BEST knives for pit masters? Dalstrong knife series review (Gladiator, Centurion, Shogun & Omega)

[@AndreaShink]

I wish I'd seen this vid a few months ago... I just bought several Dalstrong knives, both for myself and for 2 wedding gifts. I lucked out and chose the Shogun set for the wedding gifts, and I am told they are the best knives they've ever used, including cutting sourdough bread. I will be replacing our Wusthof with Dalstrong this year.

[@markandjanicemark8520]

Hello community. We are based in England, firstly loving the videos and we are very new to Kamado cooking and have learnt so much from you in a short period of time. This knife review is perfect timing as we are looking to purchase some better quality knives than our Ninja series. We are going to buy the shogun 8" chef, the shogun 12" carving knife, but wondered, which knife is best for de-boning in the shogun range please, thinking chicken thighs and such like. Once again many thanks for the videos, we've personally learnt so much from you and you are very easy to follow and listen to with the way you present your videos. Regards and best wishes. Mark and Janice :)

[@StuartB_]

I have a Dalstrong Shogun chefs knife using AUS10 and a Quantum 1 chefs knife using BD1N-VX steel. I've used the Quantum1 twice as much as the Shogun yet over 4 months it's retained a far better and sharper edge. So impressed with the BD1N-VX that I have arriving tomorrow the Omega Kiritsuke, just loving the quality of the steel from personal experience. Quality of both my knives is off the scale and quietly confident the Omega will be a beast.

[@SmokingDadBBQ]

It’s a beauty for sure

[@adamsonmj]

I have the Shogun boning knife and the 10” chef’s knife. I unconditionally love the boning knife. It is wonderfully sharp and great for trimming. It feels great in my hand and is very easy to control. I chose the 10” chef’s knife because I thought it would double as a carving knife. It is a good knife but I wish I had picked the 8” and a slicer. The 10” chef knife is just a little too cumbersome. It still does the job so I’m not changing it now but in a do over I would choose the 8” and save for a slicer

[@SmokingDadBBQ]

It’s definitely a trade off

[@bwoodiwiss56]

I very much have enjoyed your UTube feed. I've since purchased a Kamado Joe knowing nothing about THE ART OF COOKING on one of these Kettles. Been researching what would be the best manufacturer of knives. I made the plunger and just purchased a Dalstrong Chef Knofe 20.25" using your link to their site. Upon checkout it confirmed that I was viewing the items from your site. Discounts were to be applied after checkout. They asked for a Code and it wasn't automatic as listed below. Perhaps the discount has lapsed. Too Bad 10% could be used for the boning knife which is currently out of stock but I've asked to be notified. Keep up mixing up the content. Thanks again, Bill

[@no_skool_bbq]

Thanks for this breakdown. I was a bit confused the first time I visited Dalstrong’s site.

[@BehindTheFoodTV]

So much great detail James! You know now I have to get some Omegas…….what was that coupon code again? 😂

[@SmokingDadBBQ]

hahaha cheers

[@michaelhenson7511]

When I first started watching your series and saw that you used Dalstrong, I knew you had an eye for quality. I bought myself a cleaver a couple years ago and it comes in handy, looks fantastic (Shadow Black series) and holds its edge well. And their cutting boards are a thing of beauty as well.

[@SmokingDadBBQ]

Thanks Michael

[@Keith80027]

I have the Quantum 1 series and love the knives. The handle is really a great fit for my hand and very comfortable to use even though it looks very different. They stay sharp much longer than my Messermeister knives. The German softer knifes I use when I am working with meat with heavy bones.

[@SmokingDadBBQ]

Good point

[@ComparisonCooking]

This is a must watch review! Great job!

[@SmokingDadBBQ]

Thanks Kevin

[@davelindey8023]

James ... good explanation in laymen's terms on the Rockwell C scale hardness. I speak from experience as I am a metallurgical engineer and worked my entire career in the specialty steel and alloy industry. Interesting to note that not all steels can achieve the same level of hardness. Hardenability is a function of the alloy content i.e. chemistry. I purchased my first proper chef's knife this past year after so many years of buying crap. My first proper knife was the Dalstrong Shogun 10.25" chefs knife and have a wish list to add to the arsenal.

