I have long been obsessed with Zwilling knives, for their impeccable appearance, cutting-edge design and internationally recognized quality. Every time I walk by the kitchenware section at Costco and see their carefully displayed sets, I can’t help but stop and admire them. However, my obsession has remained a mere desire because, honestly, I have not been willing to pay several hundred dollars for knives. Come on guys, why don’t you let me have those beautiful knives for a price that seems more in line with my budget?
For example, some basic Zwilling sets can run around $200 or $300, while their more exclusive lines easily top $500 or even $800 per set. But, the other day while shopping at Costco, I found a set of knives from another brand, which also offers highly competitive support and superior quality, for a fraction of the price. I’m talking about Cuisinart, and they are the ones that are right now on my countertop ready to prepare my Thanksgiving dinner.
The Cuisinart Knife Set That Competes With the Big Brands for a Fraction of the Price
For less than a fifth of what the Zwilling Professional S 7-piece set costs, I found this 7-piece knives set from Cuisinart, which also has the same number of pieces and comes equipped with all the knives I like to have for cutting fruit. and vegetables to meats and breads.
These are the knives that come in this Cuisinart set that I found at Costco for an almost ridiculous price.
1. 8” Chef Knife
- Description: This is the most versatile knife in the set and often the most used in the kitchen. With its wide blade and sharp tip, it allows you to make precise cuts and handle different ingredients.
- Uses: Ideal for chopping, slicing and dicing all types of foods, from vegetables and fruits to meat and herbs. Thanks to its length and balance, it is excellent for cutting large foods such as pumpkins or watermelons.
2. 8” Bread Knife
- Description: This knife has a long, serrated blade, designed to cut through hard surfaces without crushing softer foods.
- Uses: Perfect for cutting bread without tearing it. It is also very useful for slicing foods with hard crusts and a soft interior, such as tomatoes or thick-skinned fruits (pineapples, melons).
3. 7” Santoku Knife
- Description: Of Japanese origin, the Santoku knife has a wide, straight blade with a rounded tip. The blade has indentations that prevent food from sticking to the knife while you cut.
- Uses: Ideal for quick and fine cutting tasks, such as chopping onions, garlic or herbs. It is also used for slicing and cutting very thinly sliced vegetables or boneless meat.
4. 5.5” Utility Knife
- Description: This knife is smaller than a chef’s knife, but with a longer, thinner blade than a paring knife. It is useful for detailed cuts where greater precision is needed.
- Uses: Perfect for precision tasks, such as cutting medium fruits, small vegetables, and meats. It can also be used to fillet fish or cut chicken into strips.
5. 3.5” Paring Knife
- Description: This is the smallest knife in the set and has a short, sharp blade, designed for precision work on food.
- Uses: It is the ideal knife for peeling, cutting and shaping small fruits and vegetables. It’s also perfect for deveining shrimp, removing stems from peppers, or making fruit decorations.
6. All-Purpose Shears
- Description: These scissors are designed to withstand multiple uses in the kitchen, with strong blades and ergonomic handle.
- Uses: They are useful for cutting herbs, opening food packaging, and shredding ingredients such as chicken. In addition, they can separate bones and hard parts of food with ease.
All of these knives come with a block of charred acacia wood with an integrated sharpener, to keep the edges away from any unwary hands, and so that everything is organized and arranged in the same place. The price I paid for this culinary marvel is $69.99: a fraction of what an equivalent one from Zwilling or other mainstream brands would have cost me.