You can spend $150 on a single chefs knife or $75 on an eight-piece set. The pricier knife will likely make impressive claims—a blade forged from dozens of layers of steel, for example, or a handle carved from rosewood. But does paying more mean better cutting performance? Based on Consumer Reports tests of more than 50 knife sets, in which we sliced and diced a variety of foods and had panelists assess handle comfort and balance, we found plenty of top performers at the higher end, though there were also some less expensive winners, including a CR Best Buy.
There are two basic types of steel knives on the market—stamped and forged. Ultra cheap knives, like the $40 Ronco Showtime Six Star+, with its 26 pieces, are usually made out of stamped steel. Even at the Roncos bargain price, cutting performance isnt enough to make it a smart purchase. Youre better off spending more on knives forged from a single piece of steel, as they typically result in a sturdier blade thats less likely to bend.
Of the eight steel-knife sets we recommend, all are forged. Five of them cost at least $300, and the priciest of the bunch, the Zwilling J.A. Henckels Twin Profection #33049, sells for $600. Along with fellow German manufacturer Wusthof, Zwilling is a regular leader in our Ratings (the two brands currently claim the top four spots).
There is one CR Best Buy in our winners circle, and its the exception to the rule about spending top dollar for quality knives. If you grew up in the late 1970s, you might remember the Ginsu as-seen-on-TV ads featuring a blade sawing through a soda can and then delicately carving a ripe tomato. But Ginsu is a serious cutlery company, as evidenced by the Ginsu Chikara, an eight-piece set that sells for $75 and delivers excellent cutting performance.
The one common denominator with any quality steel knife is that it will lose its edge if you dont care for it properly. Forged knives need to be sharpened regularly, either with a honing steel or by a professional. Hand-wash and dry the blade right after use to prevent corrosion. Never soak a knife, as water can seep into gaps and corrode the steel, and wood handles can warp and splinter. Dishwasher detergent and excessive heat can also damage the handle.
We also tested a handful of ceramic knives, which claim low maintenance since their blades can hold an edge longer than steel knives. But only one of the models we evaluated made our top picks list, and the five-piece set from Kyocera costs nearly $800. The others suffered from poor blade durability. In fact, theres a lot youre not supposed to do with these knives, including trying to cut through harder foods or applying force to the side of the blade.
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You can spend $150 on a single chefs knife or $75 on an eight-piece set. The pricier knife will likely make impressive claims—a blade forged from dozens of layers of steel, for example, or a handle carved from rosewood. But does paying more mean better cutting performance? Based on Consumer Reports tests of more than 50 knife sets, in which we sliced and diced a variety of foods and had panelists assess handle comfort and balance, we found plenty of top performers at the higher end, though there were also some less expensive winners, including a CR Best Buy.
There are two basic types of steel knives on the market—stamped and forged. Ultra cheap knives, like the $40 Ronco Showtime Six Star+, with its 26 pieces, are usually made out of stamped steel. Even at the Roncos bargain price, cutting performance isnt enough to make it a smart purchase. Youre better off spending more on knives forged from a single piece of steel, as they typically result in a sturdier blade thats less likely to bend.
Of the eight steel-knife sets we recommend, all are forged. Five of them cost at least $300, and the priciest of the bunch, the Zwilling J.A. Henckels Twin Profection #33049, sells for $600. Along with fellow German manufacturer Wusthof, Zwilling is a regular leader in our Ratings (the two brands currently claim the top four spots).
There is one CR Best Buy in our winners circle, and its the exception to the rule about spending top dollar for quality knives. If you grew up in the late 1970s, you might remember the Ginsu as-seen-on-TV ads featuring a blade sawing through a soda can and then delicately carving a ripe tomato. But Ginsu is a serious cutlery company, as evidenced by the Ginsu Chikara, an eight-piece set that sells for $75 and delivers excellent cutting performance.
The one common denominator with any quality steel knife is that it will lose its edge if you dont care for it properly. Forged knives need to be sharpened regularly, either with a honing steel or by a professional. Hand-wash and dry the blade right after use to prevent corrosion. Never soak a knife, as water can seep into gaps and corrode the steel, and wood handles can warp and splinter. Dishwasher detergent and excessive heat can also damage the handle.
We also tested a handful of ceramic knives, which claim low maintenance since their blades can hold an edge longer than steel knives. But only one of the models we evaluated made our top picks list, and the five-piece set from Kyocera costs nearly $800. The others suffered from poor blade durability. In fact, theres a lot youre not supposed to do with these knives, including trying to cut through harder foods or applying force to the side of the blade.
ginsu knife review
FAQ
How good is the Ginsu knife?
What happened to Ginsu knives?
Do Ginsu knives need sharpening?
Are Ginsu knives good?
On the other hand, the rest of Ginsu’s line-up is put together with thin, stamped knife blades with micro-serrated edges. They’re good for kitchens where consumers don’t want to, or don’t know how to, sharpen their kitchen knives. They won’t last forever, but when considering the price you pay for them, it doesn’t really matter.
Are Ginsu knives China?
You’ll find “China” in very tiny print on most of the blades. After tons of infomercials in the 1980s, Ginsu became a household name in kitchen knives as the sharpest knives on the market. Check out our Ginsu knives review to see how they stack up today!
Do Ginsu knives last forever?
They won’t last forever, but when considering the price you pay for them, it doesn’t really matter. Ginsu knives are sharp (…not the sharpest in the world!) and are low-cost and a good entry level knife with a recognizable name-brand. In addition, most Ginsu knives carry a lifetime warranty.
Are Ginsu Chikara knives good?
Read more in our full review on each Ginsu series below. The Ginsu Chikara Series knives are the absolute best in the line-up. They are fully forged from a single piece of 420J Japanese stainless steel . A forged knife is almost a must these days for any decent kitchen knife. They’re just so much stronger and more robust than a stamped blade.