BLOC knives, handmade in Derbyshire.

BLOC Knives – Thin British Carbon Steel Knives

BLOC knives are an interesting British-made alternative to the mass-produced kitchen knives that dominate the market.

Their greatest strength is their geometry. These are very thin carbon-steel knives, and that thinness makes an enormous difference to how a knife actually cuts.

A knife doesn't perform simply because its cutting edge is sharp. The thickness of the steel immediately behind that edge determines how easily the blade passes through food. BLOC knives generally get this important part right.

The carbon steel also responds extremely well to sharpening and can take a very keen edge.

The trade-off is maintenance. Carbon steel requires more care than conventional stainless steel and should be kept clean and dry rather than left wet after use. With sensible home maintenance and regular use of an appropriate honing method, however, these knives can remain extremely effective between professional sharpening services.

Our Verdict

Blade & Butler rating: 8.5/10

Thin, effective British-made knives with excellent cutting geometry. Look after the carbon steel properly and they are capable of performing exceptionally well.