Dalstrong Knife Review
Table of Contents
About Dalstrong
Dalstrong’s knives feature uncompromising materials, smart features, and superior craftsmanship. Their many cutting-edge series incorporate a variety of knives with pleasing aesthetics to inspire creativity in the kitchen.
The brand has an artistic approach to knife making, one that’s caught the attention of notable publications like CNN, Yahoo, Forbes, Rolling Stone, Men’s Health.
Speaking of artistic, take one peek at Dalstrong’s Instagram and you’ll understand why they have such a strong following of 93k.
This Dalstrong knife review will examine the brand and their bestsellers, fill you in on what customers have to say, provide information on promotions, and more to help you decide if their creative, quality blades are worth the buy.
Overview of Dalstrong
When perfection is a necessity, the right tools are non-negotiable. It doesn’t matter if you’re eating in a diner, 5-star restaurant, or from a food truck, people want something tasty to eat, and they generally want it fast.
Dalstrong knives were created to give professional chefs a leg up in the kitchen. Perhaps even more importantly, The brand’s founder, Dave Dallaire, wanted to give them a piece of equipment that they can trust and feel good using.
Inspired by the world around the creatives at Dalstrong, their series are a reflection of what makes their souls feel alive. Themes like adventure, battle, and mystery are all found within the brand’s collections.
Believing that cooking can “unite us and bring out the best in people,” the team at Dalstrong says that it also has the awesome power “to break barriers and build community.”
By giving chefs a professional and beautiful tool to wield in the kitchen allows for greater performance and an uplift in mood.
Based out of Toronto, Canada, the brand also had offices in the US and the UK.
Before we hone in on the details of the brand’s keen selection of products, this Dalstrong knife review will fill you in on their pros and cons:
Pros
- Dalstrong offers 11 different series with 20+ different knives and sets in each
- Customers love the look, weight, and balance of the knives
- Sale section and discounts available
- Lifetime Warranty
- Ships worldwide
- Free US 2-Day Shipping
- 120-Day Risk-Free Guarantee
- Klarna available to pay for purchases in easy installments
Cons
- Some professional chefs say that Dalstrong knives don’t perform as well as they claim to
Dalstrong blades are so breathtaking, for a minute you may forget that they’re meant for cooking. The brand has a total of 11 different series, each one completely different from the last, but all made with the same integrity and quality.
In the next section of this Dalstrong knife review, we’ll run you through the brand’s selection of knives and knife sets.
Dalstrong Knife Review
A series refers to a set of knives that were made a certain way. Within each, the brand has an incredible range of knives, but this section will feature Dalstrong’s highest-selling knives across their most popular series.
Dalstrong Shogun Series X 7″ Cleaver Review
Made from Japanese super steel, the Shogun Series X 7” Cleaver means business. With a fierce Tsunami Rose design, this serious chopper can help you breeze through laborious prep jobs with ease.
The wide blade is perfect for picking up the veggies you just sliced and also steers clears of knuckles when chopping.
66 layers of Damascus steel are forged into this magnificent cleaver outfitted with a G-10 Garolite handle and shiny bolster to keep your hands from slipping.
Make quick work of your kitchen tasks with the Shogun Series X 7” Cleaver for $120.
To keep things balanced, add a Dalstrong Butcher Knife to the mix to help tackle meatier jobs.
Dalstrong Shogun Series X 8″ Chef Knife with Crimson Red Handle Review
A brilliant red handle sets this knife apart from the crowd along with its extremely pointed, curved tip. As the signature model of the Shogun series, this chef’s knife is an all-around beast to have in the kitchen.
Rust-resistant cladding helps your blade stay beautiful for longer, while the polymer non-slip handle gives you a sturdy grip.
Get the Shogun Series X 8” Chef Knife with Crimson Red Handle and a sheath for $130.
Dalstrong Shogun Series X 8″ Chef Knife Review
A chef is only as good as his tools. If you’re new to Dalstrong knives, the Shogun Series X 8” Chef Knife is a great place to start. It’s an all-around solid choice for all kinds of kitchen work.
It can take you from herbs to starches to chicken, slicing all with confident ease with its blade created from 67 layers of Damascus steel.
Rest your hand on top of the hand-polished spine to really get into your work while you feel the confident control of the non-slip handle.
Whatever you do, do it well with the Shogun Series X 8” Chef Knife for $130.
Dalstrong Kiritsuke Knife 8.5″ Review
Formed from a single piece of ThyssenKrupp steel, the Kiritsuke Knife 8.5” is ready for battle – in the kitchen, that is. With a smooth finish, this Dalstrong Gladiator blade fights off stains and easily slices a variety of meats and vegetables.
The heat-resistant handle is made from military-grade G10 that surrounds a full tang and is kept in place by 3 rivets. With the perfect mixture of balance, protection, and looks, this knife makes light of heavy work.
Master your challenges with the Kiritsuke Knife 8.5” for $70.
Dalstrong Shogun Series Extra-Long 12″ Crixus Review
Long and villainous-looking, you won’t grasp the full extent of this blade until you hold it in your hand. With an AUS-10V Japanese steel center and 67 layers of Damascus steel, this Honbazuke sharpened blade was made to take on the world.
