Good out of box sharpness on well rounded, low maintenance thicker, heavier blade.
This is a great option for someone not looking to put energy into maintaining a knife and wants to just cut without worrying about chipping or breaking and having the blade rust. It has enough curve that it does a pretty good job rocking for mincing and dicing, but really shines for chopping, slicing and rust resistance. So, 9Cr18MoV is a slightly higher end Chinese steel that has been gaining popularity, similar to a 440b. After using this knife for a while I can see why this steel is becoming popular. Knives are all about compromise, remember hardness-edge retention, in a blade, sacrifices toughness-resistance to chipping and breaking. This blade strikes a nice balance of all around durability, while also being sharper than most of your entry level knife block set knives. This knife is harder and has better edge retention than that of aus8 for example and the blade is also thicker to help prevent the breakage that can occur on harder blades while chopping. This does mean however, it takes more effort slicing through denser foods. Good test for this is carrots and cabbage. I had it start to bind a bit on carrots but still cut through clean without just breaking through at the end. This knife isn’t as agile and sharp as some of the entry level thinner blade Japanese knives you find approaching the hundred dollar range, but it is much more durable and rust resistant. I’ve found this knifes edge retention to be much better than AUS8 and similar, but not quite as good as VG10. The rust resistance however, better than the VG10. When giving this knife a touch up sharpen after putting it through its paces, I found the grain to be better than that of the 440 and sharpened surprisingly easily. As far as sharpness and edge retention go compared to some of the s30 and s60v’s it doesn’t even come close, but this isn’t the category it competes in. Those are blades that can break or chip just coming down on your board too hard or hitting a bone cutting meat. Personally I really like having a knife in this category, it gives me a, I’m low on time just need to get stuff done option. Having kids and frequently “being on the go” it’s nice to not worry if I cleaned and dried the knife, while being summoned for more milk. Then, when I can slow down and spend more time on meal prep and cleanup, I can really enjoy my higher end knives. If you are looking for a heavier low maintenance kitchen knife, offering good edge retention, balanced with decent toughness, and outstanding rust resistance I wouldn’t hesitate to give this one a go.
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WI shopper
August 12, 2025
Sliced through a tomato and a lime like butter. Feels balanced, looks fancy
It’s sharp, looks fancy, and has a good feel - like it’s balanced. I enjoyed using it to prep dinner tonight. Will it last like my German knives I got for a graduation present in 1983 and still use? Who knows? Tonight the knife sliced through a lime and a tomato like butter, did a nice job mincing fresh mint leaves, and a decent job cutting open a water melon, and a lovely job cutting the watermelon into cubes. I was impressed with how well it cut the tomato - usually I use a serrated knife for that. The instructions say you can put it the dishwasher (yikes!) but recommends you don’t. Please don’t. It’s a bad habit to put any sharp knives in the dishwasher. The box is fancy too. This knife is going to my cabin where I do a fair amount of cooking, and this knife will be a major upgrade from the free set of Cutco knives I have up there. My knife sharpening place won’t sharpen Cutco knives. I hope they’ll sharpen this one when the time comes.
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Excellent high-quality knife with added detail
I am always apprehensive with these knives because they are so pricey. But, I will say that this knife is extremely good quality. The hammered metal is a really nice added detail to the knife. The wood patterned handle also makes this knife stand out. It looks and feels of high-quality. It is extremely sharp and cuts through tomatoes and anything soft or thick with ease. Excellent to have around the kitchen. Be extra careful when washing this knife as a soft sponge and soap are recommended. This is not dishwasher safe. Overall this is an excellent knife!
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Steve Harrison
August 25, 2025
A very decent knife
This knife is well-balanced and of decent, though not notably heavy, weight. It is comfortable to hold and to use. It works well.The product description says the blade is 9Cr18MoV steel. That presumably refers to the cutting edge; the outer layers will be of a lighter, lesser steel. 9Cr18MoV is a good Chinese steel used for blades of many types that are intended to offer quality at a reasonable price. It has good edge retention and so the knife -- which is very sharp out of the box -- should hold its edge reasonably well. But I think the product description tries to imply that this is special or unusual or highest-quality stuff, which isn't really accurate.
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Anonymous37
August 12, 2025
Favorite knife in my Kitchen!
Its just so pretty!!!! I almost felt guilty taking it out of the box. The hammered black oxide blade is not just for looks. It slides through tomatoes, onions, and even a stubborn sweet potato without forcing the cut. The handle fits comfortably in my hand with just enough weight to feel steady but not tiring. I have been cooking long enough to know when a knife will end up in the back of a drawer. This one is staying front and center. If you cook daily it is worth having a knife that makes the work feel like craft.
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Theresa D
September 06, 2025
Nice addition to any kitchen
Beautifully crafted and impressively sharp. The hammered finish and wood-patterned handle give it a premium feel, and it slices through everything with ease. Just be sure to hand-wash—this knife deserves gentle care.
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Clarence Novak
August 09, 2025
Beautiful highest grade cutlery by every measure!
Magnificent bit of high end cutlery! Beautifully finished in every measure! The handle is a perfect and well balanced fit.The blade is a work of art and cuts like a whisper! Truly the best of my impressive collection. I cant recommend more highly.
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