If you have been lucky enough to have a Cutco knife set passed down to you, then you will probably know that Cutco’s Forever Guarantee means forever. Proudly still made in the US, Cutco knives are found in many of our homes and are often relied upon for bringing a sharp edge to most kitchen tasks. If you want to add some Cutco knives to your existing collection, or intend to gift one, then read on for our reviews of Cutco knives.
As well as undertaking our Cutco knives review, we take a detailed look at Cutco knives, including why 440A high carbon steel is a popular choice for blades, what the advantages of thermo-resin handles are and just what exactly that Forever Guarantee means.Best Pick
Our Best Pick: Is the Cutco 7⅝" petite chef knife which will keep its sharp edge for life, making it easy for slicing, chopping, dicing and mincing fruits and vegetables every day.
Budget Pick
Our Budget Pick: Is the Cutco set of four table knives with serrated blades for cutting steaks and other foods at the table with ease.
Quick Comparison: Top 10 Cutco Knives Review
1. Cutco 1728 7-5/8" Petite Chef Knife
Highlighted Features
Suitable for using by right or left handers, the Cutco 7⅝" petite chef knife (1728) is a full tang blade which is made from 440A high carbon stainless steel – able to keep a sharp edge for life. This knife is suitable for slicing, chopping, dicing and mincing fruits and vegetables and the wider blade is also useful for transferring ingredients into the pot.
The classic brown triple riveted handle is ergonomic and has a thumb and forefinger lock for better control and safety. Made in the US, this straight edged knife is suitable for home sharpening, or you can use the Forever Guarantee which means that Cutco will sharpen, hone and repair your knife for free. They will also replace the knife for free under the guarantee if required. This knife is also dishwasher safe, although hand washing is recommended
The odd buyer has noticed that when this knife is placed on the countertop it can occasionally end up resting on the spine of the knife meaning the blade edge is facing up; so you may want to just check that you have placed it onto its side when you put it down.Pros
Cons
2. Cutco #1865 Set of Four Table Knives
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The Cutco set of four table knives (1759) have a blade length of 3⅜" and serrated blade in the form of the exclusive Double-D edge, which is designed to provide a smooth and clean cut and stay sharper longer than a straight edge knife.
Ideal for cutting steaks and other foods at the table and manufactured in the US, the 440A high carbon stainless steel is a part tang blade and the ergonomic classic brown handle is made from thermo-resin which will not fade, chip, crack of absorb materials. These knives are suitable for using by right or left handers and the handle also has a thumb and forefinger lock for extra safety. These table knives can be cleaned in the dishwasher and can be factory sharpened.
These come in a white gift box which can be used to store the knives in when not in use as well as being ideal for gifting. The odd buyer has been disappointed in the quality of these compared with other Cutco knives and as these are a Double-D edge rather than straight edge, you will need to return them to Cutco for sharpening.Pros
Cons
3. Cutco 5½" Cheese Knife
Highlighted Features
The 440A high carbon stainless steel blade of the Cutco 5½" cheese knife (1504) is perforated to stop the cheese from sticking and allow it to fall away easily. The blade has a Micro-D serrated edge – the mini version of the Double-D edge – with a rounded tip for spreading softer cheeses. This cheese knife also ideal for slicing fruits and tomatoes.
The ergonomic and shaped handle is manufactured from thermo-resin to prevent it from chipping, cracking or fading and it can be cleaned in the dishwasher although hand washing is recommended. The odd buyer has been disappointed with the look of the handle and as this is a serrated blade, you will probably be unable to sharpen it yourself at home.Pros
Cons
4. Cutco Model 1766 7" Santoku Knife
Highlighted Features
The full tang Cutco 7" santoku knife (1766) is made from 440A high carbon stainless steel to maintain its sharp edge. Manufactured in the US, the handle is a thermo-resin classic brown color which is ergonomic with a thumb and forefinger grip for better control and safety. The triple rivets on the handle are nickel-silver alloy.
This also has a Forever Guarantee, offering free sharpening, repair and replacement forever and although hand washing is recommended, it is suitable for cleaning in the dishwasher. Some owners have found this knife has not kept its sharpness for as long as expected before needing to be sharpened and unlike santoku knives from many other manufacturers, this one does not come with a sheath.
Pros
Cons
5. Cutco 9¼" French Chef Knife
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The straight edged Cutco 9¼" French chef knife (1725) is made from 440A high carbon stainless steel. This US-manufactured knife is suitable for larger cutting and dicing tasks. The handle is classic brown thermo-resin and contains a thumb and forefinger grip for safer use. This is also guaranteed under the Forever Guarantee, for free sharpening and repairs.
