Knives

• Shun knives are made in Seki City, Japan, where craftsmen have made samurai swords for centuries.  Shun knives are made from VG-10 stainless steel, specially constructed to be harder, less brittle, but also more flexible than traditional steel formulations. The VG-10 core is then clad with 16 full layers of high-carbon stainless steel on each side, for a total of 33 layers. These layers not only protect the VG-10, they create an exquisitely-detailed surface reminiscent of Damascus or pattern-forged steel, the kind once used for Samurai swords. As a result, the knives are simply stunning to look at--much like antique Damascus knives but without their tendency to rust. As an additional benefit, the slight patterning helps slice rather than crush delicate foods and keeps cut food from sticking to the blade.  Like many Asian-style knives, these feature handles that are especially suited to smaller users.

• Wusthof Knives.   As one of the oldest knife manufactures in Solingen, Germany, Wüsthof has focused almost solely on the manufacturing of forged knives for the professional chef and home cooking enthusiast. A considerable number of separate manufacturing steps are required to complete each precision forged knife. Each step along the way is performed to exacting standards by skilled workers aided by the most modern, computer -guided equipment and powerful robots. It is this combination of old-world craftsmanship and new-age technology that produces a knife with such exacting standards. Their flawless finish and perfect balance set Wüsthof knives apart from the others, but it is the incredibly sharp edge that will make Wüsthof the most cherished tool in the kitchen.

• Global Knives.  Crafted in Japan, where sushi demands precision cutting and chefs demand cutting edge design. A single seamless piece of Cromva 18 high-carbon stainless steel, a straight-ground blade that holds its razor-sharp edge, a textured handle for better control, makes an excellent choice for the serious home cook.

• Victorinox - Victorinox, makers of the original Swiss Army Knife have applied their master cutlers to design the highest quality, forged cutlery line. The Forged Professional Collection is hot drop hand forged and ice tempered by master forgers in Solingen Germany exclusively for Victorinox. It is then shipped to Iback, Switzerland for application of their famous proprietary sharp edge and rigid quality control finishing.  The result is beautifully balanced, perfectly weighted full tang construction, an intuitively engineered comfortable handle, a high carbon, no stain, high polished forged steel blade with an edge that retains its razor sharpness.

• Sanelli Knives - Made in Italy.  By creating the Premana Professional collection, the aim of Coltellerie Sanelli S.p.A. is to make a decisive contribution to improving safety, reliability and hygiene at work. No other collection of professional cutlery currently available has all these properties.  The plastic handles were designed by computer and have the following properties: