Customer Reviews

8" Chefs Knife, #21, Kiwi

5 star:		(2)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

I was introduced to these knives by a roommate in college. They are amazing, and I recommend them to anyone and everyone who likes to cook. Seriously though, don't bother buying them online when you can go to your local Asian market and get them for $3.50 (really). I took a friend to the local market down the street today and he bought three varieties of the larger knives, and three of the smaller (paring) knives all for under $15. I came back and decided to see if they sell them online,... only to be dumbfounded by the price.

The Kiwi & Kom Kom brand knives from Thailand have become so popular worldwide that they are now being copied in China and are very hard to discern from the original Kiwi brand. This is part of the reason that this Bangkok based knife company has come out with another line of higher quality knives - their newer Kom Kom brand. The Kom Kom knives are of higher standard and quality and are not readily available in retail stores outside of Thailand. Temple of Thai, USA imports these knives directly from the Kiwi and Kom Kom Company to America.

There are 2 levels of this particular model of knife, the #21 - the Kom Kom brand, which is more expensive and of better quality and also the original Kiwi brand (the one being sold here) which is cheaper and also a good inexpensive, everyday knife. When compared side-by-side the quality of the both the wood and metal used is higher in the Kom Kom brand. The tang runs down about 80% of the handle in the Kom Kom model, compared to half tang with the Kiwi. There are 3 rivets in the Kom Kom handle compared to just 2 in the Kiwi brand #21. The Kom Kom brand is slightly heavier then the Kiwi. And the blade is stamped Kom Kom (as opposed to just simply Kiwi). Compare to 8" Thai Chefs Knife, #21 (Kom Kom).

As per the Kiwi & Kom Kom company these are differences in the 2 brands which they manufacture:

Kiwi
· Cheaper than the Kom-Kom brand knives
· Kiwi passes through fewer production processes compared to the Kom-Kom brand
· For those who like to sharpen their knife frequently, they may prefer the Kiwi brand

Kom Kom
· More expensive then the Kiwi brand knives
· It passes through more processes of production compared to the Kom-Kom brand
· It stays sharp longer if kept in a good condition, so the user does not need to sharpen frequently

In addition, the Kom Kom brand knives are packaged in a retail blister packages.

Good starter knives. Very sharp. Be sure not to put in the dishwasher or leave in water as the handles are not durable. I keep my handle oiled. The blade is thin but cuts beautifully. I have not had to sharpen it yet.