HexClad Knives Review: Japanese Damascus Steel Tested!

Buying a good set of knives isn’t always easy. First, you need to consider how you plan to use the knives, whether it’s for cutting meat or cheese, spreading butter on toast, or slicing fish. Second, you’ll want to take into account the price, materials, durability, and other aspects.

Personally, I need knives that are sharp, versatile, resistant, and easy to clean. With that in mind, our team tested the Essential 6-piece Japanese Damascus steel knife set from HexClad, a popular cookware brand. This product was developed in collaboration with Michelin-starred chef Gordon Ramsey and received extensive media coverage, but does it live up to the claims? 

Today we’ll share our experience with it, so read on to get the facts straight.

Pros

• Sleek design, with clean lines and premium finishes
• Razor-sharp blades with full-tang construction
• Suitable for most meal prep tasks
• Moisture-resistant exotic wood handle
• Easy to maneuver and comfortable to hold
• Lightweight and well-balanced

Cons

• The set doesn’t include a knife block
• The knives must be washed by hand 
• Relatively high price, but the quality is hard to beat

Scoring

In This Review

Design | Sharpness | Versatility | Maintenance | Durability | Specs | Summary

HexClad Design & Technology

HexClad is best known for its line of non-stick cookware, which features a tri-ply construction for increased performance. The brand got a lot of coverage in the media, being named “The Rolls Royce of Pans” by chef Gordon Ramsay. 

Its new kitchen knife set is forged from Damascus steel, a metal prized for its strength and sharpness. This material has been around since 750-945 CE, though the modern version is different from the one used thousands of years ago. However, today’s knives and other products crafted from Damascus steel still have the original watery pattern and toughness associated with the metal. 

The HexClad six-piece knife set has a premium look and feel, featuring a full-tang construction. Basically, there’s a single piece of metal running through the blade and handle. Full-tang knives tend to be heavier but stronger and more durable than partial-tang models. 

Each piece is made from 67 layers of Japanese Damascus steel, resulting in greater sharpness and durability. The blade scores 60 on the Rockwell Scale, so it’s very strong and sturdy. From my experience, I can say the knives feel incredibly sharp, with a visible cutting edge that’s far thicker than any other set I’ve used. 

Apart from that, the HexClad knives feature a modern design, with a green pakkawood handle and clean lines. They’re easy to maneuver and feel great in the hand, which can make all the difference for professional chefs and cooking enthusiasts alike. 

What’s in the Box?

HexClad’s Japanese Damascus steel knife set has all the staples I normally look for, including a chef’s knife, a serrated bread knife, a Santoku knife, and other pieces.

Here’s what you’ll find inside the box:

• 3.5″ Paring knife: Suitable for peeling or cutting fruits and vegetables;
• 5″ Utility knife: Works best for chopping small and mid-sized fruits or vegetables, cutting meat, or slicing cheese; it’s often referred to as “the knife of all trades.” 
• 7″ Santoku knife: Perfect for slicing, mincing, or dicing food;
• 8″ Serrated bread knife: Ideal for slicing bread, trimming cake layers, or cutting tomatoes and other soft foods;
• 8″ Chef’s knife: Suitable for a variety of kitchen tasks, such as slicing herbs, chopping vegetables, and carving meat;
• 9″ Honing steel: Helps straighten the blade’s edge between sharpening sessions to maintain its cutting ability and reduce wear and tear.

Overall, HexClad’s knife set includes pretty much the same items as most knife sets I’ve tested and used over the years. Unlike the Kilne knife set (which we tested in 2021), it doesn’t come with a knife block or sharpening steel rod and other accessories, but these can be purchased separately. 

Knife Performance & Usability

As mentioned earlier, my priorities when choosing a kitchen knife set are pretty straightforward. I want the knives to be durable, sharp, versatile, and easy to clean. For example, I would prefer a high-quality chef’s knife that can handle different tasks rather than a specialty knife with limited uses. 

That said, let’s see how the Essential 6-piece Japanese Damascus steel knife set performs in each of the areas listed above.

Sharpness

The brand’s founders, Daniel Winer and Cole Mecray, wanted to create a set of knives that wasn’t just aesthetically pleasing but high performance, too. After testing their products, I can say they live up to their claims. 

First of all, the blade is very sharp and thick, which makes it suitable for any food prep task, from cutting and chopping to slicing. 

Cutting onions, in particular, was an area where I really noticed the sharpness. Other knives I’ve used over the years required a decent level of force to cut through a whole large white onion. The HexClad knives don’t feel as much like you’re cutting food, but more like you’re sliding through it. Plus, the cutting action is incredibly smooth and even. 

