Wednesday 27 May 2009

Ipod Touch Case - ipod touch accessories, cover


I LOVE this! The price is great & it shipped within 2 days after ordering it! I get so many complements on how great looking it is. I bought it to replace a cheap Hello Kitty 1 I bought at Ross. It said it was 4 Gen, but it was more like 3 Gen, it didn't fit & didn't have a hole for the camera. This 1 is gorgeous & fits perfectly. Installing it is really easy too, snaps on great. My iPod has a "cherry blossom" wallpaper, so this "cherry blossom" case went along perfectly with my wallpaper. Snap-On Protector Hard Case for iPod Touch 4th Generation / 4th Gen - Spring Flower Design

My guy bought an ipod for me, for my birthday in December. He also bought this case. It is PERFECT! The case is well made and the design is beautiful! I have the newest ipod (4th gen) and the holes align perfectly.

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B004450TGM/ref=cm_cr_rev_prod_title



This case is working just fine. I like the pattern and because it is colorful, it's easy to find in my tote. I had to remove the case to install a new screen protector and it wasn't too difficult to remove and a snap to replace. Pardon the pun. Shipping was relatively fast.

Well, I thought that the case would be a bit more durable considering it is plastic, but the case is actually pretty cheap. The design makes up for some of it though, however its like looks over purpose; like the relationship between a woman and their high heels.It was great for the price though, a lot cheaper than the more expensive cases. Next time I might just go for rubber instead of plastic. Look on the bright side! I got it in the mail within 4 days, I liked receiving the envelope!

I cannot say anything good about this snap-on case except it was very pretty and looked just like the photo.It broke the first time I put it on my iPod Touch. There was a little peice of plastic on the interior side of it which just snapped off when I was putting it on. I was aware that it being a rigid plastic that I should be careful with it but it broke anyway. When I got the case on because of the little peice that broke off, it would not stay closed in one corner. I didn't bother returning it for a refund as it was so cheap. Also I wasn't happy with the slipperyness of it. I have changed it now for a rubber one that stays better in the hand and is much easier to put on.

It's pretty and fits perfectly. I see some reviews saying it wasn't for the iPod 4G. But I have the 4G and it fits my iPod, which is still functional with the case on it. The material is cheap, but honestly if you're paying less than a dollar for it what do you expect.

Easy to snap on, beautiful design, and it's already proven itself useful when I accidentally dropped my iPod on some tile flooring - with no damage to the case that I can see! You won't find a better case and definitely not for the price.

The case is pretty enough but the description says it protects both the front AND back of the iPod touch and it doesn't actually contain any sort of screen protection. It's OK for what I paid for it but it isn't correctly described.

Bought this and a few others from the same company for my iPod touch 4 , rec'd items as pictured and fast shipping, but they do not fit the touch properly they are too big, unable to use the camera while in this case. Fits the iPhone my friend has - Accessories - Case - Ipod Touch Accessories - Cover'


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Adult Coloring Book - crafts, marker set


Do the "silly scents" markers really smell--and smell good? You betcha!



In the 20-count version my son has, there are 5 that are "silly scented". (From the picture here at Amazon.com, it would appear that the 50-count version has at LEAST 12 "silly scented" markers. I can tell because those markers have black tips rather than white ones.)



The five scents that are in the 20-count version are:



* Burnt Marshmallow (Black)

* Cherry (Red)

* Wildberry (Magenta)

* Orange (Orange)

* LEmon (Yellow)



The black marker is especially delicious smelling--but I have a concern (and thus the four stars): doesn't this encourage kids to smell markers--which can be potentially dangerous...or fatal...if they smelled the wrong kind of markers?



The reason I'm even *writing* this review is that I'm sitting here composing an article and I hear my son behind me saying "Mmmm...smells like S'mores..." I then thought "Oh geez...what if kids get the idea that smelling markers is a good idea...thinking that ANY marker can smell, potentially, like a yummy dessert or fruit?"



