This is our Vertoku knife review.
If you find your way to this article this means you are considering buying Vertoku knives. You probably have passed by A Facebook ad that praises these knives and sells them at intriguing discount prices. You must be questioning if they are legit.
Wondering if you are going to be scammed out of your money and be sent a knock-off?
I spent 18+ hours on forums, subreddits, third-party reviews (Better Business Bureau and Trustpilot), and YouTube.
No need to worry I got you!
Let’s start our review and see the answers to our questions.
In a hurry? Vertoku knives are not made in Japan as they claim. It is a Chinese-made knife. Here are our much better alternatives.
Iseya I-series 33 Layer
Wusthof Classic IKON
Mac Knife Professional
We review products independently, but we may earn affiliate commissions from buying through links on this page as an Amazon Associate.
What is Vertoku? (According to the Vertoku site)
Vertoku claims to be a brand of home cooks who make affordable knives that can be used straight out of the box.
As Vertoku describes itself on their site “Our focus at Vertoku is Japanese-inspired knives- we simply love the craftsmanship that goes into them and the look and feel you don’t typically get from Western knives.”
Vertoku knives market themselves as one of the sharpest blades in the market, blades that can cut through bone or frozen food items.
Some of the products that Vertoku offers are:
- Stainless Steel kitchen knife sets
- Damascus Stainless steel knife set with colored handle
- Damascus Stainless steel knife set with blue resin handle
- Full tang hand forged Serbian steel Chef knife
- Professional Knife sharpener
What’s included in the Vertoku Knife set?
The stainless steel knives come in different sets: 3 knives, 5 or 8 knives. The 8 knives set includes:
- 8” Chef’s knife: The most important knife in your kitchen. The Chef knife is your all-purpose knife used in almost every kitchen task.
- 5” Santoku knife: The Santoku knife is another essential knife in your kitchen. With a blade that is made to not allow your ingredients to stick on it. It makes your daily meals easier to make.
- 3.5” Paring knife: A knife made for peeling a variety of food. Used for delicate detail-oriented tasks.
- 7” Santoku Knife: A longer Santoku knife for the extra workload you may have in your kitchen.
- 7” Cleaver knife: The main use of Cleavers is to break through bones and tendons. Cleavers also use extra force, therefore, mincing vegetables such as garlic is an easy task with them.
- 8” Slicing knife: The carving knife makes thinner cuts of meat, vegetables ( like onions, tomatoes, etc.), and fruits.
- 8” Bread knife: For someone who enjoys a fresh bakery, the serrated blade of the bread knife will help you avoid ruining your precious bread’s beautiful look.
- 6” Boning knife: Boning knives are used to split the chicken and meat from the bones. With its curved blade, it becomes an easier process and a more enjoyable cooking experience.
Vertoku Knives review (Business transparency)
Many times when the deals are too good to be true, it is. That’s why we’ll try and debunk what is behind this brand.
Some brands dropship cheap Chinese knives that can be found on sites like Aliexpress for more than half the price.
Also, influencers are a big part of this process as these brands use their credibility to achieve their sales targets.
So, let’s see if Vertoku knives are making their own knives or another detective brand that uses these sketchy marketing techniques.
Marketing claims Investigation
Vertoku Steel claims to have the sharpest blades in the business; however, let’s see on what ground that claim stands.
Firstly, according to the site they claim to use the best materials.
When you search some more on the stainless steel set you will find that they are using the Chinese 7Cr17 which is Stainless steel. While the type of steel may not be the most important determinant when judging the sharpness. It surely is not from the best materials available.
The HRC rating of Vertoku steel’s stainless steel knives is claimed to be 58. It is a decent rating but it doesn’t make Vertoku steel’s knives the sharpest.
As we can see in the photo above, there is a major inconsistency in this product detail. At first, the blade is made of a 33-layer Damascus steel but as you can see at the end of the description it becomes a 66-layer Damascus steel blade!
Also, Vertoku partners with popular social media influencers like Joe Roger to endorse their products. As a result, many customers made this mistake and fell for Vertoku knives.
