The Dalstrong Phantom 9.5″ Chef knife is one of the Latest and Most Authentic Cutting Knives in the Market for Anyone Who Needs a Versatile and Effective Blade to Work Their Magic in the Kitchen
What We Like
- Japanese AUS-8 Steel
- D-shaped black pakkawood handle
- Comfortable Grip
- Chromium (Cr) rich steel
- Tampered blade
- Edge Retention
- Full Tang
- Kiritsuke shape
- DragonLock saya (sheath)
What We Don’t Like
- Expensive
- Not Durable
Bottom Line
The Dalstrong Phantom 9.5 is an amazing knife with many fancy features. It is a great low maintenance kitchen knife for anyone who is attracted to fine knives.
Despite its versatility and sharp blade, the knife isn’t as durable as other high-end knives within its price range. Frequent kitchen use might lead to rusted or blunt edges within a short time. You can fix the blunt edges by sharpening it regularly.
Dalstrong Phantom Series 9.5″ Chef Knife Review Introduction
It’s impossible to make a list of the most important kitchen items without including a knife. The knife is as important, maybe even more important than the stove. People who cook a lot have different sets of knives.
Those who don’t cook frequently have a few knives and even those who don’t cook at all have at least one kitchen knife at home. This is because knives are versatile and one of the most versatile knives out there is the Dalstrong Phantom 9.5 chef knife.
If you don’t want an entire set of knives, this is the single knife that will make up for a whole set. The shape and handle of the knife make it a delight in the kitchen but there is more to see in this Dalstrong Phantom 9.5 Review.
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Features of the Dalstrong Phantom Series 9.5″ Chef Knife
Kiritsuke Shape
Are you a fan of sword fighting, sword knives, and everything sword inspired? Then you’ll love the Dalstrong Phantom 9.5. The front end and straighten edges make it look just like a sword. The Phantom Series boasts exceptional sharpness, edge retention, strength and durability.
This shape doesn’t just add to the beauty of the knife, it also makes it perfect for push cuts. A push cut is when you place the edge of the knife on the substance you’re about the cut and push the knife through.
You don’t need to use the whole knife for push cuts. Using only the edges will do. Push cuts come in handy when you want to carve what you’re slicing or add special effects.
Japanese AUS-8 Steel
The blade is made of Japanese AUS 8 steel and each knife was made through the Honzabuke method. This is an old, effective but painstaking method of knife making that originates from Japan. Everything is handmade.
After the steel is formed into the blade, it is grounded with a rotating stone that moves vertically. After the grounding, it is honed using another rotating stone that moves horizontally. The last stage of the Honzabuke method involves polishing the edge of the blade with a leather stropping block. This is why the edge of the knife is 13-15 degrees sharp.
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Chromium (Cr) rich steel, Ice Tempered Steel
The edges of Chromium rich blades usually get blunt easily. This is why the Dalstrong Phantom Series 9.5″ Knife is subjected to ice temperature. The ice optimizes the structure of the steel for hardness while maintaining its sharp edges.
This is a part of precision sharpening or precision forging. It is impossible to make stainless steel without chromium in case you’re wondering why this chemical is added even though it dulls the steel. The brand name is engraved in black on the steel but it cleans off with time after multiple users and exposure to soap and water.
D-shaped Black Pakkawood Handle
When it comes to knives, the importance of comfort can’t be overemphasized. The Dalstrong Phantom 9.5 has a D-shaped black laminated pakkawood handle that tucks perfectly into your palm and ensures your comfort while you’re cutting or slicing.
This blade also improves maneuverability and agility when compared to Dalstrong Phantom 8″ chef knife. The handle is imported from Spain so you can trust the strength, durability but most importantly, it is elegant.
There is a distinct red spacer with brass and copper mosaic on the handle that adds an extra touch of beauty. It also makes it easier for you to identify your Dalstrong Phantom knife when it is placed in a set.
Related article: Dalstrong Kiritsuke Chef Knife Review
DragonLock Saya (sheath)
The knife comes with a beautiful DragonLock saya which covers it and keeps it secure when you’re not using it. The interior of the sheath is made of suede and it reaches every square inch of the blade folding shot perfectly and securing the blade.
To protect the blade from rust and to protect yourself when you’re moving the blade, you should always cover it with the sheath. The sheath is made of the best quality of material ensuring that you don’t get injured when transporting the knife.
Beautifully Designed And Low Maintenance
Like every other knife in the Dalstrong Phantom series, the Dalstrong Phantom 9.5″ knife is beautifully designed. The blades are sharp but the knife gives you more than sharp cuts. With each cut, you’ll see a stealthy motion that would take your breath away.
It is the right blade for anyone who loves to appreciate the beauty of culinary instruments. Apart from this, the blade is low maintenance. There is no rule against putting it in a dishwasher but it’s always a good idea to wash all knives with your hands. No matter how durable a knife is, using a dishwasher will reduce its lifespan by degrading the integrity of the handle slowly.
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Dalstrong Phantom 9.5″ Review The Final Verdict
The Dalstrong Phantom 9.5″ chef knife is one of the most beautiful high-end knives in the industry. From the Phantom series 9.5″ knife review above, you can see that the knife was created for people who appreciate elegance.
Everything about it from the stainless Japanese steel, D-shaped black pakkawood handle to the DragonLock saya (sheath) is attractive. Unfortunately, even though the blade is ice tampered, the knife still gets blunt quickly.
This is a small problem that you can fix if you have a whetstone but for a knife that costs almost $100, dull edges should not be a problem in the first place.