Founded in 2016, HexClad has become a kitchen brand known for their premium, chemical-free pans and durable products. I’ve used HexClads other products, such as their classic frying pans, for years.
After many years, I finally decided to try out another top item from their kitchen products: The Damascus Steel Knife Set. This 7-piece set comes with the magnetic knife block set that pairs with 6 sturdy steel knives.
Sure, this knives set looks attractive from the photos. But do the knives actually translate to easier, more perfect cooking? I tried chopping, dicing, and more with the HexClad Damascus Steel Knife Set to see if these knives offer more than just a shiny object on your kitchen countertop. Here’s what I discovered.
HexClad Damascus Steel Knife Set
What comes in the the HexClad HexClad Damascus Steel Knife Set?
Pros
- Lifetime brand warranty.
- Sleek design for kitchen countertops.
- Feels sleek and comfortable in hand.
- Magnetic knife block for easy access.
- 12 degree edge for effortless cutting.
Cons
- Not dishwasher safe (need to be hand washed).
- High price point.
This HexClad 7-piece knives set comes with a good variety of knives ideal for the everyday home cook. The size selection compares to other knives sets I’ve seen and tried throughout the years. Some of my favorites from the HexClad 7-piece set are:
- 8-inch Chef’s Knife: A great all-purpose knife for slicing and dicing. I chopped a bunch of veggies with this knife effortlessly.
- 8-inch Serrated Bread Knife: The serrated edge is nice to have for things that tend to be a little hard to cut through.
- 5-inch Utility Knife: You’ll find yourself using this one almost daily if you’re an avid home cook. Every home cook needs a knife this size.
In addition to these sizes, the 7 piece set also comes with a 3.5 pairing knife for peeling and trimming, a 7-inch santoku knife for precision slicing, and a 9-inch honing steel to keep knives sharp. The “7th piece” of the set is the magnetic walnut knife block which offers a unique space-saving solution with its magnetic design.
There’s something that feels elevated about this type of knife block compared to your typical knife block where blades are not visible.
Specifications
- Blade Type: Forged blades comprise 67 layers of Japanese Damascus steel.
- Edge: 12 degree edge.
- Hardness: 60-62 HRC on the Rockwell scale.
- Pieces: 3 to 7 piece set options.
- Colors: Espresso or Green.
- Handles: Contoured wood.
Knives Appearance & Build Quality
You can’t beat the quality of HexClad’s products. The quality just feels high-end and professional — because it is. The lifetime included warranty is really nice too, especially when you’re paying a pretty penny for knives like these.
The espresso color is a nice neutral option that will look good in any color kitchen. But, if you want something a bit bolder (and have a boring white kitchen like me), perhaps you’ll want to opt for the bold green finish.
While you will have to hand-wash these knives (like most high-quality knives), the stunning Pakkawood handles give them a nice feel and a very attractive look. These grips have a resin-infused hardwood which helps resist moisture, warping and cracking. I like the shape and how they feel in the hand.
If you’re looking for a the perfect gift for the aspiring home chef, I think these HexClad Damascus Steel knives would be perfect.
Perhaps the most interesting part of the visual of this knife set is the open-blade storage concept. With the magnetic backing, the entire knife is on display. This is very different than the classic knife block we’ve all had in our kitchens for years.
If you don’t need the full 7 piece set, they do offer a smaller set that can allow you to purchase only the knife sizes that you need for your preferred method of cooking.
In My Expert Opinion
HexClad Steel Knife Set
As you shop for a solid kitchen knives set, you’ve got a lot of options. Overall, the HexClad Damascus Steel knife set is more than just a visually-appealing knifes set. The 67-layer pattern is pretty cool, but what makes the set stand out for met is its sharpness and precision.
It feels like something the “real deal” to cook, but I’m not going to lie and say the price point isn’t high.
For the average home cook who wants something easy they can throw in the dishwasher, this knife set is probably not worth the splurge. For the avid cook in training, however, the premium quality and advanced craftsmanship of these knifes.
The set also requires care beyond just hand washing, such as honing, to maintain sharpness. The casual cook may not want to be bothered with this extra step.