Where are Vertoku Knives located?
On the site, I couldn’t find where Vertoku knives were located. When I looked through their Facebook page I found out that the admins are located in the Philippines and Australia.
This is odd since the brand is registered as a US company as I’ve found through Scam Advisor.
So Where are Vertoku knives made?
So to answer your question, Vertoku knives are made in China according to my investigation and findings.
It is not said directly on their site where the brand is made. They beat around the bush with the classic marketing scams, saying how great their material is. Claiming their knives have the sharpest blades to be found.
As shown in this screenshot they just talk about their research process. As a result, I have to believe that they don’t make their own knives.
When I was searching for their warehouses I found that they are located mostly in China among -supposedly- other countries. The idea of many countries associated with Vertoku knives from the US and Australia to China seems a little fishy to me.
Price
Vertoku knives claim to be affordable knives in comparison to original Japanese knives. With a little research using the images that are found on the site, I found the same knives sold on Aliexpress at a lower price.
It isn’t odd for scammers to drop ship products from actual sellers and become the middleman. Sometimes they make custom orders to put their logo on the knives and sell them on their sites for double the price to trick buyers (white-labeling).
To add insult to injury, if you have purchased one of their mass-produced Chinese knives and want to return it, you would pay from 30% to 60 % of your original purchase price for UPS to send it to Jinhua, China and you can’t even file a dispute with PayPal or your credit card company.
Here is an example of a few knives that are the exact same as the ones sold by Vertoku knives. If you search more you can find even cheaper sets sold.
Customer reviews on the Vertoku site
The customer reviews on the Vertoku site are powered by Trustpilot. While that should be a trustworthy website. If you look closely, you will find that most of the accounts making the Vertoku reviews are new accounts that are in all probability made especially for this. Also, you won’t find any verified purchases in the reviews.
All the reviewing accounts have no photos and no other reviews. This makes it look suspicious. Also, Vertoku knives’ site has almost no bad reviews. It doesn’t stand well with me how much they are trying to look good and all these reviews are just fake reviews.
It is also important to note that they talk on their site about the Facebook love they have but when I was scanning through their Facebook page I couldn’t find any comments.
Contact numbers
You can find no way to contact Vertoku steel on their site except through email and that should not be the case in a reputable brand.
Third-Party Vertoku Knives review
It is important to note that Vertoku knives don’t have a review section on their Facebook and Instagram pages. The reviews on their website are powered by Trustpilot so I searched for another site to find reviews.
This is where I stumbled upon the Better Business Bureau. The Vertoku knife review I found was aligned with what you would expect from a scam.
Vertoku Knives customer reviews
As you can see the advertisement on the site was false regarding the strength and sharpness of the knife.
Vertoku Knives Legit Alternatives
Looking for a knife with the beautiful Damascus steel pattern? I suggest this beautiful Japanese knife.
The blade of the Iseya Gyuto knife is made of two parts. A core of VG10 steel allows for a very sharp blade that retains its cutting edge for a very long time. The rest of the blade is made of 33 layers of Damascus steel which allows for the durability of the knife -lessening the probability of the blade chipping- while also giving an attractive look to your kitchen.
Furthermore, the HRC rating of the Gyuto chef knife is 60. The blade passes the paper cutting challenge with ease. It can cut through almost anything. It is important to note that this knife is not suitable for breaking bones as it will chip.
The Iseya Gyuto chef knife is an amazing all-purpose knife. It is an essential knife in your kitchen, it can be used for cutting meat, vegetables, fruits, and almost any ingredient in your kitchen.
To put your mind at ease, The Iseya series is made by an authentic Japanese company situated in Seki city. Seto Cutlery was established in Seki city in 1908. With a great history of knife and blades making in Seki city, it suffices to say that Iseya is a legit alternative.
Looking for a set that contains all the essential pieces to up your kitchen game? With this 7 piece set, you are in for a lifetime investment.
