We have found a kitchen knife that yields superior quality. One that's unmatched by any of its Damascus steel kitchen knives rivals.
The Zelite Infinity Chef Knife has the detail and craftsmanship that no other Damascus steel knife has. This level of effort places it at the apex of all the Damascus steel knives in the market.
But before we get to the best bits of the Zelite Infinity Damascus Chef Knife, let's dive into some facts about the superior Damascus steel and how it contributes to the Zelite Infinity Chef Knife's top-level quality.
Here are some quick facts you need to know about the coveted steel that makes every cooking enthusiast and chef eager to put it to use.
The Damascus steel has been forged in Syria since the 750 C.E. Back then, Syria was called Damascus. The forging method involves two or more kinds of metal being joined together which creates the beautiful ripple patterns we see on the knives.
Damascans sourced their metals from India to forge a knife using the "Damascus method," which is now known as Damascus steel.
Most of us would think that there are only two types of metals involved in creating a Damascus steel knife: the base metal and the protective metal layer. But forging a Damascus blade can involve multiple combinations of metal alloys, making it extremely tough, and retaining its edge longer than ordinary blades.
The Damascus steel you know today wasn’t actually called that. The official name of the ripple-patterned steel is Wootz. The Wootz is impure steel because of combinations such as crystalline iron, carbide, and steel.
This welding process involves several metal alloys being welded into a billet which is then shaped into the maker's desired pattern, such as a knife blade. The welded material already bears the ripple pattern due to the layering of metals. Then, it is hammered to bond the metals together strongly.
In ancient times, blades crafted from Damascus were used as weapons by soldiers. These soldiers and their opponents mythicized the blade and created exaggerated stories about its toughness and sharpness. Those stories helped develop the reputation of Damascus steel, which rubbed off until contemporary times.
Although the ripple pattern is the most common design in most Damascus steel chef knives, other patterns exist. There are at least fifteen types of Damascus steel patterns that can be created, thanks to modern technology.
The series of Zelite Infinity Damascus Steel Kitchen Knives is worth looking into, but our focus is on the 8-inch chef knife. The versatility, toughness, and premium craftsmanship put into this knife are worthy of attention. Here's what we found out about the Zelite Infinity Chef Knife.
The pattern on the blade's cheek brings an artistic quality to the knife. The Persian watered blades, as it is sometimes called, are a mark of painstaking attention to detail and quality. One look at the tsunami row pattern by any knife enthusiast, and they'll know that it's a quality knife and a beautiful one, too.
The drop point tip tends to be the point profile of all Damascus steel cooking knives because the broad-angled tip makes the belly of the blade curve outwards in a way that optimizes the rocking motion of the knife. This supports the rolling motion, one of the cutting techniques chefs use.
The full flat grind is an appropriate blade grind for Damascus cooking knives like the Zelite Infinity. The flat grind accentuates the beautiful design. It also makes the blade compact and thin to allow precise cuts and slices. It's astounding how the Damascus steel is kept flat despite its many compositions. It's truly a cramped but tough blade.
The metal material that extends down to the base of the handle makes Damascus kitchen knives like the Zelite Infinity break-proof. A full tang makes a tough knife. Unlike partial tang knives, it won't break off from the handle because the metal at the heel of the blade is also covered with a scale.
The handle has three rivets, which makes it sturdy. But what stands out as a design characteristic is the three-metal mosaic rivet at the middle of the handle. The miniature pattern composed of brass, stainless steel, and copper layered together on a small rivet are mind-blowing. This mosaic rivet can be found on both sides of the handle, too.
The Zelite Infinity Chef Knife's rounded handle scale is surprisingly comfortable to handle. You can wrap your palm around it, and feel your wrist eased off the tension. The handle's weight and the contour give adequate pressure on the palm without the pesky and edgy corners. Squeezing the handle will be like massaging your palms. The weighted handle will be perfect for some effortless mincing and chopping.
The flat grind has another small bevel on the blade's edge. This compounds the sharpness and the edge retention capacity of the Zelite Infinity Chef Knife. In case you forget to sharpen your knife, the edge bevel may become dull, but the secondary bevel can still aid you in slicing and cutting your food. You'll notice a subtle difference in the sharpness, but it wouldn't be substantial enough for your blade to be called "blunt," allowing you to keep using the knife for longer cooking sessions.
We all want something shiny, and the Zelite Infinity Knife's blade and pommel finish is polished to perfection. so much so that you can see yourself on the surface. It gleams when light bounces on it, and it also stays shiny despite multiple uses. Just be sure to wipe it down after handwashing to retain its sparkle, making it look brand new even after years of use.
There are 67 layers of Japanese AUS 10 Damascus steel sheets hammered tightly onto the base blade. That's 67 layers of added protection for such a thinly forged knife. But, don't be fooled. Despite the thin blade, it’s extremely strong. packs with it all the layers of steel, making it strong. Liquid nitrogen-cooled.
The cryogenic treatment done to the Zelite Infinity Knife's metal alters the material's atomic properties permanently—in a good way. This process makes the knife's material extra durable. It can withstand intense impact, extreme temperature change, and general wear and tear.
The bolster is curved inwards towards the blade on both sides to allow you to use the pinch method conveniently. Most cooks like to pinch the knife's bolster to get more stability when chopping small and hard foods. The tapered bolster makes the pinch technique easier and, in turn, gives you the precise cutting result you want to achieve.
The handle scale is made of durable G-10, a fiberglass material that's immensely strong against pressure and wear and tear. It won't break even if it's smashed with a heavy object. This material could last for generations and still retain its original, flawless condition if you take care of it well enough.
Ths 61 HRC Rockwell grade steel is hailed from Japan and is crafted by Takefu Special Steel. The G on the VG-10 name stands for "gold standard" and is indeed the Japanese gold standard for a sturdy, high-carbon, high-edge retention blade.
The Zelite Infinity goes through the traditional, three-stage sharpening process known popularly by the Japanese as the Honbazuke method. This sharpening method involves running the blade's cheek onto a stone wheel to achieve the blade's desired grind, then its edge is run through a whetstone to achieve the desired level. The third and final step is the polishing of the blade using leather. This is all made by hand for added attention to detail.
The top-of-the-line quality of the Zelite Infinity Chef Knife gives justice to its name. The Damascus steel, full tang profile, and substantial handle scale are all fitted together to form a knife that has incredible tensile strength, resistance to wear and tear, and a sharpness that can last for a long time.
The only drawback to Zelite is the corrosion. Damascus steels are known to have a high carbon content which is susceptible to rust, but if you're someone who knows how to keep a knife dry, this shouldn't be an issue.
The Zelite Infinity Chef Knife, despite its weakness, is proven to have a timeless power that can be passed along from one generation to the next.
