly a 10 out of 10.

It's very nice
After buying the Calphalon Classic Santuko knife I felt compelled to buy the J.A. Henckels version for comparison. First off, this knife was sharp as a razor and stayed sharp for a long time, the Calphalon dulled within 3 slices of a lime. The weight and handle are not as heavy and as comfortable on the Henckels, the steel is far more lightweight. But aside from the smaller grip handle and lightness, I enjoy using it more than the Calphalon. I suppose it's just personal preference. Once you use these knives, you will want to throw all your others out. At least I do.

Awesome Knife
It cuts like it says. Very sharp, very precise, and let's face it, very cool. My new favorite knife, even more so than my Henckels Pro-S chef's knives. ... Read more

Features

• Lifetime Warranty
• High quality German stainless steel
• One piece stamped heavy weight blade hand honed and sharpened
• molded Santoprene handles with brushed stainless steel accents
• Full tang blade construction

Amazon.com Review

Reducing kitchen cutlery down to the basics, this cutting duo offers a perfect start to any knife collection. Falling somewhere between a cleaver and a chef’s knife, the 7-inch Santoku knife functions as a kitchen mainstay. This all-purpose blade can be used for chopping, dicing, and slicing. The cutting edge features small oval-shaped grooves designed to trap air during use and prevent food from adhering to its sides. The accompanying 4-inch pairing knife offers the control and dexterity of a compact blade ideally suited to skinning, mincing, and chopping smaller items.

True to the Henckels name, both knives feature high-quality steel construction with added strength and stain-resistance thanks to a unique Friodur ice-hardening process. The blade sharpness cuts with minimal effort and will last for generations with regular maintenance. Secured by three steel rivets; a full, visible tang runs the length of the black synthetic handle and contributes to the Professional "S" series’s traditional look. A steel bolster protects knuckles during use and both pieces are dishwasher-safe--although hand washing is recommended. Manufactured in Germany; both knives are covered by a lifetime warranty. -- Amy Arnold

What’s in the Box
7-inch Santoku knife; 4-inch paring knife. ... Read more

Features

• Made in Germany; dishwasher-safe; lifetime warranty
• Set includes a 7-inch Santoku knife and accompanying 4-inch paring knife
• Blades made from a single piece of stain-resistant steel; laser-controlled sharpness
• A unique Friodur ice-hardening process strengthens the blade and prevents staining
• Full, visible tang; synthetic handle construction secured with 3 steel rivets