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I never thought I’d do a cutlery review on this site, mostly because we’re not buying much these days, but I just had to share with you our experience with Cutco Cutlery. Most everyone who’s ever known a college kid has heard of Cutco. College kids often work as Cutco Cutlery Sales Associates to groom their people and sales skills and to make a little cash while in college. When my niece called Rick and I, asking for us to listen to her Cutco demonstration, we said yes, albeit hesitantly. We weren’t accustomed to spending $63 for a single knife, and money, until recently, has always been a struggle for us due to poor money management.
Our Cutco Experience
My niece came over, and I have to say, we were impressed with the way the Cutco knife slid through a piece of leather like it was butter and the way the Cutco kitchen scissors cut through a penny. Before my niece had arrived, in a rare moment (for back then) of financial clarity, we’d set aside a cash budget of roughly $90 to purchase something from her as a way to show our support. We’d recently paid off our credit cards (for like, the thirtieth time) and were kinda-sorta committed to not going back in debt.
Cutco 1865 4-Pc. Table Knife Set in Gift Box (Classic black handle)
We stuck to our guns, though, and told my niece we’d purchase the kitchen scissors for, I think it was, $85. As a bonus, we received a nice little knife, called a trimmer , for free. The quality and construction of Cutco products is absolutely outstanding. The handle on the knife is so ergonomically spectacular that it is a joy to hold and cut with, and the kitchen scissors are also sturdy and super well made. It also comes in black and in this nice pearl color.
We had our Cutco products for about 5 years before “the incident” this winter. My Cutco trimmer is definitely my “go to” knife for all kitchen cutting, whether it be bread, veggies or meat. It was due for a sharpening (Cutco will sharpen their products for free – customers pay only shipping), and so were the scissors, but I hadn’t gotten around to sending them in. One afternoon, as I went to empty the dishwasher, there was my favorite, super expensive knife, sitting at the bottom of the dishwasher on the heating element. The handle was ruined.
Crap. One good quality knife in this house, and now it’s trashed.
I remembered reading on our Cutco guarantee at the time of purchase that the company replaces any defective item for free – forever – and that they will also replace an item for half price if it’s damaged due to misuse on the client’s part. This was a knife worth saving, so I thought I’d go and double-check the guarantee rules and see how much half price would cost us.
On a whim, since we didn’t technically misuse the knife, I thought I’d email customer service and see which part of the Cutco guarantee our incident fell under. I wrote:
Hi! Not sure which repair replacement category we fall under. Our Cutco knife fell down into the bottom of the dishwasher during the wash cycle and the handle was melted. Does this fall under the regular replacement terms or the misuse/abuse category? Obviously it wasn’t intentional misuse/abuse, but it wasn’t a product defect either. What should be our next step? Thank you for your help.
The very same day, I got a reply from Cutco customer service:
Thank you for your inquiry. I am sorry for the problem you have experienced with your CUTCO. From the information you have provided, the knife would be replaced at no charge to you.
All CUTCO products have a Forever Guarantee. If at any time you are not completely satisfied with the performance of your CUTCO product, we will correct or replace at no charge. Please send the product, along with a note of explanation including your name, mailing address and daytime telephone number.
For your convenience, our web site includes a ‘Service Request’ form, which can be included in your return shipment. Please click http://www.cutco.com/customer/returnRepair.jsp to print the form and include it in your package.
WOOHOO!!
Not too terribly long after, I packaged up the broken knife, along with our kitchen scissors that also needed sharpening, and sent them off, adding the attached email with my service repair form.
A short time later (less than two weeks), our new and shiny knife arrived, and to my pleasant surprise, they didn’t sharpen our scissors – they REPLACED them with new ones!!!! Our cost? $7.00 for shipping.
WOW! Color me impressed. Awesome products and above-and-beyond customer service to boot? You don’t find that anymore. When our debt is gone, we will definitely be purchasing more Cutco products. On my dream list is their amazing sets of table knives and steak knives. Seriously, friends, this is one purchase where the seemingly high price is well worth it. Once you spend the cash, you’ll have your Cutco knives forever. And they really do mean “forever”.