Other than that concern (which didn't occur to me at the time of purchase), these washable markers are quite colorful and great for writing, drawing, and coloring because of their narrowed "super tips"--which means they can draw both thick and thin.



And yes, they are (thankfully!) washable. My son accidentally graced the antique white wall in the living room with one of these markers and it washed right off--and I know they do the same if they get on clothes. Crayola 50ct Washable Super Tips with Silly Scents

I bought these markers for my four and a half year old niece before a recent trip. We spent a lot of time coloring with these markers over the course of a week, since sadly our weather was not great for outdoor activities.



The markers provide bright, vibrant colors. However, the colors of a lot of these markers are very similar, especially between some of the scented colors and the non-scented ones. The colors are often not true to their cap color, so it's hard to tell what color you are actually going to get--which is very upsetting for a four year old. The scented markers were not as vibrant as the non-scented ones, and did not hold up as well with prolonged coloring. The super tips were good for detail coloring, but be warned that we did get some bleed through when using thinner coloring book paper. Make sure you have thick art paper on hand when using these markers. The bleed through was really easy to clean up though--the markers easily washed off of table top surfaces and countertops, as well as hands and faces.



I would recommend this type of marker, but I would probably recommend a smaller set. I don't think the colors were different enough to warrant buying a 50 marker set, a set of half this size would have been sufficient.

This large set of markers would be fun for children who like having lots of choices, or for a group of kids to share while they work on projects at the same time.



For my purposes, though, I was not very impressed. Besides the fact that the colors are not very colorful, and the actual hues do not warrant having so many pens. Some markers' colors do not match the actual color of the marks they make, and some markers make virtually indistinguishable marks, although the pens themselves are colored differently.



Also, one reason why I purchased this set was to use the gray markers. I wanted to do some monochromatic studies using just gray tones--three would have been enough. Unfortunately, it was not possible to use the grays like a simple grayscale, because the grays were not "neutral"--some had a "bluish" tint, others had a "warmer" tint. Fortunately, though, the set is not expensive, and I can donate it to a pre-school or something.

First off- do pricing homework...prices differ vastly. Some peeps are sayin' that some color groups and individual colors are too alike, and I hate to rock the boat, but this is not true. All you have to do to prove this is compare similar colors drawn on white paper and hold up the results in the sunlight...you will see that the colors are indeed different from one another. (I too, first thought that some colors were alike at first glance, so please perform this little "experiment". I could see even in indirect, late afternoon light at my kitchen table that the colors differed. Besides, think of the paint chip samples in hardware stores...a lot seem very similar, but once you experiment with them or view them in different levels of light, you can see how one would be perfect for your living room, and how another would be perfect for a doctor's office.) Skin tones are included. Washability rocks- my three-year-old colored herself through a dress with two light layers, then through her PJ pants, then on through to her skin with the darkest blue that she could find. All I did was soak the clothing articles overnight with a little water and detergent, and the clothes came out good as new, even before a regular wash cycle. Ditto for durability- my husband recently witnessed my tot pounding the tips of our older batch of Crayola markers to death, but they held up. In fact, when I checked the older batch for color strength, I was suprised that so many were still going strong...I believe that we purchased the older batch a little less than two years ago, and they have been used frequently. Apparently, they will outlive us.



The scoop on the scented markers:



Cherry- smells like it.

Wild Berry- yum!

Orange- yep.

Lemon- can inhale all day.

Honeysuckle- just O.K., not exactly like the real stuff.

Green Apple- kids will love it.

Forest Pine- Pine-Sol, anyone?

Fresh Air- bad air freshener.

Bay Breeze- nice, but I can see it producing a headache if sniffed too much.

Vanilla- Sorta, has beeswax scent notes.

Burnt Marshmallow- makes ya hungry.

Spice- accurate, will clear your sinuses.