This German knife set offers you the essential pieces you will need in your kitchen without any fluff. You will find in it:
- 3 1/2″ Paring Knife
- 6″ Utility Knife
- 8″ Bread Knife
- 8″ Chef Knife
- 9″ Steel
- Come-Apart Kitchen Shears
- 15-Slot Walnut Block
The knife is made of high-carbon stainless steel. It has an HRC rating of 58. The knife is made with so much care and quality that you can cut through a red onion as if you are cutting through butter.
The Wusthof knife is balanced near the bolster -a little blade heavy- which allows for a comfortable feel while using them. It helps lessen your wrist strain and lets you have more fun in the kitchen.
With a triple-riveted polypropylene ergonomic handle, you are ensured to have a comfortable grip. Made with a full tang to add extra balance to your knife.
You must take extra care of the knives in this set. Wash them with water and always avoid the dishwasher. Dry it immediately after washing it. With these few extra steps, you are set for long-living knives.
Looking for a chef knife that can make all your kitchen tasks easier? I think The Mac Mighty is the one for you.
The Mac Mighty is a blend between the German Knife and Japanese knife styles. With this fact in mind, you can use almost all the cutting styles with ease. Going for a push and pull or rocking motion, the Mac Mighty makes sure you are satisfied.
The blade is made of high-carbon stainless steel which maintains a sharp edge, having an HRC of 59-61. The blade retention of the Mac Might is superior to other knives which makes it even more worth its money. It is one of the sharpest knives out of the box.
The blade has dimples on both sides to lower the sticking of your ingredients on it.
And since you were looking at Vertoku knives you use you want a good-looking knife. Fear not, the Mac Mighty has a beautiful finish and is a beautiful addition to your kitchen.
It has a comfortable handle that allows for even a larger-handed individual to have enough space.
Note that you need to take extra care of the knife to avoid rusting and to keep it for a longer time.
Key Insights
In the world of culinary tools, the allure of high-end knives often captivates both professional chefs and home cooking enthusiasts. However, a deeper investigation reveals a landscape where brand claims and reality do not always align. My exploration into various brands, including the likes of Seido, has uncovered some critical insights.
1. The Myth of Origin and Craftsmanship: Many brands, similar to Vertoku, claim to offer authentic Japanese craftsmanship. However, upon scrutiny, these claims often fall short. It’s not uncommon to find that these so-called ‘Japanese-made’ knives are actually mass-produced in other countries, predominantly China. This revelation not only raises questions about authenticity but also about the actual quality of the materials used.
2. The Value of Knife Care Knowledge: An often-overlooked aspect of owning a high-end knife is the skill required to maintain it. Regardless of the brand or price, a knife’s longevity and performance are significantly enhanced by proper care and sharpening techniques. This knowledge is indispensable and can even breathe new life into your existing, less expensive knives.
3. Exploring Alternatives: In light of these revelations, it becomes imperative to consider alternative brands that offer transparency and genuine quality. Brands like Mercer, Victorinox, and MAC have been consistently reliable, offering high-quality knives without the inflated price tag often associated with misleading marketing tactics.
In conclusion, while the allure of high-end knives like Seido and Vertoku is undeniable, a discerning approach is essential. Understanding the true origin, investing in knife care skills, and exploring reputable alternatives can lead to more informed and satisfying purchases in your culinary journey.
Verdict: Are Vertoku Knives any good?
With the end of the Vertoku knife review, I hope you can see clearly that Vertoku knives are another scam brand out there to get your money.
I suggest you go for one of our three legit alternatives from reputable knifemakers instead to get your money’s worth.
If you are looking for a set, go for the Wusthof set. Looking for a beautiful Damascus steel pattern? The Iseya I-series Gyuto knife is your best bet. Or are you looking for a sturdy chef knife? Well, I have got you covered with the Mac Mighty MTH-80.
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My name is Kenzo Kishita. I’m a retired cook and a knife nerd. Now I’m a full-time home cook and a passionate blogger. Here in the blog, I share with you my love for knives and cooking.
