A chef’s knife is the most important tool you need in the kitchen since it plays a role in creating any dish.
Many who regularly work in the kitchen might agree with this, but it’s not the only knife you need.
To minimize slippage and ensure better control, you need a complete knife set with a particular knife for each function.
This J.A. Henckels International Self-Sharpening Knife Set review will help you find the right collection for your kitchen.
J.A. Henckels International Self-Sharpening Knife Set Review
If you have ever bought a knife set before or at least window-shopped for one, you would know about J.A. Henckels.
After all, the company always pops up on the top of the list when it comes to kitchen knife brands.
Its products boast a century-old history and refined craft, so it’s easy to see why most chefs rely on J.A. Henckels.
The J.A. Henckels modernist 20-piece knife set is one of the most remarkable collections from the company.
It contains forged stainless-steel knives with a self-sharpening block.
All knives in this set feature a German stainless-steel finish with a satin touch and mirror-finish end caps.
Who Is This Product For?
The company does not market this knife set to a particular set of people.
Instead, it could be useful for chefs of all levels, from beginners to pros.
To make it suitable for professional chefs, the knife set has every kind of blade a cook can possibly need.
Even better, the slots are labeled on the block to ensure that newbies know what goes where.
What’s Included?
The J.A. Henckels knife set contains 20 items, including 19 knives and one self-sharpening block.
With these many features, it is perfect for everyone who loves to cook or is still learning.
Here are the knives present in this set:
- A three-inch paring knife
- A four-inch paring knife
- A five-inch serrated utility knife
- A 5.5-inch prep knife
- A 5.5-inch boning knife
- A six-inch utility knife
- A seven-inch hollow edge santoku knife
- An eight-inch bread knife
- An eight-inch chef’s knife
- Eight 4.5-inch forged serrated steak knives
- Kitchen shears
- A self-sharpening block
The block has 19 slots to house all knives.
Plus, there are labels on the exact spots to ensure you always place the right knife in the correct slot.
Overview of the Features
The J. A. Henckels International knife set is popular among home and restaurant chefs alike.
The credit for this goes to the following features:
- Durable Build
These knives have a German stainless-steel construction. Thus, you can expect them to last for a long time.
On top of that, they have a satin finish that gives them a sleek and neat appearance.
Since all knives come with end caps, you will have a pleasant experience while using them.
Moreover, the blades are fingerprint-proof, so they won’t get messy even with regular use.
As for the edges, they will always be sharp since they were honed for long-lasting sharpness and precise cuts.
- Self-Sharpening Block
Another notable feature of this knife set is the self-sharpening block. Basically, what it does is sharpens the knives following each use.
Moreover, it has a wooden build and a classy walnut finish, which will definitely go with most modern kitchens.
All slots in the block have labels on them, so you can put the knife exactly where you took it out from.
- Dishwasher-Safe
Some consider dishwasher-safeness to be a must-have feature of the best kitchen knives.
Luckily, the J. A. Henckels knife set has this functionality.
This means you can just put the knives in the dishwasher after preparing a meal, and the machine will do all the cleaning for you.
Pros:
- Comes with a self-sharpening block
- Made of German forged steel
- Labels on the block
- Long-lasting sharpness and precision
- Contains all the knives you need in the kitchen
Cons:
- The blades are a bit thick
- Some ingredients stick while cutting
How to Use This Knife Set
While professional chefs know what each knife does, some beginners can’t even tell a slicing knife apart from a paring knife.
To help level up your skills, this video will help you learn about the use of each knife in this knife set.
Likewise, if you’re following your grandma’s old recipe or learning from an online tutorial, the instructions will tell you which knife to use.
Alternatives
Although the J.A. Henckels International Self-Sharpening Knife block set is pretty impressive, it might not go with your needs, aesthetics, or budget range.
Here are some other options you can check out:
Cuisinart C77SSR-12P Color Pro Collection
Whether it’s camping grills or knives, Cuisinart always comes through.
The Color Pro Collection contains the following knives made with stainless steel: Santoku, paring, steak, sharpening steel, slicing, and all-purpose.
Perhaps the most striking thing about this knife has to be the color of the knives’ handles.
If you have a contemporary and unique kitchen aesthetic, this knife set will surely go with it.
Moreover, the knives have a high-carbon steel finish to ensure protection against rust and corrosion.
The block does not have labels, but it’s functional enough to fit all your knives at once.
More importantly, you get a lifetime warranty on this purchase.
AmazonBasics Premium 18-Piece Kitchen Knife Block Set
If you’re someone who prefers knives over electric food slicers, this is the set for you.
This AmazonBasics premium knife set might not meet a professional chef’s standards, but it has all the knives you need to slice and cut fruits or vegetables.
Plus, the triple-riveted handles and ergonomic design provide a comfortable grip.
The blades are stainless steel, so you can guarantee that their sharpness lasts a long time.
The set comes with a wooden block that has a slot for each knife. However, keep in mind that this is not dishwasher-safe.
Conclusion
Let’s conclude this J.A. Henckels International Self-Sharpening knife block set review by saying that this set is your perfect companion in the kitchen.
It has the trusted J.A. Henckels quality and various knife options to meet all your culinary needs.
So, if you’re planning to get a new set for your kitchen, you’ll find it hard to find something better than this.