Henckels Four Star

*Est. $170 for three

Reviewed October 2009

Sharp
Durable
Good balance

Expensive
Handle may be uncomfortable for small hands

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Our Analysis

JA Henckels (along with Wüsthof) is one of the two best-known German knife manufacturers. Henckels Four Star knives are forged carbon-steel knives with full tangs and polypropylene handles. Most of these knives have a classic European design and appearance. Henckels does offer a Four Star santoku knife, but reviewers favor Global and Shun over German manufacturers for Japanese-style knives. According to one professional test, cooks with larger hands may prefer the Henckels Four Star chef's knife. Owner reviews for these knives are very positive -- as is the case with most expensive knives -- and they perform well in professional tests. However, we read even more praise -- especially from experts -- for the Wüsthof Classic (*Est. $150 for three) line of knives, which also cost a bit less.

The best reviews for Henckels Four Star knives come from ConsumerReports.org and Cook's Illustrated magazine. We also found several dozen user reviews for these knives at Amazon.com and Epinions.com.

Where To Buy

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Our Sources

1. ConsumerReports.orgDetails/Subscribe

ConsumerReports.org tests about 50 knife sets, including a set of Henckels Four Star knives. The ratings chart is behind a subscribers-only wall.

Review: Kitchen Knives: Cutting-Edge Performance, Editors of ConsumerReports.org, June 2009

2. Cook's Illustrated MagazineDetails/Subscribe

Seven chef's knives are rated, including the Henckels Four Star 8-inch chef's knife. This detailed review evaluates heft, ease of use and handle comfort with both male and female testers. Pros and cons are listed for each tested knife.

Review: The $90 Chefs Knife Meets the $30 Upstart, Editors of Cook's Illustrated magazine, Nov. 2002

3. Epinions.com

Almost 40 owners collectively give the Henckels Four Star knives a perfect average rating of five stars out of five. Several users do feel the knives are too expensive, however.

Review: Henckels Four Star Knife Set, Contributors to Epinions.com

4. Amazon.com

More than 20 owners review the Henckels Four Star chef's knife at Amazon.com, collectively giving it a very high average rating. There are no negative reviews here, but one owner complains that the knife requires regular sharpening, and another wishes it were sharper out of the box. Additional reviews at Amazon.com cover other Henckels Four Star knives, all of which receive similar average ratings.

Review: J.A. Henckels Twin Four Star 8-Inch High Carbon Stainless Steel Chef's Knife, Contributors to Amazon.com