Wow, they really have an impressive customer service! My mom owns a complete set of table knives and until now she still keeps it.
It’s definitely good stuff, Clarisse. Well worth the money!
I love Cutco knives! I got a set of steak knives for my wedding and they are the best. I’m glad you’ve enjoyed yours! Isn’t it nice when Customer Service is better than expected? 🙂
Wow – nice wedding gift!! Yes, I’m a huge fan of great customer service, and Cutco didn’t disappoint!
Very nice Laurie! We actually have a good friend who works for Cutco as a regional salesperson. We have a couple of their knives and they’ve always worked great for us.
Very cool! Yes, I absolutely love my Cutco knife. It’s my “baby” in the kitchen. 🙂
That’s awesome. My brother did the cutco thing while he was in college, now more than 10 years ago, and my parents still have all the knives in perfect working order. A good knife really makes such a difference in the kitchen. I may have to put that on my wish list for my birthday this year.
I think that’s a terrific idea, Stefanie, especially if you like to cook. It would be a gift you’d have forever!
I used to participate in recruiting for my former company, and one year we actually interviewed two guys who both sold Cutco knives for the summer. I had never heard of it, but I was fascinated and quite frankly impressed with the guys for convincing strangers to literally allow them in their house with a set of knives. I didn’t realize how expensive the knives were, but a forever guarantee definitely makes it more reasonable.
LOL, yeah, you have to admire their tenacity. 🙂 I think their products are totally worth the price, and I’m not generally a name-brand, splurgy type of a girl, but their products work SO well!
I’ve never heard of Cutco, but will look into it 🙂 Thanks for sharing!
Yes, well worth it, especially if you like to cook (or eat 🙂 ).
I like to do both 🙂 I will have to save up for these purcahses of course, but I do need some knives (mine are cheapy walmart ones for the most part and they suck!).
Me too! We have so much in common. 🙂 Rick bought some cheap steak knives last summer (read: $4.99 for a six-pack) and I absolutely despise them. I swear they made the pointy things alternate in opposite directions. My butter knives cut better than those cheap-arse knives. Never again!
I remember getting something in the mail from Vector Marketing about selling knives when I was in college. I didn’t realize Cutco was the same thing! I’ll have to look into these whenever we can invest in some good kitchen tools. I’m so glad you got new items out of the handle melting, that’s great! I just recently had a poor customer service experience, so hearing this gives me some faith again =).
Sorry to hear you had bad customer service with another company. It seems to be the norm these days, sadly. 🙁
Talk about good customer service. I never owned a cutco knife. I’ve heard they were great, but at this point in my life, I just can’t justify a single knife that costs more than the knife set I use….sigh…maybe one day.
Put them on your wedding gift list. 🙂
Ah hah! Thanks Laurie…You’re a genius!
LOL, says you. 🙂
I love to hear about good customer service. I’d rather pay more for something that really lasts, but it’s hard to know sometimes. I will certainly keep this company in mind when we need to purchase knives.
You should, Kim. They are definitely on our list of things to purchase when the debt is gone. 🙂
Wow – great customer service and I love how they stand-by their products. I have to admit that I’ve actually never heard of Cutco Cutlery before. My dad, in particular, seems to have an almost irrational fear of me handling knives! I am a bit of klutz but I have never sliced my finger chopping veggies or anything, so I’m not sure why he is so paranoid. For many years, I asked for a nice knife set and my parents LOVE buying practical gifts. I couldn’t figure out why they never went for that one until my dad finally confessed that he thought I was safer with dull knives. LOL! But a good knife is so important and a dull knife is ironically more dangerous.
Your dad just loves his “baby”. 🙂 Rick, as an EMT, will vouch for your comment that sharper knives are safer. Can’t blame your dad for being paranoid: most parents are. 🙂
B used to sell them during college (many years ago) and we still have a great set today! I had no idea about the forever guarantee or the knife sharpening option – thanks Laurie!
