However, the knife feels exceptionally well-balanced and stays comfortable during long bouts of food preparation. After use, Chroma Type 301 knives should be immediately washed and dried by hand, and placed in a storage block for safekeeping. To sharpen, use only a Chroma original 301 whetstone, never a sharpening steel which can damage the fine blades. Chroma Type 301 knives make exceptional gifts and are covered by a lifetime warranty against defects. -Ann Bieri.

They're molded to fit the hand and dimpled to resist slipping. Smaller around than many European-style handles, they're easy for small-handed cooks to grasp and seamless for sanitation. Global recommends using a ceramic sharpener or a diamond steel instead of a metal sharpening steel for its knives, supplemented by a synthetic whetstone, a ceramic whetstone, or a Shinkansen sharpener. Global also makes a Sharpening Guide Rail so blades can be honed on a whetstone at the proper angle. Global knives should be hand washed to protect edges, and they carry a lifetime warranty against defects and breakage. -Fred Brack.

Made in the USA. Blade style: 8" Wide Chef.

VG-10's Rockwell Hardness rating of 61 ensures that it takes and holds its incredibly sharp edge longer. Shun Steel knives feature stainless steel handles with the unique "D" shape for stable, easy grip. Stainless steel bolsters and end caps. Dishwasher safe. NSF approved. Shun Knives were formerly known as Kershaw Knives. Made from VG-10 stainless steel, Shun knives are specially constructed to be harder, less brittle, but also more flexible than traditional steel formulations. The VG-10 core is clad with 16 full layers of SUS410 high-carbon stainless steel on each side, for a total of 33 layers. These layers not only protect the VG-10, they create an exquisitely-detailed surface reminiscent of Damascus or pattern-forged steel, the kind once used for Samurai swords. As a result, the knives are simply stunning to look at-much like antique Damascus knives but without their tendency to rust. Ideal for chopping fruits and vegetables, this santoku knife features a 7-inch high-carbon stainless-steel blade with a scalloped edge that helps slice rather than crush delicate foods and keeps cut food from sticking to the blade. Its seamless one-piece stainless-steel bolster, D-shaped handle, and end cap provide ergonomic comfort and maximum safety. As sturdy as it is lovely, the knife is officially safe to put in the dishwasher-although it's so good-looking you might find yourself hard-pressed to do so. Shun knives carry a limited lifetime warranty. -Mary Park.

These forged knives feature ergonomic 18/10 stainless-steel handles combined with blades made from J. A. Henckels’s exclusive high-carbon, no-stain steel formula. The result is a beautiful, award-winning knife that exudes elegance and is a pleasure to use. The Twin Select line contains knives for all tasks, including the following open stock knife types: parer, bread, sandwich, carving, chef’s, santoku, and others. Twin Select knives are also available in a range of block sets and gift sets, to be sure that your cutlery needs are covered. A Higher Standard in Knife Construction Twin Select knives are precision forged from a single piece of exclusive-formula, high-carbon, no-stain steel under the all-new Sigmaforge standard. As a result, these knives have improved quality consistency, lasting sharpness, and perfect geometry. Sigmaforge one-piece construction also provides high precision and improved stability of the blade and steel structure, thus improving cutting-edge retention for lasting sharpness. In addition, Twin Select knives use J. A. Henckels’s Friodur ice hardening for corrosion resistance, a process that also contributes to cutting-edge retention. New Ergonomic Handle Technology The Twin Select series features comfortable, ergonomic stainless-steel handles that accommodate each hand size while improving function, convenience, and safety. These patented handles are hygienic, colorfast, and break-proof (USA Patent #5791055). The quality of Twin Select can be recognized by the Zwilling J. A. Henckels logo featured on the end of the handle. Features: Sigmaforge one-piece, precision-forged construction: Provides perfect geometry, high precision, and improved stability of the blade and steel structure, thus improving cutting-edge retention for lasting sharpness. Laser-controlled edge: Is sharper and stays sharper longer. Has a more consistent blade angle. Friodur ice hardening: Maximum no-stain properties and more blade strength. Improved resistance to corrosion and pitting. Super bolster: Provides weight, insures safety, and adds balance. Full rat-tail tang: Provides a proper balance and greater strength. High-carbon, no-stain steel, an exclusive J. A. Henckels formula: Nonstaining, nonrusting. Precision-honed blade: Is sharper and stays sharper longer. Ergonomic 18/10 stainless-steel handle: Safer and more convenient to use for any hand size. Dishwasher-safe: Easy care (although hand-washing is recommended by J. A. Henckels). Full warranty: J. A. Henckels stands behind all its knives.

