Customer Reviews

Calphalon Contemporary 8-Inch Chef's Knife

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

 

 

I didn't know how much I needed this knife until I had it. This is my first "good" knife, and boy does it make a difference. For a long time I had heard that one good knife can be your most useful tool in the kitchen, and it is the truth! I used to be a kitchen gadget collector, but I use this knife for a lot of the things that I used to have gadgets for (frees up a lot of space in my kitchen!) I also invested in a sharpener, and try to sharpen the knife every three or four uses.

The balance of this knife is great, and it fits my hand perfectly. It was a little heavier than I anticipated, but I got used to that very quickly. This knife has replaced most of my other cheap knives, and I don't miss them a bit.

This knife is made from the same top-quality German steel used in Solingen kitchenware, but is ground and manufactured in China. This is a perfect combination, as the material is top-quality. If you want a mirror finish, spend twice as much for a Trident Wusthof...but you won't be getting a better knife, just a better looking one.

I was fortunate enough to pick this knife up as a "Gold Box" offering. Though the finish of the blade isn't as smooth and shiny as I might have expected from a company such as Calphalon, the overall quality of the knife is really exceptional, especially for the price. As you may have expected, this knife is crafted in a Chinese factory, and they never seem to "buff" their metal to quite the same degree as products from western origin. But I must say, I really love this knife. It's mass and blade curvature make it equally effective for cleaving apart a chicken or rocking through herbs to mince them. It comes with a very sharp edge, which is easily maintained by using a steel or keen to re-burnish it from time to time. The ONLY thing I'm slightly dissapointed about is the fact that the blade is just a little too thick to fit into the slot on my current knife holder block, so it spends a lot of time flat on the counter. I plan to make a new holder to house it along with my other 4" and 6" versions from the same Calphalon collection, which I have since purchased at full Amazon price--I was that impressed.

The title is a play on words. There is absolutely nothing wrong with the knife and it is every bit is good as other reviewers say it is. I've been using mine now for over a year, several times a day, every day.

It is a rugged, hefty knife made out of quality steel. It is substantial enough for use in either the kitchen or the battlefield.

The only hint that Calphalon cut the cost (but not the quality) is that the knives I bought had a little sticker that said, "Made in China", a sticker easily flicked off with a thumbnail. But this time the Chinese got it right: no apology needed for the quality.

So, "What's the beef?"

Without any cutting remarks (opps, I did it again), it is a question of eroding value. At the time I first bought the knife the price was less than two-thirds of what Amazon is currently charging. Some time later, Amazon had a Friday Sale and I bought three more at one-third the current price as potential gifts.

Now, I will be the first to admit I have never understood Amazon's pricing system, but I will tell you this: if Amazon ever reduces the price of this knife to anything like its former levels....buy it.

After I bought my Calphalon cookware I knew I would continue to buy their products because they are very good quality, especially for the price. I know their cookware & kitchen utensils are good, but I wasn't sure about their cutlery (some companies make quality cookware but poor quality knives). So I decided to take a chance & get the 8" Chef's knife and I am so glad I did! I think this knife is beautiful & the perfect weight. I really like the handle & it feels nice and balanced in my hand. It didn't come out of the box quite as sharp as I'd like it to be, but it's definitely sharp enough. I can't wait to get more knives & the maple block! This knife is great for everyday use!!

I was surprised at how well this knife performed. I have had no problems with it at all. It slices through things with ease. The handle is also great. The rubber on the handle prevents it from slipping, and makes the knife more comfortable. I have not tried any of the higher end knives like Wusthof or henckels so I am not sure how this performs compared to them.

Well balanced, a pleasure use, and a real value for the money. My husband and I love to cook and we love this knife - so much so that we are replacing all our knives with this Calphalon Contemporary line.

Very good knife, close to $100+ german quality. It arrived sharp and is easily sharpened. Holds an edge well, almost as well as a pricey Henckels. Handle is very comfortable and cleverly shaped, fits both my large hands and the wifes' medium hands. If you have a medium to large cutting board this size chef knife is probably the most versatile.

I was using "regular" knives, nameless utensils that cut things for me, until I bought this knife as part of a set that was on sale. The first time I used it, I saw the light. This knife was sharp, fit beautifully in my hand and made cutting much less of a chore. We've since purchased several other knives in this line, but this one holds a special place in my heart.

Though we've been using it for several years, it's only been sharpened occasionally and the only sign of wear is that the Calphalon insignia that was on the blade has worn off after many washings. Compared to more expensive brands, like Wusthof, these knives are an incredible value.

Excellent product. Extremely well ballanced. Easy to sharpen. Makes cooking so much easier.