Navigating the bustling world of kitchen cutlery can be an overwhelming ordeal. With an ever-expanding smorgasbord of brands to choose from, it's important to pick one that speaks to you. One that combines reliability with flair, and that boasts a user community that you can feel part of. After all, a top-notch kitchen knife can be much more than a culinary tool, instead gaining you access to a whole new world of culinary enthusiasm.
Enter the stage: Dalstrong and The Cooking Guild. These two young companies have very quickly carved out (pun intended!) a name for themselves in the world of stylish, eye-catching knives. This article is your VIP pass to understanding what sets these two apart in terms of product quality, customer service, reputation, and other juicy details to help you decide which brand will be your kitchen's new best friend. Let's dive in.
1. Dalstrong And The Cooking Guild: Company Overviews
Chef's Knife 9.5" | Scorpion Series | Dalstrong
When you look through kitchen knives, it's easy to find yourself in an uninspiring landscape of lookalike cutlery. But for those of us with a penchant for the unique, thankfully a few companies have taken it upon themselves to bring style back to the kitchen..
Two trailblazers breaking the mold are Dalstrong and The Cooking Guild. Just a peek at their catalogs reveals a parade of stunning kitchen tools, sure to spark envy among your friends and family. But beware, sometimes beauty can overshadow brawn, so let's slice deeper into what these brands really offer. Let's start with a history lesson.
The Cooking Guild
The Cooking Guild is a very young company, having only started in August of 2019. Its founder and CEO, Curtis Wright, turned personal tragedy into an admirable company, after losing his sister to cancer. With a small investment from his late sister's legacy, The Cooking Guild was born.
Wright is a native of Norwich in the east of England. The company prides itself in uncompromising quality, with every material being meticulously sourced, and their production governed by stringent quality control standards. In a relatively short time, the company has made significant strides, particularly during the pandemic by providing families with recipe ebooks and top-notch culinary tools.
Dalstrong
Slicing & Carving Knife 12" | Valhalla Series
Dalstrong is also a fresh face in the knife world. The company will be celebrating its 10th anniversary this year, having been founded in 2014 by David Dallaire, Dalstrong's roots are in Toronto, Canada. Dallaire's vision was to forge knives that are as visually arresting as they are formidable in the kitchen.
Dalstrong's diversity isn't limited to looks. They provide a large variety of knife types, embracing both Western and Japanese styles, each crafted from top-tier materials for peak performance. Not only that, but their products include heavy-duty waxed canvas leather knife rolls, knife bags, aprons, and more. It's like the company is seeking to make every aspect of cooking into an opportunity of creative self-expression. Dalstrong ensures each knife meets the specific needs of its style, giving you a buffet of high-quality options.
Their bladesmithing happens in YangJiang, China, a city with a 1500-year legacy in knife-making which blends beautifully with Dalstrong's cutting-edge facilities, marrying tradition with technology. The result is knives that aren't just robust, expertly crafted, and forward-thinking, but also infused with a rich heritage.
2. Dalstrong Knives
Chef's Knife 8" | Spartan Ghost Series | Dalstrong
The best thing about Dalstrong is that they've got so much going on when it comes to knife types and designs. Dalstrong prides itself in their blend of form and function. The company recognizes the importance of having many options to choose from.
Their designs range from the Crusader Series' classic charm to the Shadow Black Series' modern edge. There's also the frosty, stylish allure of the Frost Fire Series, the cooler-than-cool epicness of the Valhalla Series, or the sharp sophistication of the Damascus Shogun Series. Dalstrong offers so many amazing knives that look awesome and perform wonderfully in the kitchen.
They also have the choice between Japanese knives and Western knives. But even more so, their team has created some truly innovative knife shapes you're not likely to find anywhere else, such as the BBQ Pitmaster and Meat Knife, or this meat chopper.
But what if you're more into that classic, no-fuss look? No worries, Dalstrong's still got your back with their Gladiator Series. These are knives crafted from top-notch high-carbon ThyssenKrupp German steel. Yeah, that's the good stuff. These beauties are hand-sharpened to a wickedly precise 16-18 degrees on each side. That means you get a blade that's not just sharp, but reliably sharp for whatever you're slicing and dicing.
The Gladiator Series is classy, simple, but with a modern twist. Whether you're rocking the kitchen like a pro chef or just whipping up dinner at home, these knives are like your trusty sidekick, blending timeless style with spot-on performance.
To wrap it up, Dalstrong has a tool for everyone. No matter where you're at in your cooking game, Dalstrong's got your back. Sure, it may be a little overwhelming to know what to go for – but if you take your time while you navigate through the myriad options, there are simply many more chances that you'll end up with exactly what you need..
