Ginsu Chikara Knife Set: Review and Buy Online

Ginsu made a name for itself in the late-night TV market back in the 70s, when it practically invented the infomercial. With impressive demonstrations and all those "but that's not all!" tag lines, Ginsu became more famous for its marketing than the knives they were trying to sell.

But as with any quality product, the knives spoke (or cut) for themselves. Ginsu knives are highly regarded, quality products, that rarely, if ever, need to be sharpened. All Ginsu knives feature high quality stainless steel, retaining their cutting properties far longer than ordinary knives.

Though, fortunately, many Ginsu knife sets do include a sharpening tool, which might come in handy if the kids try to "test" the knife edge like they've seen on TV.

The Chikara series, its name meaning "power" or "energy," features a classic, subtle design that will stay classy as long as the knives stay useful. While a departure from the serrated edges that made Ginsu famous, the fine-edge Chikara knives will still offer quality craftsmanship, and will last a long time.

The Ginsu Chikara 7108 is an 8-piece knife set, which includes all the knives you might need in a typical kitchen, housed in an attractive bamboo block. The knives themselves are built with corrosion-resistant stainless steel and tough resin handles, and should last forever if properly handled and cared for.

The 7108 set includes the following knives:

• 8 inch Chef's Knife
• 7 inch Santoku Knife
• 5 inch Utility Knife
• 5 inch Serrated Utility Knife
• 3.5 inch Paring Knife
• 8 inch Honing Rod
• Kitchen Shears
• Bamboo Storage Block

The 7112 set includes everything from the 7108, with the addition of four steak knives.

So if you have a family of four and love to eat steak, this is probably a good way to go, as it includes one of pretty much every type of knife you might need, including the shears and honing rod for keeping the knives feeling brand-new.

Also included, of course, is the bamboo storage block, so you can look clean and organized, no matter how crazy the kitchen gets when you're cooking.

For those without the need for a full-featured set, Ginsu has a few smaller knife sets available, as well as individual knives for specific needs or replacements for larger sets.

The 5-piece Chikara sets include the following knives:

• 6 inch Chef's Knife
• 5 inch Santoku Knife
• 5 inch utility knife
• 3.5 inch paring knife

Ginsu makes two versions of this set, one with a regular knife block, and one with a rounded block that sort of looks like a coat of arms. You know which one you should get.

Ginsu manufactures a variety of knives, all of which feature high-quality Japanese stainless steel and high performance. The Chikara and Shoku series feature fine edges, while the Essentials and Kotta series feature the serrations that made Ginsu famous. But any one of these sets will provide years of use and a sharp edge, so you might be able to get away with just picking out which one you think looks the best.

Other popular options at (fairly) similar prices are the Essential, Kotta, and Shoku series, with the Essential offering the best value. Shop around, or collect them all!

Read a review of the Ginsu Kotta Series Knife Set for more info and purchase options.