A full tang and ergonomic military-grade handle ensure you have a firm grasp to tackle any food you decide to prepare.
While it looks like it could slice right through a tree trunk, that’s not covered under the warranty, so you should probably avoid doing that.
The intense Shogun Series Extra-Long 12” Crixus is $130.
Dalstrong Knife Sets Review
Knife sets create fluidity in the kitchen and around the dinner table. Don’t hog the best knife in the house, but share it with your guests instead. Below, this Dalstrong knife review will feature the brand’s most popular knife sets, including steak knives and block sets.
Dalstrong Shogun Series Steak Knife Set (4) Review
Sleekness meets power with the Shogun Series Steak Knife Set (4). Perfect for the average dinner table (not one surrounded by barbarians) this set easily accommodates a family of 4.
Dalstrong Shogun series knives are made over 60 days using 66 layers of nitrogen-cooled high-carbon steel. The blade is separated from the handle by its shiny bolster that helps you grip and slice by creating balance.
The handle is made from G10 Garolite that lasts for decades. Outfitted with a lion insignia, this efficient Dalstrong chef knife set is $200.
If you’re into family dinners, check out the Dalstrong Brisket Knife, great for Sunday roasts.
Dalstrong 4-Piece Steak Knife Set 5.5″ Review
Forget sawing through steak, with the 4-Piece Steak Knife Set 5.5”, you’ll be gliding through it. A deadly point and Hyper Steel construction make this blade an impressive show-stopping piece at your dinner table.
Each knife has a LiquidMetal pattern that frees it from stuck-on food. As for the handle, its construction is fit for a king, featuring black G10 woven fiberglass that withstands high temperatures (in case you leave it around the fireplace or on the bbq).
Stamped with a brass insignia, these Dalstrong knives fit nicely into an accompanying sheath to keep them tucked away.
Get slicing with the Omega Series 5.5″ 4-pc Steak Knife Set and PU Leather Dalstrong Sheath for $230.
Dalstrong 4-Piece Steak Knife Set Review
Steak-lovers pay attention. We know these knives have a bit of a dainty look to them, but that’s about where the innocence ends. With extraordinarily sharp edges, an intimidating point and 7-layer 10CR15MOV steel, the 4-Piece Steak Knife Set cuts through beef like butter.
The honeycomb design on the handle is sweet, but this set is dangerous. Made from aluminum mesh encased in resin, the slim handle fits nicely in your palm for effortless slicing.
This lightweight collection includes the Frost Fire Series 4-Piece Steak Knife Set accompanied by the PerfectFit Dalstrong Leather Sheath for $120.
Dalstrong Shogun Series X 5 piece Block Set Review
Mixing beautiful acacia wood with sleek metal features, the Shogun Series X 5 piece Block Set looks like a certified blast from the past.
The block itself is uniquely designed, jutting out at an angle from your countertop outfitted in steel and stamped with Dalstrong’s logo.
This fierce Dalstrong chef’s knives set includes:
- The Shogun Series X 8″ Chef Knife
- The Shogun Series X 3.5″ Dalstrong Paring Knife
- The Shogun Series X 8″ Bread Knife
- The Shogun Series X 7″ Santoku Knife
- The Shogun Series X 6″ Utility Knife
Each blade features 67 layers of Damascus steel that fade out into a bleeding edge. They have a Tsunami Rose pattern to provide a gentle dimpling. The handle is made of military-grade G10 with a non-slip design and engraved cap.
This all-encompassing Dalstrong knife set is a cool $350.
How do you sharpen Dalstrong?
You will need to sharpen your Dalstrong knife using a whetstone to maintain its pointed edge. Depending on your blade, you’ll have to hold it at a different angle on the whetstone, but the range is generally somewhere between 16º-18º degrees.
Refer to the steps below for more details on how to properly sharpen your Dalstrong knife:
- Soak your whetstone completely in water for 5-10 minutes
- Place your whetstone coarse-grit side up on a non-slip surface on top of your counter
- Hold your knife at the specific angle (16º-18º)
- Put pressure on the blade as you drag it diagonally across the whetstone
- Turn your block over and repeat the process on the finer grit
What degree are Dalstrong knives?
Dalstrong knives have varying angles, ranging from 8º-12º to 16º-18º degrees. Since the company makes both Japanese and German knives, be sure to know what type of knife you’re wielding before sharpening.
How do you clean a Dalstrong knife?
Dalstrong knives require a bit of extra care; they’re not something you can just throw in the dishwasher and call it a day. With that being said, the process is fairly simple, but be sure to take your time with it:
- Get some soap, water, and a sponge
- Apply soap directly to your wet sponge
- Wipe the sponge across your Dalstrong from spine to edge
- Rinse and dry right away
Dalstrong Reviews: What Do Customers Think?
The brand’s knives are beautiful, but you might be wondering how they hold up in real life. If so, you’re in luck, because this is the part of the Dalstrong knife review where we search far and wide for all the nitty-gritty details when it comes to customer ratings.
