As we’ve had our collection of Cutco knives and implements for almost two years, I thought it was time to post a Cutco cutlery review.
History: almost two years ago, our friend Deanna Scortino made an appointment with us to view her Cutco cutlery, which we assumed was a collection of high-end knives. I’ll admit that I had zero interest and zero intention of buying knives, so I easily agreed. Maybe one, but that was all. <grin>
Deanna showed up with a large collection of knives, scissors, cooking utensils, other implements and brochures, and began her demonstration. Sure, she’s a good salesperson, but suffice it to say that it wasn’t long before I could see the obvious superiority of the knives. They were nice-looking, not too heavy, built to last, and sharp — but built in a way that it’s not so easy to cut yourself. Let me put it this way: these are knives that would serve us well. And, when I saw the kitchen scissors and the garden clippers (two items I’d wanted for ages), I wanted them. We purchased a rather large set.
Our Cutco shipment arrived not long thereafter, each item packaged carefully to protect it during shipping. We unpacked and carefully washed our assortment of new Cutco knives, steak knives, a kind of knife-cum-butter-spatula item, cooking utensils — and the aforementioned kitchen scissors and garden clippers. Then we tried them.
I have to say that I was surprised at just how good (and how light) the knives were — the steak knives easily cut through anything we tried.
But the real show-stopper was watching George remove the skin from a pineapple — always a business that requires both strength and elbow grease. One begins in anticipation of enjoying fresh, juicy pineapple, but the difficulty in removing the skin takes some of the pleasure out of the experience. At any rate, I watched George place the knife into position near the top of the pineapple and then -THWOP!- cut right through to the bottom of the pineapple. No sawing motions. No earnest hacking away at the skin. Not quite believing it, I tried it myself. To be honest, it peeled the pineapple so quickly that it was over before I was done enjoying the effectiveness of the knife. (I decided that I wasn’t really up for buying a lot of pineapples just to enjoy peeling them quickly.)
One more thing: the kitchen scissors come apart, so that they’re easily washed, leaving no "gunk" in the joints. And the garden clippers are very precise — using them gives you the feel of high-quality engineering.
We’ve had our Cutco knives for almost two years now and they’ve served us well. I have to admit to being a little smug about them. Last Christmas, Deanna had offered to sharpen them for us but we didn’t see the need. Maybe this year.
Our old knives got relegated to other duties or were given away. And I’ll say that it’s funny how a good knife adds to the dining experience.
Note: Lastly, I realize that this article sounds a little like a gushy marketing piece. I really don’t intend it to; I’m just happy with the product, and this article is just another in a series of "things I’ve found excellent" that started on our DesignerJones website. Secondly, we get nothing from this review, and if we did, our policy would be to say so.
Deanna says:
Cutco (aka The World’s Finest Cutlery) has been one of the top-selling knives in North America for the last 15+ years. Known as "the Craftsman Tools for your kitchen," Cutco dates back from 1949. Cutco knives are hand-crafted in the US-based factory in Olean, New York.
Not only do Cutco implements stay much sharper than the average knife with their very own "Double-D Edge," they also have an ergonomic handle designed for people with arthritis. Cutco’s quality is absolutely unbeatable. Cutco uses a very expensive thermo-resin called Celcon (similar to the material used in bowling balls, football helmets, and what’s used to line dishwashers) for the handles and the highest quality steel available in cutlery today for their blades — 440A steel to be exact (many doctors and dentists use this steel in surgical instruments). Cutco handles are also complete with nickel-silver rivets (yes, the same nickel-silver you find in jewelry).
The Forever Guarantee: Lastly, Cutco wouldn’t be Cutco without its most well-known and admired feature: its famous FOREVER Guarantee. To clarify, it is not a Lifetime Guarantee, but quite literally FOREVER (in fact, most Cutco owners to write Cutco in their wills). To sum it up, you can break it, rust it, throw it down the dishwasher disposal, etc. and as long as you send your knife back to Cutco, they’ll send you a new knife for no charge. Customers’ favorite part of this? You don’t even need a receipt. And, when you first purchase Cutco, you can try Cutco out for 15 business days. If you’re not satisfied, they will refund your money, no questions asked. There’s a reason Cutco does about $200 million in sales each year — their Guarantee works and their customer service is incomparable.
