Dalstrong Knife Review: Best Knives to Buy

Is Dalstrong a reputable company to buy knives from if you’re in the market for kitchen knives? In this article, I provide an authoritative and impartial response to that issue based on my extensive testing of them. In this in-depth evaluation of Dalstrong knives, you’ll discover all you need to know about the Dalstrong knife set and its collection. 

Here we go! 

Company Details 

Dalstrong is a relative newcomer in a knife business dominated by well-established brands like Wusthof, Zwilling, and Global.

David Dallaire, the firm’s founder CEO, and visionary, has guided the company from its inception in Canada in 2014. He designs every Dalstrong collection, and he is the mastermind behind them all.

Dalstrong’s mission is to create visually appealing, dependable knives reasonably priced. Taking influence from other cultures, art, nature, and even infrastructure, the designs (which you’ll get to see up close in a minute) are eye-catching and daring.

Dalstrong is a forward-thinking organization that is constantly introducing new goods. Currently, they have 11 kitchen knife sets available, but you can expect to see more shortly.

Dalstrong knives are largely available for purchase on Amazon and via Dalstrong.com.

Knife accessories, kitchenware, and stainless-clad cookware are also available from the company. On the other hand, kitchen knives are the company’s main product. Currently, there are just a few collections available, but more are on the way.

Collection of knives Available

Each of Dalstrong’s knife series is distinguished by its use of distinct materials, design elements, and pricing points.

I’ll go into more depth about each collection later in my review, but the table below summarises the most significant distinctions between them.

Where They Are Manufactured

Dalstrong manufactures its knives at a plant in Yangjiang, China, a place with a long and illustrious history in the art of knife making that dates back more than 1400 years.

As a result, well-established German and Japanese knife companies no longer produce their items in Germany or Japan. Dalstrong, on the other hand, seems to take delight in doing things differently.

The corporation has administrative offices and warehouses in the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, and, eventually, the Netherlands, among other locations worldwide.

Construction and Material 

The most common concern I hear from home cooks about knives made in China is that the quality varies from one knife to another.

And many firms indeed choose the minor production costs, which results in lower-quality knives in many cases. Dalstrong, on the other hand, is not like that.

Let’s look at the materials that Dalstrong uses and the techniques it uses to create its blades.

Blades 

When it comes to constructing the blades, Dalstrong buys high-quality German and Japanese steel.

While the specific steel used varies from collection to collection (see the table above for more information), most of them are constructed of mid-to high-tier steel, which is far better quality than the steel used in ordinary inexpensive manufactured-in-China knives.

For example, the blades of the Gladiator series knives are constructed of ThyssenKrupp German steel, which has a composition close to the steel used by famous knife manufacturer Wusthof in its blades.

Another example is the Shogun series, which is made of high-quality Japanese steel (AUS-10V), which is another example. This steel is strong and retains its edge well, and it is comparable to the materials used by top Japanese knife producers such as Shun and Miyabi to create their knives.

Dalstrong blades are forged rather than stamped, which adds to the overall quality of the product.

Forging a blade is a more complicated production process than grinding one. It all begins with a single bar of steel that is heat-treated and formed into shape before being tempered, honed, polished, and sharpened until it is as sharp as possible.

On the other hand, Stamped blades are cut from a single sheet of thin steel. Consequently, they are much less expensive and simpler to mass-produce, but they are less sturdy, weighty, and balanced, and they do not have a bolster.

It is the thickest area of the steel where the Blade and handle come together, known as the bolster. In addition to providing mass and balance, individual bolsters are meant to prevent your hand from sliding on the Blade.

You can learn more about the differences between forged and stamped blades by reading my in-depth comparison of the two. One thing to remember is that forged blades are often more durable, better performing, and more costly than other types of knives.

It’s important to remember that all Dalstrong blades are hand-crafted.

Handles 

Dalstrong employs a variety of materials for the handles in each of his lines. Here’s a quick look at what’s going on:

ABS Polymer: ABS Polymer is a very durable, sleek, food-grade plastic that is sanitary and resistant to heat, cold, and moisture. ABS Polymer is also extremely lightweight. It may be seen in the Shogun series.

G10 Garolite: In the case of G10 Garolite, a composite material created under tremendous pressure, results in a highly robust, military-grade handle that can withstand extreme temperatures. It excellently repels water, preventing moisture-related problems such as mildew and rust. It may be found in the Gladiator, Shadow Black, Omega, Quantum 1, and Delta Wolf series collections, among other places.

PakkaWood: Imported from Spain, this beautiful, rich laminated wood is used to create visually attractive and long-lasting handles. It is a hygienic material that is ideal for use in busy kitchens. It can be seen in the Phantom series.

Rosewood: A beautiful redwood used as an accent on G10 handles, rosewood is a popular choice. It’s a dense, long-lasting wood with a deep, rich hue. It may be seen in the Ronin series.

