Not ready to commit to a high-end 8-inch chef's knife and serrated bread knife? HexClad introduced this Damascus Steel Starter Knife Set just for you. (Lisa Schweitzer/Yahoo)(Lisa Schweitzer/Yahoo)
Since HexClad's debut in 2017, there has been a lot of hype about the brand and its innovative hybrid cookware (it combines the benefits of nonstick and stainless steel technology) and partnership with chef Gordon Ramsay. Ramsay even gave the brand's cookware a shout-out on his show Next Level Chef. HexClad’s high-end knives are just as impressive, so I was eager to try the new Damascus Steel Starter Knife Set.
As Yahoo's resident culinary expert and cookware tester, I've tried dozens of knives, but I had yet to get my hands on anything from HexClad. The blades are forged Damascus steel and the handles are crafted from forest green Pakkawood, a man-made composite of wood and resin. They're an investment, with most single knives hovering around $140. That makes this new duo is a relative value at $199. It pairs a six-inch Japanese-style chef's knife with a five-inch serrated sandwich knife. Both will come in handy for a variety of daily uses, from chopping vegetables to prepping proteins to slicing bread.
I set out to test their performance and comfort in a few meal prep tasks, similar to how I tested the best chef's knives. Here's how they did ...
Material: Damascus steel | Weight: Chef's knife: 6.4 oz; serrated knife: 3.2 oz | Style: Japanese
Dicing onions and tomatoes was a pleasure with the HexClad six-inch chef's knife. It cut through chicken breasts smoothly as well. My concern with purchasing a shorter chef's knife like this one is that it's not large enough for something like a melon or a butternut squash.
I used the serrated sandwich knife to slice tomatoes, oranges, a bagel and a baguette. The blade easily handled all of these tasks and was especially nice to use on the very crusty baguette. And once you've sliced your bread, this round-tip knife is perfect for spreading condiments on top.
The brand recommends washing the knives with gentle dish soap and towel drying immediately.
Note that these knives come with a lifetime warranty — but it's limited. It covers manufacturers' defects, not wear and tear.
To keep this pan's nonstick surface at its best, you can easily re-season it by heating it over medium-low heat, then spread a teaspoon of oil inside the pan and let it heat for two to three minutes.
This knife set feels high-quality and would make an impressive gift. I love how easy the chef's knife is to maneuver for quicker tasks and for less-experienced cooks who are still mastering knife skills. It's lighter and smaller, making it more nimble than a heavy Western-style eight-inch chef's knife.
I might go so far as to say that these smaller knives would work well for those trying to teach teens and tweens to cook or anyone who finds an eight-inch knife intimidating or tough to maneuver.
The serrated sandwich knife is a nice addition to a lineup of knives, as it cuts very cleanly, doesn't tear delicate tomato skin and keeps bread from crumbling to pieces while preserving the fluffy insides. But this knife won't completely replace a large bread knife.
This set is not what I would choose to handle the majority of daily cooking tasks, so I don't feel they justify the cost. I routinely rely on an eight-inch chef's knife and an eight-inch serrated knife and wouldn't use this smaller set for larger cuts of meat, loaves of bread or tough vegetables. That means I would also need longer versions of both to get everything done.
I also found the handle on the six-inch chef's knife a bit big for a knife of this size. This is surely a matter of personal preference but may be an issue for some.
As for sharpening, the chef's knife will need to be sharpened either by hand on a whetstone, or by a machine that accommodates Japanese-style knives (see my best knife sharpener article for recommendations). If you don't know how to properly sharpen knives, or you don't have access to a professional sharpening service, you can easily end up with dull knives down the road.
If you're looking for an upscale culinary-oriented gift for someone who cooks but isn't highly experienced, this HexClad set will earn you oohs and aahs. I would consider it an entry point into HexClad's cutlery that looks and feels luxe and performs well (but with limited capabilities).
I've also tested HexClad pans, and this one is a favorite:
