Customer Reviews

Sabatier Precision 38-Piece Knife Block and Tool Set

5 star:		(24)
4 star:		(20)
3 star:		(11)
2 star:		(19)
1 star:		(41)

 

 

I previously ordered a Sabatier block and knife set from Amazon at a rediculous discount and after receiving the product, realized how they could afford the 88% discount... It's not surprising then that the experience was much the same this time around. Frankly, I don't know why anyone would spend the retail price on this collection; $50 is more than fair for what amounts to no more than the $20 knife set I bought previously and a few helpful "extras".

I suppose my reaction isn't to the knives themselves-- I haven't even opened them since I imagine they are much like the other Sabatier set I purchased and those are adequate but nowhere near Henckel quality. My surprise and dismay really stems from the thin metal of the measuring cups and spoons. Not only are they tinny and poorly made, their edges are so sharp that you can slice a brick of cheese with them (not good for a working cook)! The handled accessories were somewhat better in quality, but you'd do better buying them either individually to suit your needs or elsewhere... And the wood block that I received was dark and ugly; not a huge problem, but again, an obvious instance of cutting quality corners.

Overall, if you're looking for a starter set for college and don't need to impress too many people (including yourself), this is a great deal. You get more knives at a better price than you could find at Target or Wal-Mart (or elsewhere), plus the extra accoutrements to round out your initial cooking toolset.

For established cooks, or even casual connoisseurs, either spend a little more on one of the other sets Amazon offers or build your knive collection one at a time, spending as you're able, to obtain lasting, quality cutlery.

As the saying goes, you get what you pay for, and in this case, that truism applies doubly! Just because this set looks like a great deal at $50, you're ultimately going to get what you pay for.

I am usually very forgiving when it comes to bargain merchandise. However, this set is really cheap. The wood block is made of two pieces glued together, and mine came crooked. The knife handles are not very ergonomic. The plastic accessories, the clincher on the deal for me, are fine but the handles are very short. All in all, while I'd like to return the set I don't feel justified in returning it for what I paid (heavy sigh). And I haven't even USED them yet! Let's hope they don't turn to rust in the dishwasher. We shall see...

It looks impressive, a $ 380.00 set of cutlery for less than $ 40.00. So yes, I ordered a set - I already owned a few Henckels - I lived in Germany - they are way more resonable there. Henckels is a great company. But Sabatier has a pretty good reputation...or so I thought...Until they arrived - I agree with most of the other raters. Nice set, but nobody home...meaning, it's not the quality I expected. I hate that kind of shapener.. (old fashined butcher type) I never get it right. I already had a set of Henckel steak knives and didn't realize that's what the row across the front of the wood block was. Oh well, I should have read or looked more carefully - but you can never have too many steak knives. Bottom line - for the serious cook - this is NOT the set at any price - for beginners.. it's ..umm OK. I am just a sucker for a bargain!

I have used a set of Sabatier Precision knives purchased (for home use) here on Amazon about a year and a half ago. I use them daily, and I use the hard. They have held up very well. My advice; 1) DO NOT put these knives in the dishwasher, they're carbon steel, and they will rust dispite the fact they are advertised as "stainless". (remove the rust with a scotch bright pad as ASAP and they will be fine). And, 2) get a good quality "V" type sharpener. If you do these two simple things these knives will give you very good service. Some of the reviews would lead you to think these knives are the worst product ever produced, I disagree. Although these are not "world class" knives, they are very good budget knives. If you maintain them properly they will cut fine and last for years. I have worked In many restaurant kitchens, and also as a restaurant inspector, I have handeled a lot of knives, and in my opinion these are good "budget" knives, most likely the best you will find at this price.

I'm an occational cook, so this set suits my needs, however, when I buy a house and start cooking more, I'm definately moving on to Henkels. Let me show you why.

Quality: These knives do the job. They come with a sharpener and a good variety of cutting utensils. However, my biggest grievance is that the first time I ran them through the dishwasher they showed rust spots. Now I have to spend more time than I've got to wash them by hand so that they stay sterile. If I can't put it in the dishwasher I don't want it. Ah, the modern conveniences of life.

Durability: If you run these through the dishwasher, the handles are gonna degrade--fast-- as well as get rust spots. Just keep shapening them so you don't squash your tomatoes.

Value: Amazon's currently listing these for $25 and I paid $50 for the set last year. It does, redeemly so, come with a decent set of cooking tools and measuring tools. I do use those in the dishwasher without a problem. You get steak knives, a serraded knife for cutting bread, meat scizzors, a sharpener, a butcher knife and a couple other slicers. As far as value goes, it's decent for a starter kitchen, *as long as you don't use 'em in the dishwasher*.

So overall, like I said, they *do* the job, but I don't like them because I don't want to wash by hand all the time. The value is there, but in this case value does not equate to quality. J. A Henkels are a much better VALLUE for the QUALITY. This is a value for the PRICE--Just to make it clear to you. Keep these til you can't stand 'em no' mo'.

After reading all the UNHAPPY reviews, I was very hesitant to purchase this item. I have nothing but PRAISE for this set. I am currently in the process of upgrading all of my kitchen items (cookware, etc.) and had previously been using a set that I purchased for the same price at Kmart. In one of the reviews that I read on this item, someone said that they were an embarassment, not to buy the knives...well I was wondering if this person was aware of the type of knives that you TYPICALLY can buy for 29 dollars? Granted you can't just up and throw them in the dishwasher - like a cheap knife set - but that's fine. So I highly reccomend these knives to anyone who is upgrading from a cheap set. I have had NO troubles with them...they need a little sharpening but that's very easy to do with your sharpening stone. So don't be fooled by other customer reviews!

These knives are a great buy for the price. They are not the top of the line but are good quality as long as they are properly cared for. You can do just about anything with this set and it is rare to find a cleaver in a set unless you want to spend hundereds of dollars on an expensive set. I find them perfect and for an extremely cheap price you couldn't find a better deal. I liked them so much I purchased an additional set for my sister in-law and her husband for christmas. They are a great starter set and a good up grade from your standard low priced models. I would recommend this set to anyone willing to spend $60-100 on a good quality knife set and would like to save a little. Just remember to take good care of them.

I got this same deal a 6 months ago. If you hand wash & dry them they don't rust. I constantly use them daily. They keep a good edge and are easy to sharpen with the included sharpner when needed. I love the meat cleaver. I'm extremely happy with these knives. With a little extra care they'll last as long as German steel. A comparable great quality set with the same knives will cost you +$500 easy. Pay your $19 and use the rest to buy an IPOD. Remember, if your not a professional chef, You'll cut things 30 minutes a day tops. Impress your buddies with a new IPOD instead of some knives. If you are a professional chef, then pay your $500 and quit whining about this $20 set on Amazon.

THIS PRODUCT IS NOT WORTH $49.00. THE FIRST TIME I USED THE SET THE HANDLE BROKE IN MY HAND. THE BLADES ARE INCONSISTANTLY SHARP. THE TOOLSET IS JUNK LET THE KIDS PLAY COOK. AMAZON TAKE THIS OFF YOUR LIST AND OUT OF INVENTORY! P.SMITH

a note to the reviewers here... DON'T wash your high carbon steel knives in a dishwasher - no matter what the brand. always wash a good set of knives by hand, and dry them immediately.