Cangshan in Chinese characters above the word Cangshan.
Lifestyle photos of ALPS Series 12 piece knife block combo on top of marble countertop with fresh cut strawberries on a wood cutting board.
Lifestyle photos of ALPS Series 12 piece knife block combos on top of marble countertops with fresh cut fruits and vegetables on wood cutting boards.

ALPS SERIES 12pc Knife Block Combo

These handcrafted, German steel knife combos include 5 essential and razor sharp kitchen knives, six steak knives, kitchen shears and a honing steel all securely housed in a robust acacia wood knife block. Available in black or white handles exclusively at Target.com.

Side profile of ALPS Series 12 piece knife combos next to an 8 inch chef's knife from the set.

The ALPS Series showcases a modern streamlined design that focuses on an incredibly ergonomic handle that offers a secure and comfortable grip. Sleek curves create a beautiful balance to the bold angled bolster while highlighting the durable triple rivet handle. Forged from high alloy German steel and meticulously heat treated these handcrafted knives are stunningly sharp and feature exceptional edge retention.

Heavy metal tongs pulling a block of molten steel out of a forge.

HIGH ALLOY GERMAN X50CrMoV15 STEEL

A great knife comes from excellent materials. There is a wide variety of different steels that offer various levels of performance for knives of every caliber. German X50CrMoV15 Steel is commonly used because it is an exceptional blend of hardness and durability allowing for a precise and sharp edge that is easy to maintain.

A view into the inside of a forge that is glowing bright orange red.

ULTRA6 HEAT TREATMENT

It took 3+ years of research and development to dial in the specific heat treatment process that would ensure our knives are both hard enough to take a sharp 16 degree edge, yet durable enough to keep that sharp edge during heavy kitchen use. Every blade goes through our precise ULTRA6 heat treatment which brings out the best qualities of each steel allowing the blade to take a remarkably sharp edge.

Lifestyle shot of an ALPS Series chef's knife cutting through red cabbage.

SUPERIOR PERFORMANCE

An infographic showing the performance of Cangshan knives against the most popular brands in the market.

How SHARP is it?

Initial Cutting Performance[ICP] is a measurement that reflects the sharpness of the knife’s edge. Any score over 110 is considered excellent while a measurement under 30 is rated as very poor.

How long will it stay SHARP?

Total Card Cut[TCC] is a measurement that reflects how long a knife will stay sharp and resist wear through use. Scores over 550 are considered excellent while scores under 100 are rated as very poor.

TEST RESULTS OF KNIVES FOR INITIAL CUTTING PERFORMANCE: Cangshan knife with German X50CrMoV15 steel 130 ICP. High-end German cutlery 62 ICP. High-end German cutlery 88 ICP. High-end Japanese cutlery 100 ICP. High-end Japanese cutlery 108 ICP. Standard commercial cutlery 64 ICP. Standard commercial cutlery 85 ICP. Basically a spoon 31 ICP. TEST RESULTS OF KNIVES FOR TOTAL CARD CUT: Cangshan knife with German X50CrMoV15 steel 601 TCC. High-end German cutlery 481 TCC. High-end German cutlery 303 TCC. High-end Japanese cutlery 514 TCC. High-end Japanese cutlery 487 TCC. Standard commercial cutlery 171 TCC. Standard commercial cutlery 285 TCC. Basically a spoon 101 TCC.

Lifestyle shot of an ALPS Series chef's knife cutting through purple cabbage.

SUPERIOR PERFORMANCE

How SHARP is it?

Initial Cutting Performance[ICP] is a measurement that reflects the sharpness of the knife’s edge. Any score over 110 is considered excellent while a measurement under 30 is rated as very poor.

How long will it stay SHARP?

Total Card Cut[TCC] is a measurement that reflects how long a knife will stay sharp and resist wear through use. Scores over 550 are considered excellent while scores under 100 are rated as very poor.

TEST RESULTS OF KNIVES FOR INITIAL CUTTING PERFORMANCE: Cangshan knife with German X50CrMoV15 steel 130 ICP. High-end German cutlery 62 ICP. High-end German cutlery 88 ICP. High-end Japanese cutlery 100 ICP. High-end Japanese cutlery 108 ICP. Standard commercial cutlery 64 ICP. Standard commercial cutlery 85 ICP. Basically a spoon 31 ICP. TEST RESULTS OF KNIVES FOR TOTAL CARD CUT: Cangshan knife with German X50CrMoV15 steel 601 TCC. High-end German cutlery 481 TCC. High-end German cutlery 303 TCC. High-end Japanese cutlery 514 TCC. High-end Japanese cutlery 487 TCC. Standard commercial cutlery 171 TCC. Standard commercial cutlery 285 TCC. Basically a spoon 101 TCC.

A close up of a bladesmiths hands as the hand sharpen a knife on a green sharpening wheel.

HANDCRAFTED

At the end of the day a knife needs to perform. All Cangshan knives proudly can do just that. The quality and craftsmanship of the knives ensure they precisely and effectively perform their cutting functions giving the user a responsive and refined tactile experience that enhances and augments their skills and process. Every knife from Cangshan is handcrafted and hand sharpened, these are real, passionate artisans creating beautiful, functional tools.

Henry Liu, the founder of Cangshan discusses knife designs with Chef Thomas Keller.

Cangshan Cutlery. A Knife Designed For Every Kitchen.

Cangshan was created from a passion for innovation. From concept to kitchen, we are driven to craft cutlery that is as inspiring as it is razor-sharp, desired by professional chefs and home cooks alike. Since our founding in 2015, we have received 32 awards for exceptional design, engineering, and craftsmanship. With the highest quality materials from around the globe in the hands of our skilled artisans, it is always our unwavering goal:

Beautiful Function

Various knife handles from different Cangshan knifelines.
Eleven knife handles of various designs and materials ranging from metal to plastic composites to wood.