This is a great knife block. It doesnt take up too much room on the counter and has great options. The variety of blade shapes and sizes is awesome! I have smaller hands but found these knives easy to manage and well balanced.
I was pleasantly surprised with this knife block. The knives feel great in the hand and have stayed nice and sharp. I LOVE the ends of the knives, they look cool and are actually quite functional. I love this set and the knife block itself looks quite swanky on the countertop. Great value at this price.
Wish the quality was just a little better all around. A little better steel, a little better qc, a few more dialed in useful knives. Seems a little expensive for what it is.
I like to cook and have Shun knives at home. The knives at our vacation house were inexpensive 20-year-old Kitchen Aids and needed replacement, but I wanted to spend less than I did on my Shun knives. I read a bunch of Amazon reviews and went to several stores. I have a Dalstrong carving knife and like the quality, so I ordered this Vanquish Series set. The main features for me were the brand and 55 Rockwell hardness, forged, high-carbon blades. The forging process makes the steel much denser and harder than cheap stamped stainless blades. The quality of both the knives and the block is very high. These knives look and feel great. I would definitely recommend this knife set.
I’ve gone through a several sets of kitchen knives in my life, and these are absolutely the finest set of knives I’ve ever had the pleasure of operating. Everything is top-notch. The build quality of the knives and the block is stellar. Everything about them is gorgeous. The feel of them in my hands is perfect. They’re razor sharp and hold their edge shockingly well between uses. Every knife has utility — there aren’t knives in this block that just collect dust while you use the ones around them. It’s as close to perfect as I think you can get. Simply amazing knives. If you’re here, and you are considering these then here’s my hearty endorsement. Simply amazing.
These knives are awesome!!! I had a set of Wustof knives but they were rusting in spots which shouldn’t happen in a high quality set. These are equal if not superior and I love the shape of the handles
Good grip and weight on this knife, and it cuts veggies well–although they do stick to the knife, which defeats the purpose of a santoku, really.
At this price point, you should really love the knife, and it should work really well for your individual needs. Because you can definitely get something cheaper that works for home cook needs.
Sharp, high-carbon German steel is an indicator of quality in my opinion. The hand-polished edges touch and cut the material nicely. It does not stain. All the knives that are washed in the dishwasher become dull, said in the stores. I prefer to hand wash the knives because they are so beautiful. It can be sharpened.
The acacia wood handles and pattern are also original.
I’ve heard good things about Dalstrong for awhile but these are the first Dalstrong knives I’ve used and I am happy to say that they totally live up to the hype. Very impressive not only in looks but in functionality. I usually find myself disappointed with expensive knife sets but these exceeded my expectations. They are my go-to knives when cooking these days.
First of all the packaging is thoughtful and has a high end look and feel. This set would make a great gift and opening it is almost an experience in itself. Instead of the typical box of loose knives wrapped in cardboard sleeves these knives are well presented and carefully packaged in a foam tray. Each knife has its own fitted cutout. Seriously, A+ on then packaging design. Not only is it neat and thoughtful, it ensures that your knives make it to your door in flawless condition.
The block had a unique look with the silver trim accents. The slots are horizontal which might seem weird at first but it is better for blade edge retention because the knives rest on the flat side of the blade instead of resting on the cutting edge.
Speaking of cutting edge these knives are SHARP and they keep their sharp edges better than any knives I’ve used. The handles are very secure and easy to hold and the overall look of each knife is sleek and attractive and they feel sturdy.
I originally ordered the 8-piece knife set because I needed a good utility knife set for kitchen prep work. I believed that I wouldn’t want or need a full set that includes steak knives, but I was wrong I love these knives and now I’m regretting not buying even more. They’re stylish, crazy sharp, and a treat to use.
I insist on good handles on my knives.
Ill fitting handles are not comfortable and can cause blisters.
If a company can not take the time to properly match the handle to the tang then nothing else matters to me.
These handles are perfect in every way and the knives are well balanced.
The blades have a good weight to them and are sharp.
Regulary sharpening your knives will keep them sharp and makes use much more fun.
Do not over sharpen your knives as each time you sharpen it you loose a little metal.
A couple passes through a $20 knife sharpener makes a world of difference.