Read about how to care for your kitchen knives, here.
3. The Cooking Guild Knives
We would be remiss for not pointing out the stark similarities between The Cooking Guild's Nomad Series and Dalstrong's Valhalla series...especially considering how Dalstrong's top-selling series was released first...just check out the image above.
But the Cooking Guild can definitely hold their own when it comes to knife varieties. The Nomad Series features knives that are adventurous and ruggedly handsome, boasting X70Cr17MoV stainless steel blades and handles made from stabilized burl wood mixed with deep sea epoxy. It's a combo that not only looks stunning but also offers exceptional edge retention and a water-resistant grip.
The Onyx II Series has 67 layers of Japanese Damascus steel with a Hitachi SLD mold tooling steel core. The blade hardness is an impressive 62-63HRC. And with their fortified Black G10 handle, they're as comfortable as they are stylish.
There's also the Grizzly Series. Forged with 430 stainless steel and a Hitachi SLD Steel Edge, these knives are a BBQ enthusiast's dream. Thanks to the expertise of BBQ legend Kevin Bludso, each knife is a masterpiece in durability and precision. Their Hand Forged Series, made from German high carbon stainless steel, is a blend of strength and precision that feels just right in the hand, whether you're a kitchen newbie or a seasoned pro.
And of course, there's also the Dynasty Series. Crafted using the traditional Japanese San Mai technique, they combine AUS-10 high carbon stainless steel with a softer stainless steel. What you get are blades that are sharp, rust-resistant, and built to last a lifetime.
4. Dalstrong Vs. The Cooking Guild : Differences And Similarities
|
The Cooking Guild |
Dalstrong |
|
|
Founded |
2019 |
2014 |
|
Headquarters |
Salt Lake City, Utah |
Toronto, Canada |
|
Blade material |
Japanese steel, Chinese steel |
Japanese steel, American steel, German steel, Sino steel, Scandinavian steel |
|
Handle material |
Wood, epoxy |
G10, carbon fibre, stabilized wood, pakkawood, resin |
|
NSF certified |
Yes |
Yes |
|
Knife collections |
7 |
19 (and counting!) |
|
Price point |
$$ |
$$ |
|
Warranty |
30 days free trial. Lifetime guarantee on manufacturing defects. |
Limited lifetime + 100% satisfaction or money-back guarantee |
|
Cookware |
No |
Yes |
|
BBQ tools |
No |
Yes |
|
Premium packaging |
No |
Yes |
5. Dalstrong Vs. The Cooking Guild: Pros And Cons
Dalstrong
PROS:- Famous for their collection of high-quality, durable blades..
- In addition to a wide variety of blade materials, Dalstrong offers a diverse range of knife styles to choose from.
- Stylish and impressive-looking blades.
- Extremely sharp right out of the box, so you won't have to spend time honing and sharpening before you can use them.
- 100% satisfaction or money-back guarantee; they're confident in their product and in their ability to keep customers happy.
- Great customer service as well as a vibrant and active community of users.
CONS:
- Some of the knives can be a little flashy for those who prefer an understated look.
- With so many options to choose from, it can be tough to decide on the perfect knife. Thankfully they offer this cool knife finder quiz to speed up your search.
The Cooking Guild
PROS:
- A smaller selection of knives makes choosing which one to pick much easier.
- High quality, hand forged blades that work great in the kitchen and look amazing.
- An enthusiastic and vibrant user community; there's a real feeling of "joining" the Guild when you purchase their products.
CONS:
- Lacks variety in terms of design, materials, and look.
- Lacks the 100% satisfaction or money back guarantee.
- Some complaints about their knives developing corrosion after little use.
- Not the best customer service, according to some customer complaints.
6. Conclusion
Santoku Knife 7" | Spartan Ghost Series | Dalstrong
At the end of the day, these two companies are among the best knifemakers producing quality kitchen knives today, and the fact that they're so young says great things about what we can expect for the future. While you can't go wrong with the products from either of these companies, the sheer amount of variety in terms of design, function, and materials that Dalstrong offers ultimately trumps The Cooking Guild.
7. Frequently Asked Questions
Who is The Cooking Guild?
The Cooking Guild is a company founded by Curtis Wright, renowned for creating high-quality, handcrafted knives. They're dedicated to blending the art of traditional knife-making with innovative design, catering to both professional chefs and home cooking enthusiasts.
Where are The Cooking Guild knives made?
The Cooking Guild knives are expertly crafted in their state-of-the-art facility in China.
Are Nomad series knives good?
The Nomad series from The Cooking Guild is highly praised for its exceptional quality and design.
What is the return policy for The Cooking Guild?
The Cooking Guild offers a 30 day money back guarantee.
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Written by Jorge Farah
