Zelite is a family business that was created with the intention of revolutionizing the culinary industry. Even though the company is still in its early age compared to other brands, it prides itself on innovation, accusing other manufacturers of being outdated, and experimenting with different blade types and construction processes. Nevertheless, Zelite knives still reflect the same appeal of traditional blades, which raises the million-dollar question; are Zelite, or Z-Elite, knives really worth it? Or are of the company’s claims mere marketing ploys designed to drive more sales?
We personally stand by the first option, and we’re sure you’ll join us on Zelite’s side once you go through our Zelite knives review. We believe that once you reach the end of our roundup, you’ll end up with one or two extra items in your Kitchen Utensil Sets. Without further ado, let’s jump to the reviews.
Zelite Knives Review Center 2021
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#1 – Zelite Infinity Chef Knife 8 Inch – Executive-Plus Series
Right off the bat, we present the Zelite Infinity 8-Inch Chef Knife from the Executive-Plus Series, which pairs beauty and efficiency for a perfect combo that’s hard to find in this price range.
The knife is made of Japanese AUS10 Steel with 45 layers of High Carbon Steel, giving you unrivaled durability. The 56mm Deep blade is razor-sharp out of the box, with a 61 rating on the Rockwell hardness scale, and it’s made using a Liquid Nitrogen Cooing technique that further improves the rust and stain resistance properties to add to the durability and longevity of the knife.
The blade is really deep, which not only gives you extra knuckle clearance but also acts as an additional surface for transferring the food from the Cutting Board to the pan or pot. Also, the tapered bolster is perfect for pinch-grip cutting, which makes the Chef’s knife a real beast when it comes to convenience.
We really cannot stress how aesthetically appealing the Japanese Super Steel Damascus is. It looks absolutely perfect, especially with the Tsunami Rose, reflecting the ancient Japanese style and making the knife stand out over every other item in the kitchen.
As for the handle, you really shouldn’t worry about the comfort and balance when using this knife as it excels in both departments thanks to the 27-piece Steel/Copper Mosaic, Black Forged G10 Handle. Not only does it fit any hand perfectly, but it’s also shaped in a way that provides maximum functionality.
The included leather sheath is just the cherry on top, as it perfectly protects the knife while looking elegant and classy, adding to both the beauty and durability of the Zelite Infinity Chef’s knife.
What we like about it
This knife is the living proof that quality can indeed be affordable. It’s made of premium materials, a combination of Japanese Steel and High-Carbon Steel, making it quite durable. It can hold its edge for a good number of years. It’s aesthetically pleasing thanks to the Damascus pattern, and it’s comfortable thanks to the ergonomic design of the blade. Seriously, what else could you ask for? You shouldn’t miss this chance if quality at a reasonable price is what you seek.
#2 – ZELITE INFINITY Chef Knife 8 inch – Alpha-Royal Series
The Zelite Infinity Chef’s Knife from the Alpha-Royal Series mixes efficiency and beauty to deliver a professional cutlery item that’s not only suitable for all your cutting needs, but also good enough as a bragging item whenever you have guests over. The Damascus pattern on this knife is just unusual and eye-catching and is a sure a way to keep whoever’s checking your cutlery arsenal wowing behind your back.
The Japanese Knife is made of premium AUS10 Japanese steel, known as Super steel. Add that to the fact that it goes through a liquid nitrogen tempering process, and you’ve got yourself a sharp, non-stick, and durable edge that can cut through anything with ease. The edge Is also sharpened to 12 to 15 degrees, which is the standard in Asian knives. However, the solid design is more of a Western thing, which allows this blade to give you the absolute best of both worlds.
As for the handle, it boasts a triple-riveted, full-tang design that’s both solid and well-balanced without making the knife too bulky for home use. The ergonomic round design on this handle gives the users a firm but comfortable grip to avoid tiring the user’s wrist quickly. Combines with the moderate 8-oz weight of the knife, the handle is bound to make your cutting experience much more relaxed and easier.
What we like about it:
This knife is exceptionally sharp and cold hold its edge for quite some time before needing further sharpening using a Knife Sharpener. If you need a blade that can glide effortlessly through veggies and fruits, Zelite’s chef’s knife won’t disappoint. Not only that, but it also has an ergonomically-designed handle for a firm and comfortable grip and features a 67-layer Damascus pattern that makes it quite the eye-candy. This is a piece of beauty, and the fact that it comes at a really affordable price makes it a must-have in any serious chef’s cuisine.
