J.A. Henckels Twin Five Star 9-Piece High-Carbon Stainless-Steel Knife Set with Block

by Henckels

Product Features

• 2 3/4-inch Parer/Boner, 3-inch Parer,5-inch Serrated Utility,6-inch Utility,7-inch Hollow Edge Santoku, 8-inch Chef's, 9-inch Steel, Kitchen Shears, Hardwood Block
• Forged high-carbon stainless-steel blades, full tang and bolster
• Ergonomically designed polypropylene handle
• Dishwasher-safe; full, lifetime guarantee

Product Details

• Product Dimensions: 14 x 5 x 14 inches ; 6.5 pounds
• Shipping Weight: 8 pounds
• Shipping: This item is also available for shipping to select countries outside the U.S.
• ASIN: B00004RFOL
• Item model number: 30158-000
• Average Customer Review: 3.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (20 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #169,919 in Kitchen & Dining (See Top 100 in Kitchen & Dining)

Product Description

Amazon.com Review

This set is sure to cover every chopping, paring, slicing, skinning, or mincing need any cook could possibly have in the kitchen. The kitchen shears are heavy duty, great for use with fresh flowers or poultry skin, and the 9-inch sharpening steel makes it easier to maintain a sharp edge on all knives between professional sharpenings. The knives cover a terrific range--the list includes a 2-3/4-inch paring/boning knife, a 3-inch paring knife, a 5-inch serrated utility knife, a 6-inch utility knife, a 7-inch hollow-edge santoku, and an 8-inch chef's knife. The handles are smooth and comfortable--the curve takes a bit of getting used to, but after a week, straight-handled knives just won't feel right. The balance is exceptional in each piece, and the serrated items work equally well for lefties or righties. Every bit of the set--minus the hardwood block--is dishwasher-safe, and has a lifetime warranty against defects. --Jill Lightner

What's in the Box
2-3/4-inch paring/boning knife, 3-inch paring knife, 5-inch serrated utility knife, 6-inch utility knife, 7-inch hollow-edge santoku, 8-inch chef's knife, 9-inch sharpening steel, kitchen shears, and a hardwood block.

From the Manufacturer

The TWIN® Five Star range is a masterful blend of sharpness and ergonomic design. This series combines the world’s most famous Henckels' blade (Four Star®) with an ergonomic molded handle. This perfectly proportioned handle has been created with a new open flow to accommodate each individual hand while improving convenience and safety for the user. The TWIN® Five Star line contains knives for all tasks, including the following open stock knife types: parer, bread, sandwich, carving, chef’s, santoku, and others. TWIN® Five Star knives are also available in a range of block sets and gift sets, to be sure that your cutlery needs are covered.

A Higher Standard in Knife Construction

TWIN® Five Star knives are precision forged from a single piece of exclusive-formula, high-carbon, no-stain steel under the all-new Sigmaforge standard. As a result, TWIN® Five Star knives have improved quality consistency, lasting sharpness, and perfect geometry. Sigmaforge one-piece construction also provides high precision and improved stability of the blade and steel structure, thus improving cutting-edge retention for lasting sharpness. In addition, TWIN® Five Star knives use J.A. Henckels’ Friodur ice hardening for corrosion resistance, a process that also contributes to cutting-edge retention.

It's All in The Grip:

The Five Star® series features high impact polypropylene handles that are permanently bonded to the knife blades without any gaps. These ergonomic handles are break-proof, sanitary, and colorfast. In addition, the super bolster provides weight, insures safety, and adds balance.

Features:

• SIGMAFORGE 1-piece, precision forged construction: Provides perfect geometry, high precision, and improved stability of the blade and steel structure, thus improving cutting edge retention for lasting sharpness.
• Laser controlled edge: Is sharper and stays sharper longer. Has a more consistent blade angle.
• Friodur ice hardening: Maximum no-stain properties and more blade strength. Improved resistance to corrosion and pitting.
• Super bolster: Provides weight, insures safety, and adds balance.
• Full rat-tail tang: Provides a proper balance and greater strength.
• High-carbon no-stain steel, an exclusive J.A. Henckels formula: Non-staining, non-rusting.
• Hand, precision honed blade: Is sharper and stays sharper longer.
• Ergonomic designed handle: Safer and much more convenient in use.
• Polypropylene handles: Comfortable molded handles and food safe
• Dishwasher safe: Easy care (Although hand-washing is recommended by J.A. Henckels).
• Full warranty: J.A. Henckels stands behind all its knives.

