Sabatier Forged Stainless Steel Chef Knife with Edgekeeper Self-Sharpening Blade Cover, High-Carbon Stainless Steel Kitchen Knife, Razor-Sharp Knife to Cut Fruit, Vegetables and more, 8-Inch, Black

I needed a relatively inexpensive (less than $20 after tax) kitchen for camping and Airbnb trips.The most important requirement is that the steel be able to take and hold an edge. (It does come sharpened from the factory well enough to slice across a sheet of paper.) This knife takes an edge much more easily than my other kitchen knife (JA Henckels International (Spain) 8" chef) and holds the edge just as well. Neither knife is exquisite nor expensive. My point is that this knife performs at or above par for knives costing 2-3 times more.A minor requirement was to have a durable sleeve for transport. The bonus is that the sleeve has a built-in metal sharpener (embedded in the red part on the back) to help refresh an edge that has gotten dull in the field and one doesn't have other sharpening tools handy. There's plenty of space in the sheath where the blade will pass over and not contact the sharpener unless one desires. The sharpener serves double-duty as a retention mechanism - albeit not a fail-safe retention mechanism (did I mention there's plenty of space in the sheath?). One can find a sleeve on Amazon without a sharpener for about $8-10, but that sleeve won't fit this well. This is a very practical take-on-the go kitchen knife feature.So how does this knife actually compare with a more expensive and better known brand? Both are forged with through-tangs and riveted handle material. Both blades about the same length from the handle, but the Sabatier Santoku has only a 7" cutting edge. The Sabatier has a bigger side profile, but it only weighs 1.5 oz more than the JA Henckel. This is because the spine of the Sabatier is 0.7mm thinner. More weight is in the handle for the "palm swell" and a "pommel" at the end. The center of gravity of the Sabatier Santoku is at the forward portion of the handle vs. being farther out at the bolster or heel in the JA Henckel. The Sabatier Santoku has a more pronounced belly that curves more evenly from tip to heel verses an upward angle/takeoff for the traditional chef knife shape. .So what does all this mean? The Sabatier Santoku has:1) Better grip with the beefier palm swell and butt2) Better balance with the CG in the hand rather than in front of it3) Easier to hold by pinching the heel and slice with a rocking motion without banging knuckles into the cutting board.4) Easier to sharpen with no bolster getting in the way.5) Cutting edge from tip to heel with no bolster getting in the way.6) Easy to transport with the sleeve7) Easier to freshen up the edge with the built-in sharpener when in the field in-between formal sharpening8) Less self-loathing for misplacing/losing this knife while on a trip.The Sabatier Santoku isn't perfect (but it did cost less):1) Rougher finish (circular grind pattern from machining in the surface finish)2) Edge is evenly double beveled more like a Western knife and less like a traditional Japanese knife.Some negatives if the respective feature is important to the consumer:1) No bolster (may be a concern for those who want the additional margin of safety and better thrusting ergonomics)2) Less sharp point (may be a concern for those who want to stab and trust)3) Not as flat/straight of a cutting edge as a traditional Santoku (may be a concern for those who want more of a "cleaver" edge for chopping and dicing) (Ironically, the JA Henckel is flatter for a longer section of the cutting edge, but it's this flat edge with the handle angle and lack of handle height that results in banging knuckles)4) Some reviews point out that this "stainless" steel is more prone to corrosion/rust than typical stainless steel. I've not seen rust - yet. The knife does have a sticker that says to hand-wash and dry immediately, so there may be credence to this complaint.5) Frustrating clamshell packaging.Basically, a well balanced, ergonomic, sharp kitchen knife that is easy to take and maintain on the go. It's a gratifying purchase for less than $20 after tax.

I like to wait until I have used an item for a while before I write a review. I purchased this knife 2 years ago and it has met and widely exceeded my expectations. Other reviewers have pointed out the flaws in assembly, but the quality of the components is evident. Smooth wood handle, and steel that not only holds an edge, but feels solid and firm while using. I would definitely buy this knife again, but there's no need, because I am confident that it is the last knife I'll ever buy.

Like the shaping device built in. Handle fits well for my needs. Nice addition for the price.

In recent years, a 5" santoku knife has become my most-used blade in the kitchen, and I now own three. (Hey, one is in my camper full-time). This is probably the best value of the three. The handle is substantial and very comfortable for my hands. The blade is perfect for chopping or slicing all but the largest vegetables. A couple nits: the edge is curved more than most santoku blades I have used, sort of half-way to a western chef's blade. Not a big deal. I recall that another reviewer mentioned that it was not as sharp as they would like out of the box. Perhaps so, although I found it to be acceptable - new knives are seldom like razors, in my experience. Under magnification, I see that the edge has obviously been mechanically sharpened with a rather coarse grit. Just a few swipes on a steel improved it a lot. This is really a nit for me, because I sharpen knives professionally, and always touch up a new blade a little. UPDATE A YEAR LATER: I would wish it were made from better steel. not just dull after a year, but slight chips in the edge - a sign of cheaper steel. I sharpen knives for a retirement living. Still love the feel, and I, of course, can deal with the edge. OH, BTW - Throw away the sheath. Useless.

I have had the 6" knife for over a year and bought the 8" knife because the 6" felt too small in my larger hands.The 8" knife has become my go to for every day use. Sharp and keeps a nice edge with regular maintenance on a honing rod. It's heavier than other chef's knives I've owned but has a healthy bolster and when gripped close to the bolster (see picture) is well balanced and nimble enough for accurate cutting.Handle is solid and smooth with comfortable transitions from the scales to the tang and bolster. The swell is a bit small for me but, as mentioned, I have large hands so this might not be a problem for others. Only downside is the handle is very slick when my hands are wet, so keep that hand towel close.For edge maintenance, don't bother with the built in sharpener. Keep the spine of the knife against the back of the sheath when sheathing and unsheathing the knife and maintain with a honing rod and use a proper cutting board.Finally, these knives are made from carbon steel. They WILL rust if left in contact with water for extended periods of time. I learned this the hard way when I didn't dry the 6" knife completely and found rust spots on the edge the next time I used the knife. Had to remove a good amount of metal to resharpen the blade without the notches in the edge.Are these professional grade knives? No. Are they good knives for a home cook to use, learn with and become proficient at knife maintenance and upkeep without breaking the bank? Absolutely.

Great knife! It functions well & I also like the idea that the cover has great blade protection.