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Chef David's Recommendations
Shop Chef David’s picks by category
The knives, cookware, sharpening supplies, and kitchen tools our chef recommends to customers. Choose a category, or scroll down to browse every pick.
Knives
Cookware
Sharpening
Kitchen Tools
Appliances-
Master Grade 7.3 in. Chinese Cleaver
This is not your average vegetable cleaver. The heavy duty Master Grade Chinese Cleaver (R-601) made in the famed Nirey factory in Taiwan using proprietary high-carbon steel with a HRC measured at 65. Using Triplex technology the Nirey factory is able to sandwich the cutting steel in a very thin protective jacket giving the user more of the premium blade steel they desire. This is a cleaver that will not only hold an edge allowing you to cut through scallions with ease all day, it is a very tough knife that will last for a long time. Learn More -
Nirey Electric Knife Sharpener
The Secret to a "Factory Edge" at Home Most electric sharpeners use grinding stones that can aggressively chew up your blades, leaving a jagged, "toothy" edge that dulls quickly. The Nirey KE-280 takes a completely different approach. Based on the belt-sanding technology used by professional knifemakers, this machine uses endless abrasive belts running over soft, closed-cell rubber wheels. This patented "Cushion Contact" system allows the abrasive to flex slightly as the knife passes over it, creating a superior convex edge. A convex edge is stronger and stays sharp longer than the standard V-grind produced by other machines. Because the belts are supported by soft rubber, the Nirey KE-280 doesn't just sharpen—it polishes. The result is a blade so smooth and refined that it completely eliminates the need for manual honing steels. You get a scary-sharp, mirror-finished edge every single time, with minimal metal removal. Designed for both commercial kitchens and serious home cooks, the KE-280 is incredibly easy to use. The central guide system holds your knife at the precise angle required, so there is no guesswork involved. Whether you are restoring an old beater knife or maintaining a high-end chef's knife, this machine delivers professional results in under a minute. Learn More -
Master Grade 11 in. White Ceramic Rod
The Master Grade ST-3700 receives our top recommendation for a ceramic honing rod.
Please note that a steel honing rod is used to straighten the edge of a knife that has "burred" or rolled over. Ceramic rods are used to remove metal and restore an edge. Knives with a Rockwell hardness of 61 or greater tend to not roll the edges, but will abrade and dull. Ceramic may be the best choice for these knives.
Not all ceramics are equal: At 9 mohs of hardness, the Master Grade ST-3700 is significantly better than others. (Diamonds are 10 mohs). The vast majority of ceramic rods on the market are 8 mohs.
Impact Resistant. Handle is square, so it is less likely to roll off the table. Rubber tip and metal core also help to make this rod more likely to survive a fall. The level of abrasiveness on a ceramic rod is anecdotal as they are textured ceramics that lack a grit that has been sieved to a particular grain size. These are roughly equivalent to a 2000 grit stone. Learn More$49.95
