Hey there, food lovers! Jaden here, and today I am super excited to share my personal review of the Anolon AlwaysSharp 8 Piece Japanese Steel Knife Block Set Review and Giveaway. As a passionate chef and self-proclaimed kitchen enthusiast who owns no fewer than 8 complete knife sets, I was excited to test drive this Anolon set.
So, let’s dive into the details and see what makes this knife set a must-have in your kitchen!
Unboxing and First Impressions
The moment the package arrived, I knew I was in for a treat. The packaging was sturdy and well-designed, and upon unboxing, I was immediately impressed by the sleek look and feel of the knife block. The block is heavy, solid and will look great on your kitchen counter. Each knife is individually wrapped for protection in the box.
Blades Made of Japanese Steel
The exceptional Japanese steel construction not only grants them a professional appearance but also ensures incredible sharpness, durability, and corrosion resistance. After 3 weeks of use in the Steamy Kitchen test kitchen, the blades retained their sharpness, there were no scratches. The Anolon website states they are “Japanese steel” but I wish I had more information on exactly what type of steel.
Chopping, slicing, and dicing have become an absolute breeze, and the edge retention is truly impressive, despite heavy use in the Steamy Kitchen test kitchen.
A Versatile Selection of Knives
The Anolon AlwaysSharp 8 Piece Japanese Steel Knife Block Set includes a comprehensive selection of knives to fit your cutting needs. From slicing crusty bread to dicing delicate herbs, this set has got you covered.
The 8″ Chef’s knife is the perfect blade length for most home cooks. The edge is rounded at the perfect angle to allow for steady rocking during mincing.
I used the 8″ Slicer for carving roasts. Of all the knives, this one gets used the least (I don’t cook roasts that often) as I prefer the heftiness of the Chef’s knife over the Slicer.
The Bread knife is perfect for slicing tomatoes as well. It’s beautifully balanced.
My favorite knife of the set came at a surprise to me. The 5″ Santoku is a style that I normally don’t gravitate towards. In the past, I felt that it’s too short or too clunky. However, I found my sweet spot after I spent some time with my son in the kitchen. He’s off to college in the Fall, and so I’ve been cooking together with him to show him some basic kitchen skills (with the hopes that he will cook for himself and doesn’t eat fast food everyday.)
I noticed he kept reaching for the Santoku knife if we were cutting leafy vegetables, herbs or fruit. For him, this knife felt just right. In the end, I ended up learning from him! He is much more meticulous in cutting and slicing. While I’m focused on, “dinner should be ready in 15 minutes!” and it’s about speed. My son’s attention was on even slices, proper technique and using the right knife for the right application.
The Paring knife is comfortable cradled in the palm of my hand, peeling apples or de-veining shrimp. The Utility knife is serrated for smaller tomatoes.
The Kitchen Shears are convenient to have in the set – I wish the handles of the shears were a little larger to fit large hands. Even for my small hands, the holes in the handles were tight, and was tiring to use for long periods of time, or for cutting through whole chicken for spatchcocking.
Ergonomic Handles: Comfort and Control
As someone who spends a significant amount of time in the kitchen, comfort is key when it comes to my tools. The ergonomic handles on the Anolon knives are designed to fit comfortably in my son’s hands, which helps reduce fatigue and strain during long cooking sessions. For my small hands, the handles were comfortable – however I would prefer them just a bit thinner in diameter.
The triple-riveted construction ensures that the knives are stable and durable, providing me with the utmost confidence in my cutting capabilities.
The Built-In Sharpener: A Game-Changer
One of my favorite features of this set has to be the built-in ceramic sharpener in the knife block. It’s a total GAME-CHANGER! No more fumbling around with separate sharpening tools or dealing with dull knives. The sharpener is designed to hone the blades at the optimal angle, ensuring that they stay razor-sharp at all times.
The sharpener is made from ceramic. There’s no need to sharpen the knives after each use, I found my sweet spot to run the blade through 3 times, every few days.
After spending some quality time with the Anolon AlwaysSharp 8 Piece Japanese Steel Knife Block Set, I’ve put together a list of pros and cons to help you decide if this is the right set for you.
Pros:
- Exceptional Japanese steel construction delivers outstanding sharpness, durability, and corrosion resistance.
- Ergonomic handles ensure a comfortable and secure grip, minimizing fatigue and strain during prolonged use.
- Built-in sharpener simplifies maintaining the sharpness of your knives at all times.
- Comprehensive selection of knives accommodates a broad range of kitchen tasks.
Cons:
- Price: While the Anolon knife set is a premium product, and its price tag might be a bit steep for some budgets, the exceptional quality and performance of the knives make it a worthwhile investment for those serious about their cooking.
