Knifewear

My wife and I came here to take a look at upgrading our knives. The staff were friendly and knowledgeable, providing valuable insight into the purchase decision. When we came home and started using the knife, its been easy to use and just as good as the sales people told us it would be. Definitely will be buying more knives from this place.

I attended a free class on how to carve a chicken at the Roots on Whyte building (advertised in Blush Lane), and it turned out that the presentation was given by staff from Knifewear. The staff were very friendly, well-​informed, and helpful during the presentation, both when it came to food preparation and on the topic of knives in general.
After this experience I visited the store a couple times to look for kitchen knives and with my husband when he wanted a razor. The employees said that they had knives in a variety of price ranges, but I found that in general the prices were still too high for my sad student budget. I get that quality costs though, this isn’t a criticism.
OK, maybe this is just me, but I found the whole atmosphere in-​store to be very pretentious. The staff were definitely knowledgeable, not pushy, and had no issues helping us out during our visits. But apparently, «looking cool» is a major selling point of an incredibly expensive razor, and both an axe and an $ 80 cocktail shaker were worth mentioning to folks shopping for razors. My husband stated, about the whole sales pitch, «it was pretty much awkward the entire time.» The experience was analogous to enduring minutes of flair bartending when all you want is to grab a gin and tonic and go sit with your friends. Or artisanal pencil sharpening. Basically, overkill.
I think this is probably the first place I’d stop if I actually had the money to spend on a knife, though, as the quality is definitely there, and the staff possess a unique expertise.

Service: they answered the phone. They told me it would take 10 minutes to sharpen my knife. Then I show r up and they deliver d as promised. I think it might’ve actually been shorter. My knife is now probably sharper than it has ever been. Great job!!!
Also, while I waited I got to listen to some good music, have a good conversation about the store, how they’re one of the fastest growing businesses in Canada, talked about shaving, Japan, knives and etc. Pretty sweet.

I didn’t know this place existed but as someone who loves to cook and understands the importance of having a sharp knife, I’m totally in love with it.
The shop is long and narrow, and they’ve got plenty of display cases with a variety of beautiful knives at different price points and of different materials and styles. I think they are all Japanese knives but don’t quote me on that — they are definitely not mass-​produced knives. The staff are incredibly knowledgeable and will take the time to chat with you and go over your needs, and help you find a knife that is perfect for you. Or if you are just browsing, they are fine with that too — there’s no pressure to buy a knife.
They also have a neat selection of cookbooks and some kitchen accessories (I didn’t know ceramic sharpening ‘steels’ existed!), as well as an area dedicated to the art of shaving (as Trenton B. mentioned). How cool is that!
The shop also does knife sharpening so I’ll definitely be bringing my knives here from now on. Prices are on the high side but I don’t know enough about these knives to know whether they are appropriately priced. All I know is, the knife I ended up buying is the best knife I’ve ever used and I’m happy to have made the investment.

I stumbled upon this shop, courtesy of a pre-​Christmas Unilocal Shop on Whyte Event. I’ve been back since to check it out.
The selection of cookbooks here are extensively amazing; you’d have to check out this recommended amazing Artisan Bread cookbook. The staff here are very helpful. When I was trying out a knife, I was being corrected on the pressure I put on the tomato — it’s proof that I was rarely honing my knives. Two of their staff members offered me two variations of the honing demonstration, compared with a comical Chef Ramsay style, where he actually blunts the knife in the process for dramatic effects on TV. It was very helpful to have a demonstrated comparison with Japanese knives versus Western knives.
I’m (really) convinced I need to attend their knife skills class. They appear to fill up fast — I’ll write an updated review once I’ve attended their class.

If it is possible to be a knife nerd, then Knifewear is a haven for such lovers of sharp edges. The store is very bright and spacious on the inside, full of beautiful Japanese knives on display. There is also a selection of razors, axes, cooking books, and sharpening blocks. The items here are high end, and the staff are super knowledgeable. If you are passionate about cooking, want to get a gift for a knife lover, or simply want to see knives that are literally works of art, head to Knifewear.

Knifewear’s selection of knives, cutting boards, cookbooks, and other kitchen gadgets is very impressive but what some of the other reviews are missing is the amazing men’s shaving selection at the back of the store. The shave shop section is an offshoot of the Calgary-​based Kent of Inglewood store and has a wide selection of straight razors, double-​edged razors, shaving soaps and creams, shaving brushes, aftershaves, colognes, bowls and pretty much anything else you could possibly need for wet shaving.
I’m relatively new to wet shaving and picked up a double edged razor from the store recently. The customer ahead of me was obviously a shaving enthusiast and spoke at length with the salesperson about different creams and blades. As a newbie, I sneakily eavesdropped as I learned about the sheer depth of a hobby shaving can be. When the salesperson was done with that customer, he was happy to go back to basics with me and did an excellent job relating to the newbies and the experts alike.
Knifewear is obviously a great destination for kitchenwear but if you’re looking to get into wet shaving or know a shaving enthusiast, I urge you to drop by the back of the store!

Love this place! Love these guys! The staff here are so knowledgeable and enthusastic you can’t help but buy a sweet hand-​forged japanese knife or knife-​related accessory from here. I’ve also visited their flagship location in Calgary and they too are excellent. Don’t forget they have shaving gear and other types of utility knives for men. Go and be inspired!

If you’re looking for great knives, this is the place to go!
The selection is fantastic. everything for entrance level chef to world class elite. The staff is very knowledgeable about their products and understand that choosing a knife can take some time. They are very patient and will discuss the various attributes of each artist and their knife making abilities.
Unlike many retail outlets, they have cutting boards and fresh vegetables in the store so that you can try your knife before you buy it. They have samples of almost every knife so that customers can try them and truly feel how they perform.
I have bought several of their fine knives and would recommend them to everyone!

Let me first explain that I have a fear of knives… as in, my husband cheered when I picked up something other than a paring knife the other night! However, this is one cool place!
I first experienced Knifewear at the Calgary Farmer’s market and was so glad to finally make it into the full-​sized Edmonton location. They have a huge selection and apparently are one one of two ways to get these knives from Japan (the other one being a booking a flight and shopping trip there yourself!)
The staff are very knowledgable and patient and provide tomatoes to practice cutting — I was so impressed at the ease with which I cut (the thinest slice ever of tomato) that I could have almost been convinced to make a purchase. It would have taken convincing my hubby that the ones with the cherry blossoms were the best though… and I just wasn’t up for that… yet! I’ll be bringing my brother, the chef, there as soon as he comes for a visit though!

I took an Axe, hatchet and hunting knife that needed sharpening to Knifeworks and I couldn’t be happier with the results. The price was right and the service was helpful and quick. You could have any blade or edge sharpened here and they offer some nice shaving products as well.

Great experience buying steel here. Knowledgable staff and overall great buying experience. Need knife? Check this place out!

Chefs & Cooking nerds unite.
This is the spot for getting a proper chefs tool.
No longer do we have to make trips to Calgary or order online. You can go and demo their artisan knives and check out their other specialty wares.
Tip: First sharpening is on the house.