As far as anybody gettin' ill (I am using that adjective as opposed to another word that we are all thinking of) from inhaling these suckers...well, I survived my "Mr. Sketchy" smelly markers back in '83, and I propose that maybe after three hours of continuous sniffing that the most you would get is a bad headache. Listen, the most our kids will do is take a quick snuff here or there when they actually remember that the markers smell, do their art thing, then run off to make another mess in another location. All in all, my daughters love these markers (my little one has even rejected her "Pipsqueaks" and her Pre-K type markers and prefers these) because they are easy to use, vibrant, include a huge selection of hues, and encourage their artistic expression. Used everyday in my joint to create "wallpaper" for my kitchen and computer/office/play/storage/alleyway room. - Markers - Crafts - Crayola - Marker Set'


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Optical Mouse - mouse, computer accessories


This was the cheapest mouse I could find, but it seems to work just fine. It is very light, which is good for me because I sometimes need to carry it around with my laptop. Like other reviewers said, this mouse is standard size; the "micro" in the name is just the brand. Some might find it a little too "jumpy," but you can easily adjust the mouse speed in the control panel (on Windows XP, follow this order: Control Panel--mouse--pointer options). You can adjust the speed from there to make it less "jumpy." iMicro MO-5013U USB Optical Mouse (Black/Silver), Bulk

Don't let the cost scare you away. Though these are very inexpensive mice, they are every bit as good as a standard Dell or HP mouse that might ship with a new PC.



Excellent replacement for a standard mouse.

They called this mouse micro yet it is larger than I expected. It works very well in my home with children aged 6 to 12 using the computer as well as mom and dad. It is a good mouse for a cheap price.

You get what you pay for. This mouse has absolutely no weight to it. The buttons are too flimsy and the mouse is too fast even on the slowest pc setting. The worst thing is that it loses its optical connection many times during use and you have to bang it hard on the table out of anger to get it working again. Not even worth the $6 or so. Better off paying a few $ more for a Logitech or other name brand. My old Logitech was used heavily for several hours a day for 3 years until the button finally lost much of it's cushioning. I am still going to switch back. Next time, I'll buy a name brand.

I got this because I needed a pointing device to use when the batteries run out on my trackball and I don't have new ones. I couldn't stand to use the old-fashioned ball-type mouse that came with my desktop computer. The pad on the laptop wasn't too bad but I often like to be farther away so I like an external device of some sort.



It's hard to beat the price on this. Another reviewer had mentioned jumpiness so it wasn't a total surprise when I found that. The thing works. I still use it regularly as an emergency spare, although I've recently gotten some cool alternatives including my current favorite, a Kensington trackball with a ring that has the same functions as the more commonly used wheel.

This mouse works fairly well when I started to use it. Well, the quality is OK at that time considering the cheap price. But now, two months after I purchased it, it got a serious problem: the roller does not respond more than half of time, which makes me really frustrated... My friend got one around the same price (another brand) but got no problem at all after half year use... - Optical Mice - Optical Mouse - Mouse - Computer Accessories'


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Portable Grill


I bought my grill on (Saturday) 7 Aug 10, and I was so proud to get the grill on sale (I thought they were all sold out, because this was a limited production model). I brought it home and assembled the grill the same day. I hooked up the Coleman gas and checked it for leeks. None were found, so while the grill was heating up, I went indoors to get some hot dogs to cook on it. I went back outside the grill and heard a popping sound like popcorn popping. I opened up the grill and the exterior coating was flaking off. I was really disappointed that I could not even cook anything on a brand new grill. I called Coleman Company on Monday morning, and the grates are on back order, so I have no idea when I can use the grill. It was funny the operator never asked me what model I had, and she already knew it was the Paul Jr. Design model. I wanted this product, because it does have better quality parts (pull out side plates, chrome nobs, chrome hooks, better wheels, and a nice temperature gauge). I still think this will be a decent product, and at least I did get good customer service, without any type of a hassle about getting new grades. I've had a good experience in the past with Coleman customer service, so this was another reason why I purchased this grill.



