A couple of years ago, I got an email from the folks at New West KnifeWorks, asking if I’d be interested in trying out a couple of their knives. Because I’m always on the look-out for the perfect kitchen knife, I said yes. They sent me a chef’s knife and a paring knife from their original Fusionwood line.
Over time, I found that while I really liked the paring knife, the chef’s knife felt a little clunky in my hand. That had, in large part, to do with the blade. It was really heavy and thick. I found that while it was great for whacking through dense things, but it was just too darn hefty for daily chopping.
Isn’t Scott a good hand model?
Recently, I heard from New West KnifeWorks again. They were writing to say that they’ve redesigned their knives to use a “super steel*” that allows the blades to be both thinner and stronger than the previous version and would I be interested in trying one out. I said yes again (I can’t resist kitchenware).
The Fusionwood 2.0 eight-inch chef’s knife arrived a couple weeks back now and it has rapidly become one of my favorite things in my kitchen. That gorgeous grip feels quite natural in my hand, the blade is much lighter and appears to be holding its edge quite well. I’ve been using it everyday and I’m not noticing a diminishment in performance as of yet.
I also really like the shape of the blade. It’s a little narrower than traditional for a chef’s knife and I’m find that to be a positive feature. When chopping dense vegetables like carrots and potatoes, the pieces fall off the blade easily instead of clinging to its surface. A very useful thing as we head into the season of root vegetables and holiday cooking.
I also like the fact that New West KnifeWorks strives to be a conscientious company. Their knives are made in Wyoming and the factory is run on power generated by their own hydropower plant. What’s more, all the knives have a lifetime guarantee for non-commercial use. If you’re unhappy with it, they will replace it. And, if you break a knife through mistreatment (though I can’t imagine any of you responsible Food in Jars readers doing such a thing), they will replace it at half price. In these days disposal everything, it’s truly lovely to see a company making good stuff and standing by.
New West KnifeWorks has given me a second Fusionwood 2.0 eight-inch chef’s knife to giveaway to one of my readers. Here’s what to do to enter:
- Leave a comment on this post. Tell me one thing you’re doing this week to get ready for Thanksgiving (getting your knives sharpened is always good in preparation for a days of cooking).
- Comments will close at 11:59 pm east coast time on Friday, November 16, 2012. Winner will be chosen at random and will be posted to the blog over the weekend.
- Giveaway open to US residents only.
- One comment per person, please. Entries must be left via the comment form on the blog at the bottom of this post. I do not accept submissions via email.
But wait, there’s more! New West is also giving away a four-piece set of their knives on Facebook. Click here to visit the entry page and throw your hat into the ring for that contest as well!
*The official name is S35VN Powderized Steel.
Disclosure: New West KnifeWorks provided me one of their Fusionwood 2.0 eight-inch chef’s knives for review and photography purposes at no cost to me. They’ve also provided the giveaway unit at no cost to me. However, they did not pay me to run this post or say nice things about them. I did that simply because I liked the product. My opinions are independently mine.
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To get ready for thanksgiving? I’m having a grateful dinner with friends that I’m grateful for!
We’re actually just now thinking about the *what* of what we’re doing for thanksgiving. Previous years were big family get togethers, but this year we will only be hosting two other people. We’re thinking of cornish hens and some other non-traditional but close to Thanksgiving style dishes. The big goal is to have everything but the meat cooked the day before!
I am planning the menu this week!
I’m getting ready for Thanksgiving by looking up recipes for the various vegetarian sides I’ll be making
I’m making turkey stock this week and freshening up the house!
I’m scouring recipes for pumpkin bread pudding with salted caramel sauce. And eating brussels sprouts like its going out of style!
We are getting ready for thanksgiven we are cooking turkey and ham and a lots and lots af desserts and giving thanks for be reunited with the family
Trying out new and interesting recipes!
getting ready for Thanksgiving is long over here in Canada – I have been getting ready vegetables to roast for dinner though, sweet potato, brussel sprouts and carrots – a better knife would have helped for sure!
Making up a dish to take to the in-laws. And looking forward to spending some time with friends and family.
I just ordered a turkey! And that knife is beautiful.
Buying pecans.
This knife is so beautiful! I’m going apple picking and berry picking tomorrow for Thanksgiving pies! Have I said how beautiful this knife is?? !
Hello! I LOVE this knife- it matches the colors for my wedding next July! I would love to win this for my fiance (he’s a big time knife collector/enthusiast).
To prepare for my mom and sister visiting for Thanksgiving, I am making vegan side dishes, and teaching myself to make gnocchi, one of my my mom’s favorite dishes. I have a pasta maker at home that I’m becoming familiar with. So much fun!
Wow- gorgeous knife! I actually just completed sent an email to my local co-op asking about when the knife sharpening guy will be there so I can stop by and get my knife collection in working order for the upcoming week! I’ve also got plans to order a pie today from the farm stand up the road since I refuse to bake.
I’m cleaning out the pantry…all outdated, not wanted goods are out…& making a list of what is needed for the Holidays & Winterfoods.
Last year we invited a lot of folks over, the best way to have T-Day. This year we may go to a friend’s house, but I’m kinda keen on going up to the mountains for an outing. Our preperation is to consider a new T-Day paradigm,
Getting the house a little more spiffy and menu planning!
