Everything in my kitchen is very much a reflection of who I am. I love to cook and I have always seen my kitchen tools as an extension of my style and creativity. So when Dalstrong came out with their new Shadow Black Series, I was totally intrigued. This knife is totally different from the knives in their Shogun, Gladiator and Phantom lines - all lines of which I own and love for their own individual unique quailities.The first thing that you will notice about this Shadow Black Series chef knife compared to Dalstrong’s other knives is the black, non-reflective titanium-nitride coating on the blade. Not only does it give the blade a sleek, upscale and unique (not to mention bada$$) look, but the coating helps protect against blade corrosion, adds strength to the blade itself and enhances the non-stick properties of the knife. Since a chef knife is generally designed to be an all-purpose, multitasking knife created for those who have to chop, mince and dice frequently, these are all important considerations and qualities. The edge of the blade itself, is incredibly sharp, and it allows me to transition easily from dicing and chopping vegetables to cutting through muscle proteins such as beef and chicken with clean slices.Another major and significant difference you will notice is the design of the handle for this knife, which is, in my opinion, what makes this knife so totally unique. The handle geometry, unlike other knives, is not long flat and smooth. It has the most intuitive shaped angles molded into the fiber-resin that give it the most natural feel in your hand. Instead of you hand molding to the flat edges of a regular handle this handle is actually designed to mold around your palm, giving you a firm grasp regardless of the grip style you use. I have small hands, and this knife felt like it was custom designed for me. My husband, whose hands are much larger than mine, also prefers this knife due to the comfort of the handle in his grasp. The handle also has a slight texture of the giving it a nice anti-slip capability. Another thing I like about this handle, unlike traditional wooden handles is that it is nearly impervious to heat, cold and moisture. Like other Dalstrong knives, this knife is designed with full tang and has excellent heft and balance.If you are planning to give this as a gift, you will love the magnetic close sleek black presentation box that this knife comes in. Every bit of attention has been given to make this knife feel like the prize possession of your kitchen. So happy that I gave this beauty a try!