Although this is dishwasher safe, hand washing is recommended, and it does not come with a blade guard or sheath.Pros
Cons
6. Cutco Model 3738 6⅓" Serrated Knife
Highlighted Features
The Cutco 6⅓" serrated knife (3738) is a multipurpose slicing knife that features Double-D serrations and is suitable for heavy-duty tasks such as pumpkin slicing or acorn squash and is also idea for larger and thicker meat cuts. Made in the US, this full tang blade is riveted into the classic brown thermo-resin handle with nickel-silver alloy rivets. The handle also contains a thumb and forefinger grip for better control during cutting.
The Forever Guarantee on this knife means there’s no need for you to home sharpen it, which as a serrated knife is difficult to do at home. This knife is also suitable for cleaning in the dishwasher, although hand washing is recommended. It does not come with a sheath or blade guard.Pros
Cons
7. Cutco 8" Butcher Knife
Highlighted Features
The Cutco 8" butcher knife (1722) is a full tang blade which is curved towards the tip for easier slicing of larger meat cuts. Manufactured from 440A high carbon stainless steel in the US, this will maintain its sharp edge and even if it begins to dull, as it is covered by the Forever Guarantee, you can get it sharpened and repaired for free by Cutco.
The handle is classic brown thermo-resin and is an ergonomic design with thumb and forefinger grip for better safety and control when cutting. This is also suitable for cleaning in the dishwasher, but Cutco recommends that you do wash knives by hand. Some owners have found this knife may not kept its edge for as long as expected and it does not come with a blade guard or sheath.
Pros
Cons
8. Cutco 3½" Mini Trimmer Knife
Highlighted Features
With its Double-D serrated blade, the Cutco 3½" mini trimmer knife (1798) is manufactured in the US and comes with the Cutco Forever Guarantee. The classic brown thermo-resin handle has been highly engineered and will not absorb materials, fade, crack or chip. It is also suitable for right and left hand users. The blade is 440A high carbon stainless steel, able to keep a sharp edge for longer.
As this is a smaller knife, it is only suitable for certain food preparation tasks and as a serrated edge knife it will be easier to return it to Cutco for sharpening unless you have the expertise and tools for home sharpening. Although hand washing is recommended, you can put this in the dishwasher.Pros
Cons
Things to Consider Before Buying Cutco Knives
All Cutco knives are made in Olean, New York and have been made there since 1949. Other Cutco products may be made in Mexico or China.
Formerly known as Alcas Corporation until 2009, the parent Cutco Corporation includes Cutco Cutlery, KA-Bar Knives, Schilling Forge and Vector Marketing. Cutco knives are often marketed through in-home demonstrations, along with its own retail stores and various online outlets.
Cutco knives are stamped knives, this means that the blades have been pressed out from a sheet of stainless steel then ground and honed to give a finished blade, rather than forged knives which are forged from the piece of steel. A forged knife is usually identified by the bolster or piece of metal that sits between the blade and the handle and these are usually more expensive knives.
The majority of Cutco knives are full tang blades. This means that the blade continues through the length of the handle and which is why rivets are used to hold the handle to the tang of the blade.
Full tang blades are more robust than part tang blades in which the tang only runs into the handle for one or two inches. This makes part tang blades more likely to break when using, especially if you apply more pressure when cutting. A full tang also helps to balance the knife’s weight out as it acts as to counterbalance the weight of the blade.
Advantages of Serrated Blades
Serrations allow the blade of a knife to sink into the surface of the food and the spaces (or gullets) between the teeth allow friction to decrease as the serrated blade moves forwards and backwards through the food.
The lack of friction means the serrations or teeth can cut through food easily without dragging or tearing. Serrated knives are better suited to cutting foods with a hard outer and softer core such as breads and pastries. They can also be used for cheeses and cooked meats and can make it easier to slice through tomatoes and soft skinned fruits as well as tougher fruits such as pineapple or melon.
Cutco utilizes propriety serration designs, known as Double-D and Micro Double-D; which is used on the smaller serrated knife blades.
Cutco Knife Handles
The handle on a full tang knife is actually composed of two identical scales or halves and it is these that we are referring to when talking about knife handles.
When these are made from thermo-resins or other synthetic materials, they bring many advantages to the kitchen, not least that they are sanitary and easy to clean. They are also extremely durable and comfortable to hold for longer periods of time.
