Victorinox Swiss Classic Knife Block - Kitchen Knife Set with Block for Home Essentials - Includes Chefs Knife

This set is incredible! Very sharp, easy to handle, many different uses. The only thing I found strange was the wooden storage block (counted as one of the 15 member set) was not made specifically for the 14 knives. There are 3 more openings that stay empty for knives that aren’t there. Otherwise, it looks nice, but takes up a lot of counter space. Read more

I bought these through the Amazon Ware House Deals and they looked new to me . The Block had two extra slots and I added a 7 inch Santoku, plus an 8 inch Butcher knife . This set has a 4-inch paring; 6-inch boning; 8-inch chefs'; 8-inch Serrated edge bread; 10-inch slicing rounded end ; 10-inch sharpening steel; kitchen shears; slant hardwood block . These are stamped blades and thinner than some . But due to the metal tempering methods they have a high Rockwell hardness rating and will cut as well as most forged blades while retaining sharpness . When the need to sharpen comes along if you haven't tried to cut nails, used one for a pry bar, or tried to cut a beef leg bone (they make cleavers for that), etc., generally a few strokes on the steel does the job . Word of advice don't use an electric sharpener on any knife unless it's cheap, poor steel, and one you want to throw away soon . There are carbide, and ceramic, hand held V notched sharpeners that are easy to use and don't ruin a blade or its' temper . Victorinox gives a guide for sharpening on a steel and it works pretty well . My wife and I both have been impressed and pleased with the long term use of Victorinox knives . We do hand wash them, but most knives should be washed that way . I base my review on use of these and the use of approx. 80 sheath type hunting knives I own and use on butching large game . Some are ground blades, high carbon forged steel, some stainless, some costing hundreds of dollars and all high Rockwell rated . Believe me I know good steel when I use it . These are excellent kitchen cutlery for a reasonable price . Is there better out there ? Perhaps but get ready to dig deep in your wallet or purse when you buy them and expect little difference for everyday general kitchen duty . ADDENDUM: Four years later wife and I still love these. Just read a test done with 8 top selling kitchen Chef knives . Although far cheaper, than any of the others in price, the Victorinox Chef knife out scored Wusthof and Cutco Chefs knives consistently in cutting . Only two VERY EXPENSIVE Japanese Knives beat it and the Victorinox Chef Knife was rated the best buy available . I have three expensive forged Chef knives and I agree with that test too. A thinner blade doesn't mean an inferior one. Tempering plus steel makes a blade and Victorinox has that right . Actually my favorite forged set is one made in France and has fairly thin blades . Just thought I'd share that. Read more

Been using this for 5 years. Great set. Super sharp, even now. No rust. Lightweight, thin, & strong. Slices easily though just about everything. Highly recommend. Read more

My first splurge purchase for kitchen knives and they are worth it. Sharp and convenient with the knife holder and it comes with a sharpening rod. Rust resistant and they work better than any knives I've bought before from Walmart or target. Read more

Great knifes. Read more

Excellent knives. Very sharp. Wish the block arrived without empty slats. It would make the product look more complete. No paring knife included, however the quality of the knives sent was good Read more

Having suffered with a randomly mixed collection of cheap knives for a long time and in celebration of our kitchen remodel, I started shopping around for a set of quality knives. Being the researcher I am, I spent a lot of time looking at reviews of the high end products out there like Global, Shun, Henckels, etc. Liked the ultra-cool look of the Global. Liked the collective reviews of the Shun. So why'd I go with the clearly lower quality and prestigue of the Forchners? Ultimately I realized that neither my wife nor I are tremendously into cooking and the high end become impossible to justify. But I did want a set of very good knives. If you do some searching around for reviews like I did, you'll soon realize that, especially given the price, these knives are well reviewed. They occupy a space, almost uniquely, between the best-quality/high price and the low-quality/low price options. Sensibly the price falls in between. It took a little while to get the set because it was on back-order but now that we have it, we are very satisfied. My wife still can't believe how nice it is to have good knives - she was incredulous before we got them that it could be be that much of a difference. I knew, having had some experience, that, if only for safety reasons, having a good sharp knife is worth it. You are far more likely to cut yourself forcing a dull, crappy knife through food than gliding a sharp with far less effort - so commit to regular sharpening too if you are going to commit to owning a better quality knife. This set includes the knives you would typically need (unless you plan to cut a lot of bone-in meat) and the block has a some extra slots for big/long additions. Obviously, these knives are no work of art and the fibrox handles, while sanitary, look kind of cheap. But the balance to the knives is good and don't cause either my wife or I any strain. So all in all, a good deal and deserving of 5 stars based on the value. Read more