J.A. Henckels Twin Pro Knife Block Set

Kitchen Solingen Cutlery Stainless Steel 8 Piece

J.A. Henckels Twin Pro Knife Block Set I think that when a company says a knife set is designed for "the hobby chef" there's something fundamentally wrong. There aren't any "hobby chefs." Either we cook for the public or we cook for our families, and in either case we shouldn't be offered anything that's substandard. So let's take a close at this one.

The TWIN series of Henckels knives is an old standard--maybe too old. There are advantages to forged knives, but in this case there's very little forging. Knife blanks are reduced in length by forging in order to provide enough material to form a bolster and rough out the shape of the blade. That's as much forging as these knives get. The rest of the process is stock removal. The result is a product that looks like a forged knife but really has nothing more than the shape of a forged knife; the rest of the process is the modern approach, stock removal by grinding.

With this set you get five basic prep knives, a sharpening steel, a stout pair of kitchen shears, and a well made hardwood knife block with extra slots for more of your favorite knives and half a dozen steak knives. The basic construction is sound, with one piece blades and bolsters in a full tang style that's finished off with durable and stable composite handle slabs, fixed to the tang with stainless steel rivets. There's nothing here you won't use.

Henckels makes good knives in the old style, a little heavier than newer stamped competition models. They are dishwasher safe, and with a little touchup from the sharpening steel before use, they'll be razor sharp. Good enough for people who don't see cooking as a hobby.