However, these knives are brand new, so we expected them to be sharp. We’ve only been testing them for a few weeks, and we need more time to see how they hold up in the long run. 

Versatility

Unless you’re a professional chef (and even in that case), you’ll want a multi-purpose knife rather than one designed for specific tasks, such as slicing pies and pastries. Sure, the latter can be a great addition to your kitchen arsenal, but it’s not a must-have.

The HexClad set includes the most widely used knives, and each piece can handle a variety of tasks. Let’s see a few examples: 

• Use the 8″ chef’s knife to finely trim meat, slice through hard vegetables, mince herbs, or dice fruits. Its thick blade features a sharp tip that allows for precise cuts, 
• HexClad’s Santoku knife, on the other hand, is best for cutting or slicing foods with high water content, like tomatoes and melons. But you may also use it for high-precision cutting, dicing, or mincing. 
• The 8″ serrated bread knife does more than just slice through crusts. Its saw-like edge is suitable for cutting melons and other tough foods or even carving large chunks of meat. Plus, you can use it to evenly layer cakes or cut pastries.

What’s more, the knives feel great to work with and are fairly lightweight despite being made of steel. I also find them easy to hold, precise, and well-balanced, with a comfortable grip. This eliminates the need to cut at awkward angles or use excessive force when slicing hard vegetables and tough cuts of meat.

Cleaning & Maintenance

I happened to be testing these knives at the same time as I was testing HexClad’s cookware set. The latter is dishwasher-safe, which makes cleaning a breeze. However, I can’t say the same about HexClad’s new knife set. 

The first time I used the chef’s knife, I simply popped it into the dishwasher without reading the manufacturer’s instructions. Big mistake. Just a single wash in the machine, and there were several small rust spots on the blade. 

HexClad recommends hand-washing the knives with warm, soapy water if you want them to last. I’ve always preferred dishwasher-safe knives, but this feature isn’t common in high-end models.

Also, do not use bleach or soaps with citrus extracts. Pat the knives dry with a towel and store them in a wooden block or sheath. 

As far as maintenance goes, you’ll have to sharpen the knives with a whetstone every two months or so. Hone them at least every three to four uses to increase their lifespan and extend the time between sharpening sessions.

Durability

Japanese Damascus steel is a very durable material, but only time will tell how long these knives can last. Given their construction and our initial use test (which took several weeks), I don’t see any immediate durability issues. 

That said, I’ll continue to use the HexClad knife set on most days to assess its strength, toughness, and overall resistance. We’ll update this section in the coming months to share our findings.

Is the HexClad Knife Set Worth It?

Based on our test results, I would say the HexClad knife set offers good value for the money. Although it’s on the pricey side, you can expect it to last for years. Plus, it comes with a lifetime warranty against manufacturer’s defects. 

HexClad also offers hefty discounts every few weeks. With some luck, you could get them for half the price and qualify for free shipping or other perks. 

HexClad Specifications

Specifications
Manufacturer	HexClad
Description	Knife Set
Model	“16.0””The Essential 6pc Japanese Damascus steel knife set
Pieces	6-piece set
Included Blades	(1) Chef, (1) Utility, (1) Paring, (1) Santoku, and (1) Bread
Included Honing Rod	Yes; 9″ honing steel
Dishwasher-Safe	No
Returns	Varies by retailer
Warranty	Limited lifetime warranty
Price	Check Price

Should You Buy the HexClad 6-Piece Knife Set?

I would recommend HexClad if you’re looking for a knife set with the following features:

• Simple, practical set: Some knife sets contain as many as 24 pieces, but the average person will only use a few. HexClad, on the other hand, includes just five knives, but that’s pretty much everything you need for day-to-day food prep. 
• Premium quality: Each piece of the HexClad knife set is forged from Japanese Damascus steel, one of the toughest and most durable metals. Plus, the full-tang blade can handle more force and tends to last longer than partial-tang blades. 
• Comfortable handle: The pakkawood handle has a premium look and feel, allowing for easy maneuverability. Moreover, it’s resistant to moisture and has a beautiful finish. 
• Superior performance: The HexClad knives are very sharp and well-balanced, taking some of the hassle out of meal prep. They’re built to last and can be used for a multitude of tasks, from cutting cake sponges to slicing steak and tough meats.

Click here to learn more or to purchase the Essential 6pc Japanese Damascus Steel Knife Set.