I am picky and I would buy these again so I know you will like them.
5 STARS
I have used some very nice knives over the years. Truly non as good as this set. They make nice clean cuts with no drag. The handles are easy for me to cradle even when my arthritis flares up. The weight is just heavy enough and the balance is good. I cook almost every day and these knives are making my life easier. I recommend this entire set.
I have used some very nice knives over the years. Truly non as good as this set. They make nice clean cuts with no drag. The handles are easy for me to cradle even when my arthritis flares up. The weight is just heavy enough and the balance is good. I cook almost every day and these knives are making my life easier. I recommend this entire set.
I’m not a professional so I don’t know all of the words; these are the most amazing knives I’ve ever had the pleasure of working with. Perfect condition and I’m partial to the smell of the block, which btw is also flawless. These make a satisfying sound and feeling when you put them back into the block. They’re light while remaining well balanced. My first rodeo with these was a brisket meal; meat, corn, potatoes, Mac and cheese. These things have taken my meticulous catching carving from 25-20 minutes, down to 5. They’re also gorgeous and fit my counter space better then my Emeril block. Impressed. Blown away. Did not expect to like these that much.
First Santoku knife. So far it’s doing well. Cuts nice and clean. Build quality feels alright. Wife using it often for her needs. Likes it a lot too. Recommended!
I am very impressed with how nice this knife set is! The knives are all super smooth and sharp, and have a beautiful sleek design! They are very comfortable to hold, and are not too heavy! The knife block is very pretty, and is made well! I am super pleased with this set!
I have some other Dalstrong knives but not a Santoku, so I got this one. Like my other Dalstrong knives this one does not disappoint! Shaving sharp out of the box it’s a very well made and balanced knife that makes cutting up food and veg very easy. Pretty much goes right through most foods like it wasn’t even there. The blade has little hollows ground into it to help food release and avoid sticking to the knife.
If you’re afraid of super-sharp knives, don’t be! A really sharp knife is much safer than a dull one because you can cut without putting much pressure on it. A sharp knife goes through most foods without pushing or sawing which are the most frequent causes of slip-ups.
Comes in a nice presentation gift box with a full-coverage blade guard and one of Dalstrong’s badges. So makes a good gift too. This is a very high quality knife for the price! Recommended!
I really like this knife. Comes with its own sheath which makes it so convenient to transport. I cook 4 to 5 times a week and do a lot of grilling outside so having a sheath is essential.
Rhe knife has heft but isn’t heavy. So many knives these days are light and flimsy. This knife is perfect.
It came sharp. I like my knives really sharp and I didn’t have to sharpen this one which was a bonus.
So many things are made cheaply these days but this knife feels like a much more expensive knife. I can’t wait to try some of their other styles.
Two thumbs up from a competitive BBQer.
This knife is awesome. Sturdy and perfect for slicing anything.
This is an amazing knife set. The whole experience is amazing starting with the packaging. The whole thing feels premium and quality top to bottom.
The wooden stand is very well finished and provides a solid and sturdy bottom for keeping things organized. Every single knife is meticulously sharpened and is able to slide through paper even with my less-than-ideal skills.
This set might seem pricey at first but when you consider the price for each piece and usage over a long time, this is a great investment.
I sincerely hope that you would find my review helpful.
State of the Art and Extremely Sharp (RAZOR Sharp)
This is a very nice, mid range priced 8 piece knife set. Well balanced and they all feel good in the hand. Extremely sharp. The knives I received have a “Damascus” pattern on the blades, but I saw no mention of Damascus steel in any of the product description. The pattern looks nothing like genuine Damascus so I’m wondering why it’s there? I had another brand of knife with a similar pattern that was in fact advertised as Damascus steel, but I was suspect. So I took it to my belt sander and in a second the etching was gone and did not come back after a ferric chloride dip. I’m not going to do that to this set because I still like them and I’ don’t want to ruin the set. They are made in China and maybe that has something to do wit it.
I’m a fan of Dalstrong. This set of knives didn’t disappoint! They are SO nice. The set is beautiful. They cut through anything as if it’s butter. I use my knives all the time,
I never have them all clean at once (which is why some are missing in the pic)! You won’t be disappointed!
