Henckels sharpens its edges to a 15-degree angle on both sides for an ultra-sharp 30-degree total edge angle. The hardness of a steel blade is measured on the Rockwell Scale, and the ideal rating is between 56 and 61. Forging requires gotham steel cookware sets heating steel rods and then bending and forming them into the shape of the blade. During this process, the manufacturer also tempers the blade, which makes it harder. The process is complex, labor-intensive, and expensive.
– Which is a must have because this knife set is super sharp. Definitely ones that shouldn’t accidently be put in the sink for accidental slicing of the hands while washing dishes. Two of its collections, the Modernist and Graphite collections, boast sleek and modern-looking stainless steel handles, which set them apart. Henckels primarily offers stamped blades, but they offer a handful of collections with forged blades, too. The Classic, Forged Contour, Forged Premio, Forged Synergy, Forged Accent, and Graphite collections all have forged blades.
Although carbon blades are easy to sharpen and maintain their edge longer, they also discolor and can even rust so they need special attention. The addition of stainless steel makes blades easy to keep looking good with minimal upkeep. The knife block feels sturdy and we liked how it’s angled which makes it easier to see which tool you’re reaching for. The slot design on the block could use some tweaking, though.
The remaining Henckels collections are made in China. Henckels knives are made in different locations depending on the collection. All of Cuisinart’s knives are made in China since their primary focus is to keep prices low.
If you’re starting a collection from scratch, a chef’s knife should be your first addition. From there, add a paring knife for doing more detailed work. From there, check out my guide to essential kitchen knives for the at-home cook to see if you need any more for the style of food you want to cook. Utility knives are mid-sized knives used for miscellaneous cutting. The blade is anywhere from 4 to 7 inches, larger than a paring knife but not as larger as a chef’s knife. The utility knife is good for cutting larger vegetables and sandwich meats that are not large enough for a chef’s knife.