I just got the new grades in from Coleman today (16 Aug 10), and they have a much thicker coating to the grates, almost a powder coating to the cast iron. I will start using the new grill grates this weekend, and update my review. Paul Jr. Designs Coleman RoadTrip Grill

This grill is AWESOME! I can even look past the defective grills that come with it. It folds out and folds up perfectly, better than any other portable grill I've seen. It has more cooking power and cooking surface than any portable grill I've seen, and it actually folds out to regular grilling height without purchasing expensive extra accessories or stands. And it does all this in one piece without other pieces to lose or forget at home.



Perfect for tailgating, car/tent camping, picnics, etc.! And this model specifically is a better look with the black and chrome. Other campers will seriously envy you.



I even use this outside the garage of my apartment, it's that easy to set up and take down.



I'll be adding the full size griddle grate, and grill cover. I've already added the high-pressure adapter hose for use with a regular propane tank. I'd highly suggest this if you'll be using it at home also.



IMPORTANT: As soon as you buy this grill, contact customer support and report the defective grills to get better replacement grills in the mail under warranty. The original grill grates are defective and the enamel will flake off instantly with heat. Even worse if you use the instructions to "condition" the grill like it says to do first.

I'd read a lot of the reviews and some of the issues with the grill that people had experienced. I went ahead and bought it given all of the concerns. Set up is a snap. As far as the concern over the grill material popping when you're "conditioning" the grill per the instructions.... I did it a little differently than they mentioned. I lit both burners, set on high, closed the top and watched the temp gauge. When it got to 200, I opened the top for a few seconds and let it cool down. Closed the lid and let it heat up to 300 and opened it again. Repeated this at 100 degree increments until it got up to 500 degrees and then shut it off, letting it cool with the top closed. I don't know if I would have had problems otherwise, but it worked perfectly and everything has been fine. The latch issue is a VERY simple $2 fix. I agree that the closing latch is cheesy. They really should have done something different with it. That said, I went to Ace Hdwe, picked up a spring that was about 2 inches long, very fine wire, quarter inch diameter with the hook style ends. Very light pressure....just enough to keep the latch in the closed position. Drill a hole 1/8" or less in the lifting handle, just across from the latch (to the right, at the same level as the latch). Put one end of the spring around the latch and wind it around so it stays on, stretch the other end into the hole that you drilled (just far enough away to keep a very slight amount of pressure on the latch and the spring). It stays in place perfectly and no more worries about the top coming open during transport, etc. It literally took me 5 minutes and now I just pull the latch over every time I open and close the lid. This was so easy that I'm a little surprised that Coleman didn't design it in. Wish I could post a picture so give a visual on it for clarity (a picture would be worth WAY more than all those words above!). The grill cooks like a champ and I think it cleans up easily too. In all this is a great grill and for the price it's really great.

The product arrived within a reasonably quick time and the assembly was easy. The one glaring and frustrating design flaw is the flimsy, useless latch for the top for transporting. As soon as I lifted the unit to roll it into storage the top came open and the grates slid out. The latch actually slides open when you lift the unit. I tried to figure a way to have it latch better but to no avail. A bungee cord is now holding it closed, but the latch is a colossal design failure, especially since this is touted as a "portable" grill. This flaw should have been detected and rectified early on in the production of these units. As an engineer, I see the need for a much heftier, "snapping" or locking closure to give this unit a feeling of quality and durability. Actually, it's a "no-brainer," and you don't have to be en engineer to figure this out. Coleman and Paul Jr. dropped the ball on this one.



Sept. 7, 2011 follow-up. We used the grill as a portable and at home this summer and it worked very well. Buy an adapter hose for a large tank for economical home use and you have a very nice product. The bungee cord is still necessary for transport - a minor inconvenience. I hope Coleman has changed the latch design.



Amazon continues to be the first site I go to when looking for something on the Internet.'


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4 Port Usb Hub


Another great product from Belkin. I have used it when traveling with my laptop to hook up extra equipment. I have used it at home with my desktop for some added USB-2 level ports. It is great as it is very small and can fit in a shirt pocket, backpack, shoulder bag or purse. It provides you with 4 ports, high speed transfer rates and it is plug and play so NO SOFTWARE required which is always a good thing. If you need more ports for any USB device this would be a great one, if you require more ports you have several good choices right here on Amazon. Belkin USB 2.0 4-Port Ultra Mini Hub F5U407

I like the design of this USB hub but I wish the tail was a bit longer so I could hide the other four ports behind something.



