Well, they ain't Shun, but...

[realdocBBQ]

So I found these on sale, broke down and splurged on myself a little bit.













Here they are on Amazon:

Zhen VG-10 8" chef's knife

Zhen VG-10 6" utility knife


I know most "real" chefs would probably scoff at them... but they're the nicest kitchen knives I've ever bought. I clarify "kitchen", because I did buy a set of Damascus hunting knives I had made custom for my son and I - and those things are incredible. But these are pretty dang nice, and they'll actually get used, instead of hung on the wall! lol

[FireMan]

Very, very cool! Can’t wait to see how you like their feel & use.

[Troutman]

Yea I eyeballed these for a while, they are a pretty knife. Let use know how they work out for you !!

[RonB]

They look very nice.

[Mr. Bones]

No scoffin here, at all, amigo!
Those look like fantastic knives, hope they're jus wonderful fer ya!

[realdocBBQ]

I don't really have the knife skills to make the best use of them, but based on the fit & finish, I expect I'll be adding more of this brand/series to my collection over time. Maybe one a month or so. They are very, very nice, and at a pretty acceptable price point. I actually got these from Woot, and they were even cheaper than on Amazon, at $69.99 and $39.99. $25/$26 off each blade.

[Mr. Bones]

Even Sweeter Deal, then!!!

[DWCowles]

Congrats! They are beautiful.

[HouseHomey]

Im just a cook. Scoff.... NEGATIVE! Find what works for you and keep with it. Chiefs get it! Your knifes cost more than my car. I also own very inexpensive knifes because I love the handle and the non slip quality it has while I hold it wet. On my knifes I maintain a perfect 15° edge and always have the sharpest knife in a kitchen. They've lasted years!,

They look gorgeous! Don't worry about your knife skills and just take care of your edge while your devoted to those skills and making great food.

Everyone else can worry about about their own knifes and I bet they are happy for you and your purchase.

[Pirate Scott]

HouseHomey how do you maintain your 15deg edge?

[Got BBQ]

they look great, all about the feel and the edge they keep. Enjoy!

[Frozen Smoke]

You and I are in the same boat realdocBBQ my knife skills are pathetic and my left hand affliction does nothing to help. But that did not stop me from buying a set of custom made kitchen knives. A retirement gift to myself. Still have not got them from the forger but am expecting them soon. I'm hoping the knives will motivate me to improve my skills. There are tons of You Tube instructional videos and I belong to a online culinary school which has a course on knife skills which I am hoping will help.
Use your new knives as a motivator to improve your skills. That is some fine looking cutlery. Don't worry about what brand they are or are not enjoy them treat them well and they will return the favor.

[Polarbear777]

Good steel. Keep them sharp and they will be great.

Ive got a cheap vg10 from ikea no less and it’s almost as good as the shun if I maintain it.

[HouseHomey]

Yup

[jgreen]

Those look great. Nice knives. I usually just have cheap knives, though I do I keep them as sharp as I can.

[Potkettleblack]

Best way to build knife skills is to cook more things that require knife use.

Staying with my brother, impressed with his and his wife’s knife skills. They’ve both degraded since cooking school. Still better than I am liable to be.

[HouseHomey]

This is what I use as I have inexpensive Mercer knifes.

https://www.sharpeningsupplies.com/Chefs-Choice-Model-15-Trizor-XV-Knife-Sharpener-P240.aspx?gclid=Cj0KCQjw5fDWBRDaARIsAA5uWTgZJ99CR2dqqhg8DjEj8_nsXSm-YFGoY8vsgqSzVfz_fzWGnQH_1-MaAuL-EALw_wcB

they make a lot of products but this is the one I have. I don't know this site it's for reference only.

nicer products most don't like to run through machines. Me, I don't car as I'm about the edge. I use it on my Henkels too.

[realdocBBQ]

I've got one like that, too... I am sure it doesn't do a 15° edge, though, so I'm going to have to make the decision if I want to retool the edges or not. <edit> I just noticed that one is for 15°, I am not sure how to find out what the one I have does...

[EdF]

That's the one we have too. Works really well. One of it's great features is that it will put a 15 degree edge on your European knives, but it does it as a "micro-bevel" so that it doesn't weaken them by taking off too much metal.

[FireMan]

Invest in an inexpensive strop for the daily maintenance, due to them being over Rockwell 58. Yours are in the 60-62 range. Don’t use a "steel" for honing. The strop will keep them razor sharp. Again, cool.

[realdocBBQ]

Don't use a steel? That's the first time I've heard that. I have one that came with an inexpensive set I bought, but I've honestly never used it, I had planned on starting with these...

[FireMan]

A steel is good for knives less than 59 Rockwell, such as German knives, wusthoff or zwilling. Japanese that are over 60 Rockwell you are much better off with a strop & good rubbing compound.