We were surprised at how sharp and precise the edges on these blades were, too. There was very little drag when slicing through both delicate and dense foods. Most German-steel gotham steel cookware sets knives are sharpened to a 20-degree edge, but these have a 14-degree cutting edge, giving them the sharpness of a Japanese-style knife with the durability of German steel.
The knife’s appearance is pleasing, too, with smooth, shiny wooden handles that stand out against the bright steel. We also used the serrated bread knife to slice French rolls for serving with dinner and the small paring knife for cutting fruit, chopping strawberries, and slicing mini cucumbers for a salad. Building on the successful DNA of the Cuisinart Classic series, their Graphix line forgoes a molded plastic handle for a bumpy metal one. As a result, this line offers substantially better grip, even while your hands are wet. That’s combined with the same high carbon stainless steel blades, and offered at the same price as the Classic series. Cookware Sets sets are some of the most affordable knife sets on the market without sacrificing quality.
So, we can assume this is the angle Cuisinart knives are sharpened to at the factory. Assuming Cuisinart’s manufacturers in China are hardening their blades as much as possible, 55 is still a low rating for a kitchen knife (one of the lowest I’ve seen, and I’ve reviewed dozens of brands). Two of its collections, the Modernist and Graphite Cookware Sets collections, boast sleek and modern-looking stainless steel handles, which set them apart. Some cooks may find appeal in the fact that Cutco is, according to Prudent Reviews, one of the few remaining domestic cutlery manufacturers. Just because the brand is produced on American soil doesn’t mean it’s readily available, though.
The primary reason Cuisinart uses this steel is that it’s cheap. Using cheaper steel allows them to sell affordable knives, even if the edge retention, stain resistance, and overall quality suffer as a result. Although Cuisinart knife collections have differences in design, the materials are mostly the same.
The Global G-835/WS 6-Piece Knife Set with Block is absolutely our pick if you’re looking to upgrade. It doesn’t have every extra piece like a honing steel or shears, but it was absolutely the sharpest set of knives in the group. The chef’s knife feels like an effortless extension of my arm, and the serrated bread knife sliced through the crusty baguette surprisingly easily.
If your budget is there, we recommend upgrading to Zwilling. Cuisinart will shine in the majority of kitchens that see an average amount of use. Across its different series — Classic, Graphix, Nitrogen, Artisan, and Advantage — you’ll find different handle and blade upgrades to suit different cooks. The Artisan series for example, incorporates Japanese techniques in blade finishing, while the nitrogen-infused knives in the Nitrogen set make for harder steel that stays sharper longer. The Graphix set is not much different than the Classic set other than its more textured metal handle for better grip.