[@SmokingDadBBQ]

Right on, cheers Dave

[@randyshifter]

Great review James, I have the dalstrong knives I won from Al Wasserburger.. great knives.. I like that knife roll too!!

[@SmokingDadBBQ]

isnt it slick?

[@BehindTheFoodTV]

Sup Randy!

[@randyshifter]

@@BehindTheFoodTV there he is, what up Al....!!!

[@BehindTheFoodTV]

@@randyshifter you’re hanging out here with one of my favorite guys. James is a great creator and an even better cook!

[@randyshifter]

@@BehindTheFoodTV couldn't agree more Al, thanks for turning me on to James's channel. I have been enjoying these videos...

[@jeffreyr.lapennas6069]

Hi James. I feel like you should say that higher Rockwell also means the knife is more brittle and likely to break if dropped or used against bone/hard frozen food. It's an important thing to keep in balance against less frequent sharpening.

[@SmokingDadBBQ]

Good point

[@rayc2137]

This video is perfect. I eventually became a Dalstrong guy, but good lord did I have a hard time picking the series. I chose Shogun and could not be happier, even thought it was not the most expensive series as I normally try.

[@SmokingDadBBQ]

That’s my favourite series too

[@briansimon1263]

very helpful video review, planning to put my order in today.

[@SmokingDadBBQ]

Glad it was helpful!

[@johngreno6464]

Great video James!!! I purchase a large set of the Gladiator series. I was very happy with the knives however the handles on many of them are cracking, mostly where the rivet goes through the steel. The knives themselves seem to be of above average quality. Thanks for the videos!!!

[@SmokingDadBBQ]

Have you tried the warranty route to see if there might be a fix? the knives i have owned for 2 or more years are all the Shogun series so i haven't put a gladiator through enough abuse to run into any issues other than noticing the time between sharpening is less

[@johngreno6464]

@@SmokingDadBBQ Thank you James. I have not contacted them with the warranty route but will give it a try as I have over $1k invested in the entire package. Thanks again for the quality videos!!

[@DM-rl1jz]

Thanks for the thorough review, James. I landed on the Shogun series as well. Great knives!! It appears that you use the Lionswood cutting board. Which size do you have and are you satisfied with it and the amount of cutting surface? I was contemplating the smaller size since I'll be storing it after each use, but..... Thanks.

[@SmokingDadBBQ]

I have both the mega and a normal size one and use them both... the colossal is rather heavy FYI

[@RumandCook]

Great collection and info! It can be expensive to build a nice knife collection, but it will last a very long time if you take care of it. 🍻

[@SmokingDadBBQ]

Cheers Jake

[@mattcook1257]

James, great video as always. I worry about the way you're taking the knife out of the sheath, however. Please grip the sheath from the top(spine) when removing or returning the knife to the sheath. I would sure hate to have the knife slip and cut your palm. Keep up the great videos.

[@SmokingDadBBQ]

juggling the camera and trying to record is not how i normally grip them, thankfully no injuries making this

[@o-tn1994]

I tried using the link but the discount was not applied at check out. Do you have a code I can input instead?

[@DarthIbis]

Alright, I've been convinced to give these a try. Unfortunately it seems the referral discount wasn't working, so I reached out to them and they said it had expired, and offered me a code to use. That's too bad. If I like this one I ordered, I will certainly want to buy more and definitely would have kept using the referral link each time. 🤣

[@petrovichluzhin]

James that is a great looking knife roll do you like it and recommend it?

[@SmokingDadBBQ]

To be fair it’s the only roll I have so can’t say how it does vs others but I like it

[@petrovichluzhin]

@@SmokingDadBBQ what kind is it

[@SmokingDadBBQ]

@@petrovichluzhin it’s the dalstrong leather one

[@CoolJay77]

Cool. The Shogun series also looks sharp and impressive. Just in time for Christmas shopping.

[@SmokingDadBBQ]

It’s my personal preference

[@hflanders]

I would like to see you review the Dalstrong Spartan Ghost series of knives, or at least the chef’s knife.

