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Durability & Balance
Durability
These blades are strong. Really!
This is in part due to them being forged into an incredibly precisely using German steel. This kind of quality in construction ensures that your knives will remain rust & corrosion free, as well not succumbing to a discoloration that cheaper brands tend to be afflicted by.
This comes with a kind of caveat being that you still have to make sure to care for the set. As I always say, spend a few minutes a day making sure they are clean and honed; and you will not need another set for a very long time!
In fact there are many folks that have used this set for years and they still look as though they were purchased yesterday!
This is in part due to their build, but also because of the high carbon steel used to forge each blade.
If you want to know more about why a high carbon content in kitchen knives is so important; you can check out my post about Japanese Kitchen Knives.
Looking for other, amazing kitchen product reviews?
Balance
Ever heard of full tang?
Well in a nutshell, it means that the metal of the blade travels all the way down the handle, and is sandwiched by another material, in this case a very nice Ergonomic Santoprene material that feels simply amazing in hand.
Full tang is generally the preferred style of both professional chefs and ametuer knife weidlers around the world. The reason being the added stability it offers.
In fact, compared to the Wüstof and Henckels knives, the Mercer set have noticeable “heft” which is always the sign of a quality product, but also has reason behind it.
You see, with the extra heft, comes a much better balance and feel to each movement. This help you to control the blade more accurately and gives you a more uniform cut for ingredients that require a more delicate touch, but it also gives you more control when doing something that requires both accuracy & strength; like filleting meat or a fish.
So instead of just reeling of a massive list of pros & cons about the Mercer knife set; I will give you 2 benefits and 2 negatives to help you decide if this is really the set for you.
Pros and Cons
Pros
- Unbeaten quality at this price point
- Precision-forged, providing immense strength and durability
Cons
- The glass block can become not so beautiful if not cleaned
- The directly upright position may not be the best design for a smaller kitchen
What’s Included In The Set
- 8″ Bread Knife
- 8″ Chef’s knife
- 5″ Paring Knife
- 5″ Utility Knife
- 6″ Boning Knife – very useful addition IMHO
- Glass block
Is This Set The Best Choice For You?
Offering a high, industrial quality at a seriously great price, you will not be let down.
If you are looking for a larger variety of knives, then check my longer post comparing 5 of the top chef knife sets, but if you want a compact set that just exudes quality; the Mercer should really be at the top of your thoughts…
Other Options
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The Mercer Genesis Knives Set is a seriously amazing set of blades and for good reason…Mercer is a well-respected brand in the cutlery and more specifically, knife world which is why we wanted to review it!
A a result of being in the knife forging business for more than 30 years now, the expertise and attention to detail can be seen in all of their different offerings; with the genesis set being their premium culmination.
Trusted by some of the most established industry experts; Mercer is the main supplier to 9 out of 10 of the top cooking institutions in North America.
That’s why the Mercer 6 piece Set gets my seal of recommendation which hopefully helps you if you are looking for a professional set of kitchen knives that doesn’t break the bank but performs at the top of its category.