This basic hub works well for many USB devices but if you need a hub to support USB 2.0 devices that require power, like an external hard drive, you need to know that this isn't a powered hub (no power adapter).

I needed a USB hub for my PS3, and oddly enough this was a difficult decision.



Powered or un-powered?



Expensive or Cheap - why are the prices of these so wide spread?



There are concerns that powered ones can send power back up into the console and damage it, as well as issues of hooking too many peripherals onto it (an un-powered one) and over drawing power from the console.



I have been using this one for a few months and I think I made the right choice.



I have the PS3 with the following peripherals:



- USB Microphone (Karaoke) (Not for me I Swear!)

- Logitech GT Racing Wheel

- Eye (Web Cam & Integrated Microphone)

- External Hard Drive



With all of that how do you plug in a USB Thumb Drive or charge your controllers?



This is a simple solution that works from a legitimate company for a low price.

I bought this USB hub to be able to add a couple of extra USB ports to the back of my computer. I love how small it is, and the fact that it does not require any external power supply, so no additional cables or power bricks to plug into a wall outlet. It even has a small red LED light to tell you it is recieving power from the USB port it's connected to. And, it is USB 2.0. Cheap, small, convenient, and it gets the job done. What more could you ask for?. Great buy.

If you need a 4 port unpowered USB hub this one works nicely for me. I have a 4GB SanDisk Cruzer an eleven GB Drive Eight GB Microdrive and a mouse connected. so far every time I power up my laptop everything has always been recognized.

Don't be thinking that you can plug in your Ipod or anything else that requires power off your USB for recharging. Ok for data exchange for flash drives or other such non powered exchanges.

Seems well made and a good price.

Okay, it's supposed to be "compact" but it's designed with the 4 USB ports facing in all 4 directions, 90 degrees from each other, so all the items you plug in spread out to take up way too much space! See the photo - hardly compact once you have things plugged into it. Aside from that, it works like most other USB hubs. Nothing special. Many points taken off for counter-ergonomic design, I wouldn't recommend to anyone who wants a tidy desktop. I recommend Targus ACH103US USB 2.0 4-Port Bend-A-Hub With Mini USB Adapter (Black).

Works as advertised.

I have been using this with my MacBook Pro. I use my external drive, external wired mouse and laptop chill mat with this USB hub in one go. All work fine.

I am pleased with this hub and would recommend it.'


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Swim Diapers - swim diapers, swim diaper


I borrowed the size info from another (very considerate) parent who posted reviews for everyone. The review is all mine though!!!! :)



These diapers are great - the sizing is accurate and they work really well. The elastic is not too loose or too tight, but the diapers contain the solid mess well. Parents should be aware that ALL reusable swim diapers (or at least all that I have found) allow the liquids to pass through and contains the solid matter. My daughter likes these ALOT more than disposable swim diapers - if we tryt o put a disposable on her when traveling she gets upset and says - "no, no,no - I want white diaper" (these)!!!



Sizing & Product Info:



Small: 10-18lbs

Medium: 18-22lbs

Large: 22-25lbs

X-Large: 25-30lbs

3T: 30-38lbs

4T: 38-46lbs



UPF 50+, PVC Free Eco Friendly, 100% Polyester iPlay White Ultimate Swim Diaper, White, X-Large

My daughter had an 8 week swim class. This swim diaper worked like a charm. I was nervous about the white, thinking it may discolor in the pool or if it got dirty. It never discolored and if my daughter had an accident the diaper held up great. She used it once or twice a week for 8 weeks and it still looks like brand new. This product saved me tons of money and I will be buying more next summer.iPlay White Ultimate Swim Diaper, White

Soaking in soap and water alone did not rid this diaper of it's smell after 1st use. As directed I did not use bleach but rather washed it using the sterilize hot water setting on my washer. It was back to new after that. I would recommend this product but advise to wash quickly after use and in hot water.

