Gimme sumthin' to cut
Written: Jan 10 '04
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Pros: Extremely sharp, good balance, single piece construction, rustproof
Cons: Expensive
The Bottom Line: If you're going to buy professional quality German steel cutlery, you can't go wrong with this starter kit. Fit, function, and durability are top notch.
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| sw2727's Full Review: Wusthof Trident 2 Piece Starter Set Classic 9755W |
This purchase is mainly as a result of disappointing results from a set of Farberware "Special Stainless" steel knives my Mom gave me years ago. I now know that Farberware's "Special Stainless" is a euphemism for a China-manufactured composited blade made mostly of iron jacketed with a wedge of stainless steel. Not only that, but the wooden handle started to open up to reveal the rivets and tang, probably a result of wetting/drying cycles. I had bought a lovely filet knife from Wusthof, and I felt the brand had the most to offer.
I was looking at some Wusthof sets on Amazon.com when I remembered to check my "gold box". Almost as if it were reading my mind, the gold box popped up a "starter set" of Wusthof knives, an 8" chef's knife and a 3 1/2" paring knife. I paid a price of $89 for the both.
Construction
The single piece blade/tang is beveled at the bolster (the junction with the handle), giving the user a thick grip up to the butt of the blade. The hard plastic handles are riveted onto the tang to an exact, seamless grip.
Appearance
I chose the Classic line because of the good prices. Although I had a bit of buyers' remorse, I quickly fell in love with the spare, elegant look. The brushed finish of the steel itself covers every inch of metal from the tang to the edge. After exposure to water (even in the dishwasher), no rust spots can be seen. This is a problem for the Farberware line of knives, which begin to spot with rust, even though the word "Stainless" is stamped onto the knife. The words etched onto the blade remain sharp, and the rivets have not corroded.
Cutting
The blades came sharpened, and I needed them immediately for cutting some fruit and some avocados. Effortless slicing was the rule. The blades race through lemon seeds, onions, and meat with the same ease and preternatural keenness. I was even able to use the paring knife to do some crafts because of the accuracy of the cut. My wife peels apples with the paring knife and produces a thin, continuous peel about 3 feet long from a large Granny Smith. The weight is very comfortable, although cutting through very hard materials (frozen meat) still requires a tetanic grip. Balance is very good, allowing effortless chopping.
Conclusion
These knives have become a staple for use in my household, not only for food prep but for all sorts of other minor tasks. My wife and I enjoy their razor sharpness, accuracy, and balance. I admire the sleek good looks of well-crafted kitchenware, and its durability will allow me to admire it for much longer.
*NOTE: this review was moved from an incorrect set of knives, previously the "Grand Prix" set. SW 1/10/04
Recommended:
Yes
Amount Paid (US$): 89
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Epinions.com ID:
sw2727
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Location: Chicago, IL
Reviews written: 18
Trusted by: 3 members
About Me:
I like booze, nature, cigars, gourmet cooking (and eating), orchids, photography, music, computers.
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