Essential Gear Guide » Cutlery

The EX Knife Set- did someone stab you in the back?

admin — Thu, 20 Aug 2009 17:00:00 +0000

Humm, I wonder if anyone has ever cheated on designer Raffaele Iannello? Instead of getting physical, Raffaele showcased his homicidal fantasy through an asexual effigy; I think we can all learn something from that.

Here’s an important question, “if you need a new knife set, why would you buy anything but “The Ex” by CSB Commodities“.
I have to tell you, I thought this set looked pretty sweet in the picture, but it looks 47 times better on the kitchen counter. You’re eyes are guaranteed to gravitate towards it every time you enter the room and you’ll undoubtedly think to yourself, “Ahhh yes, money well spent”. Seriously, if someone enters your kitchen and doesn’t comment on The EX knife set, they’re either running low on awesomeness detection or they’ve recently been the victim of a poorly executed lobotomy.

The EX Knife Set was designed by Raffaele Iannello and comes in 7 different colors depending on your kitchen design and personality. The figure is comprised of hard durable ABS plastic and the five stainless steal knives are each single pieces of well balanced heavy gauge metal. The knife slots contain magnetic suspension to keep the knives steadily in place. There are also plastic sheathings out the back for your protection while the knives are stored. To top it off, there’s a 25 year warranty. You can find the chrome version as well as other colors at a discount on amazon.com.

PERECT PEELER- get rid of the peach fuzz

craig — Wed, 22 Jul 2009 19:00:43 +0000

[Get It $18]

If there’s one thing I can’t stand, it’s a vegetable that lets itself slide. With the Perfect Peeler from Kyocera (wait, don’t those guys make phones?), your fruits and veggies will never be the same.

This state-of-the-art peeler from the island of Kyushu, features a zirconium oxide blade which stays sharp 10 times longer than traditional steel blades (I wish my Mach 3 used those instead of ripping my face apart after the second use). The Perfect Peeler’s rust proof blade can rotate from horizontal to vertical; just incase you’re too lazy to hold your arm at a different angle but not lazy enough that you mind manually adjusting the blade.

*This product is dishwasher and Polish friendly Made in China; blade manufactured in Japan.

Shun Ken Onion 7″ Santuko- the warrior knife

admin — Thu, 25 Sep 2008 17:00:19 +0000

[Get It $233]

The Shun Ken Onion 7″ Santuko Knife by KAI USA is the absolute pinnacle of culinary cutlery design and technology. Though the Shun knife forging process involves a style of Kasumi which is used to fashion samurai swords, the unimaginable precision means there will be no more battling with your food; even people with small hands have complete control over this large chef’s knife.
You can read Shun 101 to learn how this masterpiece was made, but I have to warn you, your head might explode. I’ll break it down… designed by Ken Onion, arguably the most renowned knife designer in the world, forged from VG-10 Super Steel in a process that refines to molecular perfection, and sharpened to a 16 degree cutting edge (compared to the “dull” 22 degrees of their German counterparts). In the end you’re left with a knife like no other. Armed with the Shun Ken Onion Santuko even the most culinary inept will be a samurai in the kitchen.

By studying chef’s at the Culinary Academy of the Pacific Ken was able to ergonomically angle and extend the bolster over the spine for a pinch grip focused around the smooth polished metal of the handle opposed to the rough thin blade. With a downward handle closing the gap between the palm and bolster, and the inner handle curve creating perfect thumb and index finger rests, the awkward grip used by professional chef’s transforms seamlessly into a comfortable hold that both releases tension in the forearm and assuages callous build-up on the fingers.

The Shun Ken Onion Santuko Knife uses VG-10, a new type of stainless steel with a greater density allowing it to be tempered to a higher Rockwell while maintaining incredible strength and flexibility that maintains a perfect edge and allows the knife to be ground at 16 degrees per side verses the Germans which are at 22 degrees per side. Speaking of edge, this piece has highly polished bead blasted edges along its bevel. The micro indention’s create thousands of air pockets which reduces drag via less surface area. The result is a blade that cuts like a hot scalpel through buttered flesh.

The handle is made of Pakka wood. Pakka starts out as thin layers of white birch that is dyed black. These sheets are then layered between sheets of plastic resin and fused together under tremendous heat and pressure. The net result is a handle that looks and feels like wood, but is dishwasher safe.