Customer Reviews

Calphalon Collector's Edition 8-Inch Chef's Knife

5 star:		(12)
4 star:		(5)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

I am not one to write reviews. I have purchased many things from Amazon. Even though I liked the products, I just wasn't motivated to write a review. I just received this Calphalon 8" Collectors Edition Chef Knife. I am a "knife nut", as well as a very good amateur chef. I've been doing this for 40 years. I KNOW quality knives. Before buying this knife, I read the reviews on ALL the Calpholon knives in the series. The reviews ranged from "junk" to "the best". I also checked cutlery websites and found a site that stated that the Calphalon line of knives are produced by Friedrich Dick-- a German knife company that produces professional kitchen knives comparable to Henckels and Wustof,(both of which I own). Even Henckels has different qualities of steel, depending on the series and price of the product. Was this Calphalon a "low quality" steel. Some reviewers stated it was "made in China". I figured for 20 bucks I'd take a chance--it would be a "test knife". Out of the package, it was heavy and appeared well made. Holding the end of the handle with my fingers and tapping the blade, it had a solid "ring" to it- the sound of a high carbon steel blade. I took a sheet of copy paper, and with the blade at an angle to the edge of the paper, sliced the paper in half with a single cut. Very nice for a factory edge. I sharpened it with my ceramic hone and was able to "shave" the hair off my forearm. It doesn't get any better than this! Yes it is forged in China, but this is excellent German steel. Also it doesn't have the rounded and highly polished handles that the German counterparts have. But in performance, I could not tell the difference from my Henckels. I owned a retail store for 16 years, and delt with many products from China. There is a lot of "junk" from China--but there are also a lot of very high quality products from China. I'm not going to go into political or labor issues here. It is personal choice. I found some Chinese products to be far superior to U.S. or European goods at a fraction of the cost. This is a high quality item. I am definately going to buy more from this line. You will NOT find a better "forged" knife at this price! My only "objection" (if you can call it that), is that the knife is a little heavier than the Henckels or Wusthof knives, so they "handle" differently. I prefer the lighter weight, but this is a personal thing. It would not influence my decision to buy this product.

This will no doubt get me in trouble with the Henckles/Wustoff crowd (I own some Henckles), but here it goes. I don't think you can buy a better line of kitchen knives at any price. My 8" chefs knife came with the 15 piece set with maple block. As with every knife in the set, the chefs has a flawles finish and a great working feel. It is heavier than the Henckles, and I like it that way, as the knife tends to work better, and with less effort. The steel has a nice ring, and sharpens to a very fine edge with little effort. Even out of the box, the edge would, as one reviewer remarked, shave your arm hair without pulling. Everything from the basic design, to the materials used and the fine brand etching on the blade exudes quality. I have had fellow Henckles owners swear that these knives were made in the Henckles shop, and that they just put the wrong logo on the blade. Since there is no reference to China on the knife, none of those who used them had any preconceptions. They all (4 of them) raved about the handmade quality of the entire set.

Instead of filling out my Henckles set, I'm glad that I tried the Calphalon brand first. I did order the Henckles 5 star cleaver though, as Calphalon doesn't offer one yet. I also ordered the 10" chefs, and the 10" slicer from Calphalon with the new "comtemporary" handles. If you like the look and feel of the contured soft grip, they offer all blade styles and sets with this option on page two of Calphalon knives.

Oh, one last thing to consider. There have been a few people who noticed that looking down at the bolster from the top, one side may be ground back toward the handle more than the other. My first Henckles 8" chef was like that. This Calphalon set is pretty even, with perfectly parallel blade sides and smooth taper,but such variations can be expected in a hand ground steel product. Since they all have a lifetime warranty, just send it back for another if the difference is bothersome. You still come out way ahead, and sacrifice nothing in quality.

This knife may be one of the finest values on Amazon. Great feel, great balance. Easily compares to better known German knives at a fraction of the cost. It could be a little sharper when shipped, but a few swipes on the stone and it was in excellent shape. The only drawback- if you can call it that- is that the knife may be too heavy for some users.

