I am trying to choose between three Henckels Santoku knives but I
don't understand their differences.

1. Four Star, 7" Hollow-edge, $80

2. Gourmet, 7" Fine-edge, $30

3. Classic, 7" Hollow-ground blade, $40

Any advice? Thanks

Four-star and Classic are the same blade, just a different handle. Four
Star is molded plastic (and the best knife handle design there is,
IMHO), while the Classic is riveted. Unsure what 'Gourmet' is, but
suspect it's a less expensive line.


Colin




Maura wrote:
> I am trying to choose between three Henckels Santoku knives but I
> don't understand their differences.
>
> 1. Four Star, 7" Hollow-edge, $80
>
> 2. Gourmet, 7" Fine-edge, $30
>
> 3. Classic, 7" Hollow-ground blade, $40
>
> Any advice? Thanks

In article >,
Maura > wrote:

> I am trying to choose between three Henckels Santoku knives but I
> don't understand their differences.
>
> 1. Four Star, 7" Hollow-edge, $80

German made in Henckels factory, SCT (comparable to forged) steel

> 2. Gourmet, 7" Fine-edge, $30

German made in Henckels' factory, stamped steel

> 3. Classic, 7" Hollow-ground blade, $40

Part of the Henckels "International" line. Made under contract at
unknown location, forged steel. Presumably some quality control by
Henckels.

--
Seth Goodman

In article >,
Colin > wrote:

> Four-star and Classic are the same blade, just a different handle. Four
> Star is molded plastic (and the best knife handle design there is,
> IMHO), while the Classic is riveted. Unsure what 'Gourmet' is, but
> suspect it's a less expensive line.

It's Four Star and *Professional-S* that are the same blade but a
different handle. Classic is from the Henckels "International" line,
made under contract. This is why the Classic is half the price of the
Four Star.

--
Seth Goodman

I believe the International line is made in Spain using German steel.
Harmut, a regular poster here, a few months ago, had favorable things to say
for their sharpness and quality.

"Seth Goodman" > wrote in message
t...
> In article >,
> Maura > wrote:
>
> > I am trying to choose between three Henckels Santoku knives but I
> > don't understand their differences.
> >
> > 1. Four Star, 7" Hollow-edge, $80
>
> German made in Henckels factory, SCT (comparable to forged) steel
>
> > 2. Gourmet, 7" Fine-edge, $30
>
> German made in Henckels' factory, stamped steel
>
> > 3. Classic, 7" Hollow-ground blade, $40
>
> Part of the Henckels "International" line. Made under contract at
> unknown location, forged steel. Presumably some quality control by
> Henckels.
>
> --
> Seth Goodman

You are right, I blew it.

Colin





Seth Goodman wrote:
> In article >,
> Colin > wrote:
>
>
>>Four-star and Classic are the same blade, just a different handle. Four
>>Star is molded plastic (and the best knife handle design there is,
>>IMHO), while the Classic is riveted. Unsure what 'Gourmet' is, but
>>suspect it's a less expensive line.
>
>
> It's Four Star and *Professional-S* that are the same blade but a
> different handle. Classic is from the Henckels "International" line,
> made under contract. This is why the Classic is half the price of the
> Four Star.
>

"Colin" > wrote in message
...
> You are right, I blew it.
>
> Colin
>
>
>
>
>
> Seth Goodman wrote:
> > In article >,
> > Colin > wrote:
> >
> >
> >>Four-star and Classic are the same blade, just a different handle. Four
> >>Star is molded plastic (and the best knife handle design there is,
> >>IMHO), while the Classic is riveted. Unsure what 'Gourmet' is, but
> >>suspect it's a less expensive line.
> >
> >
> > It's Four Star and *Professional-S* that are the same blade but a
> > different handle. Classic is from the Henckels "International" line,
> > made under contract. This is why the Classic is half the price of the
> > Four Star.
> >
I own and use a couple of knives from the international line and can't tell
much difference between them and the professional s knives I have. I also
have a couple of four star knives. One is an eight inch chef's knife which I
absolutely hate. If it didn't cut chickens up so well I'd never use it...The
handle is just all wrong.
Jack

"Jeffrey Dunnam" > wrote in message
hlink.net...
> I believe the International line is made in Spain using German steel.
> Harmut, a regular poster here, a few months ago, had favorable things to
say
> for their sharpness and quality.
>
> "Seth Goodman" > wrote in message
> t...
> > In article >,
> > Maura > wrote:
> >
> > > I am trying to choose between three Henckels Santoku knives but I
> > > don't understand their differences.
> > >
> > > 1. Four Star, 7" Hollow-edge, $80
> >
> > German made in Henckels factory, SCT (comparable to forged) steel
> >
> > > 2. Gourmet, 7" Fine-edge, $30
> >
> > German made in Henckels' factory, stamped steel
> >
> > > 3. Classic, 7" Hollow-ground blade, $40
> >
> > Part of the Henckels "International" line. Made under contract at
> > unknown location, forged steel. Presumably some quality control by
> > Henckels.
> >
> > --
> > Seth Goodman
>
>

That's right, Jeffrey. There are some that consider the Spanish forged
knives better since the German made ones aren't forged any longer.
Theoretically the forged knives should be a little stronger and the forging
should remove some impurities in the steel. I think the differences between
a forged knife and a sintered knife are probably not apparent in actual use.
But there is no reason to think that a knife forged in Spain of the same
steel should be any lower in quality than a knife sintered in Germany. My
customers' experience with the International series is all positive.

I can tell you that when Henckels forged knives they outsold Wusthof by a
wide margin. Now Wusthof outsels Henckels by a wide margin (comparing
German made Henckels only.)

Fred
Knife Outlet
http://www.knifeoutlet.com