Full Dalstrong Knife Review: Is Dalstong a Good Brand?

1. Dalstrong Gladiator Series Colossal 18pc Knife Set

Knives Included:

Block Material:

Pros:

• Set provides every knife you’ll need in the kitchen
• All your kitchen knives will finally match
• Includes steak knives unlike most other sets

Cons:

• Large set takes up lots of counter space
• Price might be out of budget just due to number of knives included

Review:

2. Dalstrong Gladiator Series 8pc Knife Block Set

Knives Included:

Block Material:

Pros:

• Good overall price for all your essential kitchen knives
• Efficient use of knife block means using less counter space

Cons:

• Per knife price higher than Colossal 18pc set
• Steak knives not included

Review:

Many of the same Gladiator Series knives that were included in the 18pc set above.  While this 8pc set is sold for less money, your per knife price goes up dramatically and you’re also giving up the steak knives.  If you don’t have much counter space or just don’t need so many knives, this is a nice set.  You still get Dalstrong’s peace of mind and their 100% SATISFACTION or MONEY BACK GUARANTEE.  The hand-made acacia wood block really looks nice in any kitchen and fits just about anywhere.  This is one of Dalstrong’s most popular kitchen knife sets.

3. Dalstrong Phantom Series 6pc Set with Magnetic Block

Knives Included:

Block Material:

Pros:

• High-quality knives use Japanese high-carbon AUS8 Steel
• Magnetic block shows off beautiful knife blades
• Space for 6 additional knives or other metal objects
• Block is hygienic – no grooves or slots for bacteria to form

Cons:

• Higher quality knives means higher per knife price
• Steak knives not included

Review:

This Phantom Series knife set with the Dragon Spire magnetic knife block looks awesome in the kitchen!  It does a great job of combining fit and function on the counter space with the aesthetic visuals of showing off the etched blades.  While you will pay more per knife on this set than those above, check out our review of the Phantom Series below and you’ll understand why.  This 6pc set covers all the basic kitchen knives, but also leaves room for a nice set of steak knives or for you to fill in other knife gaps you might have in your home.

4. Dalstrong Shadow Black Series 5pc Knife Set – Titanium Coated

Knives Included:

Block Material:

Pros:

• Uniquely cool-looking knives not found elsewhere
• Basic knives are covered

Cons:

• You pay a little more for “coolness” factor vs. other knives of the same quality
• Only 5 knives are included in this set

Review:

How cool are these knives?  Dalstrong says they are designed with the stealth fighter as their inspiration.  We think they’re also perfect for those of us that wish we could be ninjas!  Although the thought of the black knives and angular handles might seem gimmicky, see our Dalstrong Shadow Black Review below to understand that they’re also high-quality knives made of high-carbon German steel and G10 handles.  If you like the design of these knives, look no further.  This is a unique set you won’t find elsewhere.

5. Dalstrong Quantum 1 Series 5pc Knife Block Set

Knives Included:

8.5” Chef Knife, 7” Santoku Knife, 7″ Serrated Utility Knife, 6.5″ Fillet Knife, 4″ Paring Knife

Block Material:

Hand-Crafted Oak Wood Block

Pros:

• Very high-quality knives from Dalstrong’s Quantum 1 Series
• Takes up little counter space
• Includes space for additional knives (two slots for knives up to 6″ and one for a 7″ blade)

Cons:

• Higher quality knives means higher per knife price
• Small set that doesn’t include steak knives

Review:

Although this Dalstrong Quantum 1 set of knives is towards the higher end of the quality scale, we still decided to leave it lower on our list since it’s relatively new.  If you read through our review of the Quantum 1 series below you’ll see that the blades in this series have great quality and the design is definately unique.  However, people either love or hate the handles.  If you like the look and feel of these knives, this would be a great starter set with room to add additional knives in the future.

Dalstrong Shogun Review

Edge Angle

8 – 12 degrees

Hardness Rating

HRC 62+

The Dalstrong Shogun Series are professional-grade Japanese style kitchen knives that double as a wonderful tool for some very lucky home chefs.  The knives in this series use a core made of AUS10V Japanese Super Steel wrapped with 67 layers of Damascus steel that creates a beautiful Tsunami Rose pattern on the blade.  Each blade is liquid nitrogen cooled to enhance its hardness and precision.

The hardness that comes from this process and the steel used is incredibly hard, giving the knife great edge retention properties.  To sharpen these knives at the factory, Dalstrong uses the ancient, 3-step Honbazuke method.  The handles are made of G10 Garolite, an ultra-durable material impervious to moisture as well as cold & hot temperatures.

You’ll have a hard time trying to beat their price on this series.  Most knives on the market with the characteristics outlined above will cost you anywhere from 1-1/2 to 3 times as much as these do.  If you want the best Dalstrong has to offer, definitely consider the Shogun Series.  They are knives you should be able to use for the rest of your lifetime!

See Dalstrong Shogun Series Knives at Amazon

Dalstrong Phantom Review

Edge Angle

13 – 15 degrees

Hardness Rating

HRC 58

As you move from the blade to the handle, there is a distinct red spacer near the bolster.  The balance on the Phantom Series is great with the ergonomically D-shaped pakkawood handle and weighted cap.

