Chicago Cutlery Insignia Steel 12-Piece Knife Block Set

by Chicago Cutlery

Product Features

• 12-pc Set includes: 3" Peeler, 3" Paring Knife, (2) 5" Utility Knives, 8" Chef Knife, 9" Scalloped Bread Knife, 8" Sharpening Steel, four 4" Steak Knives, and Wood Block
• High-carbon stainless-steel blades; designed to resist stains and rust; Taper Grind edges stay extremely sharp and are easy to re-sharpen
• Forged full tang and bolster assemblies offer balance and strength; elegant satin finish
• Ergonomic, stainless-steel, triple-riveted handles with sleek, contemporary styling
• Hand wash only; made in China; covered by lifetime warranty

Product Details

• Product Dimensions: 11 x 6 x 16 inches ; 8.3 pounds
• Shipping Weight: 8.3 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Shipping: This item is also available for shipping to select countries outside the U.S.
• ASIN: B00007KV9W
• Item model number: Insignia Steel
• Average Customer Review: 3.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (20 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #60,912 in Kitchen & Dining (See Top 100 in Kitchen & Dining)

Product Description

Amazon.com Review

This comprehensive 12-piece set contains almost every knife needed for everyday use, including a 3-1/2 inch paring knife for trimming, peeling, and dicing fruits and vegetables; a 5-inch utility knife for cutting sandwiches and slicing meats; an 8-inch slicer for carving roasts; and an eight-inch chef’s knife for everyday tasks from mincing garlic to chopping vegetables. Also included are Four 4 inch steak knives, an 8-inch sharpening steel and an attractive, 11-slot wooden block to store and protect knives.

Durable, well-made, and moderate in price, Chicago Cutlery’s Insignia Steel line is ideal for cooks who are looking to step up to higher-performing cutlery but don’t want to break the bank for a set of famous-name German knives. Made from high-quality stainless steel with carbon for edge retention and chromium for rust and stain resistance, they feature a contemporary satin finish that lends an elegant look to any kitchen. The true test of any knife, however, is its blade, and Chicago’s heavy-duty forged version makes the cut. Its exclusive Taper Grind edge produces impressively precise slices and retains sharpness well over time. Because the handles are hollow to reduce overall weight, Insignia Steel knives might not feel as perfectly-weighted as knives twice their price, but a full tang, forged bolster, and the ergonomic design offset any imbalance. Triple rivets secure the handle to the blade for increased stability, and the seamless, one-piece construction cleans up easily and quickly for long-lasting beauty. Chicago Cutlery covers their knives with a lifetime guarantee; they recommend hand-washing and drying for best results. --Mary Park

What’s in the Box
12-pc Set includes: 3" Peeler, 3" Paring Knife, (2) 5" Utility Knives, 8" Chef Knife, 9" Scalloped Bread Knife, 8" Sharpening Steel, four 4" Steak Knives, and Wood Block

Product Description

Chicago Cutlery Insignia Steel, 12-pc Set includes: 3" Peeler, 3" Paring Knife, (2) 5" Utility Knives, 8" Chef Knife, 9" Scalloped Bread Knife, 8" Sharpening Steel, four 4" Steak Knives, and Wood Block. Chicago Cutlery Insignia Matte collection is constructed of high-carbon stainless steel blades featuring our exclusive Taper Grind edge which is extremely sharp and enables precision cutting. The forged bolster provides balance and safety while ergonomically designed stainless steel handles combine comfort and safety with sleek, contemporary styling.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

21 of 21 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars An excellent set for the price, August 6, 2006

By 

Retired Teacher "Brilliantglass" (Palm Desert) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Chicago Cutlery Insignia Steel 12-Piece Knife Block Set (Kitchen)

I've used this set for several years now (mine is the Insignia Matte Series) and have been very pleased with the overall cutting ability of these knives. Even though I also own Global and Shun kitchen knives, I find myself being drawn to the Insignia knives when I am in a hurry or in the middle of a large project. Although both the Global and the Shun have sharper edges, their price difference doesn't equate directly to the increased level of sharpness that you get. That is to say, yes Global and Shun knives are sharper, but they are not three to four hundred percent sharper all though their price difference certainly would suggest that.

Using my Insignia knives, I am able to quickly dice, cut, and slice through onions, carrots, chicken, roasts, etc. That said, there are several cavets that need to be stated. First, don't wash these knives in a dishwasher. It has nothing to do with the quality of the steel. I wouldn't wash my Ken Onion Shun Chef's knife in the dishwasher and that one knife costs as much as two whole sets of the Insignia. Second, these knives need to be honed regularly. A few strokes after every use makes a real difference. Third, after owning the knives for almost two years, I sharpened each of the knives on oil stones. These knives, like all knives will need to be resharpened from time to time. The good news is that they resharpened quite nicely, a tribute to their quality. Since resharpening, they have continued to hold their edges.

Last, the balance of these knives is more than adequate. I also own the matching sanduko and have found it to be the best of the series. All though I am a bit of a knife snob, and although I would love to purchase a block set of either the Shun or the Globals, I can't justify it given that the Insignia's cut so well. My wife would really give me no end of grief if I threw out a perfectly good set of knives. And a good set of knives these are.

29 of 31 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Good product, September 4, 2003

By A Customer

This review is from: Chicago Cutlery Insignia Steel 12-Piece Knife Block Set (Kitchen)

bought mine from a Kohl's store for $99- these are great knives; I am a chef, so I wanted something nice for myself, and these are comparable to knives over twice the price. I highly advise buying them.

18 of 19 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars What's not to like, September 27, 2004

By 

Joel Schopp (Austin, TXStates) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Chicago Cutlery Insignia Steel 12-Piece Knife Block Set (Kitchen)

Some have said these rust. I run mine through the dishwasher (have for almost a year) and have never had a single spot of rust on them. Maybe they reformulated their metal sometime, don't know.

The larger knives are balanced with the center of gravity at the place where the blade ends and the handle begins. The steak knives and the pearing knife are not balanced. However, because these knives are smaller and are very light (hollow handle, short blades) I really think balancing them would be overkill.

I do not know how they make seamless stainless steel and have a hollow handle (reducing the weight). However they do it sure makes cleanup very easy. Running under a faucet for a couple seconds gets almost anything off.

If you use them heavily I do suggest honing them on the included sharpening steel from time to time. They always seem to stay sharp, but to keep the "that's the sharpest knife I've ever used" level of sharpness a few strokes across the sharpening steel restores it immediatly.

Oh, I do have one gripe. Where is the filet knife? I guess I do more seafood than most people, but I had to go buy a seperate filet knife. I guess you can only fit so many knives in a 12 piece set.

Overall the best knives I have used.