In a parallel universe somewhere I am a slightly shorter, more robust version of Uma Thurman in Kill Bill, twirling a samurai sword and freedom fighting my way through another yellow leather clad day.

In my every day existence I have very little use for the sword or the yellow leathers, but I do like a nice sharp knife.

Our current set of knives are about 8 years old, bought as a wedding present.  Any additions since then have generally come from a popular swedish furniture store, so when I was offered the chance to review a set of Jamie Oliver knives, my only question was “Will you throw in a knife thrower’s wheel?”

The knives arrived yesterday and much excitement ensued.  I was seriously impressed.  The five knives sit in a tall, curved beech block – it’s gorgeous enough to enhance my kitchen, although I will obviously now need lots more Jamie goodies to bring the rest of the room up to scratch.

The heel (that’s the end of the knife apparently) of every knife is engraved with its name, it’s a little detail that makes a great design feature as well as being genuinely helpful, and they’re heavy – in a good way – they feel safe in your hand, especially when you’re brandishing them and screaming at a passing ninja.

My favourite thing is the noise they make when you draw them out of the block – they sound like proper knives, they have that ting thing going on, something to do with the quality of the Japanese stainless steel – it must be good as they come with a 25 year guarantee.  They are dishwasher safe, but I’m currently so attached to them that I’m lovingly washing and drying them after every use, I’m sure that will soon change.

So, pretty much perfect then? Well, yes, apart from one thing.  The packaging looks like it was designed by the Junior Apprentice losers – it’s lacking in inspiration and makes the product (which really is fabulous) look a little bit cheap. This may be just me, I’m anal about design and print and obviously it’s all going to end up in the recycling, but if I were spending £120 on a wedding gift I’d hesitate if I saw the box on the shelf, and that’s a real shame.

Final verdict? Really gorgeous product, really terrible packaging – quick someone tell Jamie to sort it out!

REVIEW – My Jamie Oliver Samurai Workshop…

14 thoughts on “REVIEW – My Jamie Oliver Samurai Workshop…

  • September 21, 2010 at 6:06 pm
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    I like the idea of the name of each knife being engraved on it. I never know which is which! I’m also fussy about packaging and design, at least when buying something as a gift. I don’t want the gift-receiver to tear off the wrapping paper, see the cheap looking box and think, “ohhh”!

  • September 21, 2010 at 9:43 pm
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    Oh they sound fab. Shame about the packaging.

  • September 22, 2010 at 9:37 am
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    I have been toying with the idea of getting some new knives myself. Like the sound of the engraving on the heel – great idea.

  • September 22, 2010 at 2:12 pm
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    I can see you in a yellow jumpsuit… (well, I’ve seen you in a swimsuit…)

    xx

  • September 22, 2010 at 3:25 pm
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    My thoughts EXACTLY! Maybe it requires a large £120 sticker on the box!

  • September 22, 2010 at 3:25 pm
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    Keep it – it’s infinitely cooler than the real thing!

  • September 22, 2010 at 3:26 pm
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    Packaging aside (in the recycling bin) they really are fab knives.

  • September 22, 2010 at 3:28 pm
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    Particularly useful for the likes of me….I struggle to know the difference between a paring and a carving knife tbh

  • September 22, 2010 at 3:28 pm
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    you have…. and I’m still not sure I’ve forgiven you 😉

    xx

  • October 12, 2010 at 8:12 pm
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    Ha I have those very same knives. Can’t remember the packaging but I do know they need to come with a health warning. Managed to cut two of my fingers within the first 24 hrs of using them. Badly. And that was through slicing not throwing. Although I’d be happy to take you on any day (hee hee). Think we would make quite a pair in our yellow jumpsuits!

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  • October 19, 2010 at 3:29 pm
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    I’m envious of your knives. Is that sad or what? To be envious of knives. I have a mish-mash of knives, none of which are less than 5 years old. I have one ‘sharp’ knife, so called because it can cut through butter. The rest are so blunt I have to hack away with them, using up to 3 knives to do one job. *makes note to buy a new knife set*

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