ZWILLING J.A. Henckels ZWILLING Pro 5.5" Hollow Edge Rocking Santoku Knife

OK, full disclosure. I am a knife snob and generally in love with Japanese steel. I bought this knife largely because of its reputation and to see why people like German knives. I have to admit, I am impressed. Most knives will be sharp out of the box, but this tool feels solid in my hand, and with regular use over the last couple of months it has continued to hold an edge. Hard to define the feel of quality, but when you experience it, you know it and this knife has it. I may just be impressed with the fact that this knife clearly has more heft than the lighter Japanese knives. Which you prefer is mainly a matter of esthetic philosophy, but as a big guy, the weight of the Henckel is pleasant for me. I have my own whetstones and love to sharpen my knives, but this one has not needed more than a little honing on a steel before use and its ready to roll. I am surprised in a drawer full of high-quality Japanese knives how often this one is pressed into service for a variety of tasks from chopping nuts for the waffles, to slicing cheese for the omelets or trimming the fat from the porterhouse. I like how comfortable the handle is in my hand with no slipping even if my hand is wet, which is important when wielding a near razor-like object designed to cut things cleanly. I was so impressed I also bought the 4-inch paring knife, which is a delight as well. Be warned; invest in blade guards when you start spending more money on quality knives. A sharp knife is a safe knife, but reaching into a soapy sink of dirty dishes or a crowded utensil drawer and unexpectantly encountering the business end of a quality knife can be an unpleasant experience. Can't speak to all German knives, but I am a big Henckel fan now.

I used this knife during a cooking class on a cruise ship and was very impressed. I thought that I preferred a much larger chef’s knife but after using this, I realized that I had much more control with a smaller knife. Plus, you get the best of both worlds with this one - the shape and rocking motion of a chef’s knife and the benefits of a Santoku shape.

I got what I expected. Great in-hand feel. Love the profile. A sharp knife in the kitchen is a treat! This knife fits the bill.

Well made- sturdy, very sharp, easy to use. Just the right weight

The media could not be loaded. The feature of the knife I disliked the most is how the balance point is on the first rivet. This forces a heavy weight on the back end and you always have to consciously tilt forward because of how heavy it is.The blade is sharp and very light which also makes knife control a poor feature of this product. The weight rests on your pinky and ring finger and it’s difficult to feel where the blade is. Responsiveness and blade feedback is poor. I do not recommend this product and I returned it for these reasons.Positive notes: the taper on the bolster allows a comfortable pinch grip. The curved top rests easy on the index finger. I doubt long hours of cutting will give you a blister but the weight and constant tipping over can be hard on the wrist.(UPDATE) 7inch reviewBetter balance but still heavier on the handle. I have been using this daily at the restaurant for over 2 months now. Durable so far, no nicks or damages (I take care of my knife and have a sheath for it when not in use). Stays sharp. I didn't hone it at all for the first couple of weeks, after that I hone it before using and its sharpness is apparent. I just sharpened it with a whetstone for the first time today not because I needed to but to practice sharpening and to see how it handles it. It sharpens very easily, 15 minutes tops when sharpening with a 1000 and polishing with a 6000. Highly recommend for daily use. Easy to maintain if you are responsible with knife care.

Henckels and Wusthof don't waste your money on anything less than the finest german steel. I decided to try this new knife larger than a paring knife, smaller than a chef's knife, perfect for chopping vegetables. easy to keep sharp with a tungsten sharpener. this is my sixth Henckel. Cheap knife $50 Henckel $100

I own a lot of knives, German, French, and Japanese. Since I have owned this 5.5" knife with it's slightly strange shape, it has become my go-to knife for nearly everything. I have bought it for my kids and as gifts for good friends. It is extremely sharp and keeps its edge.

Finally treated myself to this beautiful Santoku knife highly recommended by America's Test Kitchen. Love to cook. Makes me feel like a professional!