I am extremely pleased with this knife set. I did a lot of research prior to making a purchase, and in the end the choice came down to this Japanese set or another brand using German steel. It was a bit of a tough call, but I'm totally happy that I went with Shan Zu. The complete set was very well packaged for safe travel, with each knife being wrapped in plastic and having protective plastic covers at the tips and at the choils. Even the wooden block was individually wrapped. Once I unwrapped them all and had some time to thoroughly examine each one, it was obvious that this is definitely a quality set. The size of each knife is perfect, in my view. The wood to metal fit is flawless, and their balance is a thing to behold. The Pakka wood handles are equally superb. They fit my hand well and feel good during use. Pakka is a great material because it essentially is a quality wood that has been impregnated with resin. The end result is a handle that feels very good, is quite durable, and is about as waterproof as one can hope for, all while having the rich look of a quality hardwood. Once in a while, I suggest using a soft cloth to apply a light coating of food-grade mineral oil to these handles and then wipe off any excess. This will help keep them looking great. Every one of these knives arrived razor sharp. In fact, they will cut you if you stare at them too long. Well, almost. Use caution with these knives. Keep them away from children, and always pay attention to what you are doing when preparing food so that you don't end up with stitches. Most kitchen knives have a cutting angle of 14-20 degrees. These knives have a 12 degree bevel, making them way sharper than other knives. On top of this, the manufacturer says these are hardened to 63 on the Rockwell scale. Most hunting and utility knives generally are hardened between 57 and 59, so 63 creates a very hard surface that should hold up extremely well when properly cared for. Combining the 12 degree bevel, the high hardness rating, and Japanese powdered steel, these bad boys slice through everything like there's no tomorrow. Additionally, the laser etched design on each blade is extremely nice. They give the appearance of Damascus steel without being overpowering or a gawdy. Subtle beauty is a great way to describe the pattern. They look great and perform like a Porsche. As for washing, I do not recommend placing these in the dishwasher. They should be individually washed and dried by hand. I would not let them soak in a sink with other items. This will prevent the cutting edge from coming into contact with something that might damage it, and you won't cut your finger off by fishing around the bottom of the sink. These knives are so nice that you really should take a bit of extra care when washing and drying. You'll be glad you did. As mentioned, the wooden block was individually wrapped to protect it during shipment. It's very nice in every respect and even has rubber bumpers on the bottom of each corner for countertop stability. I feel that the value of an item is directly proportional to its quality, practicality and price. Using this formula, I can say that this set is absolutely worth the money. I'm glad that I purchased them and would happily do so again. Stay safe, and God Bless! Read more
I’m extremely pleased with this Shan Zu knife set — the craftsmanship, sharpness, and overall quality are outstanding. Each knife arrived perfectly protected and the balance, Pakka wood handles, and razor-sharp 12-degree edges make them a joy to use. With its durable construction, beautiful design, and excellent value, this set is absolutely worth every penny. Read more
My fiancé loved these knives for her Christmas present! They are very sleek, classy and extremely sharp. They will cut through a piece of paper out of the box. I highly recommend these if you are looking for high quality knives. Read more
This knife set is beautiful looking. All of the knives are very, very sharp. They are not true Damascus blades, but a laser etched finish. Not a big deal, and most people would never know the difference, or even understand what Damascus steel even is. The reason I bought this set is because it’s suitable for my needs. I’m no pro chef, but I do like to cook, and a nice set of knives is crucial. The steel is hard enough to hold an edge, but also soft enough to damage them if you try to cut something like bone. They feel nice in the hand, and have a nice weight to them. I always handwash everything, but these are dishwasher safe. The knife block is aesthetically pleasing, and look nice on the countertop. You get everything a regular person needs in this set, and they work quite well. I have not encountered any issues with rust, but I did have an issue on Thanksgiving when I spatchcocked the turkey. It dented the blade just a little bit, but to be fair, I was using brute force against a bone. That’s why it gets 4 stars. Something else to note about this set is that it is made from powdered steel. That is why the knife took the beating from the turkey bone. I’m not going to go into all of the differences between powdered steel, and forging, but I can tell you that a powdered steel is breakable if you don’t know how to properly use knives. I mean, all high hardness steel is breakable if you go primal with it lol. I’m just gonna say this; at this price point, this is a great set of knives, and should last you a very long time. I enjoy using them, and am happy with the purchase overall. I’m sure you will be too unless you are a professional cook, in which case you wouldn’t be looking at this set anyway. So there you have it. Read more
Be careful when switching from your current cutting utensils masquerading as knives, this set demands respect and an appropriate amount of diligence. Pay attention! The knives in this Shan Zu knife block are ultra sharp! The handles are a bit hefty, at first feel-unwieldy, but I realize this was only in comparison to the substandard grocery store knives I had been using for far too long. I have now grown used to the weight and balance of each knife and chopping an onion now goes so fast with minimal pressure on the new blade. I got this block on an Amazon prime special after much research. Practical, economical, great-looking on my counter, and sharpness to be respected. I have even bought a new cutting board to protect the blade edge. Totally happy with my purchase! Read more
Very sharp and good quality. The blade isn’t flimsy and penetrates meats and vegetables with ease! Was a more pricey item but worth the expense to have a good set of knives for our home. Read more
These knives are amazing. They are so sharp and cut into anything quickly. Arrived quickly and exactly as described. Read more
These knives are great quality and extremely sharp. I did a lot of research and landed on these knives compared to the competition. Very pleased. Read more