This week, to prepare for both the Thanksgiving dinner I will be attending on that day, and the one that I am hosting myself over the weekend, I am roasting pumpkins, to puree & for pumpkin bread, pie, and butter…. mmmm
I’ll be cleaning the house in preparation for Thanksgiving! Oh and ordering the pies.
I’m sitting down with a friend this week to plan the menu for Thanksgiving. Dinner is at her house this year but I told her I’d make pies and macaroni and cheese.
to get ready for Thanksgiving, I am researching recipes with sweet potato to bring to family on the big day.
Hi Georgetti
We make a light and fluffy Sweet Potato Souffle and has a crunchy streusel topping similar to this recipe (less the milk and vanilla) http://allrecipes.com/recipe/gourmet-sweet-potato-souffle/. Top with a mixture of crushed cornflakes, brown sugar, butter, and chopped pecans the last 10 minutes of baking. Hope this helps your research.
Wow, that knife is stunning and I like the review you gave for it. This year I don’t know what I’ll be making but I would love to try my hand at sweet potatoes or homemade stuffing. However, every year I always make my homemade apple pie! That knife would slice through those pounds of apples like butter!
I’m taking this Friday off to prepare lists and shop.
Other than cleaning and shopping for my own festivities next week, I am actually cooking 3 turkeys this week for preschool Thanksgiving. This knife is absolutely stunning!
This week I am testing recipes! A turnip casserole from my grandmother’s recipe file and a new kind of stuffing. One of those beautiful knives would make my work so much easier.
I actually am getting my knives sharpened to cut into some duck and goose breast given to me, but more importantly preparing for the arrival of my son (due the day before Thanksgiving!) and for that I’m most grateful! Thanks.
I am stocking up on whole cranberries so I can make homemade sauce, which I would happily eat on toast year round.
What a great opportunity. My chef’s knife I’ve had over 20 years, and I managed to nick the tip off a few weeks ago. A new chef’s knife is on my Christmas wishlist!
I ordered our pumpkin pie Saturday, and in the next couple days I’ll talk to my mother to finish planning the meal. I know we’ll bring mashed potatoes but I want to create something else as well.
I’m making shopping lists this week, and inventorying the pantry.
I am house sitting for a friend. Well actually, the dog sitting is the more important part. I am gathering recipies I want to can while at his much nicer kitchen. Yea, counter space.
Baby bother sharpened my knives two weeks ago. This week, I’m searching for the perfect pork roast, collecting ingredients for the 5 generation bread recipe, and finalizing the menu and head count.
Getting ready for thanksgiving means planning how late I will sleep in on my days off
I could use another knife, at it is so pretty to boot. I love kitchen knives.
I am also cleaning out the pantry, checking to make sure I have enough on-hand supplies for any guests and cleaning all my linens/house. I don’t host thanksgiving, but this time of year there are so many family members and friends around that it’s good to be prepared for anything.
We’ll be traveling, so I’m getting that ready. I also making a list of last minute things to pick up at the store for my family’s Thanksgiving feast at my destination. It is so strange to not be cooking!
Today I am making cranberry sauce for the first time! I absolutely love the canned stuff (I have been known to eat it straight out of the can with a spoon) but its time give the good stuff a try!
Our house just voted for Ham…. I need to put in our order this week.
Just ordered my turkey…a little bit late! Also making the list of what everyone is responsible for bringing.
I am seriously in need of new knives! I’m learning a lot about nutrition and whole/real foods and feeding my family is top priority – a sharp (and beautiful!) knife would make that process so much easier!
Planning the menu and making a very detailed shopping list. I only get one shot at the grocery store so I have to make it count lol!
These knives are gorgeous! I’m gathering up recipes I want to make when I have some time to be in the kitchen. I have a couple different dessert recipes I want to try out this year at Thanksgiving!
Making my shopping lists. I have a variety of dietary requests, so there will be some traditional items as well as plenty of vegetarian options. I hate those last minute runs to the grocery store (with about a billion other people all doing the same thing!).
BEAUTIFUL KNIFE!
We’re having Thanksgiving on Saturday with my parents as that’s the only day we all have off this week (the bro’s gf is a new-ish nurse so she’s getting stuck with the wonky Turkey Day shift). So to prep for it I’m convincing my mother to try brining the turkey (we always have issues with the turkey… it’s so painful). I’m also hitting the farmers market as it’s my responsibility to bring a soup (cream of ‘shroom) and a slaw (bnut squash+apple+cranberry) and the rolls.
I pre-ordered my turkey a few weeks ago..and yesterday I started filling in the rest of the shopping list.
Digging through recipes and deciding what I will serve so I can make my shopping list!
Well I have Thanksgiving with a very large group of friends. I’ve been trying to figure out what to make. So yesterday I decided to make some pickled veggies for an appetizer plate. Pickled turnips and radishes, beets, carrots, and kohlrabi.
Love that knife!
Usually, I do the holiday cooking but this year the MIL wants to do it so I’m getting ready by not getting ready. Not sure I like it though.
I’m getting ready for Thanksgiving by exercising a lot and getting ahead on my “take-home” work in order to be able to relax for the maximum amount of time over the holiday weekend.
I am going to some cooking classes to hopefully find some new and different sides to serve. That knife is so pretty!