In true Dalstrong fashion, knives in the Phantom Series are perfect for gift giving with their top-notch presentation and accessories.  Each knife comes with its own gift box and DragonLock sheath that folds shut to protect the entire blade.

See Dalstrong Phantom Series Knives at Amazon

Dalstrong Gladiator Review

Edge Angle

14 – 18 degrees

Hardness Rating

55+ HRC

The Dalstrong Gladiator Series knives are more of a Western or European knife style that those mentioned above.  They use high-carbon German steel, wider blade angles, and have a heavier full bolster.  This series is an attempt to compete directly with some of the knives Wusthof and J.A. Henckels, both German companies, have to offer.

While the knives are heftier than the ones discussed above, the steel isn’t quite as hard, meaning slightly lower quality, but also lower prices.  The Gladiator Series knives by Dalstrong are a great option for most households.  They are still of good quality, and are actually more in the style of what Americans are used to, but they are also very affordable.

Whether you’re looking to surprise someone with a great gift or just want to grab some affordable knives that still stand out as some of the best, Dalstrongs Gladiator Series is worth looking into.  You won’t beat their price!

See Dalstrong Gladiator Series Knives at Amazon

Dalstrong Crusader Review

Edge Angle

14 – 16 degrees

Hardness Rating

58+ HRC

Moving on to the handle, this is where the major difference between these knife collections come into play.  Where the Gladiator knives use a pakkawood handle, this Crusader knives are all stainless steel and utilize a very modern look and feel as 100% metal knife, blade and handle.

Dalstrong’s Crusader Series knives are unique, beautiful, and perform very well for the price point at which they’re sold.  They knid of remind us of Global Cutlery knives with the all-metal design, but they’re priced lower.  Check the availability of the Crusader knives at Amazon using the link below.

See Dalstrong Crusader Series Knives at Amazon

Dalstrong Shadow Black Review

Edge Angle

16 – 18 degrees

Hardness Rating

58+ HRC

The Dalstrong Shadow Black Series is perhaps one of the most unique kitchen knife lineups available.  The all black knife even has a black non-reflective titanium-nitride coating on the blade itself.  Although it’s clearly made to have the “cool factor”, the specs on this knife are nothing to sneeze at.

Similar to the Gladiator Series, the knives in the Shadow Black Series are made of high-carbon German steel and have a full tang.  It’s only fitting since the design was said to be inspired by the F-117 Nighthawk Stealth Fighter jet that this series uses military-grade G10 fiber-resin handles.  Believe it or not based on the looks, these handles are actually pretty comfortable in your girp.

There’s not much else to say.  Most chefs either think these knives are really stylish or really bizarre looking.  If you like them, we recommend clicking the link below to see the entire lineup of Dalstrong’s Shadow Black knives at Amazon.

See Dalstrong Shadow Black Series Knives at Amazon

Dalstrong Omega Review

Edge Angle

8 – 12 degrees

Hardness Rating

63+ HRC

The Dalstrong Omega Series is a different kind of animal all together.  Technically, it’s the extreme high-end as it pertains to steel quality, hardness, finish, and well…price.  The reason we list it after the others is because it’s not quite as popular.  That’s not because it’s not a good knife (it is a good knife).  

So, what makes the Omega Series a great knife?  This is one of the very few top-tier knives that uses an American steel.  The BD1N-V in these knives is super-hard, like 63+ on the Rockwell Hardness Scale.  This is also a 67-layered Damascus knife, sharpened with the ancient method known as Honbazuke.  The blade itself has what Dalstrong calls their “LiquidMetal” pattern.

Heading towards the other end of the knife, the tapered bolster gives these knives a perfect balance point and it’s also full tang, so it’s built to last a lifetime.  Other cool features of the Omega Series knives are a PU Leather Dalstrong sheath included with each knife and the ever-popular G10 resin handle material.

See Dalstrong Omega Series Knives at Amazon

Dalstrong Frost Fire Review

Edge Angle

16 – 18 degrees

Hardness Rating

60-61+ HRC

The Dalstrong Frost Fire Series is a relatively new series with only about nine knife styles currently offered in this design.  However, don’t let that deter you.  These knives are well made and the design is both beautiful and functional.

Let’s start with the blade.  It’s made from 7-layer high-carbon steel that is heat treated to a hardness of 60+, allowing it not only to be razor sharp but to have great edge retention as well.  The frosted look of the blade is achieved by applying a sandblast finish.  This serves two purposes; 1) it provides the desired blade design, and 2) it creates a non-stick property to keep food from sticking to the blade while in use.  Finally, the blade is balanced by a tapered bolster that makes the knife comfortable for those who like to use a pinch grip.

The handles of the Frost Fire series are made from white resin with an aluminum mesh overlay that creates a honeycomb pattern.  These handles are designed to be light weight even though they have full tang construction.  Like most resin, they are extremely durable and sealed to protect against moisture and temperature.  The ergonomic shape makes them fit easily in your hand; however, they can get slippery depending on what you’re cutting.  Be carful here as we mentioned the blades are very sharp.