Why look for a chefs knife that will cost you twice to three times the price when it's all here? This is a great knife to use when working in a non-professional environment. Holds the edge well, perfect weight, great balance and easy to take care of. Would recommend it to others. By the way, I also have a much more expensive St. Moritz, and I have to say this knife is great for this price.

I purchased two of these knives, and with Amazon's recent price reduction, barely qualified for free Super Saver shipping.

For the price, the quality of this knife is extraordinary. You are not likely to find such value in another knife. The workmanship and materials is the equal to my J.A. Henckels which I have used for many years.

There is one thing you won't appreciate until the knife is in your hands and that is the exceptional balance. Rest the knife on a horizontal finger at the groove where the handle meets the blade to see what I mean.

I usually do not favor things made in China because of quality issues but this is a pleasant exception. The only evidence that this knife was made in China is a plastic sticker on the blade, easily scraped off with a finger-nail.

So I suggest you do as I did and buy two. One to keep and one to be given as a gift. Both will be cherished.

I just received this knife, and I'm totally impressed and thrilled with the bargain price.

Didn't notice any of the flaws that the Honolulu reviewer noted. Mine is wonderfully finished and fitted. Perhaps one of those quality control problems that every manufacturer is subject to?

Did need a little sharpening out of the box, but I'd have done that anyway. Nice thick blade, and I prefer a heftier knife. ...a cooking message board member referred me to this one ... I'm indebted!

Another reviewer noted that this knife isn't as high quality as the top line German manufacturers. I agree, but it is nonetheless quite a bargain. I like the heft and balance, and it seems to hold an edge well too. One drawback I've noticed is that I've seen a few small spots of rust on the blade. They're light and can be polished out, but the best German blades don't have any tendency to rust at all. Still - this is a very good value.

All right, its not as good as a wusthof. Lets say that right now.
I have LOTS of wusthof, and I use them frequently. I wanted a few extra chefs knives, for the times where you've got exrta people chopping, or you have lots of things going at once, or for all the other reasons you want lots of versatile knives in your kitchen.
I love my wusthofs, but I didn't want to spend the money to buy three more of them. There are lots of other things my kitchen needs! So I have this knife a shot...and the week after it arrived, I ordered three more (one for my mom).
It's heavy, but I like the balance, and the heft comes in handy. It came a little dull, but a few minutes with my steel took care of that. It takes an edge as well as the wusthofs.
Ok, bad news...one of the three in the second order had a slight "ripple" in the steel. You can't see it, but running a finger down the side of the blade, you can feel it. I haven't gotten around to calling them yet, but I am confident that calphalon will make things right.
So, take a chance...while the price is right. You can't do better for the money.

This is a knife with great weight and balance. The knife is really thick and sturdy. The price is fantastic.

I like cooking knives. I purchased this blade ... simply to play with it. It does not compete with top of the line Wustoff, Henkels or Sabatier knives (forged in Europe of course). However those knives are generally at least 3-5 times the price of this knife.

This knife has many of the benefits of the higher quality European knives. They are forged and the steel is high quality. This knives lacks the workmanship detail you'd find in top of the line knives. Only someone who is really [particular] or interested in great knives would even notice these differences IMO. Also, the knife is extremely heavy for a Chef's knife. I have a 1/2 dozen so I should know. That could be a drawback for some but on the other hand weight can aid some cutting tasks. You might like the extra weight.

It won't replace my Wustof, Henkels or Sabatier forged chef knifes but I will keep it and use it and someday give it away to a younger relative just starting out.

I wish I'd have bought a knife like this years ago instead of even trying stamped blades.

If you don't have a forged chef knife this is a great way to get started with forged knives. You won't believe how much easier a good knife can made your prep.

The knife is made in China but the steel is German. The workmanship is better than other Chinese made knives in my collection.