This is the second iplay swim diaper I have purchased for my son. I love them. I was pleasantly surprised that the company changed the design slightly with the snaps on the side for easier on and off. Iplay swim diapers hold everything in. Yes, the older style (without the snaps) are messy to remove if the child poops in it. The diapers hold up so well though. My son wears them at our local Y (so a high chlorine level in the water) and I machine wash the diaper as soon as we get home. These diapers are worth the money (about the cost of one pack of disposable swim diapers). I feel they run true to size - my son wears a 24 month pant and the XL fits perfectly.

I am so happy with this swim diaper; the seams and fabric and elastic are all very high quality. Probably the nicest one we own! I would probably like colors or prints better, but eh, it just goes underneath the swimsuit, right?

I got the X-large size for my 10 month old and so far we've only used it 5 or so times. It fits great, is easy to put on, and fits under his regular swimsuit. As for functionality, he once peed before going into the pool, and it did hold it. We've never tested it on number 2 yet.

My son is now 2 years old and has been wearing Iplay swim diapers since he was 4 months old and I took him swimming for the first time. I recently purchased our third swim diaper in an XL (24 months). I love everything about the Iplay swim diapers, and have had no need to try another brand. They fit great, run true to size, hold everything, and are very affordable. I was looking at other brands recently because I was concerned about the lack of snaps/velcro and having to pull the diaper down on a squirmy 2 year old in case of a mess. However, I was pleasantly surprised that Iplay has improved their diaper by adding snaps on the side. Now the swim diaper is absolutely perfect. :) - Samantha - Swim Diapers - Swim Diaper'


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Knife Block - knife block, ginsu


I saw this knife set in a Consumers Report magazine and they were VERY highly rated. The good thing about these knives is that you get solid quality and performance but for much less than a Henckels or Wusthof type knife. I'm not a professional chef by any means so I don't need to drop $300 - $500 on knives but the set I was using before was ridiculous. Long story short, these knives cut great and they even feel like a really solid product. I sort of smirked when I saw the name Ginsu. I still have those old-time infomercials in my mind's eye but I guess Ginsu really is a legit brand name. I am definitely satisfied with this purchase! Ginsu 7108 Chikara 8-Piece Stainless-Steel Knife Set with Bamboo Block

Just like everyone said these knives are very sharp and have stayed that way so far. The bamboo knife block and the handles are very well made and look very good. I have avoided rusting by cleaning and drying the knives as soon as im done with them. A quality product.

Like many other reviewers, this was an upgrade from your cheap stamped (cut from one sheet of metal) knives. These are razor sharp and cut through just about anything without effort. I was able to compare the Santoku knife to a Wusthof knife, which alone cost as much as this set; and the Ginsu knife wins. Better feel (weight), look, and sharper.



Now for a few quibbles/comments:

1. When purchasing this set, I liked the fact that it came with a Chef's Knife and a Santoku. Now I don't use the Chef's Knife at all, I always reach for the Santoku knife instead.

2. The shears look very cheap compared to the rest of the set, although they are plenty sharp.

3. The serrated knife is good to have (I guess), but I've only used it for grapefruit thus so far.

4. The utility knife (non-serrated) has gone almost unused.



So in sum, great set at great price. I really only needed (and use) the santoku, paring, and steel (to hone).



Note: Reviewers complaining about rust just almost certainly have not taken proper care of their knives. These should be hand washed and dried immediately after use. Don't think about putting them in the dishwasher unless you don't care about rust or appearance.

