DALSTRONG - Gladiator Series - Forged German High-Carbon Steel - Paring Knife (2.75" Tourne Peeling-Paring Knife)

It is designed to be easy for different use

This paring knife is made from high quality polished steel and is super sharp. The construction is reassuring and the shape is ideal for small vegetables and fruits. Cleans very easily after use and has proven to be sharper than similar priced knives I have purchased in the past. The German Steel knives tend to be cheaper than the AUS-8 and AUS-10 steel versions but while those "Japanese" steel knives are normally higher on the Rockwell scale of hardness, I found them difficult to hone and more aggressive sharpeners eat away at the blade. I read that professional sharpening is recommended for such knives and the use of metal steels is not advised, with ceramic honing rods being preferable. All knives lose their sharpness with use. Tiny amounts of damage are caused every time they are used. As a diabetic, I was astonished to learn how much damage is caused to the metal of a hypodermic needle after just ONE injection into a person's body. Under a microscope you can see the damage caused and that is why the needles can only be used once, or they will damage the skin and tissue. Honing the blade realigns the edge whereas sharpening puts a new edge on the blade and fragments of the blade are lost in the process. I have over-sharpened knives in the past and they simply become blunt, often unable to even slice a tomato. My advice would be to hone the blade only as required and only for enough time to realign the blade. Most knives will probably be pretty sharp to start with but the question is how easy it is to maintain that sharpness long term. I have found this Bird's Beak Dalstrong knife to have been razor sharp out of the box and it feels like a quality product that will last a long time with adequate care. It certainly looks the part and is making short work of veg prep. I cannot understand those who have had problems and not done anything about it. In my experience Amazon themselves and Dalstrong are only too happy to help out. I had a small cosmetic issue with a Dalstrong produce knife and after contacting them regarding the matter they swiftly replaced the knife and all was well. In my experience Dalstrong Customer service have been quick to reply and very sincere and swift in resolving the matter in hand. I have confidence that if there is any problem, they will stand behind their promise and make sure you are issued a replacement or a refund.

This knife is excellent and unbelievable quality for the price. The packaging is excellent, as are the contents. The knife feels like a quality item and the blade looks like good steel. It shaved some hair from my arm, so it is sharp, and it’s easy to use. I needed a good knife for Tournée potatoes and this is perfect for that and as a peeler. It comes with a handy sheath in case you are transporting it, a polishing cloth and a rather nice badge (that I’ll never use). Not sure how I’ll sharpen it, but I’ll cross that bridge when I come to it.

Great little knife. Very sharp. Great for peeling spuds :)

Some may find it a little heavy but it feels and performs like true quality.

In the big world of knives, this Dalstrong paring knife is just fine. Not high end by any point, but better by a country mile than anything you can get at Wally World or Target. The fit and finish is good. Nothing special. The knife is weighted heavier than you would expect. The size fits my larger and less meaty hands well. The size of the blade is a little on the tall side for my preferences for peeling fruits and vegetables. I like a thin and short blade for that work. One that can make tighter turns. How does it cut? I don't have to sharpen or hone the knife as much as I do my mid range (in their offerings) Calphalon knives and it is sharper. Compared to my Tojiro DP or Shun knives, it is not as sharp or easy to use. When I hone those knives, the results are better. I don't often sharpen my knives because with proper and careful use, its not necessary. I rank it very high in the 'Giftable' category. If Dalstrong redirected some resources into improving the knives that they spend on packaging, they'd jump up a step compared to other brands. Packaging is nice, but I only unpack the knife once, but I use it hundreds or times. Dalstrong obviously has a strong business relationship with Amazon right now because of how much Amazon promotes their products. Just be aware of that when you gauge how often you see Dalstrong products when researching other knives. I'm not sure I'd buy another Dalstrong knife. I'd probably spend a little more for a Tojiro, Shun (slightly premium priced) or genuine (tons of fakes out there) Global. If I were getting a set as a wedding gift or for someone that wasn't concerned about the finer points of cutlery, these would be solid choices over what could be found at Target or Bed, Bath and 'someplace else'. They aren't going to come off as cheap and they will likely last a lifetime for the casual and occasional chef. Throw in a good ceramic honing rod and have a good set.