Ginsu International Traditions 14-Piece Stainless-Steel Countersaver Hanging Knife Set with Block

Ginsu International Traditions 14-Piece Stainless-Steel Countersaver Hanging Knife Set with Block Review

Ginsu International Traditions 14-Piece Stainless-Steel Countersaver Hanging Knife Set with Block Feature

• Set includes 7 kitchen knives, 6 steak knives, and storage block
• Symmetrically-cut, two-dimensional serrated edges for precision slicing
• Stainless-steel blades never needs sharpening; brushed stainless-steel handles
• Versatile storage block stands on countertop or mounts on wall or under cabinet
• Knives for right- or left-handed use; limited lifetime guarantee

Many associate Ginsu knives with the product’s kitschy infomercial from the ‘70s that begins with a karate kick to a watermelon and proceeds with a demo of these knives cutting through just about anything in the house. Like the original product, Ginsu’s International Traditions is designed for the home cook who is not attuned to the maintenance required of a more high-end knife. However, this line is an improvement on the original, offering the weight, balance, and style of a commercial-quality knife, while meeting current design trends and performance expectations.

This 14-piece set stocks a kitchen with most cutlery needs, and packs the knives in a versatile storage block with multiple mounting options. The cutlery includes: an 8-inch chef’s knife, an 8-inch slicer, an 8-inch bread knife, a 5-inch boning knife, a 4-1/2-inch utility knife, a 3-1/2-inch paring knife, and six 4-1/2-inch steak knives, plus a pair of shears.

Ginsu blades are constructed from stainless steel and feature a two-dimensional serrated edge symmetrically cut on either side for more accurate slicing and for either right- or left-handed use. Edges are still as low-maintenance as ever and never require sharpening. The blades do not have full tangs but are instead encased in a strip of bakelite, which is sandwiched within a brushed stainless-steel handle. The steel handle provides some of the weight of the missing tang and a sleek, modern style.

The contemporary black hardwood storage block offers several mounting possibilities. Ideal for smaller kitchens, the block mounts upright to a wall or horizontally on the bottom of a cabinet. Slots are magnetized to ensure that knives don’t fall out. A swivel piece for under-cabinet mounting rotates the block to one side so handles are hidden until chefs turn handles face out to pull out a knife. The block also stands on a countertop, supported by two metal arms. Ginsu covers these International Traditions knives under a limited lifetime warranty, and recommends manual cleaning with hot, soapy water to keep them in top shape. --Cristina Vaamonde

What’s in the Box
3-1/2-inch paring knife, 4-1/2-inch utility knife, 5-inch boning knife, 8-inch bread knife, 8-inch slicer, 8-inch chef’s knife, six 4-1/2-inch steak knives, shears, CounterSaver hardwood storage block The GINSU 04835 International Traditions Stainless Steel Counter Saver Cutlery Set is the first of it's kind to be designed and developed as a multi-functional piece. The storage block can be positioned in any of four different ways - under cabinet mount, side cabinet mount, wall mount and also in the traditional countertop setting. It is removable from any mounted position, swivels 90 degrees left or right and has built-in magnetic slots to keep your GINSU knives in place. The GINSU International Traditions Bakelite Cutlery Set features the Symetric Edge design which integrates identical serrations expertly matched to each side of the knife's blade. This produces a two dimensional serrated surface capable of precision center cuts. The result is no maintenance, never needs sharpening, serrated edge that perfoms with the accuracy of fine edged professional cutlery. This design is ideal for both right and left handed use! Made of professional quality 420 series satin finished stainless steel blades, provide consumers the perfect combination of performance, balance, and style - all supported by a lifetime limited warranty.