I am absolutely in love with this Chikara set. The first compliment I received came 5 minutes after it arrived and I set it on my kitchen countertop. The holder is a beautiful caramel color that the picture does not do justice. After 2 weeks of using this item, I can say that the 8 piece set is enough for someone who cooks a few times a day. The most useful knives that I have found is the 7-inch Santoku and 5-inch utility knife. I use the Chef's knife once in awhile but found that the Santoku does the work just fine. They come extremely sharp but for the edge to last longer, you should hone it after one heavy use or two light uses.In addition, they are forged and not stamped. As a lifetime user of stamped knives, the fact that they are forged makes a huge difference. Each slice carries more weight the the old stamped knives. If you don't know the difference, google it. You'll find it informative.Overall, these knives were a bargain for the burden of work they accomplish and look beautiful. They have sleek beautiful handles and are just the right size for a standard kitchen. They look and feel a lot more expensive than they are.If you get this set, make sure you read up on how to treat your knives and it will last a lot longer. Here are some golden rules:1) Hone your knives, Sharpen once a year.

They are various informative videos on Youtube that tell you how to HONE your knives. They should be done after every use to keep it sharp and long-lasting. Sharpening is only done once a year. The set comes with a steel rod which is okay for honing. It takes a few times to master it but once you do, your knives will stay sharp and your preparation time will be a fraction of what it used to be. If a college student can do it, you can do it.)2) Rinse as soon as you're done with it. Dish detergent can be used. Hot water is okay. Most importantly, you MUST dry it off after you use it. Make sure that from tip to handle, everything is toweled off before putting it back in the holder. Try not to cut acidic things with your nice knives but if you do, rinse it quickly.3) Handwash, no dishwashers. In a nutshell, it causes it to rust and ruins the handle.4 Keep it in the holder or invest in a traveler. If you just stick it in the drawer it will get dull very fast and ruins your knives. If you travel with it, get a traveling holder.5) Get a decent cutting board. No glass, no marble, wood is best, plastic is okay. Nothing dulls a knife faster than repeated banging against stone/glass.6) Be reasonable with your usage. No one in their right mind will open a can of tuna with their knife when a dollar will buy you a can opener.I will post an update with this product in a few months. So far, it has been the most wonderful and much needed addition to my kitchen.**UPDATE: 12/20/10

The serrated knife that came with the set cut through a thick, tough shoulder cut of steak like it was a piece of cake. No sawing required! Still amazed!**UPDATE: 9/3/2011

Still the favorite set in my apartment. I have been honing it extensively and the knives have not lost their sharpness or edge. The santoku has two small spots of rust on them already from lazy roommates that don't wipe off the water. But I digress, I still love these knives and will probably still love it more than my first born child.

I have had this knife set for about 2 weeks, and here are my impressions so far:



-Package was shipped well. Knives were individually wrapped and protected to prevent dulling during shipping, and block had no chips/scratches or anything of that nature.



-Nice balance in the hand. Feels "good" to wield, easy to control when cutting. Handles are best sized for someone with smaller hands, I think. Someone with huge hands might wish the handles were bigger.



-Quite sharp right out of the box, and stays that way if you hone the knives before each use, or at least every other use. Unfortunately, I had to go to the Ginsu website to read their instructions for honing the knives, as no such instructions were included in the packaging. Honing is important: by honing properly before each use, the knife stays sharper for longer, meaning safer+easier cutting and fewer trips to a knife shop to have the set sharpened again.



-Love the Santoku knife, use it more than any other knife in the set. Great for chopping and dicing.



-No proper bread knife in this set. Seems like an oversight to me, since a bread knife is one of those must-have things in a knife set. The serrated 5-inch knife can be used as a bread knife if the loaf is small and the crust is not too thick. Still, they should have included a real bread knife.



-Bamboo knife block is of good quality, and it looks good on the counter. Still, I wish it had been designed like most knife blocks where the knives rest at an angle in the block. It makes it easier to get the knives out and put them back, especially in a crowded kitchen where the block is crammed against the wall among other things.



Overall, I think this is an extremely good knife set for the money, and I am glad that I bought it. Treat the knives well by honing them every time and drying them immediately after use, and they will treat you well in return. I bought this knife set because it had such good reviews here and in Consumer Reports, and nothing in my experience so far has contradicted those good reviews.



If you need a knife set, you can't do better than this set for the money, in my opinion. - Knife Set With Block - Knife Block Sets - Knife Block - Ginsu'


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