Ginsu 14-Piece Stainless Steel Knife Set, with Black Block

by Douglas Quikut

• 14-piece block set with kitchen shears
• Knives forged in Japanese 420 series stainless steel; satin finish on blades and handles
• Full tang; blades are serrated on both sides for clean cuts for left- and right- handed users
• Knives store in painted hardwood block; knives never need sharpening and are dishwasher- safe
• Knife block measures 8-1/2 by 6 inches and weighs 9 pounds; limited lifetime warranty

Product Details

• Product Dimensions: 10.2 x 4.8 x 14.5 inches ; 7 pounds
• Shipping Weight: 9 pounds
• Shipping: Currently, item can be shipped only within the U.S.
• ASIN: B0006TJ7I6
• Item model number: 4827
• Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (415 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #14,515 in Kitchen & Dining (See Top 100 in Kitchen & Dining)
  • #59 in Kitchen & Dining > Kitchen Knives & Cutlery Accessories > Cutlery Sets > Knife Block Sets

Product Description

Style Name: Deep block, vertical slots

Amazon.com

Any person that has ever tried to slice the golden crust of a baguette with a paring knife, or to peel an apple with a chef’s knife, knows the importance of stocking a wide variety of cutlery in the kitchen. A single recipe may require four or five different knives to cut, dice, and slice with efficiency and ease. To cover this wide gamut, Ginsu offers a new comprehensive cutlery set. From the International Traditions cutlery line, the 14-piece set comes equipped with a 3-1/2-inch paring knife, 4-1/2-inch utility knife, 5-inch boning knife, 8-inch slicer, 8-inch chef’s knife, 8-inch bread knife, six 4-1/2-inch steak knives, kitchen shears, and knife block. With this wide variety of blades, the set makes a wonderful housewarming gift for a young family establishing their first household.

The blade of each knife was forged from Japanese 420 series stainless steel with full tang for increased balance and permanence. The hygienic stainless-steel construction resists rusting, staining, and corrosion. The craftsmen at Ginsu employ a specialized Symmetric Edge technology, notching matching serrations on both sides of the blade for enhanced precision and smoothness for left- and right- handed users alike. The balanced two-dimensional serration eliminates the need for sharpening these knifes. Stainless-steel handles are curved to provide an ergonomically-friendly hold for chefs. The knife block features sturdy hardwood construction to protect knives and permit quick access while cooking. For cleaning convenience, the knives are dishwasher- safe. Ginsu covers the set with a limited lifetime warranty. The knife block measures 8-1/2 by 6 by inches. The set weighs 9 pounds upon shipping. --Jessica Reuling

What’s in the Box
Set includes: 3-1/2-inch paring knife; 4-1/2-inch utility knife; 5-inch boning knife; 8-inch slicer; 8-inch chef’s knife; 8-inch bread knife; six 4-1/2-inch steak knives; kitchen shears; knife block.

Product Description

Ginsu knives have commercial quality, high carbon, Japanese stainless steel blades. Stainless Steel handles are built for extreme strength and durability. Hardwood storage blocks keep your knives organized, safe and ready to use. This set includes: chef's knife, santoku, 6 steak knives, bread knife, boning knife, utility knife, paring knife, shears and versatile hardwood storage block.

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

1,943 of 1,997 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Most Don't Know How to Rate a Knife December 4, 2005

By Sam

Style Name:Deep block, vertical slots

I am simply amazed at what people consider quality. If you look at most of these reviews they are basing the quality of these knives if they have rusted. One even called it cheap because it rusted.

Folks, these are forged knives made from 420 steel. You can only go up one more step in quality and retain the same hardness without using exotic metal processes. Low quality cutlery is generally made out of grades like 409 and 430.

Here's how it works. The sharpest knife is made out of high carbon steel. High carbon steel is the hardest and therefore also keeps its sharp edge longer. The more carbon in steel the more it is going to rust. Something with a lot of carbon is a standard metal shop file... the type of file that you use to sharpen you garden tools. Leave it out in the rain and you'll have more rust than you ever imagined. Most likely that same file is the hardest (and highest tempered) metal you'll ever hold in your hands.

To prevent rust you add chromium. The more you add the less it will rust. Once you add over 13% chromium you are legal to say you have "stainless steel." The only problem with adding chromium is the steel can not be tempered as hard. Chromium also adds "gumminess" (relative to hard steel) which makes sharpening difficult because it is like trying to sharpen chewed bubble gum. IOW, under a microscope you'd see little pieces that extend to the left and right instead to a fine point. You know, like the bubble gum stuck to the bottom of your shoes in a parking lot.

420 steel keeps the chromium level as close to 13% as possible. Why? So the steel can be hardened. Hardness is measured on a scale called the Rockwell Hardness scale. This steel can go up to a RC56 hardness. Henckels FourStar only goes up to a RC58.

Some Damascus knives go up to RC60 but they can cost upwards of $1,200 per set. They also tell you to "hand wash only." Why? Simply so they won't rust since you'll quickly get them dried after hand washing.

Some of the finest butchering knives are made by Sheffield and have been making knives since the Middle Ages. They really became popular starting around the 1600's. For butchers they have two types of knives; hardened carbon steel and if you are one not to take care of your knives they will sell you the same model in 420 stainless steel. Six steak knives will cost you about $350.00 if you can't afford the butcher's knife.

I lost my fine Henckels in a divorce and replaced them with a less expensive model of Henckels. I was disappointed that they were not rusting in the dishwasher. What that meant to me was the steel isn't as hard as my old Henckels.

But yes, if you want to spend a lot more and get Henckels they may not rust quite as much and they will be a harder knife. That's because you move into a much more expensive stainless steel that contains molybdenum and vanadium. You will also get a sticker that tells you to hand wash. If you ever watch professional cooks you'll see that they have a dish towel tucked at their waist. They will use this repeatedly to wipe their knives. Why? So food will not stick to the knives, dry and make a rust spot.

I will never 'hand wash' a knife unless I plan on using it in a few moments. I don't care what they say about not using a dishwasher. It is so very, very easy to remove rust from knives. Just use your Comet. I like to use Bar Keepers Friend. It does the same as Comet but designed to remove rust and shine stainless steel. A couple of wipes gets rid of the stain or rust.

Don't forget this is Stain Less, not never-stain, never-rust.

104 of 110 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent value and wonderful for left handed people! January 15, 2006

By C. Pollio

Style Name:Deep block, vertical slots|Amazon Verified Purchase

I bought these knives(the steak knives), because I am left handed and most knives are serrated only on one side - so cutting is really unsafe - the knife cuts to one side. These are serrated on both sides and cut straight. Very sharp though - take care. I love them. Sleek design and I've received so many compliments on them. Much better than more expensive knives I've tried (and had to donate to charity). Wonderful!

65 of 68 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Totally amazing kinves for the price!!!!!! March 8, 2006

By Charles A. Eva

Style Name:Deep block, vertical slots

These knives are amazing for the price. you can't beat it! they are sturdy, cut amazingly well, never need to be sharpened and i haven't had any problems with rust! I never put them in the dishwasher because i know that they would probably start to rust. its so easy just to hand wash them. Nothing will stick the to blade so its an easy rinse wipe and your done!! For anyone looking to buy great knives but don't want to spend a lot of dough, this is the buy for sure!