The Ranting Reviewer does not get paid or receive any revenue from manufacturers or retailers of products reviewed. I occasionally receive products that I am asked to use and see what I think. I take a look, try them out and tell you all about them.
A box? For me?
The contents were the Chicago Cutlery ProHold Knife Block Set.
This is a 13 piece set includes an 8″ Chef knife (my favorite) , 8″ Bread, 5″ Utility, 5″ Partoku, 3-1/2″ Parer, 3-1/4″ Peeler, Shears, Sharpening Steel, Wood Block and four 4-1/2″ Steak Knives.
The knives that I have used for years are also Chicago Cutlery knives. This set, is designed differently.
The most significant difference is the grip. The handle is designed for the whole hand.
Note how the handle close to the blade is much thinner. This section is designed for the placement of the thumb and forefinger.
The way that many knives are balanced, the handle fits in your palm, but you grab the blade as above. This gives you the best control.
With the ProHold, the weighting and control is moved so you hold the knife entirely with the handle.
The four steak knives.
The peeler, parer and utility knives.
The bread knife, partoku and shears.
The partoku easily chopped this mint.
The chef’s knife made quick work of onions.
These knives are sharp! The bread knife cut through this loaf without compressing the bread.
My Take: The Chicago Cutlery ProHold Knife Block Set is a nice set. The knives are balanced well and feel good in the hand. The selection includes most of what someone would need in regular use. As there are only four steak knives, it may not be the best set for those with larger families or significant entertaining, but is perfect for those every day uses. The compact knife block won’t take up much counter space. Take a look at this useful set of knives.
Those look good! On a different note, what’s the main difference between the chef and the partoku knife? I have one of both, I just don’t know how they are really different…
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The chef’s knife is an all purpose knife that has a rounded blade. The partoku has a flat blade that is really intended for chopping and dicing.
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Thanks!!!
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I don’t know about this particular set of knives, but my favorite knife is a Chicago cutlery pairing knife with a brown wood handle that I bought for cooking school almost 20 years ago… still in my knife bag… still in use.
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I have an old knife set that I don’t care for, as the weight balance seems off (too heavy on the handle end).
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What are the knives made of?
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Pacific Merchants, the short answer is:
>The Landmark Edition Partoku knife is quality constructed of high-carbon stainless steel and has a sleek design that melds stainless and poly for a seamless look and warm comfortable handling.
I began on this page:
http://housewares.about.com/od/cutleryknives/f/partoku.htm
And fell down a glorious tunnel of kitchen knives. 🙂
Kate
P.S.: Ranting Chef, I don’t mean to jump the gun here. Since the pages I visited were still up when I read this comment, I thought I’d help. You cool with me meddling?
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Thank you Kate!
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You’re welcome, Ranting Chef!
Truth be told, I wasn’t *scared* to pipe up because I, um, know you’re generous that way. But I am mindful of my behaviour at another’s, um, home.
Kate
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>The partoku easily chopped this mint.
– I did not know what a Partoku knife was. The quest to find that out led to a whole lesson on cooking knives. Time gloriously wasted. 😉
>Note how the handle close to the blade is much thinner. This section is designed for the placement of the thumb and forefinger.
>The way that many knives are balanced, the handle fits in your palm, but you grab the blade as above. This gives you the best control.
– It’s good you specify the above details; not just for people to understand how to get the best of the instrument, but also for dorks like me who like to know how scientific/technical tweaking can maximise the end user experience.
Thanks for an interesting, um, class, Ranting Chef. 🙂
Kate
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