I was very pleased to see a very quick response to my review that did not try to get me to change my mind, but rather to take a second look. They took the time in multiple contacts to understand exactly what my issues were and to provide some perspective as to why that particular feature was like that.
This is truly one of those companies that has a design for pretty much whatever you are looking for. Some examples:
1. We talked about the draw angle of the knife block and they pointed out why what I thought was a negative would be looked at a a wanted feature to someone else. While they understood my need, they took the time to point out where the sharp draw could be a benefit in a different kitchen environment. They then showed me several blocks of theirs that answer the needs that I was looking for.
2. We went over the knife design and they assured me that it was designed this way for feel and that many people liked it. They then made several suggestions about other designs they had that they through would be a better fit for what I was looking for. We did an exchange and the new knife set did fit what I wanted exactly and also felt good to me. While I would not want the design I was shipped originally, I was happy with what i was sent as a replacement and I can see the point where someone might prefer the other design. What to me looked like defects, apparently is a sought after feature for others.
In the end, I have to admit that I was looking at the knives strictly from my perspective and had not considered that there was any way someone would want it as a feature. Well, we all live and learn. The company was very thorough, but never criticized my evaluations. They just asked for a chance to provide me more perspective.
They have convinced me that they are paying attention to quality and to customer feedback. They have also convinced me that they are serious about provide a quality product that fits the user. I have adjusted my review to reflect that while leaving my original review in place so that this update makes sense. I have added a couple of new pictures to show the difference in this set of knives.
End of update.
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First, let me say that I was REALLY looking forward to receiving this knife set. The price is about what I have paid for a single knife. That being said, here is what i found when the package arrived:
1. The company does a nice job of packaging their product. Let’s here it for including a lapel pin to get people to ask you what it is for! LOL
2. Unless you are placing this in a much bigger space than I have, the knife block is almost useless. See pictures. The angle of the block puts the draw too upward. You cannot put this under a cabinet and draw a knife unless you have the block several inches away from the wall. See the pictures where this block is compared to a different company’s knife block. That angle difference allows you to easily draw a knife from the block even when the back of the block is against the wall.
This may not seem important, but it is. If a product is a pain to use, you will not use it and thus this becomes just a show piece that is never used. If you are good at wood working, you may be able to salvage this block. Pay attention to knife depth to ensure you are not allowing a knife point to contact the counter or protrude. Other than that, but a better knife block.
I have a very large island and I would NEVER place a knife block on it. That is premium work space and I will not give it up for a knife holder. My island is 7foot by 11 foot with a granite top. I do have a second sink on it with a second garbage disposal.
2. Ok, did not acquire the set for the knife block anyway, so on to the knives. All I can say is, you have to be kidding!!! Did these ever go through a QA process? The top of the handle is metal and part of the knife body. Fine as far as that goes, but the handle (POM) does not fit correctly. There is an edge on the metal as the handle is smaller than it should be or the metal is larger than it should be. It is very uncomfortable and a couple of the knives actually have sharp edges to them. See the pictures for this. The edge of the metal protrudes enough that you easily can hook your nail on it and turn the knife over without using any other part of your hand.
This is either a run flaw or a design flaw. Either way, QC should have caught it and rejected the run until it was fixed. We are back to if the tool does not fit, is not comfortable to use, and do its job well, you will NEVER use it.
3. These knives are NOT sharp coming out of the box. Yes, you can hack something, but it does not have the edge you would expect. If you take your knife steel (included) to the knives, you can get a decent edge to the knife. See picture for thin tomato slices.
Because the Rockwell numbers on this knife are low, expect to have to sharpen your knives more often. That means obtaining a stone and learning how to use and also using a steel at least daily on your knives. You will be rewarded with your efforts. A harder Rockwell number knife is harder to sharpen, but holds an edge much longer.
Short of taking a grinder to the knives, I do not know how to fix the handle issue. If I cannot find a way to do it, these just go into the Goodwill pile. If I manage to find a way to fix them, I will update this review.
As for the knife block, I will probably just replace it.
In the end, I think this could be a good knife set if they would pay attention and correct the issues with the set. Yes, this set is not priced as a professional set, but there are knife sets out there that cost less that do a better job on quality control.
At this point, I would not recommend this set.
Company has many knife designs. Take time to evaluate them all.
