Joyce Chen Knife, 4 Inch, Red

After owning the Joyce Chen kitchen shears and using them for years in my jewelry work to cut sheet metal (and not chicken bones as they were designed to do) with great success, I decided to check out this utility knife. The knife seems to match the quality of the shears and does it's job well. i love the little plastic sheath that comes with the blade. I took this on a three-week car camping trip to replace the knife I usually take. That knife does not have a sheath and it was always a problem to have a very sharp knife in the box of traveling kitchen utensils that would end up cutting things it was not supposed to (including fingers when it was hidden at the bottom of the box). The Chen knife, with its sheath, solved that problem. It's a good size and can act as both a paring knife and a general cutting knife. I'm very happy with it.

I have bought a BUNCH of these over the years. They are slim and light and great for the camper, BBQ tool set, picnic basket, camp utensils kit, work desk, lunch box, and oh yeah - kitchen. They hold and edge well and sharpen easily. Even with my big hands they are comfortable to use; my wife likes them too.

I got one of these knives to go in my red kitchen and as an alternative to my 8 1/2 chef's blade for everything else. It is nice to have a smaller knife for some jobs, but this knife does not give the rocking action the chef's blade excels at. However, that was expected. This knife comes sharp and holds its edge well. It also took an edge well the one time I sharpened it since buying the first one months ago. I use it for all kinds of cutting in the kitchen and its small size can be quite useful. It is comfortable to hold as well. I don't use the sheath much. It bothers me that it doesn't have a drainage hole, but I might drill a small one in it. I got a second one to take to the office since the first one in my kitchen has been so useful. I particularly like the sheath for the office since I keep the knife in an above the head cabinet, in case it were to fall out it wouldn't cut me or anything else.

I have had one of these knives for more than 30 years, and love it. But someone used it and bent the tip, and after all these years, the sheath had gotten a bit discolored, so I decided to replace it. The knife arrived. I opened the packaging and discovered that either the blade is too thick or the sheath is not open enough. No way would the knife slip in. Amazon immediately sent a replacement product. The replacement knife didn't fit in the sheath either, but it came close... so I used a hammer to pound it in! (I figured I didn't have anything to lose.) I finally got it in, but it's a really tight fit, and really hard to get the knife back out once it's in. I am hoping it will loosen up a little if I'm able to use it.

I have some hanging in my garden, I drilled a hole through the sheath and put a loop of string through it. I've had some hanging in the garden for years and they've never rusted. I also carry one backpacking, I have a couple in tool boxes or glove compartments. They keep an edge really well.

I have 2 of these knives but they are from 15 years ago and are marked Made in Japan. Sturdy and handy, good steel and sharp (referring to my old ones not this one). One stays in my office drawer and one in my car. I was looking for a third and ordered this. Disappointed as it seems cheaply made, was not sharp at all and the sheath was hard to take on and off. I'm fussy about knives and this was Chinese (not Japanese) made and very sub par.

In my opinion, the knife it's fine, it's not like you are going to go hunting with it. Personally, I wanted it because I carry a little pencilcase with my stainless steel cutlery so I can avoid single-use plastic cutlery. I used to have a nice knife with sheath but I had it taken away when I forgot to put it on my checked baggage before a flight, so I needed a replacement and thought it was going to do just fine.However, when I got it I tried to test the sheath, but the its gap was completely closed so it would not even fit the knife. I was very dissapointed.Update:They sent me a replacement and the product came very well! It works perfectly.

Bought one of these over 30 years ago and it has served me well. Thrilled that the product is still around and purchased three of them to give to my friends. I particularly like the protection the sheath offers, keeping the blade sharp, protecting the blade from damage when it is in my gadget drawer, protection for me when I am rummaging in the gadget drawer, and safety when I am transporting it to an event where I will be using it. I take this on picnics and wine trips - so handy for slicing cheese and fruits.