Stainless Steel: A high chromium concentration in stainless steel helps to prevent corrosion, and there is no cleaner material than stainless steel. These non-porous handles have no gaps or crevices where material may collect. It may be seen on the Crusader television series.

Resin/ Wood: A mixture of wide-grained wood and blue mosaic resin is used in this piece. It’s a heat- and cold-resistant combination that can survive extremes in temperature. It may be seen on the Valhalla television series.

Resin/Aluminum: This striking mix of sealed resin and aluminum mesh is sure to capture the eye. Like the majority of Dalstrong handles, it is resistant to heat, cold, and moisture. It may be found in the Frost Fire series.

Each Dalstrong series has a distinct appearance based on the materials and quality of the Blade and handles.

Performance

Dalstrong knives are based on the design and manufacture of Dalstrong knives, and the firm is seeking to compete with high-end German and Japanese blades with their offerings.

While Dalstrong knives are of high quality, they are not on the same level as other more well-known brands, like Wusthof or shun, which are more expensive.

Are they well-versed? Absolutely. As well as being delighted with the value for money, They easily cut through ingredients, and the hammered blade shape generates pockets of air to keep foods from sticking together.

However, when they are pitted against some of the industry’s most venerable competitors, they fall short of their potential.

For example, the knives have a blade-heavy feel to them. When compared to brands such as Wusthof or Shun, the balance just isn’t there to be had. However, despite their visually pleasing appearance, the handles have a light and airy feel.

While a lightweight knife is more agile and quick to operate, it is more difficult to cut through dense materials with a lightweight knife. It is necessary to push down harder rather than relying on the knife’s weight, which might create hand fatigue very rapidly.

The following are some other observations I made:

Instead of a single sharpness standard for all blades, there are various sharpnesses available. For example, typical Japanese-style knives have blades that are honed to an 8-12 degree angle on each side, while German-style knives have blades sharpened to a 16-18 degree angle on each side.

The hardness of the blades varies as well, ranging from 55 to 63 on the Rockwell Scale among the different collections. The greater the number, the more challenging the steel is to work with. More rigid steel implies that the knives will retain their sharpness for a more extended period, but it also means that the blades will be more brittle and susceptible to chipping.

In addition to making the Gladiator series knives heavier, its full tangs also get in the way of completing a pinch grip.

Dalstrong says their knives have a complete tang, and they look true to their word. When you touch the handle with your fingernail, the handle emits a “ding” sound and sounds hollow, which I found interesting.

Drawbacks 

Dalstrong knives have a lot to offer in terms of design and functionality. However, it is essential to be aware of the drawbacks before purchasing.

Dalstrong is a very young and untested brand that is still in its infancy. There has just not been enough time to put it through its paces.

 Hardness of the Blade

Some Dalstrong blades, like Omega and Shogun, may have too high a Rockwell score, making them too hard and prone to chipping. Alternatively, a specific criticism concerning softer steel knives, such as those in the Gladiator series, is that the edges get dull much too soon. Choose softer steel (lower Rockwell score) if you want to chop with your knives; yet, hard steel is appropriate if you need ultra-sharp blades for precision cutting.

Handles that are out of the ordinary

Many of Dalstrong’s unconventionally shaped handles, as intriguing as they are to look at, aren’t the most pleasant to hold. The handles feature a geometric design with sharp edges that give the blades an unpleasant sensation in hand when it comes to the Shadow Black line of knives.

Design with a full bolster

Even while the complete bolster on the Gladiator series provides weight and balance to the knife, it prohibits the whole Blade from being sharpened. As a result, it also interferes with the ability to conduct a pinch grasp.

Balance

However, despite the knives being forged and having a full tang, they don’t feel as strong and balanced as many other forged and full-tang knives that I have tried and evaluated.

Origin

For some, knives produced in China may be a source of contention, and Dalstrong is well aware of this. It is for this reason that the firm takes the time to explain the rich knife-making history of the area and how the factory in Yangjiang stands head and shoulders above all others due to their high standards and methods.

They also introduce the crafters, telling us about their profession and the years of experience that they have had.

Conclusion 

Dalstrong knives are a high-quality and reasonably priced option for those who prefer the look of a traditional Japanese-style knife but cannot afford Shuns or Miyabis. Furthermore, the firm gives a 120-day risk-free guarantee, which means that if you aren’t satisfied with your purchase during that period, you may get your money back.

For a cheap German-style knife, go with a reliable and more recognized brand like Henckels rather than a lesser-known one. They provide a choice of conventional western designs with a long track record of success.

Dalstrong has hundreds of favorable ratings on Amazon. However, issues concerning durability, staining, and poor edge retention are also sprinkled among the reviews.

Furthermore, because of the lack of a lengthy history, there is a certain amount of danger involved since the durability difficulties may not manifest themselves immediately away.

If you decide to go with Dalstrong, I would suggest beginning with a chef’s knife and working your way up to a whole set if you like the appearance and feel of it.

Visit Dalstrong.com or Amazon to learn more about this up-and-coming knife company, as well as to see the current pricing for all of their collections.

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