Good quality, well made and super sharp. Comes with everything you need for prepping from the paring knife to the butcher knife. Even has a sharpener and a nice solid knife block. Good price, makes a great gift idea, highly recommend.
This is a great knife block. It doesnt take up too much room on the counter and has great options. The variety of blade shapes and sizes is awesome! I have smaller hands but found these knives easy to manage and well balanced.
I was pleasantly surprised with this knife block. The knives feel great in the hand and have stayed nice and sharp. I LOVE the ends of the knives, they look cool and are actually quite functional. I love this set and the knife block itself looks quite swanky on the countertop. Great value at this price.
Wish the quality was just a little better all around. A little better steel, a little better qc, a few more dialed in useful knives. Seems a little expensive for what it is.
I’ve gone through a several sets of kitchen knives in my life, and these are absolutely the finest set of knives I’ve ever had the pleasure of operating. Everything is top-notch. The build quality of the knives and the block is stellar. Everything about them is gorgeous. The feel of them in my hands is perfect. They’re razor sharp and hold their edge shockingly well between uses. Every knife has utility — there aren’t knives in this block that just collect dust while you use the ones around them. It’s as close to perfect as I think you can get. Simply amazing knives. If you’re here, and you are considering these then here’s my hearty endorsement. Simply amazing.
These knives are awesome!!! I had a set of Wustof knives but they were rusting in spots which shouldn’t happen in a high quality set. These are equal if not superior and I love the shape of the handles
This is a nice quality set of kitchen knives. They are comfortable to hold and easy to use. They are super sharp and cut very well.
Good grip and weight on this knife, and it cuts veggies well–although they do stick to the knife, which defeats the purpose of a santoku, really.
At this price point, you should really love the knife, and it should work really well for your individual needs. Because you can definitely get something cheaper that works for home cook needs.
Sharp, high-carbon German steel is an indicator of quality in my opinion. The hand-polished edges touch and cut the material nicely. It does not stain. All the knives that are washed in the dishwasher become dull, said in the stores. I prefer to hand wash the knives because they are so beautiful. It can be sharpened.
The acacia wood handles and pattern are also original.
I’ve heard good things about Dalstrong for awhile but these are the first Dalstrong knives I’ve used and I am happy to say that they totally live up to the hype. Very impressive not only in looks but in functionality. I usually find myself disappointed with expensive knife sets but these exceeded my expectations. They are my go-to knives when cooking these days.
First of all the packaging is thoughtful and has a high end look and feel. This set would make a great gift and opening it is almost an experience in itself. Instead of the typical box of loose knives wrapped in cardboard sleeves these knives are well presented and carefully packaged in a foam tray. Each knife has its own fitted cutout. Seriously, A+ on then packaging design. Not only is it neat and thoughtful, it ensures that your knives make it to your door in flawless condition.
The block had a unique look with the silver trim accents. The slots are horizontal which might seem weird at first but it is better for blade edge retention because the knives rest on the flat side of the blade instead of resting on the cutting edge.
Speaking of cutting edge these knives are SHARP and they keep their sharp edges better than any knives I’ve used. The handles are very secure and easy to hold and the overall look of each knife is sleek and attractive and they feel sturdy.
I originally ordered the 8-piece knife set because I needed a good utility knife set for kitchen prep work. I believed that I wouldn’t want or need a full set that includes steak knives, but I was wrong I love these knives and now I’m regretting not buying even more. They’re stylish, crazy sharp, and a treat to use.
I insist on good handles on my knives.
Ill fitting handles are not comfortable and can cause blisters.
If a company can not take the time to properly match the handle to the tang then nothing else matters to me.
These handles are perfect in every way and the knives are well balanced.
The blades have a good weight to them and are sharp.
Regulary sharpening your knives will keep them sharp and makes use much more fun.
Do not over sharpen your knives as each time you sharpen it you loose a little metal.
A couple passes through a $20 knife sharpener makes a world of difference.
I am picky and I would buy these again so I know you will like them.
5 STARS
I have used some very nice knives over the years. Truly non as good as this set. They make nice clean cuts with no drag. The handles are easy for me to cradle even when my arthritis flares up. The weight is just heavy enough and the balance is good. I cook almost every day and these knives are making my life easier. I recommend this entire set.