Product Description

J.A. Henckels has been manufacturing top quality knives since its founding in Solingen, Germany, more than 260 years ago. Today, the company is known the world over for the superior craftsmanship and quality of its cutlery. Simple, heavy duty and functional, all Henckels knives are made from high carbon, no-stain steel and crafted using the FRIODUR ice-hardening process for maximum blade strength and a long-lasting edge. Hygenic and slip-resistant, the polypropylene handles are seamlessly fitted to the bolster for safety and comfort during use. Knives in the Five Star series feature a special "no-corners" ergonomic handle for an especially comfortably grip and minimal fatigue of the hand. Dishwasher safe. Set includes: * 3 in. Parer * 5 in. Serrated/Utility knife * 6 in. Utility/Sandwich Knife * 8 in. Carver * 8 in. Chef's Knife * 8 in. Bread Knife * 9 in. Steel * Kitchen Shears * Hardwood Block with Steak Slots

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

50 of 54 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars No comparison with cheap knives, June 1, 2002

By A Customer

This review is from: J.A. Henckels Twin Five Star 9-Piece High-Carbon Stainless-Steel Knife Set with Block (Kitchen)

I gave this product a 4 star rating, not a 5 star, because a 9 knife set is overkill. I bought Henkel's 3 knife set. It suits all my needs. No need for 3 paring knives, when one is always sharp. No need for a serrated blade when you have a superior chef's knife.

As for serrated blades, they tear rather than cut. They are a poor substitute for a finely-sharpened blade.

As for the Cutco blades another reviewer compared these to (and it must be noted that he did so three times with three reviews), I too have a set of Cutco knives in my knife drawer, and they lost their edge relatively quickly. They also don't sharpen as sharply without regrinding the hollow grind as well as the edge. As for the hollow grind, that is an indicator of a manufacturer cutting corners. A hollow ground blade is where the blade tapers in flatly from the spine of the blade down to about the last 1/4 to 1/2 inch of the blade (width-wise), at which point the blade is ground in on both sides with a concave grind, which is a shortcut for an immediate sharp blade, but weakens the edge holding capacity, and must be resharpened more regularly (this, according to a noted text of knife sharpening, The Razor Edge Book of Sharpening by John Juranitch).

As for warranties, this reviewer may have a point, but in spite of Hyundai's premium warranty (10 years / 100,000 miles powertrain), compared with Honda's 3 years / 36,000 miles warranty, I don't see the premium for Hondas going down. Which would you rather own?

A quality product is a quality product, and the Henkel's 4- and 5-star cutlery is worthy of the price paid. I have never been happier with a knife. Quality cutlery makes cutting a pleasure rather than a workout.

38 of 42 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Cutco Web Solicitors, August 24, 2003

By A Customer

This review is from: J.A. Henckels Twin Five Star 9-Piece High-Carbon Stainless-Steel Knife Set with Block (Kitchen)

Just to let you guys know, Cutco hires what they call "web solicitors" to ype up their products on sites like these. Don't fall for it.

39 of 44 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Some words of advice, January 30, 2001

By A Customer

This review is from: J.A. Henckels Twin Five Star 9-Piece High-Carbon Stainless-Steel Knife Set with Block (Kitchen)

First of all there's no doubt that Henckel 5 Star are top quality knives. Bought them and love them. However according to Consumer Reports here are the top ten knives: 1. WUSTOF (Trident Grand Prix) 2. WUSTOF (Trident Classic) 3. Henckels (Professional "S") 4. Henckels (Four Star) 5. Tramontina (Professional) 6. Cuisine de France (Commercial Sabatier) 7. Chef's Choice (Trizor Professional 10X Cutlery) 8. Chicago Cutlery (Legacy Forged) 9. Lamsonsharp (Forged) 10. Henckels (Five Star)

The Henckels Five star (which is the same as the Henckel Pro Series except for its handles) was rated 10 because it is "more likely to corrude". I would contest the validity of that statement but I'll let you decide. As an amateur cook, I can't tell any significant difference between the top of line Wustof and Henckel knives. From what I have read the true test of quality is how it feels in your hand. I choose this set because of its exceptional grip. They are easier to handle and more comfortable to use than the traditional full tang handles and still maintain a nice balance. As for the price, it is a little steep but it's worth every bit. As an alternative consider getting a good starter set and build up your knives collection later on.