[@jhippl]

I always end up with victorinox like all my professional chef friends. They have gone through a ton of different brands and most end up with victorinox or chef store brand ones

[@SmokingDadBBQ]

I showed my victorinox chef in a clip, amazing value and easy to sharpen. The blade doesn’t hold an edge for long (which is fine if you’re a pro at sharpening) and I dented the blade working on a chicken the first day I had it. No arguing the value as I read the same positive internet feedback and they were one of the first knives I bought and still have a few

[@SDubovsky]

@@SmokingDadBBQ it’s weird, the Victorinox is not holding the edge well for you. Metallurgy in it is way better than anything short of VG-10. I would suspect a sharpening not finished the job and left some burr on it.

[@davidsomers3324]

Dalstrong still doing 10% using your link?

[@Joker-bx4rk]

good informative video But I honestly prefer wusthof knifes I know dalsturng make good looking knifes but the overall performance, feel, blade toughness, material of the wusthof is my No 1 go to. They are easy to keep sharp and they hold their edge very very well.. They are manufactured to perfection. I see the delstrong knifes more of a show off knife and a display set

[@SmokingDadBBQ]

I plan to try some this year. I hear great things

[@davidbreeden9070]

I really liked the way you did the review. Enough info, but kept it moving. I would like to add a couple new couple higher grade kitchen knives. I have an average Shun Nakiri which is beyond my favorite. The first knife I made was a nakiri and I use is for more than just veggies. So I'm in the market for a good larger butcher and or boning/fillet knife since I do a lot of smoking. Thanks for doing the review 👍 and subscribe from me keep doing what your doing.

[@garys9718]

What do you think about the Delta wolf 🐺 series 🤔

[@genuwinestatuz]

Great video. I'm looking for a cleaver and was hoping you went over one of the ones they have. Do you recommend their Shogun 7" cleaver?

[@SmokingDadBBQ]

I have that one and love it

[@genuwinestatuz]

@@SmokingDadBBQ thank you. was planning on asking the wife as an xmas gift.

[@SmokingDadBBQ]

@@genuwinestatuz it’s a beauty … let me know what you think after acting surprised 😂

[@ridingtheroad8878]

Just bought the shogun series first knife hope it will last

[@AlbertaBoy247]

Wow. 100 briskets in a year? Two a week? That’s amazing. How many freezers do you own???

[@praetorxyn]

I have some Shogun knives, but I rarely use them as I'm afraid to dull them since my whetstone skills are shit. So I picked up a cheap boning knife and use the Crusader? (I think) knife I won from your giveaway most of the time, because I don't care if I fuck them up trying to learn to sharpen, and the boning knife is cheap enough I can throw it away and buy another one when it gets dull. I generally only break out the Shogun knives for brisket.

[@SmokingDadBBQ]

mastering the whetstone is my top goal for next year... and forming better pizza crusts.... and getting my KJ brisket closer to my offset .... shoot.... i have a lot to do

[@jello2tube]

Thank you for the video and review

[@SmokingDadBBQ]

My pleasure!

[@mrhardy7660]

I'm sold been looking for good knives... the omega are on sale and sold out unfortunately

[@SmokingDadBBQ]

Ah too bad

[@wraynephew6838]

I does not matter where a knife is made. The only thing that matters is the quality of the steel that is used, the quality of the manufacturing process, price, and the type of warranty

[@RottingYoda]

I'm looking at buying some new knives at the moment. I see Dalstrong advertised everywhere but as far as I can see they are far more expensive in Europe compared to Wüsthof

[@SmokingDadBBQ]

good point, prices may be pretty different country by country... where i am they are a great value

[@TangDominates]

What knife roll is that?

[@dres-bbq3569]

great explanation

[@SmokingDadBBQ]

Thanks

[@jimboro7]

Discount doesn't work with your link ☹️

[@SmokingDadBBQ]

They turned it off Dec 31. Have to update a few hundred descriptions to reflect they no long have a customer discount offer

[@Citymats]

Great review James, I agree with you on the two knives to pick. I bought the shogun fillet knife about a year ago and it’s my go to brisket trimmer!

[@SmokingDadBBQ]

Cheers Sean

[@nvnjiang]

10% off link not working

[@SmokingDadBBQ]

Canada and US stores might be the only place they set me up. Try emailing support and they should be able to add it for you

[@nvnjiang]

@@SmokingDadBBQ works now. Thanks!

