Dalstrong Hybrid Cleaver Chef Knife - 12 inch Extra-Long Blade - Shogun Series ELITE - The Crixus -

This is a beautiful knife. It's well made, is exquisitely packed, and comes sharp as a razer straight out of the box. The balance point is at the writing on the blade, so it is point heavy. If you are used to using light weight knives, this knife will come as a shock to you; it's a little on the heavy side. And If you are used to using smaller knives, this knife will take some getting used to; it's big, it looks and feels like it’s made for serious business. You will also need an appropriate size cutting board and work surface. If you don’t have any of this, it's time to upgrade before your new knife arrives. Now for the good news. If you bought this knife knowing that it would fit the environment your using it in, and it fits you, your style and skill level; you will love this knife. From looking at the pictures, my wife was concerned that the handle was small. I have huge hands, hers are medium. When it arrived, I was glad to see that it fit both her and my hands just fine. For both of us, it was comfortable to use; but we are both accustom to using large knives. Read more

First of all, this knife looks bad ass! The damascus is real unlike laser etching that other people use. On top of looking like something that you should hang on your wall, its very sharp. I have used it quite a bit and goes through everything like butter. The weight of the blade is fine in my opinion. It helps the cutting. I have been hand washing and hand drying the blade per recommendation so I don't risk ruining the beautiful damascus. Yes it is expensive, but I would highly recommend it!! Read more

So I can't say enough good things about the actual company. I had a shipment whare I didn't get the knife but I received everything else. I sent an email to the company directly and within a couple hours I had a response. Sent a pic and they apologized and shipped a new one no questions. I honestly have never had a problem solved so simple as this. Talk about a company standing behind a product and customer service oriented!!! The quality of the knife I did receive is exceptional. Comfort. Durability and super sharp out of the box. I will and would recommend to anyone looking to buy new knives not to even think twice. These are superb quality and with customer service as driven as they are I can't forsee any issues. I can't thank you all enough for the speedy and kind response. Read more

Blade, packaging, fit and finish are excellent. It is a zombie apocalypse knife. It is sharp enough to use on tomatoes to rib roast but the weight is significant. If you are using a traditional chef's knife this will feel like a cleaver. The belly is better suited to slicing and rock cutting than downward chopping. The knife to me is cool but better suited to meats and tough veggies and squash. If you want to do more fine work the gyuto from the same series would be a better all around option . That said, it is fun to use Read more

I haven’t had the opportunity to really run this shiny new blade through its paces yet, but just on presentation alone I was impressed! They’ve included a lot more information on this knife, how to properly use it and care for it, more than most cheaper knives you buy. Their craftsmanship shows, and so far in the small applications I’ve used it the knife has held its edge well. It’s well balanced, and clean (no machine oil residue like other knives I’ve bought) and I’m just at a lack for words really. I’ve sort of put this one up out of reach from my other knives and declared no one is allowed to touch it 😂 Read more

Let's talk aesthetics... - It's a bada** sexy looking knife. - Dalstrong packages their knifes beautifully. You feel like you're buying a new car. It comes in a gorgeous box, nice protector sleeve, a Dalstrong pin and various pamphlets for use and care. Quality... - Great weight. This is not a lightweight knife, nor did I want a lightweight knife. - You can tell a lot of care went in to crafting this knife. - The handle is comfortable - I sliced a big ribeye last night and it glided through it like nothing. Why did I take off one star? Now, I'm not a professional chef or work in a kitchen. I'm a home chef, but definitely above the amateur level. That said, I know my knife skills can be improved upon since poor techniques can wreak havoc on your knives, but I definitely don't have poor techniques. This knife lost its fresh out-of-the-box sharpness with little use. I did the paper test immediately out of the box and it was effortless. I could keep shaving off thin strips of paper with ease. I also did the tomato test. It went through with little resistance the first time. After just a few uses on some veggies? Couldn't do it anymore. When I say a few I literally mean a few. Cutting through paper saw the paper tearing at points and trying the tomato test faced more resistance; it was like playing chase the tomato on the cutting board, but when it caught the tomato I could cut through so-so. I sharpened it back to original form, but it shouldn't have needed sharpening that soon. In my opinion any knife over $100 shouldn't need sharpening after two or three uses. Read more