They work like a dream and fit in your hand nicely.
They come packaged beautifully and would make an amazing gift.
They even include a little pin with the collection and company name in case you really wanna rep your knives.
The knife block is beautiful and I love that the logo is etched in all the knives ,as well as the block.
However, I wish there was more knives in the set or at least more open slots in this block , so I could build on to it.
I also wish the knives were a bit heavier, although the shape is nice and fits very comfortably in your hand.
These are definitely more of a professional set in my opinion, but they are beautiful and work wonderfully.
I’m not a professional so I don’t know all of the words; these are the most amazing knives I’ve ever had the pleasure of working with. Perfect condition and I’m partial to the smell of the block, which btw is also flawless. These make a satisfying sound and feeling when you put them back into the block. They’re light while remaining well balanced. My first rodeo with these was a brisket meal; meat, corn, potatoes, Mac and cheese. These things have taken my meticulous catching carving from 25-20 minutes, down to 5. They’re also gorgeous and fit my counter space better then my Emeril block. Impressed. Blown away. Did not expect to like these that much.
First Santoku knife. So far it’s doing well. Cuts nice and clean. Build quality feels alright. Wife using it often for her needs. Likes it a lot too. Recommended!
I am very impressed with how nice this knife set is! The knives are all super smooth and sharp, and have a beautiful sleek design! They are very comfortable to hold, and are not too heavy! The knife block is very pretty, and is made well! I am super pleased with this set!
I have some other Dalstrong knives but not a Santoku, so I got this one. Like my other Dalstrong knives this one does not disappoint! Shaving sharp out of the box it’s a very well made and balanced knife that makes cutting up food and veg very easy. Pretty much goes right through most foods like it wasn’t even there. The blade has little hollows ground into it to help food release and avoid sticking to the knife.
If you’re afraid of super-sharp knives, don’t be! A really sharp knife is much safer than a dull one because you can cut without putting much pressure on it. A sharp knife goes through most foods without pushing or sawing which are the most frequent causes of slip-ups.
Comes in a nice presentation gift box with a full-coverage blade guard and one of Dalstrong’s badges. So makes a good gift too. This is a very high quality knife for the price! Recommended!
Dalstrong makes the best quality knifes IMO.
The knife is built solid, got some weight to it & sharp out the box
Rhe knife has heft but isn’t heavy. So many knives these days are light and flimsy. This knife is perfect.
It came sharp. I like my knives really sharp and I didn’t have to sharpen this one which was a bonus.
So many things are made cheaply these days but this knife feels like a much more expensive knife. I can’t wait to try some of their other styles.
Two thumbs up from a competitive BBQer.
This is an amazing knife set. The whole experience is amazing starting with the packaging. The whole thing feels premium and quality top to bottom.
The wooden stand is very well finished and provides a solid and sturdy bottom for keeping things organized. Every single knife is meticulously sharpened and is able to slide through paper even with my less-than-ideal skills.
This set might seem pricey at first but when you consider the price for each piece and usage over a long time, this is a great investment.
I sincerely hope that you would find my review helpful.
This is a very nice, mid range priced 8 piece knife set. Well balanced and they all feel good in the hand. Extremely sharp. The knives I received have a “Damascus” pattern on the blades, but I saw no mention of Damascus steel in any of the product description. The pattern looks nothing like genuine Damascus so I’m wondering why it’s there? I had another brand of knife with a similar pattern that was in fact advertised as Damascus steel, but I was suspect. So I took it to my belt sander and in a second the etching was gone and did not come back after a ferric chloride dip. I’m not going to do that to this set because I still like them and I’ don’t want to ruin the set. They are made in China and maybe that has something to do wit it.
I’m a fan of Dalstrong. This set of knives didn’t disappoint! They are SO nice. The set is beautiful. They cut through anything as if it’s butter. I use my knives all the time,
I never have them all clean at once (which is why some are missing in the pic)! You won’t be disappointed!
Update to review:
I was very pleased to see a very quick response to my review that did not try to get me to change my mind, but rather to take a second look. They took the time in multiple contacts to understand exactly what my issues were and to provide some perspective as to why that particular feature was like that.