Knife handles are usually molded to give an ergonomic grip and grips for the thumb and forefinger – such as those seen on Cutco knives – not only support an ergonomic grip, but they also give a safer grip and help you maintain control over the knife when cutting.
Most Cutco knives come with classic brown handles, which are sometimes described as being black and some of the range may also be available with pearl handles which are light colored.
About 440A High Carbon Stainless Steel
440A high carbon stainless steel is not just used in cutlery, it is found in dental and medical instruments, bearings, valve components, molds and dies and many other components.
The 440A steel used in Cutco knives undergoes a three step heating process. This creates blades which are flexible and durable while maintaining a razor-sharp edge. Once Cutco knives are made, they are also tested and inspected before being sent out for sale.
Like other members of steel within the 440 family, 440A steel is considered to be a true stainless steel and because 440A contains the lowest amount of carbon compared to other 440 steels, it means it also has the highest level of corrosion resistance. For this reason alone, 440A is often used in display knives and swords and it is a very popular steel for diving knives due to its resistance to salt corrosion. The lower carbon content also means that 440A steel is slightly softer – making it easier to sharpen.
440A also contains around 17% chromium which is essential to improve the corrosion and heat resistance of the steel as well as increasing the depth of hardening when the steel is heat treated.
The Rockwell Hardness of 440A is around 56; a lower value for high quality knives but still a decent hardness when compared to the majority of knives manufactured globally. 440A can also be harder than this if it has been heated to a very high temperature during production. The Rockwell Hardness test is one way of measuring the hardness of metals (and can also be used for some plastics).
Although there are now a number of Rockwell scales, one of the easiest tests measures the hardness of the metal by pressing an indentor such as a steel ball with a specific load into the surface of the metal. How far the indentor penetrates is the measure of the hardness.
Caring for Cutco Knives
Cutco recommends its knives are washed in hot water with a mild dishwashing soap, although all of its cutlery and knives are dishwasher safe. If you do wash your knives in the dishwasher then if possible, lay them flat on the rack rather than in the flatware basket.
Once you have dried your Cutco knife it should be stored in a knife bock, tray or sheath to protect its blade.
The knives may occasionally stain from foods or water which has a higher mineral content. You can use a non-abrasive polishing compound to remove any stains from the blade or from the nickel-silver rivets which may also stain.
Sharpening Knives
A knife should be sharpened when the blade starts to blunt or dull. You may also be able to see damage along the blade edge. Straight edge knives can be sharpened at home with a Cutco sharpener or any other sharpening device or stone.
If you prefer to have them sharpened professionally then they can be sent back to Cutco under the Forever Guarantee or you can use a Cutco Certified Service Professional who can come out and sharpen them for you in your own home. If you live upstate New York, you can also drop your knives in at the factory for sharpening.
Knives with a Double-D or Micro Double-D edge are designed to stay sharp for a number of years and when they do need sharpening, they should be returned to Cutco rather than home sharpening them or using another sharpening service.
Of course, the disadvantage with returning knives to Cutco for sharpening rather than doing it yourself is that it will leave you without your knives for a couple of weeks or so. If you can plan ahead, then you may want to consider returning knives for sharpening or repairing while you are on vacation.
The Cutco Forever Guarantee
This guarantee is for home users only and basically means that if there are any problems with your Cutco knife, it will be repaired or replaced, unless the knife has been damaged through unconventional use, in which case Cutco will replace it for half the retail price (plus sales tax).
You can apply under the guarantee by either sending the knife directly to Cutco or filing an online request. This guarantee also means that if you hand your knives down to a family member, they can also claim free sharpening, repair or replacement, as no receipt or registration is needed.
When you send knives to Cutco for sharpening, although the service itself is free, you will need to pay a return shipping fee which will vary depending on how many knives are sent for sharpening.
Conclusion
In this review we have seen that the Cutco Forever Guarantee is truly forever and although sharpening and repairs are free, there are some shipping costs involved when you return your knives to Cutco for sharpening. We have also seen that the use of 440A high carbon stainless steel brings a number of benefits to knife blades – not least corrosion resistance.
We hope that you have enjoyed our Cutco knives review and if you have yet to buy a Cutco knife yourself, or would like to gift one to someone, then we trust our reviews have been helpful and given you the information that you need to select the right knives for you or your gift recipient.
Is there a UK agent for these knives? I bought one many years ago and it needs to be sharpened having given great service