Sure thing, Anna!!! I have a feeling you’ll be using those knives for many years to come. 🙂
I’ve never heard of Cutco. Maybe they’re not big in Canada. I think that’s awesome the quality you have enjoyed along with the great customer service. I’ll remember the name now!
Not sure about the Canada thing. But yes, they’re wonderful! You should check them out.
I’m so glad you wrote this review. I am in desperate need of new knives, and I don’t want to buy junk again. I’m going to look into Cutco.
They’re spendy, Jen, but you’ll have them forever. I won’t hesitate to pick some up after we’re out of debt.
Okay, any company that goes above and beyond to replace their product if it’s defective or breaks definitely gets my attention! If we are ever in the market for some new cutlery we will definitely check out cutco.
You should!! Good stuff, DC. 🙂
I actually do need new knives. Ours are the cheap kind from Target and we got them at our wedding….eight years ago! =/
Check out the Cutco stuff, Holly. It’ll be money well spent!
I’m going to have to try this. I have used the Forever Sharp knives and they are decent. Right now we have a set of Pampered Chef Knives, but I’ll mention this review to my wife.
Thanks for the great in-depth review!
Good stuff, Kalen. You’ll have them forever, literally. Quality is outstanding. We never use our other name brand knives anymore.
That is some great customer service. I’ve heard of Cutco knives but I don’t have one, and we do a lot of cooking so I could use a good knife. Can you buy them online or do you have to sit and watch a presentation?
No, I’m pretty sure you can buy them online, Mike. If you cook a lot, it’ll be well worth the cash spent. Ya gotta love the service too. 🙂
One of my roommates at school had one of these and they were amazing! Didn’t realize they had a great warranty and excellent customer service as well. Might be buying one in the future because the rest of the knives I have are total crap.
Yes, that’s the situation we’re in too. The ones we have are nearly 20 years old, and although they were good when we bought them, they are in dire need of replacement. 🙂
These sound great! I’ve never heard of this brand probably with me being in the UK. My hubby would definitely be up for a whole set of these when we’re debt free. He’s the chef in our house and is always saying how much he’d like a good set of kitchen knives.
Yes, I agree: a good set of kitchen knives is crucial to great cooking. 🙂 Have a great day, Hayley!
I’ve never heard of Cutco but with their above-and-beyond customer service, I think I should check out their website. I love cooking too, and after reading your review Laurie I think I really want to purchase it.
I can tell you that we’re very happy with our products, Marie. Definitely will be purchasing more once the debt is gone. 🙂
We still use the junky knifes we inherited from our parents all those years ago. Maybe it’s time to donate them to Goodwill, and buy a few good products instead.
Thanks for the recommendation, Laurie. I love getting that kind of feedback as it gives us the confidence to spend a bit more knowing you get a good product & service, too.
So true, DB40. Yes, we have a hard time too spending more unless we get personal recommendations for things. It’s tough throwing a little bit of money out the window, but even more tough throwing lots of money out the window. 🙂
We have a couple of Cutco knives at home and are incredibly happy with the quality of them! Money well spent!
Glad to hear it, Lisa! Makes me know I’m on the right track. 🙂
Don’t you love great customer service like that? When they go above and beyond to please the customer. This is what bring people back. This is great!
So true, Brit, and good service seems so rare these days that I always take note when I find it. 🙂
Now that’s what I call customer service. It’s rare to find a company that stands behind their product that much.
I agree! What a pleasant surprise. 🙂
Great post Laurie! I love when companies back up their products with great service support, going beyond the “letter” of their policies.
A friends’ son gave me the same pitch about a year or so ago, an while I didn’t end up buying anything, I really was impressed with the quality of the knives and scissors and probably would have bought the whole set if I had money to burn.
Glad you had a most positive experience with Cutco!
Take care and all the best.
Lyle
Thanks, Lyle!! Yes, we would’ve definitely bought more at the time if we’d had the cash, but hope to buy more in the future. Have an awesome day, my friend!