Schmidt Brothers Cutlery is run by, you guessed it, a couple of brothers named Schmidt who have a passion for design and sharp knives. Jordan and Jared set out on a mission to improve the classic German steel knives and craft beautiful, functional knife blocks using fine woods. Based out of New Jersey, they trying to make quality knives affordable again.
After a conversation with Jordan, the eldest Schmidt brother, it was easy to see why they are so passionate about what they do. While growing up, their grandfather owned a restaurant and butcher shop, so they learned about knives early on. After both brothers ended up employed my major cutlery brands and learned about the business from the inside, they realized that many of the “high-end” knives on the market were cheap blades with some else’s logo on it.
Fast forward to today, where they’re making cutlery sets and beautiful magnetic knife blocks made from high-quality steel and gorgeous wood that are both attractive, functional, and affordable for most home chefs. I had the pleasure of reviewing their Bonded Ash 7-piece knife set, which includes 6 essential kitchen knives to elevate anyone’s home cooking game.
Included in the set are the following:
- 8” chef’s knife: The classic, all-purpose knife that allows you to do almost anything in the kitchen. With a curved blade, you can rock the knife back and forth to chop herbs and vegetables. Thanks to the weight of the blade, you can also cut meat off of the bone.
- 7” santoku knife: The Japanese take on the chef’s knife is straighter and lighter than a western-style chef’s knife, making it more maneuverable yet still as versatile as the 8” chef’s knife.
- 4” paring knife: A small, maneuverable knife that helps with meal prep, whether it’s slicing, peeling, removing seeds from a pepper, de-veining shrimp, etc.
- 8.5” slicer: It’s a carving knife made specifically to cut meat. It has a long blade designed to slice meat as thin or as thick as you need it to be.
- 8.5” bread knife: As you’d expect, the bread knife is meant to cut bread. It has a serrated blade to cut through big, crusty bread without having to put too much pressure on the blade, which could crush the bread.
- 6” double edge utility knife: A mid-sized knife that has two separate edges. One edge is serrated for slicing delicate fruit like tomatoes without crushing them, and another small non-serrated edge. This knife is great for soft fruits or veggies as well as small breads and bagels.
- Downtown Acacia and Acrylic Magnetic knife block: This attractive knife block is made with beautiful Acacia wood and is magnetized to hang on to and display your knives. The acrylic displays the knives while protecting you from accidentally cutting yourself. It has a very small footprint, which is great for saving counter space.
Schmidt Brothers blades are made with 100% German stainless high-carbon steel. The blades run full tang for excellent strength and balance. “Full tang” means that the steel runs from the very tip of the knife, all the way to the base. The high carbon steel makes the metal harder than standard, which helps maintain the edge of the blade so you don’t have to sharpen it as often.
Their knives are designed to be ergonomic, which is evidenced in the patented Schmidt Brothers Curve at the heel of the blade. The curve helps provide a comfortable grip while reducing slippage. Schmidt’ Bros knives feel great in my hand, though they feel as though they’re on the heavy end. They are very well balanced, however, and I always felt confident while using them.
There is no denying that the knives and included knife block are exceptionally attractive. The Ash wood handles are carved into sumptuous hand-shaped curves while the Acacia wood in the magnetic knife block compliments the knives well. The knife block, with its acrylic front and sharp knives on full display, stainless steel base plate with a soft cushion made to protect countertops, is a beautiful addition to any kitchen.
The knives came sharp and cut well; I never felt that I had to put too much pressure on the food as I was slicing it. The only caveat to that is that I did feel like the bread knife’s serrated edge was a little shallow for me. Maybe I need to change my strategy, but I felt like the teeth didn’t cut into the crust of the bread well enough and I had to saw much more than I’m used to in order to get through the crust without crushing the bread. Otherwise, all of the knives worked extremely well, whether I was cutting up vegetables, slicing meat for the BBQ, or chopping garlic, onions, and herbs.
The magnetic knife block, while attractive, can be a bit of a mixed blessing. Since your knives are on display, you want to be sure that they are totally clean and dried thoroughly so that they don’t have any water spots. While yes, this is what you’re supposed to do in order to keep your knives in tiptop shape, not all home chefs follow these rules. I do love the convenience of being able to see which knife I’m grabbing before pulling it out of the block, however.
I’m happy to report that after a few weeks of using these Schmidt Brothers knives on a daily basis, that this set would make a great addition to any kitchen, whether you’re a new cook, an amateur chef, or even a professional. A knife set would also make a great gift for weddings, anniversaries, birthdays, and more.
You can purchase Schmidt Brothers Cutlery directly from the manufacturer at SchmidtBrothers.com.
Source: The Schmidt Brothers 7-piece Bonded Ash set was a manufacturer supplied review sample
What I Like: Gorgeous design; Feel great in the hand, ergonomic; Sharp and cut well; Magnetic knife block is attractive and functional
What Needs Improvement: The serration on the bread knife is a little too shallow for my liking