In fact, the handle is absolutely stunning, with the shiny tang curving slightly as it courses through the black nonslip polypropylene. With no rivets or gaps, the ergonomic handle provides seamless comfort, while the full tang adds weight for precision balance. The single-piece blade, forged from high-carbon, no-stain steel and strengthened in Henckels's exclusive Friodur ice-hardening process, retains its sharp edge through extensive cutting and chopping. Made in Germany and covered by a lifetime warranty, Twin Cuisine knives are dishwasher-safe but are best cared for when washed and dried by hand. This two-knife set consists of a 5-inch, hollow-edge Asian-style chef's knife called a santoku, and a four-inch paring knife. The santoku, once unusual, is now a standard kitchen knife in many American homes because of the popularity of sushi and other Asian delicacies. Hollowed-out ovals along the razor-sharp santoku edge reduce friction during cutting, resulting in paper-thin slices of fish, meat, or vegetables. The sharply pointed parer is a necessity in any kitchen for peeling and slicing fruits and vegetables, and carving creative garnishes. Together, the knives make a superb set for the chef who especially enjoys preparing Asian cuisine. -Ann Bieri From the Manufacturer Twin Cuisine is the first quality forged knife to combine the comfort of a truly ergonomic, molded handle with the precision weight and balance of a full horizontal tang. Plus, the Twin Cuisine’s exclusive, award-winning, and patented handle design is a new standard in fine cutlery (U. S. design patent #D524,121). The series is available in a variety of styles for a variety of cutting tasks. Twin Cuisine is also available in a variety of block sets and gift sets. The Twin Cuisine series truly is a masterful blend of form and function. A Higher Standard in Knife Construction Twin Cuisine knives are traditionally forged from a single piece of J. A. Henckels’s exclusive high-carbon, no-stain steel formula. The result is a knife with high durability, professional strength, and weight. Twin Cuisine also uses J. A. Henckels’s Friodur ice-hardening process, which results in a blade that has excellent cutting-edge retention and corrosion resistance. The blade edge is precision honed and laser controlled to maintain a sharper and consistent blade angle. New Ergonomic Handle Technology The Twin Cuisine handle features exclusive new and innovative handle technology: a full horizontal tang without rivets. High-impact polypropylene is bonded with J. A. Henckels’s high-carbon, no-stain steel, resulting in a remarkably comfortable handle with a smooth shape and no gaps. The world-famous Zwilling J. A. Henckels logo is etched on the end of every Twin Cuisine knife handle, indicating its quality. Features Traditional one-piece hot drop-forged construction: Provides high durability, strength, and weight. Laser-controlled edge: Is sharper and stays sharper longer. Has a more consistent blade angle. Friodur ice hardening: Maximum no-stain properties and more blade strength. Improved resistance to corrosion and pitting. Super bolster: Provides weight, insures safety, and adds balance. New patented full horizontal handle tang without rivets: Provides a strong, smooth, comfortable handle with great control and balance design. High-carbon no-stain steel, an exclusive J. A. Henckels formula: Nonstaining, nonrusting. Precision-honed blade: Is sharper and stays sharper longer. Dishwasher-safe: Easy care (although hand washing is recommended by J. A. Henckels). Full warranty: J. A. Henckels stands behind all its knives.

This knife should be honed only with a synthetic whetstone or a ceramic whetstone and hand washed. -Fred Brack.

Global knifes are forged in Japan from CROMOVA 18 Stainless Steel, a blend of 18 percent chromium for good stain resistance plus molybdenum and vanadium which gives excellent edge retention.