Cutco pricing is pretty comparable to high-end cutlery sets in stores today. Sets go from about $300-$2000, pieces $25-$150. The only way to purchase Cutco is through your local rep, or at specific home and remodeling shows. Cutco sales reps work solely from referrals, so friends and family can also refer you to a Cutco rep if they already know one.
Be on the lookout for Cutco on "John Ratzenberger’s Made in America" on the Discovery Channel, "Unwrapped" on the Food Network Show, and coming soon on the History Channel’s "Modern Marvels."
Since Cutco is only sold through sales reps, if you’re interested in a demonstration of Cutco’s high-end cutlery and kitchen implements, contact Deanna. She’ll be at the LA Fair at the Pomona Fair Grounds until Sunday, September 30th. She says, "We will be in our usual spot in Building #5 so come by and say ‘Hello’ to me at the CUTCO Booth! We will have many fair specials and new products to take home!" If you’ve missed it, or wish a home demonstration:
- Los Angeles Cutco Office (ask for Deanna or Rick): (818) 729-9084
- Visit the Cutco website
27 Comments for "Cutco Knives Review"
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Knives Journal
Comment posted on 09/24/07 @ 1:04 pm
These knives sound pretty great for that price range. I hope they have a rep somewhere farther south of LA since I’m down here in orange county.
Diane Vigil
Comment posted on 09/24/07 @ 1:14 pm
I would guess that they do — just give them a call and they can tell you. Nice blog, by the way.
Garrick Saito
Comment posted on 09/24/07 @ 11:39 pm
“Cutco, the World’s Finest Cutlery.”
I haven’t heard that in a long time — but I’ve said that phrase thousands of times. I sold Cutco while in college for four years.
30 years later, my Cutco set is still going strong.
Its a great investment, when you consider you buy one set and you’ll never have to buy another knife for the rest of your life. .
Diane Vigil
Comment posted on 09/24/07 @ 11:47 pm
No kidding; 30 years?! Excellent. I expect ours to last long, then. <ahem> I’m also looking at the cleavers, although I guess I’ll have to get another block to hold everything.
George Vigil
Comment posted on 09/25/07 @ 4:19 am
We’re also looking at buying Cutco stainless steel pans. I couldn’t find cast iron at the various department stores and we’re going away from the teflon coated pans.
Diane Vigil
Comment posted on 09/25/07 @ 4:26 am
Ahhh, I foresee shopping in our future. :)
Mary Kanthack
Comment posted on 01/23/08 @ 7:04 pm
I’ve had Cutco for 15 years and just had them sharpened! They have been great.I am looking at a Santoku knife to add to my set. But, the basic kitchen set has met my needs for years and I cook all the time.
I would push George toward looking at Lifetime pots and pans ( no I don’t sell them).
They, like Cutco, are the best. Your food will never taste the same. You won’t believe it. Both are made by West Bend. But, the Lifetime is a little higher quality. Probably a little more expensive too. Have fun.
Diane Vigil
Comment posted on 01/23/08 @ 7:17 pm
Thank you, Mary. Good to know that Cutco lasts so long — and we’ll look into the Lifetime pots and pans.
Jim
Comment posted on 02/20/08 @ 3:47 am
CUTCO makes 5 layer (2 Stainless steel 3 inner aluminum) very even heat, waterless cookware, same forever guarantee as their Knives.
Diane Vigil
Comment posted on 02/20/08 @ 3:59 am
Interesting, Jim. We’ll take a look — and thanks for letting us know.
Omar zapata
Comment posted on 03/6/08 @ 1:55 pm
My Name is Omar Zapata, and i am a Cutco sales representative. I realize since Cutco products have to be purchased by a sales rep,it can be difficult to get in touch with a rep. I am letting everyone know I sell cutco for anyone who has cutco, wants cutco, or would just like to hear about the greatness of cutco cutlery. I can sell you anything you’d like over the phone, or in person. If you would like to see any Cutco catalogs i can get you one as well.
You can Email me at sasuke46@hotmail.com and i Will answer any questions youmay have.
Laura
Comment posted on 03/31/08 @ 8:51 pm
I love Cutco and everything they make it seems like they make them just for me :) but I have had them for about 10 years and there has not gone a day with out me using them. Even my husband uses them and thats a shock to me. I love them but the only thing I didn’t like was that i couldnt buy them when I wanted I had to wait for a sales rep so i decided to look online and there is a new website for cutco its called [deleted] I’ll try to put it in a link.
