We began making knives in 1844.  We are master metal workers.  We’ve sharpened the world’s knives and based on an analysis of the thousands of knives our customers send us, and the way they age and respond to sharpening, we have put together 4 collections that we feel represent better value for the money.

Here’s what you should know about knives:

• Asian knives are generally sharper.  This is because they use harder steel allowing them to accept more acute edge angles.
• 8” and longer Chef’s knives will last a lifetime (we regularly sharpen 50-80 year old Chef’s knives)
• Knives 6” long shrink to the size of paring knives over time as they are sharpened.
• Paring knives and serrated knives have 1/3 the life of Chef’s knives because there is little useful area to sharpen.
• Knife handles should vary according to the blade to help differentiate one from another.
• Knives should not have bolsters.  No home sharpening appliance can adjust them.
• Broad line knife makers do not make attractive or useful steak knives.

 

Benefits of our selection process:

• Expense allocation based on relative utility and life of blade
• Differentiated handles make it easier to identify blade type
• Sets don’t contain needless items
• Optional attractive steak knives

 

Since an 8” Chef’s knife will last 3x times as long as a paring knife, we’ve put together sets with prices that match.  For example, in Set 1, we pair a $150 Shun 8” Chef’s knife with a $50 Global 4” paring knife instead of the $90 Shun 4” paring knife.   There’s nothing wrong with the Shun paring knife, it’s just overkill compared to the amount of money spent on the Chef’s knife.  The Global one is equally as good and has the benefit of a different handle so it’s easy to identify in a woodblock.  In Set 2, which is less expensive than Set 1, we pair an $86 Global 8” Chef’s knife with $29 Ergo Chef 3.5” paring knife instead of the $50 Global 4” paring knife.  Here again, the handles are different according to blade type.

The other innovation we put into our sets is that in every one, the bread knife is a Lamson knife with a rosewood handle.  It is the only knife in our sets with a rosewood handle and because it is brown, it is an easy association: brown handle for bread!

All our sets are composed of knives from makers we consider to offer the best in key areas.  Each set comes with our custom made knife block.  Our knife blocks are available in oak, lacquered red, white or black.  The knife block has a sleek modern look and in addition to the 7 slots, has a magnetic strip on the side for the little knives.

Of the world’s makers, our sets are composed of knives from only 6:

Shun
Global
Ergo Chef
Messermeister
Lamson
Laguiole

Pictures and further detail coming December 2007.  Email us for more information.

Set 1, our nicest includes 8 knives, a sharpening steel and woodblock is sold separately for $939.96.  Our price is $733.00.  Optional, beautiful Laguiole steak knives in rosewood are available for $60/each.

Shun 10” Chef’s knife
Shun 8” Chef’s knife
Shun 7” Santoku with Granton edge
Shun 10” Slicer
Shun 6” Utility
Lamson 10” Bread
(2) Global 4 1/4 “ Paring
Ergo Chef Diamond steel