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From:	Brent Jones (d150-194-223.home.cgocable.net)
Subject:	REBUTTAL - What you say is only partially accurate.
Date:	August 23, 2006 at 8:08 pm PST

In Reply to: There are at least eight disadvantages to Cutco knives. posted by Sean on March 28, 2004 at 8:27 am:

First off, I would like to say that someone made an innocent post about how much they like their Cutco knives and then you wrote a reply that is only partially accurate. Why rain on someone else's parade if they like the products they have? Much of what you say is subjective and not entirely fact-based.

1. Whether somebody prefers forged or stamped knives is up to the consumer - it doesn't make Cutco inferior. Cutco knives are balanced very well, and I say this as someone who has also prepared food with Henckels and Wustof.

2. All 400 grade steels are similar types of steel - if they weren't, they wouldn't be in the same category. There are other stainless steels, such as 300 grades, or 18/10. Whether or not 440A or 440C steel makes a huge difference, I am not sure. What I do know is that no 400 grade steel is cheap. I have also never seen any claims that other high quality cutlery products are made with 440C. I did read once, though that Henckels is made with 420A, although I can't verify that. And yes, some surgical and dental instruments are made with 400 and 300 grade steels.

3. I find bolsters get in the way, personally. No, I am not a chef, but clearly most of the customers who purchase Cutco are not, either. If someone finds a handle without a bolster comfortable, who are you to say the product is inferior? My car doesn't have a sunroof. But if I drive a Lexus and you drive a Ford, the absence of a sunroof doesn't make my car inferior.

4. Serrated edges are not sharp. They rely on the points to rip and tear at the surface of what they are cutting, much like a hack saw. If you actually touch a Double-D edge, it has sharp, straight-edge blades between each set of points. The points protect the edges from dulling on hard surfaces like straight edges do. I know you mock the leather demonstration, but try pressing straight down (without sawing) on the piece of leather with a Double-D edge. It cuts clean through without sawing because the blades are recessed between the points. This is something a serrated edge could never do. Serrated edges, as I've already stated, must be sawed back and forth to cut anything. And yes, the Double-D edge is patented. Do your research.

5. In my time showing Cutco to customers, I have had 3 customers in my career tell me they found the handle uncomfortable out of nearly 1000 people. It's designed to fit all types of hands. If you don't like it, fine, but that doesn't make Cutco inferior.

As far as your claims about WearEver, that's how Cutco originated was through WearEver cookware. However, Thomas Lamb did not design handles for them in the 30's and 40's - he didn't do most of his research on ergonomics until the 50's and Cutco knives (as distributed through WearEver) did not acquire the Lamb Wedge Lock handle until the 50's. It was later modified to a universal fit in the 70's (I do believe). Again, do your research.

6. I have seldom seen a Cutco knife corrode if it is cared for properly. Sometimes, mineral deposits form as a result of hard water, or from putting high quality cutlery in a dishwasher. The Care & Use guide (included with all purcashes) for Cutco recommends that all Cutco products be washed by hand. And if Cutco were to corrode (dishwasher or not), it would be replaced for free. Although I don't know from experience, I doubt Sears would take back by Henckels 25 years after I bought it and replace it for free because I put it in my dishwasher.

7. I find it funny you call some Vector reps "rip-off" artists considering that reps get no control over pricing whatsoever. How exactly do these "rip-offs" happen? It's not like a rep can overcharge a customer - all orders are processed by the administrative offices in Olean, New York. All customers pay the same price. Reps show products and write-up orders.

8. Dude, I live in Canada and I've visited the Bay on many occasions to look at their cutlery. When pricing out the Henckels Professional S series against Cutco, I'm hard pressed to find many items where Cutco doesn't cost less. I'm not sure what you're getting at in price comparisons here. If you're finding "high quality cutlery" at 1/3 of what you pay for Cutco, double check that it's high quality cutlery.

As far as the money back guarantee, Cutco will give customers up to three months to return their orders if they are unsatisfied. It isn't in writing, but one thing most high quality cutlery companies don't have is a customer service support centre with friendly staff available all throughout the week to answer questions and assist customers... 9AM until 8PM EST in most areas. I've seen Cutco go back, get switched, or whatever after a lot more than 15 days has passed. Good customer service is an important key to getting repeat business and satisfied customers.

And as far as misuse goes, I have visited many customers to sharpen their Cutco knives free of charge in-home and returned items FOR THEM to our administrative home office for FREE replacement. I have seen customers damage Cutco by using it to open a lid, break it in half, and still get it replaced for free without paying half as written in the guarantee. That policy is applied pretty liberally. If you wrote in a guarantee - "If you screw it up and break it, we'll replace it for free," that would only invite more skepticism.

I agree with your last point - there isn't necessarily one set of cutlery that is right for all customers. But do reconsider the things you've said. It's unfair to make a Cutco enthusiast feel bad about their purchase simply because you don't like the product. I am a Cutco fanatic and I will still admit without hesitation that Henckels, Wustof and others are great products, too.

Cutco was designed to put regular homeowners first and "professionals" (as you call them) second. When I get home at the end of the day, I don't want to sharpen my knives before I make dinner. I just want them to work. Likewise, Cutco customers get products that just work and don't constantly need to be resharpened by hand. Send them back every 7-10 years for free sharpening (replacement in Canada) for an $8.00 return shipping charge, and in my opinion you've saved yourself a lot of hassle. Pass them on to your kids after and they can do the same.

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