Global Ni from Steamer Trading {Product Review}

Global Ni – Cromova 18 Stainless Steel Cook’s Knife

If there ever was a knife you expected to sching when you pick it up, this is it.

1000 years ago Japan’s sword-smith’s perfected the art of sword making to produce strong, sharp blades for the Samurai warriors.

In 1983 the Japanese company Yoshikin took the cooking world by storm by developing the world’s first knives to have a fully integrated blade and handle – the Global knife range, made from the finest Cromova 18 stainless steel.

During production, after stamping the stainless steel blank into the shape of the blade, the knife is heat-treated at about 1000 degrees centigrade. After that, it undergoes the rapid cooling at -80 degrees centigrade – a sub-zero treatment which increases the hardness of the blade and improves the cutting quality due to the enhanced uniformity of the stainless steel’s crystalline structure. After the sub-zero treatment the knife is tempered again, a process making the knife even stronger. The resulting blade resists rust, stains and corrosion.

The Global knife edge has a convex cross-sectional shape. From the ridge to the point of the blade, the edge is not a straight line; it forms a gradual curve making the edge more effective for cutting. Food just slides off.

Each knife is carefully weighted, like the Samurai swords before them, ensuring perfect balance in the hand. Global is truly one of the best knife ranges in the world, so much so that counterfeit products have been produced in recent years.

The Global Ni knives are now available in the UK exclusively from the Steamer Trading Cookshop, a family owned business celebrating their 30th year this year. They have 34 stores throughout the UK and they pride themselves on their wide range of expert cookware and staff who know their Santoku’s from their Sashimi knives!

Now – what do I really think of my new Japanese stainless steel knife, kindly sent to me for review by Steamer Trading?

This is, hands down, the best knife I have ever owned. It feels good in the hand and it is a pleasure to use. It’s the knife I am reaching for now on my magnetic knife strip, and it is incredibly sharp – I did nick my finger the first time I used it! It’s rather expensive, but you’re paying for high quality, and theoretically, if you take good care of it (ie: wash and hand dry it carefully after use and don’t, under any circumstance, put it in the dishwasher!) it should last a lifetime. I now want the rest of the set! All my other knives pale in comparison.

The 11 cm Global Ni cook’s knife normally retails at £129.99 but Steamer Trading have it on an introductory offer for only £59.99 (price correct at time of publishing – 19 July 2015).

You can find out more by visiting the Steamer Trading website or following them on Facebook and Twitter.

Elizabeth’s Kitchen Diary was sent a Global Ni 11 cm cook’s knife by Steamer Trading for review. All thoughts and opinions expressed are our own. This is not a paid post.