[@SmokingDadBBQ]

@@nvnjiang Thanks for letting me know

[@cmundhe]

damn, epic video

[@SmokingDadBBQ]

Thanks

[@Motorrad41]

Just bought 3 knives direct from dalstrong, they ship it from Amazon. Thats bad !!! Then i ordered ($60 discounted) the liquid metal chefs knife. Dalstrong took my money, but never shipped it. After a week complaining to them, they ask me to buy more knikes, and told me, dalstrong is glad to have me on the waiting list. They are out of there mind. I canceled my order. Dalstrong is as bad as Amazon. Do not buy anything from them. Or do what you want, you have been warned.

[@SDubovsky]

I don’t own any Dalstrongs. And it seems, I never will, since this brand have a joke reputation in sharpening-enthusiast community. Lately, I am all in Japanese carbon steels. Anyway, it would be interesting to see the reaction video on working with a well sharpened knife. Not something that took 3 minutes on a bell grinder. I am talking about BESS 50-80 edge. I only got into that range recently. And boy, it’s a difference.

[@SmokingDadBBQ]

i am not enough of an expert to separate the jokes from some overall anti China manufacturing frustration .... for me this computer, my phone and probably everything else electronic i own comes from China so that doesn't bother me... and when I saw the knives are made in a city thats been in the top 5 exporters of knives and scissors for 1400 years i read that as skilled trades that know what they are doing... hope that to be the case at least lol I read a few forums on knife sharpening but i have a lot to learn still about perfecting my edge, any resources you suggest?

[@SDubovsky]

I used to be big time enthusiast of WickedEdge. It's fine system, but it's all manual labor. And it's getting expensive to chase low BESS on in. Currently my hobby is a Tormek. mr. Wootz channel is a source of wisdom for this system. Unfortunately, he passed away last year, but the channel lives on: kzbin.info/door/rs9DEOG9tHbxAH50CKINqA

[@friedmule5403]

1:16 I do really like your video and therefore do I think I may help you back. You ARE sponsored. :-) If you or anyone you know get or hope to get something that not everybody else can get, then are you sponsored. I am not trying to be pedantic, but by saying you are NOT sponsored, do you in fact break the law and could be liable for legal action.

[@SmokingDadBBQ]

Thanks for the tips. I took sponsorship to be paid and or asked to say something and my favourite show like top gear sent cars to review for a program as not sponsored

[@friedmule5403]

@@SmokingDadBBQ You are so welcome! :-) Yes, they are also sponsored, even if they have to send the car back. The logic behind is that if you are too harsh toward your sponsor, is it fairly reasonable to assume that they'll never send you anything again, so that may influence your judgement. Or let's say your wife got a $5 scarf, then could you argue that this would never influence you, but it is not about the amount of money nor who gets a benefit, it is still sponsored. In fact, even this example: You have paid for ALL the knifes and had no contact with the manufacturer before, and then do you call them, they say to you that when your channel gets bigger, may it maybe be possible to get an interview with the CEO. From that moment are you sponsored, according to the law. :-) What you can do is what you did in this video, except saying you are NOT sponsored:-)

[@jordanwalters1944]

James, I have the Shogun chef and the Dalstrong stone kit. Check out the “burrfection” channel. He has a lot of good videos on hand sharpening. Im completely comfortable sharpening the Shogun now.

[@SmokingDadBBQ]

ok off to go study, thanks

[@marksainz5498]

o dude, dalstrong is cheap mallrat. steel, you should have taken some time and check on the japanese damascus blue steel knives

[@SmokingDadBBQ]

I definitely appreciate the quality Japanese stuff … I like Ferraris too … but sometimes an affordable option that does ok for the money isn’t a bad thing

[@marksainz5498]

@@SmokingDadBBQ i watch your vids, i know money is not your consideration here, you are acting as an influencer, sad to see you pushing vastly inferior knives, the dalstron you will buy over and over, sharpen on a regular basis, but god steel is better than the user is.

[@SmokingDadBBQ]

@@marksainz5498 to be clear I don’t care which knives you buy. Sticking with the car brand analogy I’d liken them to Hyundai. Top performance or luxury? No. But decent for the money. Mine hold an edge for a long time between sharpening so not sure what issue with sharpening you are talking about but with the lineup there are worse and some better steel qualities. The one series I am using shogun or omega hasn’t given me any trouble. I am sure the cheaper stuff like gladiator is not great