This series has the same premium quality, high-performing knives that we’ve come to expect from Dalstrong.  The design is also new and unique.  The main downside to this series is there are no knife sets available to purchase but you can get all of the essential knives individually.

See Dalstrong Frost Fire Knives at Amazon

Dalstrong Quantum 1 Review

Edge Angle

8 – 12 degrees

Hardness Rating

63+ HRC

The Dalstrong Quantum 1 Series is truly something unique.  The blade is made from American BD1N-X steel that goes through a nitrogen treatment which increases its hardness and flexibility.  It is then sharpened to an angle of 8 to 12 degrees which is smaller than most kitchen knives.  This gives the Quantum 1 series extremely sharp blades.  This is one of the most discussed characteristics of this series.  That and the Nova Prime blade pattern that was designed to keep the knife from sticking to whatever it’s cutting through.  The most popular knives in this series are the slicing and butcher knives because the extremely sharp blades can easily carve through meat, cartilage and fat. 

The Quantum 1 handles are Dragon Skin G10-carbon fiber which is a look and feel that you either like or you don’t.  There are many who love the look and feel of this handle and think the grip and tapered design really hit the mark.  Others, however, think the design makes the knife look more like a hunting knife and would prefer the handle be wider to better balance the blade. 

At the end of the day, choosing a Quantum 1 knife all comes down to personal preference.  The blades consistently get raving reviews.  It’s the handle that typically leaves people feeling disappointed.  If you like the look and feel of these knives, then you’ll also be happy with their performance.

See Dalstrong Quantum 1 Knives at Amazon

Dalstrong Ronin Review (Previously Shogun Series S)

Edge Angle

12 – 15 degrees

Hardness Rating

62+ HRC

The Dalstrong Ronin Series used to be part of the Shogun series so you may note some similarities in the steel used and tempered hardness.  The Ronin Series, however, consists of only 5 knife styles, all of which are single beveled traditional Japanese knives.  These knives are specifically designed to make precision cuts through fish, poultry and vegetables often used in Japanese cuisine. 

Keeping with the traditional Japanese style, the handles of the Ronin Series have an octagonal shape that tapers to be slightly larger toward the butt of the knife.   The handle is made from a combination of G-10 Garolite and Red Redwood with a copper mosaic pin included as the center rivet. 

If you’re looking for a quality Japanese knife than the Ronin Series is worth checking out.  These knives are all designed for a specific purpose and would be a great choice for anyone wanting to add a traditional Japanese knife to their kitchen knife collection.

See Dalstrong Ronin Knives at Amazon

Dalstrong Valhalla Review

Edge Angle

8 – 12 degrees

Hardness Rating

60+ HRC

The Valhalla Series is another recent collection added by Dalstrong.  It currently offers 8 knife styles with more planned for the future.  These knives are forged from 5-layers of Chinese High-Carbon Steel (9CR18MOV), hand sharpened to an 8-12 degree angle, and then given a frosted look with a sandblast finish.  The handles are a combination of blue-green celestial resin and stabilized wood, finished off with a stainless-steel bolster. 

The knives in this series are beautifully designed.  The handles are comfortable and stunning and the blade has good edge retention.  That being said, the steel used in this line is more ‘middle of the road’ than in other Dalstrong series.  Also, the Valhalla knives have a decorative design along the spine that they call “spine jimping” which looks nice but tends to catch easily on the food you’re cutting. 

If you love the design of the Valhalla series and are looking for a unique piece to add to your kitchen then I don’t think you’ll be disappointed in this option.  It will get the job the done and look good doing it.  However, if you’re more interested in a daily go-to knife I would recommend looking into the Gladiator or Shogun series.

See Dalstrong Valhalla Knives at Amazon

Dalstrong Delta Wolf Review

Edge Angle

8 – 12 degrees

Hardness Rating

60+ HRC

The Delta Wolf Series came out just before the Valhalla series and they have many of the same characteristics.  The Delta Wolf blades are also made from Chinese High-Carbon Steel (9CR18MOV) and sharpened to an 8–12 degree angle.  Instead of a frosted blade, the blades in this series have a black titanium-nitride coating that increases their toughness and helps make them non-stick.  These blades do not have the notched design along the spine (like the Valhalla) but do have a groove close to the spine that helps to lighten the blade.  The handles of the Delta Wolf series are made from G10 Camouflage fiberglass, are triple riveted, and include a tactical multi-purpose handle loop at the butt of the knife.

The blades on these knives are very sharp and very thin which make them lightweight and able to cut through almost anything with ease.  However, you have to be careful as the thinness also makes the tip more fragile and the blades can bend if not used properly.  All in all the Delta Series performs well; yet, these thinner blades may require more attention than others and be aware, the knives in this series can be intimidating based on the style of knife you choose.

If you’ve noticed that many of the design characteristics of the Delta Wolf series have a military feel, you would be correct.  Dalstrong is a supporter of the Wounded Warrior Project (WWP) in both the United States and Canada.  This series was designed with them in mind and a portion of the sales from this series goes to support those organizations.

See Dalstrong Delta Wolf Knives at Amazon