J.A. Henckels International Fine Edge Pro 7-Piece Knife Set with Block

by Henckels

Product Features

• 3-inch Parer, 5-inch Serrated Utility, 8-inch Chef's, 7-inch Hollow Edge Santoku, Kitchen Shears, 9-inch Steel, Hardwood Block
• Stamped stainless-steel blades
• Knives have black plastic, three-rivet, full-tang handles
• Knives made in China
• Lifetime warranty

Product Details

• Product Dimensions: 13 x 4 x 6 inches ; 4.8 pounds
• Shipping Weight: 5 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Shipping: This item is also available for shipping to select countries outside the U.S.
• ASIN: B00004RFNN
• Item model number: 35340-000
• Average Customer Review: 3.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (26 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #23,253 in Kitchen & Dining (See Top 100 in Kitchen & Dining)

Product Description

Amazon.com Review

This set represents a revelation for any cook with a drawer full of stained, blunt knives. Nearly every basic kitchen-cutlery need is satisfied in one package compact enough to place on the counter within reach. The set includes a 7-inch hollow-edge santoku, an 8-inch chef's knife, a 5-inch serrated utility, and a 3-inch paring knife for peeling and cleaning vegetables and fruits. A 9-inch sharpening steel keeps their edges in order, and a pair of kitchen shears to snip herbs, flowers, or string is also included. Everything fits into the rubber-footed, solid hardwood block. International Fine Edge is an inexpensive cutlery line made in countries other than Henckels's home of Germany. The knives don't have bolsters and the steel is of lesser quality than Henckels's premier lines--the blades are less strong. Knives are dishwasher-safe, but it's not recommended. --Fred Brack

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

Product Description

J.A. HENCKELS Fine Edge Pro 7-Piece Knife Set with Hardwood Block

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

151 of 159 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Cheaper for a reason, July 28, 2000

By A Customer

This review is from: J.A. Henckels International Fine Edge Pro 7-Piece Knife Set with Block (Kitchen)

Although very sharp out of the box, these knives have nothing in common with the products one expects from Henckels. The editorial review says the steel is not of the same quality. Well, there is a lot less of it as well. The knives are extremely light weight and there is quite a bit if flex in the blades if you are cutting anything more tenacious than veggies. The block and steel are fine and the set is probably an decent value for the money - but that is about it.

23 of 23 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars You can get a lot better knife for the price, December 25, 2006

By 

E. J Tastad "ejt" (Marion, IA United States) - See all my reviews
(TOP 1000 REVIEWER)    (VINE VOICE)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: J.A. Henckels International Fine Edge Pro 7-Piece Knife Set with Block (Kitchen)

I don't even feel these knives are worth the advertised price. I have used these for about 5 years and have been thoroughly unimpressed. I gave these one star because Henckels should be ashamed to put their name on these knives.

pros: They work (sort of), they are relatively cheap, and you get the Henckels name. I have washed mine in a dishwasher for 5 years and they still hold up.

cons: The steel is poor quality (doesn't hold an edge well), the fit and finish is poor, and the set is over priced for their underwhelming performance.

bottom line: You can get an equivalent set of knives for less money that performs better, you just won't have the Henckels name.

I sharpen these knives and they are dull within just a few uses. The stainless steel is soft and unimpressive. The honing steel needs to be used frequently with these knives to keep them cutting well.

I think most people will find much better performance from a high carbon stainless knife set from most other companies (like Chicago Cutlery's Forum line), you just have to put up with a little staining.

I have been slowly building a professional level knife collection. Start with a high quality chef's (or something like a santoku), bread/carving knife, and a paring knife and work up from there. I couldn't tell you how happy I have been moving to "real" knives, the difference is amazing. If you buy Henckels make sure to buy the ones with the 2 stick men as they are higher quality (non international). The Wusthof Classic set is also a good starting point for good knives. My current set contains an Al Mar paring knife, a Fallkniven chef's knife, and a Wusthof Classic Santoku along with all these Henckels that I am replacing.

If you want cheap but very functional knives, I would recommend Forschner knives. They aren't pretty, but they function as well as any of the good Henckel's or Wusthof's.

43 of 47 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Henckels Makes The Very Best--Even In Their Lower Line, November 27, 2000

By A Customer

This review is from: J.A. Henckels International Fine Edge Pro 7-Piece Knife Set with Block (Kitchen)

I have had this set of Henckels International Line knifes and block for a few years now and am very satisfied. No, it is not the most expensive grouping they make but they are wonderful. They stay sharp with very fine edges. My favorite is the bread knife, perfectly balanced to finely slice my homemade rye & pumpernickle swirl breads. Note: I do hand-wash mine, even though thay are dishwasher safe.

At a good bargain price, you get 5 knifes for almost any task, the wood block with the Henckels logo, a sharpener, and even a slot to add a pair of Henckels kitchen shears (which I highly recommend).

Of course, if you can afford it, the higher line must be exquisite. But due to their lower cost, I was able to give a set of these to my brother last year with a gift certificate to a gourmet butcher shop & he was ecstatic. This grouping makes a perfect starter set--great for newlyweds, house-warming parties, and holiday gifts--just ask my brother!