#3 – Zelite Infinity Chef Knife – Comfort-Pro Series
As the name implies, the Comfort Pro series is designed with comfort in mind, aiming at giving the user a comfy grip for heavy usage around the kitchen.
if you haven’t already guessed it, the handle is the strongest selling point of the Zelite infinity chef knife. it features an ergonomic, full tang, rounded design with a rare tapered bolster that’s perfect for pinch grip style of cutting. It’s also well-balanced to give you total control when you’re using the knife to chop, slice, or dice your veggies or meat.
The blade is also excellent in this knife. Not only is it beautiful and visually stunning, but it’s razor-sharp out of the box and can hold an edge for quite some time. The blade is hand finished following the traditional 3-Step Honbazuke Method to a 15 to 18 -degree angle for a precise cut every time. Being made of German High Carbon Stainless Steel, this blade offers unmatched performance, and score 56 on the Rockwell hardness scale, meaning that the blade is hard, tough, and can hold its edge. It also boasts rust, stain, and corrosion resistance properties. Can you believe that all of that comes at an affordable price? It really cuts smoothly and efficiently is a way that resembles what you’d see and wish for in cooking shows.
And as Zelite trusts in the quality they provide, the knife comes with a 15-year risk-free warranty, which should give you good peace of mind when using this blade.
What we like about it
Comfort goes a long way in turning any culinary experience into a pleasing one, and when it comes to comfort, no knife can rival the Zelite Infinity Chef Knife from the Comfort-Pro Series, at least not in its price range. It’s not only comfortable to grip thanks to the ergonomic design though, but it boasts a sharp blade and solid construction, which make it a real bargain, just like any other knife in Zelite’s catalog.
#4 – ZELITE INFINITY Utility Knife 6 Inch – Executive-Plus Series
You may not need an Apple Slicer nor an Avocado Slicer, and you surely can get by without an Onion Chopper, but as opposed to what many people believe, a Kitchen Utility Knife is as essential as the Chef’s knife if you’re serious about your cutting skills. But if you really want to take your techniques to the next level, you should definitely try Zelite’s INFINITY 6-Inch Utility Knife from the Executive-Plus Series.
Just like other Zelite knives, this 30-mm deep blade is made of a combination of Japanese AUS10 Super Steel and 45-Layer Damascus, which makes it quite sharp, hard, and durable. It’s simply designed to be your ultimate workhorse around the kitchen and to hold its 12-degree cutting edge for so long without you having to worry about honing your utensil every day.
Moving to the blade, it features the same humpback triple riveted design used in other items from Zelite, and it undoubtedly boasts the same innovative conception that allows it to fit perfectly in any hand and give you the comfort and control you’ve been looking for.
The Tsunami Rose Damascus Pattern renders the knife a real piece of beauty, something that would come in handy when you’re having guests or friends from the culinary school. Furthermore, the blade comes with a leather sheath, which is just the cherry on top. Stop worrying about your critics. Once they see this knife, they’ll flush all their criticism down the toiled.
What we like about it:
This knife is a thing of beauty that brings both comfort and efficiency through sharpness to the table, making it the perfect companion for both experienced and novice chefs. We all know that a utility knife is a must-have for you to sharpen your skills and take them to the next level, and if you want something that will give you the bang for your buck, you can’t go wrong with the Zelite INFINITY 6-Inch Utility Knife.
#5 – ZELITE INFINITY, Razor-Edge Series, Executive Chef Knife 8 Inch
The first one notices when checking this knife is the price. Compared to other blades in the same category, it’s quite affordable, which may make you skeptical towards it; Is it really worth the price? Does a knife of this price live up to Zelite’s reputation? Short answer? Yes, it does.
The knife is made of Japanese AUS8 High Carbon Stainless Steel, the same material used in other premium cutlery items produced by Zelite. The edge is hand finished to 9-12 degrees using the traditional 3-step Honbazuke method, which means that it can give you precise cuts out of the box and hold its edge for quite a long time.
The blade really stands out when it comes to deepness, as it’s 50-mm deep, which means that it offers large knuckle clearance and you can even use it to scope your chopped ingredients before placing them in the pan or bowl. Despite that, it’s still quite lightweight, which allows for speedy chopping, slicing, and dicing.
Does a high-quality blade compromise the handle? Nope. The handle of this chef’s knife is as comfortable as any other knife in Zelite’s collection. It’s made of Pakkawood and features a triple-riveted design, giving you all the balance and control you deserve, all without sacrificing the fancy looks.
For protection, the knife comes with its own premium leather sheath, which adds to the durability of the blade.
What we like about it
If you’re looking for an affordable knife that’s easy to grip and that comes exceptionally sharp right out of the box, you’ve just found it. Not only does this knife look absolutely fantastic, but it’s also quite effective when it comes to sharpness, lightweight, and balance, giving you an unmatched experienced for all your cutting, chopping, slicing, and dicing needs.
