This article will aid you with the pivotal decision of whether you want forged blades or stamped blades for your kitchen knives. There is a lot of misinformation going around when you're shopping for a new set of knives and it can be really confusing when all you want to do is slice or dice in style while preparing your food.
The myth all starts with the idea that forged blades are inherently better than stamped blades. The idea behind this is that forged blades steel molecules are aligned better and therefore give them much better cutting properties. The fact is this used to be true, but no longer is due to updated manufacturing processes. In the old days the only way to make steel was to forge it, now days knife manufacturers just go down and buy the steel pre-made.
Henckels Knife Set
This is where the pivotal differences between kitchen knives start to form. The forged blades are heated up again pounded into the shape of a knife, and then ground and sharpened. The stamped or machined blades are cut or ground into the shape of a knife, and then heat treated twice to align the steel structure. The first heat treatment starts at 1400-1900 degrees Fahrenheit, leaving the steel brittle but very hard. The second heat treatment hits the blades at 400-700 degrees reducing both the brittleness and the hardness, but in turn making more durable blades.
As you can see the manufacturing processes are just different which leads to different knives. The forged blades tend to be much softer than the stamped or machined blades, because of the lack of high heat treatment. The benefits to this are that it's much easier to sharpen at home, the knife will have a weightier feel, and you'll have a bolster. The drawbacks are that it won't be quite as sharp as a comparable stamped blade, and it won't hold a comparable edge as long. The Germans who are the primary manufacturers using the forged method rectify this by sharpening to a 22 degree angle instead of a 16 degree used by most stamped manufacturers.
The stamped or machined blade benefits and drawbacks are in reverse of the forged. You'll have a much lighter knife with no bolster, unless welded on, that's extremely sharp, and durable. You may also have a harder time sharpening it at home.
In the end it all comes down to you the consumer, and which knife fits you the best. If you're going to be slicing a lot of heavy vegetables and meats you may find the German forged Wusthof knives to your preference. On the other hand if you do a lot of Asian style cooking the high end stamped Global knives or Shun knives may fit you best.
Black Friday Ginsu 14-Piece Stainless Steel Knife Block Set, with Black Block 2011 Deals
Nov 14, 2011 21:17:52
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Black Friday Ginsu 14-Piece Stainless Steel Knife Block Set, with Black Block Feature
- 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
Black Friday Ginsu 14-Piece Stainless Steel Knife Block Set, with Black Block Overview
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.Black Friday Ginsu 14-Piece Stainless Steel Knife Block Set, with Black Block Specifications
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.
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