A Dalstrong knife review on Blade Advisor talked about the brand’s 5 best sets, along with their pros and cons.
The author said that “they have great customer service and will do whatever it takes to make customers happy,” not surprising for a young, Canadian company. Customer service can make or break a business, so we’re glad that Dalstrong is putting in a solid effort.
While reviewing the 5 knife sets, the only cons that came up were about the price and what was included in the Dalstrong Professional Knife Set: “likely still need to buy more knives for a complete set.”
This could be a pain, but if you’re looking for a complete set with steak knives and the whole shebang, Dalstrong has those too.
We turned to the brand’s website to get an overall feel for how customers enjoy their knives. Below, you’ll find ratings for a few of their most notable products:
- Chef’s Knife 8” Shogun Series X – 4.9/5 stars, nearly 2,000 ratings
- Kiritsuke Knife 8.5” Gladiator Series – 4.8/5 stars, over 1,700 ratings
- Extra Long Crixus Knife 12” Shogun Series – 4.9/5 stars, 130 ratings
- 4 Piece Steak Knife Set 5.5” Omega Series – 4.8/5 stars, close to 300 ratings
Let’s take a closer look at the Chef’s Knife 8” Shogun Series X. 91% of buyers rated this knife as 5/5 stars, with many saying they love the look and feel of it.
One Dalstrong knife review read, “They are well balanced, heavy but not too heavy, and cut like a dream. Not to mention, they are beautiful as well.” It’s safe to say that this knife operates as advertised.
But what about the 1 person that rated this product as 1-star? Well, it turns out that the rating is due to a misunderstanding as to where the knife is made.
The review reads, “just wish it said Made in China instead of Japanese Super Steel, which it’s not.” Products made in China get a bad rap, but they have great craftsmen too. Also, a customer rep replied saying that this blade is indeed made from Japanese steel that’s shipped to China.
A post on Uncle Paul’s Kitchen reviewed several of the brand’s knives, but we chose to see what it had to say about the Dalstrong Chef Knife – Phantom Series.
The review read, “It is more specifically a sushi-sashimi knife with the kind of sharpness that can almost cut through a single strand of hair. Dalstrong has always got their Japanese technologies on fleek for making excellent knives.” The brand gets an A+ for sharpness and design.
The review noted that though this knife certainly looks the part and cuts well, the handle doesn’t allow for a firm grip: “the knife doesn’t have much of a grip on its structure. This makes it slip when your hands are a bit sweaty.”
This could be a problem in professional kitchen settings as chefs definitely need to have a firm grip on their knives.
Overall, Dalstrong is enjoyed by customers for the aesthetic and performance. While some think the brand is all about looks, it appears that many others love their blades for the balanced feel and superior sharpness as well.
Is Dalstrong Worth It?
Considering the way Dalstrong blades are made and the materials they’re made with, we think they’re worth the buy.
More affordable than some other lesser-quality knives, the brand’s are well received and used by over 450,000 chefs around the world. That number has to say something about them, right?
We love that Dalstrong has created different series of knives that are essentially like remakes of typical models, such as a chef’s knife, a paring knife, etc.
We totally ate up their story about giving cooks a good-looking piece of equipment they can feel good about using in the kitchen, because we’ve been there too, and in a hot, sweaty, fast-paced kitchen, you need all the joy you can get.
Dalstrong Promotions & Discounts
This Dalstrong knife review found the latest deals on the brand’s website:
- Spin & Win discounts
- Free shipping
- The sale section offers fantastic deals
- Sign up for their newsletter to receive exclusive offers and giveaways
- Klarna is offered as an alternative payment method
Where to Buy Dalstrong
From what we saw, Dalstrong products are available for purchase on dalstrong.com, Amazon, and Bed, Bath & Beyond.
There is no physical Dalstrong knife store.
FAQ
Is Dalstrong a Chinese company?
This Dalstrong knife review is happy to report that the brand is Canadian and located in Toronto. It also has offices in the US and the UK.
Where is Dalstrong manufactured?
Dalstrong products are manufactured in Yangjiang, China, the national capital of knives and scissors.
Do Dalstrong knives have a warranty?
Dalstrong knives come with a Lifetime Warranty against defects.
How long does Dalstrong take to ship?
The brand offers free 2-day shipping to the continental US, but they also ship to Alaska, Hawaii, Puerto Rico, PO Boxes, and APO addresses as well.
If you live in Canada or the UK, change the country in the top right-hand corner of the webpage. Dalstrong ships outside of those countries as well, but the fees will be calculated at checkout.
Domestic orders are shipped out the same day if possible, or by the next business day. International orders take about 4-7 days to process before shipping.
What is Dalstrong’s Return Policy?
If you need to return your Dalstrong order, you can do so within 120 days of purchase. Go ahead and use your knife to your heart’s content and if you face any major issues, let them know by emailing [email protected] with your Order ID and photos of the issue.
How to Contact Dalstrong
If you need any other information that wasn’t provided in this Dalstrong knife review, you can get in contact with the brand in 2 ways:
- Email: [email protected]
- Fill out the Contact Form on their website
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