When QSP first contacted me, I had no idea who they were and almost dismissed the opportunity to test their new kitchen knives. However, curiosity got the better of me, especially after seeing that some bigger retailers were selling their branded pocket knives. It was worth a look.
QSP, based in YangJiang, China, is known for its EDC knives and also because of its best-selling “Penguin” pocket knives. To my surprise, their kitchen knives are impressive. Especially for a first attempt, they have set the bar high for themselves, despite being primarily known as a pocket knife brand and manufacturer. The kitchen knives are sharp, well-balanced, and feel great in the hand. QSP has clearly put a lot of effort into these knives, and it shows.
In this article, I will ask QSP a few questions about their venture into the kitchen knife market. Each knife will be reviewed in detail in upcoming posts on the website and on the YouTube Channel: ChefPanko. It’s worth noting that QSP will not see these reviews before they’re published, so my opinions are entirely my own.
To understand more about their venture into the kitchen knife market, I reached out to QSP with a few questions. Here’s what they had to say:
1. What inspired QSP to enter the kitchen knife market?
We were inspired to enter the kitchen knife market to provide the same level of quality, service, and price that our customers have come to expect from our pocket knives and fixed blades. Our goal was to extend this exceptional experience to those who might not carry a pocket knife, allowing them to enjoy the same high standards in their kitchen tools.
2. Was there a special designer or team involved in creating your kitchen knives?
Yes, Aaron the cofounder, and the two full-time designers were instrumental in creating our kitchen knives. They took their extensive experience with pocket knives and fixed blades and applied them to our kitchen knives, ensuring both functionality and aesthetic appeal.
3. Do you have a dedicated design and testing team for your kitchen knives?
Yes, Aaron, the cofounder, and the two full-time designers, and our engineers are the same team members working on our QSP and OEM products. Their commitment to the idea of “keep moving, get better” ensures that we apply the same level of innovation and expertise to our kitchen knives. We conduct in-house testing and gather feedback from customers to ensure the quality and performance of our products.
4. What key features did you focus on for your kitchen knives?
Key features we focused on include exceptional cutting performance and a well-balanced design. Our knives are crafted to be surprisingly light for their blade length, which enhances ease of use and precision. Additionally, ergonomic handles ensure comfort during extended use, and all our kitchen knives are hand-sharpened to maintain an exceptionally sharp edge.
5. How do you ensure the quality and performance of your kitchen knives?
We ensure the quality and performance of our kitchen knives by leveraging our extensive cutlery experience from OEM partnerships since 2009 and our QSP-branded products since 2017. Our expertise in OEM collaborations and branded products has been applied to our kitchen knives to meet high standards of sharpness, durability, and overall performance. Each knife is hand-sharpened and undergoes thorough testing. Feedback from customers is also integral to our quality control process.
6. What challenges did you face while developing kitchen knives compared to pocket knives, and how did you address them?
Developing kitchen knives presented challenges such as ensuring optimal edge retention and ergonomics for extended use. We addressed these challenges by applying our extensive experience with pocket knives and fixed blades, informed by our OEM partnerships and our QSP-branded products, to achieve superior sharpness and refine handle designs based on customer feedback.
7. How do you plan to differentiate your kitchen knives from competitors?
We differentiate our kitchen knives by combining high-quality materials with hand sharpening, which enhances cutting performance. Our focus on ergonomic design and craftsmanship, informed by our experience with various types of knives and our OEM and QSP-branded product experience, also sets our products apart from competitors.
8. Are there plans to expand your kitchen knife line?
Yes, we plan to expand our kitchen knife line to offer a wider range of knives that cater to different culinary needs. We will continue to innovate and refine our designs based on user feedback and market trends.
🛒SHOP:
QSP Official Website:
QSP Kitchen Knives
QSP KLiritsuke/Utility Knife 4-inch 14C28N
QSP Kiritsuke/Utility Knife 4-inch Damascus
QSP Santoku 7-inch Damascus
QSP Santoku 7-inch 14C28N
QSP Harpoon 8-inch 14C28N
QSP Harpoon 8-inch Damascus
QSP Gyuto 8-inch 14C28N
QSP Gyuto 8-inch Damascus
QSP Kiritsuke 8-inch 14C28N
QSP Kiritsuke 8-inch Damascus
QSP Pocket Knife:
QSP PENGUIN 154CM, Titanium handle
QSP Amazon Store:
QSP Amazon Store
▶ If you want to know what knife you should buy you can read the following article ''Choosing your knife''. ▶ On my youtube channel, I have reviewed a lot of different knives. You can watch the playlist by clicking here. ▶ Click here, if you want to search for other kitchen knives on: Amazon. ▶ , if you want to search for other Chinese knives on . ▶ Check out my gear on Kit: https://kit.co/ChefPanko ▶ Check out my recommendation on Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/shop/chefpanko Full Disclosure: If you purchase from these links I get a small commission that goes towards supporting the channel and website. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases ▶ If you have any questions about Japanese knives made in China or about some of the brands feel free to ask it in the comment section below. Thank you for your support and feedback. ▶ Want to work with me? Please use the contact form by clicking here.
