Sharpening Up with Chelsea Winter: Why Japanese Steel Makes All the Difference

There’s a quiet pride that comes with a good knife. Every home cook knows that feeling of a blade that glides through a tomato without squashing it or slices herbs so cleanly they stay bright and fresh. In New Zealand, we’ve got no shortage of options when it comes to quality kitchen knives. From the Swiss-made Victorinox workhorses that chefs swear by, to local makers like Victory Knives who’ve been forging blades for generations, through to the sleek Japanese imports you’ll find at Chefs Edge or Blade Master, the standard is high. Kiwis take their cooking seriously, and our tools reflect that.

Chelsea Winter’s knife set sits beautifully within this landscape. Available through her website, the Chelsea Winter Knife Set (complete with a free sharpener) is made from premium Japanese steel. It’s designed for everyday use in real kitchens — not the kind of showy blades you’re scared to touch. Each knife has been shaped and balanced to feel comfortable in the hand, with a focus on reliability, sharpness, and the sheer pleasure of cooking with tools that just work.

Japanese steel has earned its reputation for good reason. It’s harder than most Western steels, which means it holds a sharper edge for longer. The result is cleaner cuts, less resistance, and food that keeps its texture and flavour because you’re slicing cleanly rather than tearing. Japanese blades are also lighter and thinner, giving you more precision and less fatigue over long prep sessions. That’s why so many top chefs and passionate home cooks around the world reach for Japanese steel — it delivers performance and longevity without the fuss.

Chelsea’s knives embody that same philosophy. They’re sharp, dependable, and made to last. Whether you’re dicing onions, carving roast lamb, or tackling a mountain of veggies for dinner, these are knives that make the job smoother and more satisfying. The inclusion of a free sharpener shows the practical thinking behind the design too — because every great knife deserves a little care to keep it performing at its best.

There’s something very Chelsea about this collection. It’s thoughtful, unfussy, and made for people who love good food but don’t want to overcomplicate things. In a kitchen drawer full of gadgets and gimmicks, these are the tools you’ll actually reach for. Sharp, balanced, and beautifully made, they’re an invitation to cook with confidence — and a reminder that the right knife can change the way you feel about every meal you make.