- Weight: Some users may find the knives slightly heavier than they are used to. However, the weight of the knives is a testament to their durability and construction quality, and many users will appreciate the sturdiness and balance it provides during use.
- Handle Thickness: Smaller hands may find they prefer smaller handles. But for my sons, my husband and a few friends who came to help in the kitchen, this was the perfect size and shape.
Care and Maintenance Tips: Keeping Your Anolon Knives in Pristine Condition
To ensure that your Anolon AlwaysSharp 8 Piece Japanese Steel Knife Block Set remains in excellent condition and serves you well for years to come, here are some care and maintenance tips to follow:
- Cleaning: After each use, gently hand wash your knives with warm, soapy water, and dry them immediately with a soft, clean cloth. This practice will help prevent any possible staining or corrosion.
- Storage: Make sure to store your knives in the provided knife block. This will protect the blades from damage, as well as keep them organized and easily accessible.
- Sharpening: Regularly use the built-in sharpener to maintain the optimal sharpness of your knives. This will ensure that your knives are always ready for action and prevent any accidents that might occur due to dull blades.
- Safety: Always use a cutting board to protect both your knives and your countertops. This will also help preserve the sharpness of your knives for longer.
- Avoid the dishwasher: While it may be tempting to put your knives in the dishwasher for convenience, doing so can cause damage to the blades and handles. Hand washing is the best way to care for your Anolon knives and prolong their lifespan.
By following these care and maintenance tips, you can ensure that your Anolon knife set remains a trusted companion in your culinary endeavors for many years to come.
The Perfect Gift for Culinary Enthusiasts
If you know someone who’s passionate about cooking or is looking to upgrade their kitchen tools, the Anolon AlwaysSharp 8 Piece Japanese Steel Knife Block Set makes for a fantastic gift. Its combination of performance, style, and practicality makes it an excellent choice for both amateur home cooks and professional chefs alike.
Not only will the recipient appreciate the thought and care you put into choosing such a high-quality gift, but they’ll also be reminded of your thoughtfulness every time they use these exceptional knives.
My Final Thoughts
This Anolon AlwaysSharp 8 Piece Japanese Steel Knife Block Set is a game-changer for any kitchen. With unmatched sharpness, ergonomic design, and versatile knives, it’s perfect for all culinary enthusiasts. The innovative built-in sharpener ensures peak blade performance, making it a wise investment for your culinary journey. Experience the remarkable difference this extraordinary knife set can make in your kitchen.
Check out the Full Video Review here:
Wishing you all the best in your culinary adventures,
Jaden Rae
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Definitely need new knives. mine were passed along from my grandparents and parents.
I could use to cut turkey off the bone
I could cut up fresh vegetables
I could use to cut up cooked liver
Could use to eat chicken fried steak
I could cut up chicken and make chicken tacos
I could use to carve a pumpkin with my grandkids
I could use to cut up stake
I could cut up some egg plate and cook it up for lunch
Could use to cut pound cake
I could give to daughter for birthday present
I could cut up lettuce for tCos
I could cut up crab meat and make crab salad
Could cut up some water mellow and enjoy on a hot day
Could use to cut up a roast
It be wonderful to cut onions I use them a lot in my cooking dish s
I could cut up some garlic gloves
Great to cut up chicken with
Use to cut up fresh shrimp
Cool knifes
I could use the knifes to gifted to my sister for her birthday
Having these knifes would be a upgrade from the knifes I use no
I could use to slice English muffins for the toaster
I bet the knifes do a good job
Use the knifes to clean fish to fry and eat
I could cut up some strawberries and have strawberry shortcake that’s a nice summer treat
Great for cutting slices off of a whole ham
Impressive looking knofes
Great knifes
Great to cut stakes
Would probably be great to cut up pineapple
Oh boy what a prize
Looks like the knifes would do a great job cutting up a watermelon
Nice knife for family cook outs
Mine knifes are old new set would be nice thank you
Any one being choosen is winning a marvelous prize
Awesome giveaway thanks
Impressive set!
Marvelous stake knifes
Fabulous looking set of knife s
Prefect for cutting meats
Surprising there’s a give away for knifes I do not find many thank you and God bless
I do love a knife set that has stove for the knifes
Awesome knife set good luck everyone
I could use to cut up a watermelon
Never had new knifes in years there over 20 years
I could use the knifes for when I grill fish to eat
I need new knifes
Thank You Jaden , for sharing your review of the Anolon AlwaysSharp 8 Piece Japanese Steel Knife Block Set. Hope to Win.
Amazing prize
Grate knifes for steak
Nice giveaway
Could use a new set of knifes