This Henckels Chef's Knife, 30121-203, features Henckels' best Sigmaforge high-carbon stainless steel blade.

Henckels has been knocked around a bit lately, what with all the fancy Japanese knives getting all the great reviews.

Sigmaforge is Henckels' one-piece full-tang, ice-hardened construction that is intended to be durable and easy to sharpen. They might not be as sharp as the Japanese knives, but they will withstand more of a beating. These blades are forged (not stamped) in Sologen, Germany.

The Novadur handle is ergonomically designed to be comfortable while using the knife and gives the cook more control while reducing hand fatigue. These Novodur handles are held with three stainless steel rives and are bonded perfectly to the full tang assuring stability and long-lasting durability.

The full bolster is a bit out of date these days -- most knife-makers have begun to acknowledge that a half-bolster is just fine. The full bolster also gets in the way of resharpening.

Henckles' high-carbon steel blades won't rust or stain and are dishwasher safe, though J.A. Henckels does recommend washing by hand. These knives come with a Lifetime Warranty.

An excellent Chef's Knife is a must, whether a professional chef or a home cook. This one is a decent knife, but may not be your top choice in this price range.

Check out the Shun Classic Chef's Knife for a great-performing Japanese knife or the Tojiro DP Series for a less-expensive, top-performing knife from a lesser-known brand. For a German knife, check out the Messermeister Elite knives.

More Info on this Henckels Chef's Knife:

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That the Kapoosh Universal Knife Block can hold anything is fascinating - it doesn't have any slots! It can hold any type of knife because it has hundreds of "freedom rods" that can hold almost any knife or kitchen utensil securely in place.

This knife block has two freedom rod compartments that are removable and dishwasher safe for easy cleaning, while the outer stainless steel is easy to clean too.

Old-fashioned slotted knife blocks can dull your blades, but not the Kapoosh Universal Knife Block! The freedom rods are gentle on your knife edges and that helps to keep them sharper longer.

It's time to kiss your old wooden block goodbye and enjoy the freedom of not having to worry about which knives will fit which slot.

More Info on this Kapoosh Knife:

• Click here to find this Knife at Amazon.com

The Shun Classic 8-Inch Chef's Knife is a great example of the high-end ultra-sharp Japanese knives that are now all the rage.

It is made from premium VG-10 steel -- a high-carbon, molybdenum and vanadium blend which is known for its extreme sharpness. The blade is hardened to a Rockwell hardness of 61, making it one of the hardest and sharpest kitchen knives available on the market.

The blade is encased in 16 layers of SUS410 that protects the cutting edge and provides stain-resistance. Despite this, it should be cared for properly and hand-cleaned promptly after use.

Shun Classic knives are works of art, having intricate patterns like Damascus knives. You'll want to display these knives on a magnetic knife strip so that others can see them.

The handle is a D-shape, rather than round, for better stability while cutting and the handle is also smaller, like many Asian knives, making it an especially good choice for those with smaller hands.

The knife handle is crafted from Pakkawood veneers that are fused together with resin giving it the durability of plastic and yet still look like the real wood that it is. It has a stainless steel bolster that is offset, making it safer to use while still being comfortable to grasp.

The Shun Classic 8-Inch Chef's Knife comes with a limited lifetime warranty. It is dishwasher-safe, though that is not recommended for this kind of steel.

Twenty-five buyers have written about this item on Amazon.com and have assigned it a mean rating of 5.0 stars.That's a mighty fine recommendation in and of itself.

Check out our review of the Shun Classic 7-piece Set as well.

More Info on this Shun Chef's Knife:

• Click here to find this Knife at Amazon.com

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This is part of Wusthof's "Gourmet" series. Intended as an entry-level set, this set would be a good start to any aspiring chef's kitchen.

They might not be quite the bargain that Forschner knives are, but they do feature a decent steel blade at a reasonable price.

This knife set features a three inch drop point, a three inch sharp point and a two-and-one-fourth inch birds beak high carbon stainless steel blade.

The laser cut knives are precision cut and seamlessly fit for a solid full tang, three-riveted poly handle grip.

Cutlery designed for accuracy and ease, the long lasting, razor-sharp knife set peels, chops, and slices with speed and precision.

Made of high-impact yet, lightweight plastic handles, the set of three are dishwasher-safe, though further care by washing by hand is recommended.

More Info on This Wusthof Knife Set:

• Click here to find this Knife at Amazon.com

Find Wusthof Paring Knife Sets on eBay:

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