Product Description

J A Henckels Knives Four Star Series 8" Chef's Knives 31071 203 - The Henckels Four Star line is made in Solingen, Germany, and are forged, not stamped. Blade density is improved using the FRIODUR ice-hardening process, which provides a sharper initial edge for easier maintenance over time. Larger knives are crafted using Henckels' exclusive Sinternal Component Technology, which fuses blade, bolster and tang into a single, seamless piece for precision, easy handling, and balance. Part of the Four Star series, this knife is made of high-carbon stainless steel and precision-honed, with a laser-controlled edge, a balanced super-bolster, and a tang that extends to the back of the polypropylene handle, which is permanently bonded for seamless accuracy. Made in Germany, Lifetime Warranty. High-carbon no-stain steel is non-staining and non rusting Precision-honing makes the knives sharper and helps them stay sharper longer Hygienic polypropylene handles are comfortable Knives are dishwasher safe, although not recommended Henckels offers a full lifetime warranty

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #4540 in Kitchen & Housewares
• Brand: Henckels
• Model: 31071-200
• Dimensions: .54 pounds

Features

• 8-inch blade, great for many tasks, from chopping vegetables to mincing herbs
• High-carbon stainless-steel blade ice-hardened for superior strength
• Sturdy, black molded polypropylene handle
• Safe to use in dishwasher
• Lifetime guarantee

Amazon.com Review
The 8-inch blade on this knife features a curved cutting edge and a blunt back; chopping, dicing, and mincing duties are simplified--and made safer--by utilizing a quick rocking motion on the cutting edge. Part of the popular Four Star series, the hand-honed blade is made with Henckels' Sintermetal Component Technology (SCT), which allows three different grades of steel to be combined to form a single piece, fusing together the blade, bolster, and tang. What does this mean in layman's terms? It means a strong, high-quality knife that will last a lifetime.

Founded in 1731, the J.A. Henckels company is not only one of the world's oldest cutlery manufacturers, it's also one of the most well respected, creating bestselling knives guaranteed to last a lifetime. --Kim Harwell

From the Manufacturer

First introduced in 1976, the Four Star® Series is one of the world's most popular knife lines. Four Star® knives were designed and developed in close cooperation with renowned professional chefs. The result was a fully forged knife with a unique molded handle. The Four Star® line contains knives for all tasks, and includes the following open stock knife types: parer, bread, peeling, sandwich, utility, carving, chef’s, granton edge slicer, santoku, and others. Four Star® knives are also available in a range of block sets and gift sets.

A Higher Standard in Knife Construction

Four Star® knives are precision forged from a single piece of exclusive-formula, high-carbon, no-stain steel under the all-new Sigmaforge standard. As a result, Four Star® knives have improved quality consistency, lasting sharpness, and perfect geometry. Sigmaforge one-piece construction also provides high precision and improved stability of the blade and steel structure, thus improving cutting-edge retention for lasting sharpness. In addition, Four Star® knives use J.A. Henckels’ Friodur ice hardening for corrosion resistance, a process that also contributes to cutting-edge retention.

It's All in The Grip:

The Four Star® series features high impact polypropylene handles that are permanently bonded to the knife blades without any gaps. These comfortable handles are break-proof, sanitary, and colorfast. In addition, the super bolster provides weight, insures safety, and adds balance.

Features:

• SIGMAFORGE 1-piece, precision forged construction: Provides perfect geometry, high precision, and improved stability of the blade and steel structure, thus improving cutting edge retention for lasting sharpness.
• Laser controlled edge: Is sharper and stays sharper longer. Has a more consistent blade angle.
• Friodur ice hardening: Maximum no-stain properties and more blade strength. Improved resistance to corrosion and pitting.
• Super bolster: Provides weight, insures safety, and adds balance.
• Full rat-tail tang: Provides a proper balance and greater strength.
• High-carbon no-stain steel, an exclusive J.A. Henckels formula: Non-staining, non-rusting.
• Hand, precision honed blade: Is sharper and stays sharper longer.
• Bonded polypropylene handles: Comfortable molded handles and food safe
• Dishwasher safe: Easy care (Although hand-washing is recommended by J.A. Henckels).
• Full warranty: J.A. Henckels stands behind all its knives.

Customer Reviews

Most used knife in the drawer
The balance on this knife is great. I use it for nearly every job. I had a cuisenart food processor and gave it away. I found I was faster with this knife, and there was less cleanup.

Previously I had a 10" chef's knife and its too long, the motion of picking up the heel of the blade meant I had to lift my arm too high. It just wasn't comfortable. The 6" seems too short, the 8" is just right.

You really only need about 3 knife styles, and this is one of them. (Bread knife, and paring knife are the other two.)

I cook for a living...
I gotta tell ya...this has been the best "out of the box" knife that I have used in a long time and I have purchased and used every FORGED 8 inch chef's knife from every line of every manufacturer listed here on Amazon. The factory edge was perfectly honed and sharp as a razor right from the get go. Usually I have to use a sharpening steel for a few strokes to reclaim the edge but not this one. Maybe I got lucky but I do love it dearly.
The 4 Star line has been around since 1976 and Henckels knows that we "Pros" love it for it's low maintenance, ease in sharpening, comfortable grip, sanitary design AND price. The blade is classic German in shape, a long, round curve for perfect rockin' and a good weight for heavier work (although in the mid to late '90s they went to a French shape and weight for some reason). This 4 Star can't be beat for dollar value.
This is my 5th one purchased in the last 23 years...the previous ones were all "stolen" by line cooks on the job...'nuf said.

I love this knife!
I love to cook, and I've spent a lot of money on cookware. For some reason, however, I continued to buy cheap knives. I guess I always felt that the actualy cookware I was using was so important, that I didn't really understand how having such a good knife would improve things.

Then I got this knife as a gift from a friend who comes over for my cooking a lot. I couldn't believe what I'd been missing! The weight of the knife, combined with such an incredible blade makes 'slicing and dicing' one of the best parts of cooking! This blade has taken everything I've thrown at it effortlessy. I bought a Henkle sharpener to go with it, but it holds its edge so well I don't sharpen it too often.

This kinfe also looks great. Plus, with Henckel quality, you know this will last almost forever.

Pros:
-Holds an edge very, very well
-Solid and heavy - makes chopping so easy
-Well balanced - feels great in your had
-Henkel quality

Cons:
-I only have one! (seriously, I don't have a real con).