I was about to plunk down about eight hundred for a set of Wusthof or Henkels knives because that's what one does to get fine, f
Let's talk about professional knives. Having been a professional chef and restaurateur, I think I know what is required of a knife and if a knife possesses those qualities. I was about to plunk down about eight hundred for a set of Wusthof or Henkels knives because that's what one does to get fine, forged, German cutlery, right? Well, I began reading about several brands of knives and Mercer caught my eye. They are made in Taiwan and are very affordable. Right then and there, being somewhat of a knife snob, I was about to exclude them from the mix. But wait. They're made from the same fine, forged German steel as the old standards. They have solid handles, full tangs and only partial bolsters, which make them lighter and easier to sharpen. Plus, Mercer knives are used in the overwhelming majority of culinary schools all over the world. Perhaps I should give them a try based on the myriad reviews praising their sharpness, durability and value? OK. Well, let me tell you. Although I only have them a short time, they have performed flawlessly in every task I have thrown at them and they hold a razor sharp edge. Don't be afraid to snare a set before somebody smartens up and raises the price! How long will they last? Only time will tell, but based on the quality of craftsmanship and the materials used and the reviews of others who have had them for years, I'd say it's a good bet they will be around longer than I will.
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Mercer Knife Set
I wanted to upgrade our 20 + year old Henkel International knife block set and was looking at Messermeister Meridian Elite knives but I am just starting to cook at home as my wife has cooked mostly for the family for years. Messsermeister is a beautiful knife but also expensive so I decided to try this Mercer set instead. All the knives seem nicely balanced, are sharp and feel good in my hand.It is a great set! I have tried all the knives on the "tomato test" and they all stick to the skin and cut as I draw the knives back. They are finished a little less then the Messermeister but not dramatically so. Messermeister knife blades are really finely polished and the handle is a little more contoured but the Mercer is a great step up from the Henkel set which were stamped knives, were never really sharp and blocky handles.At this point I'm happy with the Mercer, I'll see how the cutting edge lasts as far as sharpness and how they take to steeling and resharpening when they need it. IMO they were a great deal and I received 5 knives, a sharpening steel and a knife roll bag for about half of what I would have gotten a Messermeister set with just 3 knives ... I do know that a person doesn't need a lot of knives but I will say it is a little nerve wracking for me cutting grape tomatoes with an 8 inch chef's knife (not there skill wise yet). The sharpening steel seems like it may be a bit aggressive so I may need the one from my older set.
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Great Knives - nuf said
I finally upgraded form my Chicago Cutlery. Stamped bladed and wooden handles. They were great knives but soft blades that couldn't hold an edge and needed regular steeling, handles needed maintenance as well. These Mercer have been an amazing upgrade. I couldn't get my head around the expense of German knives, too much $ for what you get. The Mercer are priced great. Quality is on par with the other German brands, at a fraction of the price. Steel is super hard and keeps an edge. Put the steel to it once a week and the knives still slice paper after 6 months hard use. They are a bit lighter and thinner than the other German brands, which I like. You don't need that weight if you have a hard solid blade. I slice and cut with these, I don't chop. This set comes with a great mix of Knives. The styling is also spot on, they look good and are super easy to clean. Handles are bomb proof and comfortable. Bolster is just right to protect the finger without making it hard to sharpen fully. One for every use and I use them all. If you are looking for a solid upgrade that won't break the bank, this is a great set.
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K
Karl E Zoch
January 06, 2026
Good Knives
Great knives for the price
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Samantha
September 14, 2024
Great starter set
I’d been out of the kitchen for some time and started a new position back in it. I decided to get a cheaper set of knives to use at work and this was a great option.The value for the knives you’re getting is unbeatable. They’re comfortable in the hand, don’t weigh an exhausting amount and sharpen easily. For being workhorses that’s a plus.On the downside, they don’t stay sharp for as long as I would hope and there is some noticeable chipping to a few of the blades already. I do use them a great deal though.Overall, it’s a great starter kit or secondary kit to preserve your best knives.
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Most awesome affordable knife set
This set of knives with the steel is pretty awesome and super sharp right of the storage case. I'm not a professional chef, just a home chef who loves preparing food. I bought these to replace knives I had picked up here and there over the past 30 years. I have a $250 Damascus chef's knife that now sits quietly on my magnetic rack because I use these more often than not. I added an 11 inch Renaissance slicer from Mercer to make this set complete. These knives go through meat and veggies with little to no effort. First thing is care.... I read a review or two from people complaining about the knives cutting through the storage case material. All it takes to prevent cutting the wrap is to buy blade guards from Mercer or keep the plastic sheathes on the knives they were shipped with while in the storage wrap. I have opened and closed the case two dozen times with zero issues. To keep them sharp and at the ready, I use the steel before slicing and after before placing them back into the case. One thing to keep in mind is DO NOT put them in a dishwasher. Dishwasher will cause your blades to eventually rust and become dull. The proper way to clean them is to hand wash with warm/hot soapy water and immediately dry with a clean cloth before placing back in the case. I could go on and on how nice these are but I would just be repeating what others have said before me. If you buy these, take care of them, they will perform beautifully and last a long time.
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