Anolon, previously known for its successful cookware line, has expanded into knife manufacturing. According to the company's website, these pots, pans, and accessories are manufactured to perform effectively for a lifetime and be attractive as well, two characteristics that we might presume apply to any set, such as the Anolon Advanced 15 Piece Knife Block Set.

Product Range

Anolon produces three categories within its knife section - Advanced Cutlery, Advanced Bronze Cutlery and Advanced Stainless Steel Cutlery. It appears as if this manufacturer hopes that the word, "advanced" will help the knives to enjoy an implied advantage over the knives made by their competition in advance of their customers getting their hands on the knives. Regardless of the strategy behind the name, you'll find 19 knife sets for you to buy, varying from the 15-piece sets to the single knives, and with a universal sharpener added for good measure.

Seeing as a knife is only as effective as its blade, Anolon knives are formed out of choice German steel. The Advanced Collection is made from carbon steel, the Bronze Collection features high-carbon stainless steel and the Stainless Steel Collection is made of stainless steel, and this can be bewildering to a consumer who merely wants to buy knives without being concerned about the tensile strength of the blades. For those of you who care, you could distinguish the collections by the knife handles - black for Advanced, brown for Bronze and silver for Stainless Steel.

Advantages

The Anolon knives are forged, not cold rolled, and that form of production enhances the density, flexibility and hardness of the metal. Obviously, a denser and more flexible cutting blade will be easier and safer to chop with, and the metal will also sustain its sharpness longer.

We must admit, Anolon knives are made in China. Nonetheless, their workmanship seems as if it were topnotch, chiefly with regards to the sharpness and smoothness of the blades from right out of the package. The price of these knives cannot be beat either, seeing as you get exceptional knives that don't have exceptional prices.

Other useful features of buying the 15-piece sets are; the hard-wearing bamboo knife block with its slot labels and a spare slot for an old favorite knife as well as a knife sharpener. For single knives, you will be able to take advantage of the protective sheath that accompanies every purchase.

All things considered, an Anolon knife collection is a good use for your money, seeing as not much of it will be needed.

Disadvantages

There are not too many things to dislike concerning Anolon knives. Still, these are worth listing up because you prefer to be aware of all the facts in advance of putting down your good money on any cutlery.

To begin with, the bamboo blocks can show up in anything-but-ideal condition. There will occasionally be reports of the slot labels being corroded and the wood itself being black as opposed to the warm brown you'll see in the ad photos. For another thing, the rubber handles can occasionally flake off in bits, especially when you scrape them. It may be due to natural wear and tear, but it is usually a reason for annoyance when it happens.

Additionally, you need to sharpen your Anolon knives at the end of every use to keep them in ideal form, and the knives are less than dishwasher friendly. For the use-toss-replace type of cook, these Anolon knives could present a challenge. A great set to consider is the Anolon Advanced 15 Piece Knife Block Set.

Still, given all the information, an Anolon knife set could be a handy addition to your countertop. It blends easily with your other kitchen surfaces, it offers knives which maintain their edge for many years, and could be stored safely.