The F. Dick Red Spirit Knife Set is a six-piece professional kitchen knife collection with magnetic storage block. The Red Spirit range sits in the modern-design end of the F. Dick catalogue — distinctive red-accented handles, lightweight construction, and a contemporary aesthetic that suits open kitchens and chef's table setups. Here's what's in the set and how each piece earns its place.
At a glance
- Pieces: 6 knives + magnetic storage block
- Range: F. Dick Red Spirit (modern design line)
- Construction: High-carbon stainless steel
- Origin: Germany (F. Dick, founded 1778)
What's in the set
- Boning Knife 26cm — model 8173926 — long, narrow, semi-flexible blade for separating meat from bone, removing silver skin, and primal trimming
- Carving Knife 21cm — model 8175621 — long thin blade for slicing cooked roasts, hams, and large fruits and vegetables
- Chef's Knife AJAX 20cm — model 8172220 — main workhorse with the AJAX blade profile, used for chopping, dicing, slicing
- Santoku Knife 18cm — model 8174218K — Japanese-style blade with granton (hollow-ground) edge that reduces friction and prevents food sticking
- Paring Knife 9cm — model 8174709 — small precision knife for peeling, trimming, detail work
- Sharpening Steel 25cm — model 7174125 — for daily honing between sharpenings
The granton edge on the santoku
The 18cm santoku has a row of hollow oval indents along the blade — the granton edge. When slicing through dense or sticky foods (cheese, smoked salmon, root vegetables, prosciutto), these pockets break the surface tension between the blade and the food. Practical result: slices fall off the blade instead of sticking to it. It's not a gimmick — it makes a real difference for the foods it's designed for.
The magnetic block
The Red Spirit storage block is a heavy magnetic strip that holds all six knives plus the sharpening steel in place via the blade itself. Three advantages over a traditional slotted wood block:
- Easier to clean — no slots to harbour debris
- Less wear on the blade tip (which catches on slotted blocks over time)
- Visible — you can see what you're reaching for
Who it's for
Red Spirit sits in F. Dick's design-forward bracket. Strong fit for:
- Professional chefs in open or visible kitchens where aesthetics matter
- Restaurant kitchens equipping multiple workstations with matched sets
- Serious home cooks who want professional German tools with modern styling
- Catering businesses where the kit is part of the customer-facing presentation
For working butcher shops, the heavier-duty F. Dick Pro Dynamic or 1905 ranges are more practical — see our full F. Dick range.
The Chef's Knife AJAX profile
AJAX refers to a specific blade profile in the F. Dick range — slightly broader and with a different curve than the standard chef's knife. The profile is designed for rocking-motion chopping rather than push-cutting, which suits Western-European cooking technique. If you trained on a curved Western chef's knife, the AJAX will feel right immediately.
Care and maintenance
- Hand wash only. Dishwashers degrade both the blade edges and the handle finish.
- Dry immediately after washing.
- Hone daily with the included F. Dick steel.
- Sharpen every 2-3 weeks on a fine whetstone.
- The santoku needs a finer sharpening angle (about 15 degrees) than the European-style knives (20 degrees) — don't sharpen them all the same way.
Verdict
Strong mid-to-upper professional set with genuine design character. The six pieces cover virtually all kitchen cutting tasks; the granton-edge santoku adds versatility that pure European sets don't have; and the magnetic block is more practical than traditional storage. Good value for the build quality and brand pedigree.
Browse the full F. Dick range or the complete knife sets collection.
