New Knife Styles

New kitchen knife styles and materials

Two Japanese companies have made inroads with some nontraditional cutlery. Global and Kyocera make very different knives, but both are appreciated for their sophisticated design.

Global knives (*Est. $199 for three) are made entirely from the same piece of metal. The blade seamlessly tapers into a textured stainless-steel handle. Reviewers say Global kitchen knives look gorgeous and work well. Made in the Japanese style, Global knives have a thinner blade and more angled knife-edge than German or American knives. Some reviewers say this makes them sharper out of the box than other knives. Interestingly, most knife makers are now offering all-metal versions of their kitchen knives, mimicking Global's look.

While experts agree Global knives look great, they get some mixed performance reviews. In one professional test, a Global paring knife is criticized for an awkward handle and too-stiff blade. However, the Global chef's knife (*Est. $100) performs well in tests by Choice magazine and CookingForEngineers.com. At Choice magazine, editors cite its versatility, light weight and good balance. Some testers thought the handle's non-slip texture was uncomfortable, however, and a male tester said the handle was too small for his larger hands. At CookingForEngineers.com, the Global chef's knife has the best performance of the 11 knives tested, but again, the comfort and practicality of the handle was a problem for the tester.

Though Global kitchen knives don't look like traditional forged blades, they generally work well. They may be perfect for those who want something stylish and modern looking -- and who are willing to take some extra time learning to use them.

Kyocera kitchen knives (*Est. $85 for a 6-inch chef's knife) are not made of metal. Rather, their exceptionally sharp blades are crafted from lightweight ceramic. While some culinary enthusiasts like Kyocera knives for their sharpness and low maintenance, others say they are just too fragile for daily use. In a test in The Wall Street Journal, the Kyocera knife shattered when dropped. Several reviewers also complain that Kyocera's ceramic knives feel too flimsy. In Wine Spectator magazine, the Kyocera chef's knife comes in last place in a roundup of eight.

Kyocera's longest chef's knife measures just 7 inches (*Est. $100), shorter than the more common 8- and 10-inch American and German chef's knives. This shorter length stifles their ability to complete larger kitchen tasks. So while a Kyocera knife may make a stylish supplement to your knife collection, most experts say they are too small and fragile to stand alone.

Shun (made by Kai, which also makes Kershaw knives) offers two unusual chef's knives that appear to be gaining in popularity: the Ken Onion chef's knife (*Est. $200 for 8-inch chef's knife) and the Alton's Angle chef's knife (*Est. $110). The Ken Onion chef's knife is a large, hefty knife with an unusual design that makes it look like a cross between a chef's knife and a meat cleaver. This knife was designed by its namesake, award-winning custom knife-maker Ken Onion. Reviewers say the knife is extremely sharp and comfortable to use, but the larger sizes can be unwieldy, and the bump on the handle can be uncomfortable for people with large hands.

The Alton's Angle chef's knife, inspired by celebrity chef Alton Brown, has a handle that is angled 10 degrees upwards. According to Shun, this design allows for more hand clearance and improved leverage. Reviewers agree that the design makes heavy-duty kitchen tasks (such as cutting through bone and hard squash) easier, but some users find the angle awkward for chopping vegetables.