This is truly one of those companies that has a design for pretty much whatever you are looking for. Some examples:
1. We talked about the draw angle of the knife block and they pointed out why what I thought was a negative would be looked at a a wanted feature to someone else. While they understood my need, they took the time to point out where the sharp draw could be a benefit in a different kitchen environment. They then showed me several blocks of theirs that answer the needs that I was looking for.
2. We went over the knife design and they assured me that it was designed this way for feel and that many people liked it. They then made several suggestions about other designs they had that they through would be a better fit for what I was looking for. We did an exchange and the new knife set did fit what I wanted exactly and also felt good to me. While I would not want the design I was shipped originally, I was happy with what i was sent as a replacement and I can see the point where someone might prefer the other design. What to me looked like defects, apparently is a sought after feature for others.
In the end, I have to admit that I was looking at the knives strictly from my perspective and had not considered that there was any way someone would want it as a feature. Well, we all live and learn. The company was very thorough, but never criticized my evaluations. They just asked for a chance to provide me more perspective.
They have convinced me that they are paying attention to quality and to customer feedback. They have also convinced me that they are serious about provide a quality product that fits the user. I have adjusted my review to reflect that while leaving my original review in place so that this update makes sense. I have added a couple of new pictures to show the difference in this set of knives.
End of update.
#########################
First, let me say that I was REALLY looking forward to receiving this knife set. The price is about what I have paid for a single knife. That being said, here is what i found when the package arrived:
1. The company does a nice job of packaging their product. Let’s here it for including a lapel pin to get people to ask you what it is for! LOL
2. Unless you are placing this in a much bigger space than I have, the knife block is almost useless. See pictures. The angle of the block puts the draw too upward. You cannot put this under a cabinet and draw a knife unless you have the block several inches away from the wall. See the pictures where this block is compared to a different company’s knife block. That angle difference allows you to easily draw a knife from the block even when the back of the block is against the wall.
This may not seem important, but it is. If a product is a pain to use, you will not use it and thus this becomes just a show piece that is never used. If you are good at wood working, you may be able to salvage this block. Pay attention to knife depth to ensure you are not allowing a knife point to contact the counter or protrude. Other than that, but a better knife block.
I have a very large island and I would NEVER place a knife block on it. That is premium work space and I will not give it up for a knife holder. My island is 7foot by 11 foot with a granite top. I do have a second sink on it with a second garbage disposal.
2. Ok, did not acquire the set for the knife block anyway, so on to the knives. All I can say is, you have to be kidding!!! Did these ever go through a QA process? The top of the handle is metal and part of the knife body. Fine as far as that goes, but the handle (POM) does not fit correctly. There is an edge on the metal as the handle is smaller than it should be or the metal is larger than it should be. It is very uncomfortable and a couple of the knives actually have sharp edges to them. See the pictures for this. The edge of the metal protrudes enough that you easily can hook your nail on it and turn the knife over without using any other part of your hand.
This is either a run flaw or a design flaw. Either way, QC should have caught it and rejected the run until it was fixed. We are back to if the tool does not fit, is not comfortable to use, and do its job well, you will NEVER use it.
3. These knives are NOT sharp coming out of the box. Yes, you can hack something, but it does not have the edge you would expect. If you take your knife steel (included) to the knives, you can get a decent edge to the knife. See picture for thin tomato slices.
Because the Rockwell numbers on this knife are low, expect to have to sharpen your knives more often. That means obtaining a stone and learning how to use and also using a steel at least daily on your knives. You will be rewarded with your efforts. A harder Rockwell number knife is harder to sharpen, but holds an edge much longer.
Short of taking a grinder to the knives, I do not know how to fix the handle issue. If I cannot find a way to do it, these just go into the Goodwill pile. If I manage to find a way to fix them, I will update this review.
As for the knife block, I will probably just replace it.
In the end, I think this could be a good knife set if they would pay attention and correct the issues with the set. Yes, this set is not priced as a professional set, but there are knife sets out there that cost less that do a better job on quality control.
At this point, I would not recommend this set.
Good quality, well made and super sharp. Comes with everything you need for prepping from the paring knife to the butcher knife. Even has a sharpener and a nice solid knife block. Good price, makes a great gift idea, highly recommend.