J.A. Henckels Four Star 9-Piece Block Set

Founded in 1731, the J.A. Henckels company is not only one of the world's oldest cutlery manufacturers, it's also one of the most well-respected, creating best-selling knives guaranteed to last a lifetime. --Kim Harwell

What's in the Box
3-inch paring knife, 5-inch serrated utility knife, 6-inch standard utility knife, 8-inch chef's knife, 8-inch carver, 8-inch bread, kitchen shears, 9-inch honing steel, hardwood block.

From the Manufacturer

First introduced in 1976, the Four Star Series is one of the world's most popular knife lines. Four Star knives were designed and developed in close cooperation with renowned professional chefs. The result was a fully forged knife with a unique molded handle. The Four Star line contains knives for all tasks, and includes the following open stock knife types: parer, bread, peeling, sandwich, utility, carving, chef's, granton edge slicer, santoku, and others. Four Star knives are also available in a range of block sets and gift sets.

A Higher Standard in Knife Construction

Four Star knives are precision forged from a single piece of exclusive-formula, high-carbon, no-stain steel under the all-new Sigmaforge standard. As a result, Four Star knives have improved quality consistency, lasting sharpness, and perfect geometry. Sigmaforge one-piece construction also provides high precision and improved stability of the blade and steel structure, thus improving cutting-edge retention for lasting sharpness. In addition, Four Star knives use J.A. Henckels' Friodur ice hardening for corrosion resistance, a process that also contributes to cutting-edge retention.

It's All in The Grip:

The Four Star series features high impact polypropylene handles that are permanently bonded to the knife blades without any gaps. These comfortable handles are break-proof, sanitary, and colorfast. In addition, the super bolster provides weight, insures safety, and adds balance.

Features:

• SIGMAFORGE 1-piece, precision forged construction: Provides perfect geometry, high precision, and improved stability of the blade and steel structure, thus improving cutting edge retention for lasting sharpness.
• Laser controlled edge: Is sharper and stays sharper longer. Has a more consistent blade angle.
• Friodur ice hardening: Maximum no-stain properties and more blade strength. Improved resistance to corrosion and pitting.
• Super bolster: Provides weight, insures safety, and adds balance.
• Full rat-tail tang: Provides a proper balance and greater strength.
• High-carbon no-stain steel, an exclusive J.A. Henckels formula: Non-staining, non-rusting.
• Hand, precision honed blade: Is sharper and stays sharper longer.
• Bonded polypropylene handles: Comfortable molded handles and food safe
• Dishwasher safe: Easy care (Although hand-washing is recommended by J.A. Henckels).
• Full warranty: J.A. Henckels stands behind all its knives.

To the gentleman who wrote about wustof being the superior brand, I have to say I'm sorry. The only way that it will ever be superior to Henckels is if you are a Wustof salesman. Try cooking over 312,000 meals with a Wustof and call me later. The just don't last as long.

The henckels 4 star knife is perfectly balanced and has excellent hand feel. From someone who uses it everyday, trust me. I will never buy another brand of knife again.


I have to laugh!   July 5, 2004
 12 out of 12 found this review helpful

In reading two of the reviews below, it appears that these reviewers are biased against Henckels (don't know why?). Well I can tell you that we bought a Four Star, 9 piece set (a bit different from this one being offered) 16 years ago. My wife does quite a bit of cooking and one of my daughters also cooks. They use these knives daily and we can testify to their overall excellent quality and ability to keep a sharp edge. We have never experienced the previous reviewer's complaint of corrosion in fact, the physical appearance of these knives is identical as when we purchased them in 1988. We have compared other knives but so far have not found anything equal in quality and utility to the Four Star.
I am looking to buy another set as a house warming gift for my daughter-in-law and son and have no reservation in the purchase price.
Quality speaks for itself.