Knife case complete with 5 Shun Premier Tim Malzer series knives by Kai

The most common length for a chef's knife is 20 cm (8 inches), which is perfect for most kitchen tasks. However, the ideal choice depends on several factors: Hand size: Smaller hands handle 16–18 cm blades more comfortably, while larger hands may prefer a 21–25 cm blade. Personal habits: Those who favor broad movements and long cuts might lean toward longer knives; those who prioritize precision or work in tight spaces might prefer a shorter blade. Experience level: Beginners tend to choose shorter, more manageable blades, while professionals often prefer 21 or 24 cm knives for greater efficiency. In short, there is no “perfect” size for everyone — the right length should be chosen based on comfort, control, and intended use.

Avoid keeping them loose in drawers, where they can get damaged or become a safety hazard. It’s better to use a wooden block, magnetic strip, or blade guard. You can find the right solution in our catalog.

Yes, in our ecommerce store you will find only professional and high-quality chef knives. Each model is selected to meet the needs of chefs, cooks, and cooking enthusiasts who seek reliable, sharp, and durable tools. We offer a complete range of professional kitchen knives, ideal for precision cutting, meat, fish, vegetables, and much more. You will find slicing knives, santoku, paring knives, and other models commonly used in professional kitchens. We collaborate only with brands recognized at the professional level, such as [e.g., Victorinox, Global, Kai, F. Dick, Ambrogio Sanelli, Wüsthof, etc.], to offer you the best in performance and safety in the kitchen

It’s highly discouraged. High heat and aggressive detergents can damage both blade and handle. Knives can also knock against other items, dulling the edge.

Hardness refers to how resistant the steel is, measured on the Rockwell scale (HRC). The harder the steel, the better it retains its edge—but it’s also more brittle and prone to chipping.

A knife case is ideal for professional chefs, culinary students, or anyone who enjoys cooking outside the home. It keeps your knives organized, protected, and always ready for use.

It depends on your kitchen space, how many knives you own, and your style. You can choose from vertical blocks, horizontal blocks, or magnetic ones. On AFcoltellerie, you’ll find a full range to compare.

That depends on your needs. Basic sets typically include 3–5 essential knives (chef’s knife, paring knife, bread knife, carving knife). Professional sets may contain 10 or more tools, such as sharpeners, kitchen scissors, and carving forks.

If you’re just starting out or want a complete setup in one go, a set is a practical and cost-effective choice. If you’re experienced, building your own collection piece by piece might suit you better.

It depends on the product. Some come pre-filled with knives, while others are empty and compatible with most standard knives. Always check the product description to know what’s included.

Wooden blocks should be cleaned with a dry or slightly damp cloth. Knife cases can be wiped down with a mild detergent. Avoid dishwashers or soaking in water.

Yes! If the combination of knives, block, or case you’re looking for isn’t listed, feel free to contact us. We’ll help you put together a custom set tailored to your needs and cooking style.

Blades can be made of stainless steel (rust-resistant), carbon steel (very sharp but delicate), or ceramic (lightweight and razor-sharp but fragile). Premium knives often use Damascus steel or advanced alloys. Not sure which to choose? Contact us—AFcoltellerie has them all.

Handles can be made of wood (classic but delicate), plastic (durable and hygienic), or technical materials like micarta or G-10, which are extremely tough and non-slip even when wet.

European knives are sturdier, with thick, curved blades for rocking cuts and tough ingredients. Japanese knives have thinner, harder blades for clean, precise slicing—but they’re also more fragile. In short: Europeans are durable and versatile, Japanese are sharp and surgical.

A 20 cm chef’s knife is the most versatile option to start with. Paired with a paring knife, it covers most everyday kitchen needs.

The grooves or “granton edge” reduce friction and prevent food from sticking to the blade. They’re especially useful with wet or soft foods like fish, cheese, or vegetables.

Yes. Some single-bevel Japanese knives are made specifically for right- or left-handed use. Many universal knives, with a double bevel, work well for both.

A set of knives already arranged in their case, often with accessories such as a honing steel, scissors, tongs, a peeler, spatulas or a thermometer; some also include chef's clothing. The contents vary from model to model and are listed on the product page: check the type and length of each blade before you buy.

The Kai Shun Premier Tim Mälzer series, developed in collaboration with chef Tim Mälzer, combines artisanal aesthetics with professional performance. The blades feature a VG-MAX steel core clad with 32 layers of Damascus steel, with a hardness of around 61 HRC, ensuring excellent edge retention and cutting precision. The upper part of the blade features the characteristic hammered Tsuchime finish, which helps reduce food sticking during cutting. The brown pakkawood handle, ergonomically shaped, provides stability, comfort and excellent balance.

The complete knife cases and blocks from Kai provide organised and professional kitchen solutions designed to keep essential tools always within reach. The knife blocks are made from high-quality materials such as selected wood or specially designed structures that help protect the blades, ensuring stability, safety and proper storage. These sets include a versatile selection of knives and useful accessories, such as chef’s knives, santoku knives, paring knives, kitchen scissors or honing steels, providing a complete toolkit for a wide range of kitchen tasks.

A complete case is ready to use and coordinated, which helps if you're starting from scratch or want a uniform set. An empty case with knives chosen one by one is the better option if you already own part of your kit, want to mix brands or need very specific models.

It is recommended for professional chefs and demanding cooking enthusiasts looking for high-quality knives with outstanding cutting performance and distinctive design.

It is recommended for professional chefs, kitchen professionals and demanding enthusiasts looking for a complete and well-organised set of high-quality knives and accessories.

Start from the equipment list provided by the school, which often specifies knife types and blade lengths, and compare it with the case contents. For school use, sturdy knives with non-slip, easy-to-wash handles are the best choice. A case with a few free slots lets you add the knives you'll need in later years.

It is ideal for daily food preparation and precise cutting tasks involving fish, meat and vegetables, thanks to the thin and extremely sharp blade.

It is ideal for daily kitchen organisation, offering different tools for preparing meat, fish and vegetables, with knives always easily accessible.

Regular whetstone sharpening, wooden or synthetic cutting boards and hand washing with immediate drying help preserve the edge, blade and handle.

To preserve performance and durability, it is recommended to sharpen knives regularly on whetstones or honing steels, wash them by hand and dry them immediately, and store them completely dry in the block or case.

Yes, with laser engraving on the blade of knives bought from AFcoltellerie: a name, a short text or your business logo. It helps you recognise your knives in a kitchen brigade or at school, or makes a personal gift. Add the personalisation service to your basket and write the text in the order notes, or send it to info@afcoltellerie.com; for a logo, we need a DXF file.