EnsoHD Hammered Damascus 6-inch Utility Knife

A good, sharp utility knife has been my go-to knife for about 40 years. Alas, my old favorite has not held up so well to the careless treatment it has received by those who would "help" me in the kitchen and who have left the wooden-handled blade to soak and the handle is now cracked and rotting. I would have replaced it with the exact same brand, except that brand is now made in China with hit-or-miss quality and a poor blade is useless, not useful. As soon as I started looking, I found that manufacturers have very different ideas of what constitutes a utility knife, with blade lengths from not much more than 3 inches to this one at 6 inches and what a variety of shapes. The whole reason I've loved my utility knife is that its nimble, 6-inch blade means I can use the same knife for any number of tasks with just a quick wipe of the blade (as long as I save the raw meat or poultry for last). With a short blade, I wouldn't be able to chop a bit of onion or cut up a chicken breast, and I might not be able to slice a block of cheese, while a thick blade would bruise delicate tomatoes. The Enso was as close as I could get to what I have and have loved, and it was rated top choice on a number of sites.I have always preferred the feel of wood handles to composite or metal ones, but this feels similar to the wood. The knife itself is beautifully balanced. The downside? My husband, who has always opted for a big chef's knife for every single task, no matter how ill-fitted, likes my new utility knife so much that it has now become HIS go-to knife. So, I ordered the 6-piece set and he will soon have his own utility knife, as well as a chef's knife, a bread knife, a sankotu knife, a paring knife and shears.The other downside? My electric knife sharpener works on 15 and 20 degrees, not 12. I've never been very good at using a sharpening steel or whetstone, either.

The perfect size utility knife. Razor sharp and holds an edge forever. The handle fits my hand like a dream. This is the second Enzo knife I’ve bought. I highly recommend this company. I’m slowly replacing my German knives with these Japanese treasures.

I've had this knife for 3 years and I have not even Sharp it at once.

This knife is just so cool and beautiful I almost do not want to use it! But then again I love using it. Very functional, very comfortable to use. Should last for years if not abused. Between a paring knife and a chef knife, very verstile.

Wonderful knife! Great balanced handle, fits great in my hand. Super sharp!

This is a top-quality Japanese-style utility knife that arrives razor sharp, holds an edge, and is relatively easy to keep sharp, if you know what you're doing. The handle is comfortable and generously sized, but is not particularly "grippy." Fortunately, the position of the choil (the space between the handle and the blade itself) allows for a comfortable, safe, and stable hold. The thinness of the blade (only 2mm at its thickest point) allows it to glide through soft vegetables with laser-like ease. My only caveat is that this is NOT a knife for "kitchen klutzes" or people who see no problem with using a fine knife to open a can of tuna. The tip of this knife is quite delicate. Jab it into something hard or drop it onto a tile floor and it WILL bend or chip, as will the blade if you use it to hack at bones or frozen foods. A cheap sharpener will scratch the finish and dull the edge. Don't even think about throwing it into the dishwasher or using it on a glass cutting board. Treat it with care however, and you can expect a lifetime of enjoyment.

This is a very sharp knife (understatement warning!). If you prefer Japanese style knives with sharp 15 degree angles, instead of the 20 degree angles you get from most German and French knives - this knife has a 12 degree angle! I've never handled anything so sharp, even after a few months of use, and I particularly like the sharp angle for a lighter utility knife with less weight behind it. Of course the knock on knife edges this narrow is that they wear more quickly, but I'm not a professional chef and I'm hopeful that this will hold up well with household levels of use. I'll report back after additional use, but so far I'm very happy with the edge, the handle, etc.

This knife is amazing. It's so amazingly sharp I noticed to poke several tiny holes in my finger chopping vegetables without even noticing (my fault, not the knife). It's also beautiful - pull this out and your friends will be jealous, and you'll make quick work of any fruit, vegetable, or cut of meat that tries to get in your way.