How We Chose the Top Zelite Knives in Our List
In today’s market, finding decent knives that can get the job the done without making a hole in your wallet can be a challenging task. Sure, you can get by using Ginsu Knives, Cangshan Knives, or any nameless brand for that matter, but can they really offer premium quality without sacrificing a thing or two? Not likely. Zelite, on the other hand, provides excellent quality, no cutting corners, all without costing you an arm or a leg. So, how did we choose the above Zelite knives? Simple, we examined the following features:
The Material
Zelite blades are made of a combination of Japanese and High-Carbon steel. If you’ve ever had a Carbon Steel Pan, you should know that such a combo is a force to be reckoned with when it comes to kitchen utensils, which proves that Zelite blades are designed to be well-constructed, well-balanced, reliable, and durable.
The Sharpness
The Zelite knives that we reviewed above come extremely sharp out of the box, with a cutting angle that’s polished to 12 to 15 degrees for smooth and effortless cutting.
The design
Zelite knives feature a Damascus pattern design that makes the blades quite appealing.
The Comfort
The handles of the reviewed knives are ergonomically designed to give you a firm and comfortable grip no matter how long you’re using the knife for.
The Durability
Being made of premium steel, the recommended knives can hold their edge and last for quite some time before going dull or needing further sharpening using a Sharpening Steel or Sharpening Stone. However, it’s essential to take proper care of your knives if you’re serious about your relationship with kitchen utensils.
Different Types of Zelite Knives
As mentioned above, Zelite thrives for innovation, promising to set new standards in the culinary industry. As such, Zelite experiments with different materials and manufacturing process, which results in a decently large cutlery catalog. Zelite knives come in a wide array of shapes, sizes, types, and materials, which brings us to the different kinds of these blades, which are:
Chef’s Knife Vs. Utility Knife
Being similar when it comes to versatility, many people confuse Chef’s knives and Utility knives, thinking that they are one and the same, which isn’t quite accurate.
The main difference between the two types is that chef’s knife blades are longer, measuring 7 to 8 inches, and tend to be thicker at the top. They also feature a shape that allows for a rocking motion downward when pinching the blade at the end of the hilt.
Utility knives, on the other hand, have a shallower bent because they are generally not used in a rocking motion, with handles around which you can easily wrap your fingers. So, while Chef’s knives are suitable for chopping meat and vegetables, Utility blades are more used to tournée or carve your food.
Japanese Steel Vs. High Carbon Steel
Carbon is the hardest material, and high-carbon steel is no different. High-carbon blades tend to be harder and stronger when compared to Japanese knives, but they aren’t more robust.
Japanese steel, on the other hand, tends to be lighter and tougher, which explains why Japanese knives rely on their sharpness when cutting through different objects, while High-carbon steel knives rely on their weight.
Why You Need the Best Zelite Knives in Your Kitchen
Although Zelite knives aren’t as prestigious as cutlery items from other brands, such as Wusthof Knives and Shun Knives, they can be quite the addon to your culinary utensils. Why wouldn’t they be, knowing that they are sharp, affordable, and made of premium materials? All that makes getting a couple Zelite blades a necessity rather than a luxury, especially for those who want to get their skills to the next level. So, why do you need the best Zelite knives in your kitchen?
First, because they are exceptionally sharp. Many people believe that a sharp knife is more dangerous than a dull one, but that’s not the case. Dull knives are associated with a great number of kitchen accidents, that’s why you need to keep your blades sharp all the time. Not only do Zelite knives come sharp out of the box, but they are also easy to maintain and hone, which gives them the edge over their competitors in this department.
Second, Zelite knives are versatile, which means that you can use them for various cutting, chopping, slicing, and dicing tasks around the kitchen. We all know that making a spicy chipotle portobello burrito bowl or chorizo shrimp poblano stuffed peppers involves a lot, like a lot, of cutting, and such dishes can be a real challenge for your knife skills, which raises the need for versatile knives that can help you out throughout the whole process, which is exactly what Zelite knives are about.
Finally, you need premium, durable knives if you don’t want to spend hundreds of dollars every few months. Zelite blades check all the boxes when it comes to strength and durability, all without being too pricey for your taste, making them the one thing that your cutlery arsenal needs.
While you’re here, check out some of our other kitchen accessories and knives! As always, we recommend you keep your knives sharp with an electric knife sharpener, as well as safely kept in either a knife block or on a magnetic knife strip held safely in your kitchen pantry or kitchen island.
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