I definitely recommend them for everyone who likes to cook , or even hates to cook because you get out of the kitchen faster :)
[Edited by moderator]
Diane Vigil
Comment posted on 03/31/08 @ 9:14 pm
Thanks, Laura, for sharing your experience. We’re enjoying ours, too.
It looks like the the website you mentioned may not be owned by Cutco (at least the addresses for the domains are different). Maybe it’s owned by a representative?
Korey Ray
Comment posted on 04/4/08 @ 6:32 pm
Regarding the Cutco Store:
It is, indeed, not Vector (Cutco’s marketer) affiliated. You’ll note that they mark up their items by a great deal (we sell the largest set at 2911, they sell it at 3900).
-Ast. Mngr, Visalia Office
Diane Vigil
Comment posted on 04/4/08 @ 6:43 pm
Hi, Korey Ray; welcome to wewantorganicfood.com.
If I could ask for a clarification, you (and Laura?) are associated with the website Laura mentioned?
Korey Ray
Comment posted on 04/4/08 @ 7:33 pm
No, I’m a manager within Vector Marketing (the owner of the Cutco and Regalware product lines).
Diane Vigil
Comment posted on 04/4/08 @ 7:41 pm
Thanks. So Vector Marketing owns Cutco and Regalware, and the other website is not a Cutco sales rep?
Korey Ray
Comment posted on 04/4/08 @ 9:31 pm
There is a rep somewhere behind the scenes. Thats the only way they could gain access to the product in the first place; they are not, however, company-supported in any way.
Diane Vigil
Comment posted on 04/4/08 @ 9:41 pm
I figured it would be a rep, so thanks for the info.
Korey Ray
Comment posted on 04/4/08 @ 9:49 pm
You’re quite welcome madam.
James D
Comment posted on 04/22/08 @ 8:19 pm
I am happy to hear everyone is pleased with Cutco Cutlery and I am proud to say I am a Sales Rep and anyone who would like information on this product you can e-mail me at jdow5186@yahoo.com and I will be happy to help you in anyway possible.
Omar
Comment posted on 04/23/08 @ 8:06 am
My Name is Omar Zapata, and i am a Cutco sales representative. I realize since Cutco products have to be purchased by a sales rep,it can be difficult to get in touch with a rep. I am letting everyone know I sell cutco for anyone who has cutco, wants cutco, or would just like to hear about the greatness of cutco cutlery. I can sell you anything you’d like over the phone, or in person. If you would like to see any Cutco catalogs i can get you one as well.
You can Email me at sasuke46@hotmail.com and i Will answer any questions youmay have.
Alana
Comment posted on 05/8/08 @ 10:04 pm
Hi Everyone!
I’m a sales rep in Southwestern Ontario (Canada) and am more than willing to do a demo for anyone interested. E-mail me at alana_foster@live.ca to set up an appointment.
rob
Comment posted on 06/29/08 @ 7:29 pm
Way overpriced and over rated. You got got be kidding me! I purchased 3 knives . $100. Ea. For that price i could have bot and ENTIRE set of Henkls with a bloc. I didn’t mind helping out a friends daughter, but geeze Louise.
Diane Vigil
Comment posted on 06/29/08 @ 7:35 pm
Hi Rob. Yes, they’re very expensive. And, of course, we had loads of knives before we purchased our Cutco set … but there’s no comparison in quality. So … we’re happy (and we did get the block and a few other things as well). And I’m pleased to know I’ll likely never have to buy another knife.
But, as they say, to each his own.
Omar Zapata
Comment posted on 06/30/08 @ 8:10 am
Hey Mr. Rob. The cutco Knives can be expensive but if you check out the price for an actual set of henckels (twin Cuisine set) which is comparable to our cutco knifes, you will find out that henckels price rates start at about $1,200, any set of henkels that you can afford at 300 bucks will be about middle Quality and will eventually be replaced, plus Henkels ofers no Forever guarantee, (you get what you pay for.)
Korey Ray
Comment posted on 07/1/08 @ 8:47 am
As the adage goes, Rob: “Cheap things aren’t good and good things aren’t cheap.”