Global Chefs Knives Review

Overall 5.00 of 5 view all 3 reviews

GeorgeChabot
Conyers, GA

The Japanese make a French Chef knife - Global Chef's Knife

Serious cook, looking for durability, willing to pay for quality, practical

Pros

Sharpness, Clean design, Quality

Cons

Expensive

AUG

2008

Global 8 1/4-Inch Heavyweight Chef's Knife

Global is a high quality line of kitchen cutlery knives made in Japan by Yoshida Metal Industry Co., familiarly called Yoshikin.

The Global knives were developed by Yoshikin as an adjunct to their tableware business. Their concept was to combine German handmade durability with Italian design aesthetics and Japanese precision. To judge by their products' acceptance by highly regarded chefs, the company more than achieved their goals and Global has since become a player in the quality knife market.

Global knives have been imported into the United States since the 1980s and many people are now familiar with the shiny, all stainless steel knives with the futuristic lines and ergonomic stainless steel handles.

Global's flatware experience gave them a head start in building the first knives made to appear fashioned out of a single piece of stainless steel. They are actually pieced together out of several pieces, but the workmanship is so fine it appears to be one-piece construction. The handles have blackened dimples to make a non-slip grip on the otherwise bright stainless surface.

The manufacturing process includes stamping or forging the knife blade, heat treating at temperatures between + 1,000 to - 80 Centigrade to improve the crystalline structure, and tempering to stabilize and toughen the steel.

The edge is put on in the shape of a convex lens, with both sides of the blade beveled, unlike most Japanese blades which are sharpened with a bevel on one side only, like a samurai sword.

Global sharpens its blades with a narrow 11 degree edge angle (vs. typical European 15 degree angle). This sharper angle is possible due to the superior hardness of the Japanese blade imbued by its heat treatment regimen.

Rather than the characteristic Japanese-style blade shapes Global typically makes, here they closely copied the design of the classic French Chef's knife, a worldwide favorite. The curved edge of the French Chef design allows a rocking motion for mincing that is difficult with a Japanese blade shape like the typical Santoku which is too straight-edged for the motion.

The knife differs from the typical Global knife, which is quite light, in the heft. Although meticulously balanced, this Global knife is forged, rather than stamped as they usually are, and therefore compares in heft to a forged German blade of similar size.

The Global knife also has a razor sharp edge. Because the edge is so sharp, Global recommends sharpening it using whetstones to maintain the fine edge. Global recommends a medium grit whetstone from 1000 to 2000 grit for most sharpening tasks. Full instructions are listed at the manufacturer’s website at http://www.yoshikin.co.jp/w/index.html

The French Chef style of knife is meant for cutting heavy blocks of meat and vegetables and it works very well for this assignment.

The handle is cleanly designed of solid stainless steel and fits either right or left-handed users. The handle is textured with dimples to give you a sure grip with hands that are wet or greasy from meat.

This knife is a good buy at $90 for a premium quality large French Chef knife that will be the backbone of your knife set.

To care for your knife, hand wash with mild soap and water, dry and store in a knife block or separate knife drawer to protect the edge.

Global Chefs Knives is recommended by GeorgeChabot

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Comments about GeorgeChabot’s Review

In response to LisaCarey's comment from Aug 19, 2008 at 1:48PM:

Tell Bryan to give you one! ;>

In response to GeorgeChabot's comment from Aug 19, 2008 at 6:50AM:

Especially not having to sharpen it every time I use it...;)

Oh for the perfect knife, what this cooking mom wouldn't give for a great chopping knife!

In response to AnnaBanana's comment from Aug 19, 2008 at 8:03AM:

Oh yes, these are really high speed. You would like this, I'll bet. :>

I think we tend to forget how scientific the design of a really good knife is. I also like that these don't have wooden handles!

In response to kid-kansas's comment from Aug 19, 2008 at 2:41AM:

You would enjoy it, bud. :>

Sounds like a mighty fine knife and with German, Italian and Japanese influences it would be a great addition to my kitchen......now if I can only sneak another knife into my arsenal...lol ;)