Moray - One Awesome Kitchen Tool

[ncrockclimb]

When I went to Blade earlier this year, I had no intention of buying a kitchen knife. However, I was having so much fun and feeling so grateful for having a wife that supports my expensive hobbies I ended up buying her a knife. Actually, there is more to it than that. While hanging out at the Fiddleback / WAS table, I started fondling Allen's kitchen knives. The more I held them, the more impressed I became, and I ended up buying one for my wife. She deserves the best, and Allen's Moray is exactly that.

Now, my wife already had some nice Shun kitchen knives. Since I brought home the Moray, the old knives have just been gathering dust. My wife says that the Moray slices better than any knife she has used, and she absolutely loves the ergonomics of the handle. I have used it a little bit too, and I have found it to be one of the most comfortable kitchen knives I have used. Then angle of the handle and blade make slicing extremely easy.

Based on how much my wife was enjoying her knife, I decided to purchase one as a B-day present for my 83 year old mother. Allen made a beautiful Moray with a spearmint g-10 handle. Unfortunately, while taking it out of the box I dropped the knife and damaged the handle. I texted Allen about this and he said he could fix it. I sent the knife back GA, Allen fixed it and put it back in the mail on the same day, and I had it back in time for my mom's b-day. Although the damage was 100% my fault, Allen would not take any money from me.

We all know that Allen makes great knives. He also is a great guy that provides amazing customer service. While I have been impressed by every WAS knife I have touched, I have to say that his kitchen knives are in a class by themselves.

Sorry for the crappy pics, but I am a terrible photographer.

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[hasco]

Thanks for the great post! The moray is my favorite of Allen's kitchen knives from looking at them online. I hope to get one sometime soon.

That is really cool of Allen to fix up the one for your mom like that! I hope your mom loved it! Way to go Allen!

 

[TLA]

I'm glad you like your Moray and Allen knocked this one out of the ballpark. I love using mine and my wife really likes it as it's not too big for her and fits her hand so well. I bought for myself but she gets to use it more than I do.

 

[spyken]

that says alot about customer service. well done and congrats.

 

[Tekton]

Thanks for posting this.
The Moray looks like a great design, I also hope to pick one up sometime. I'd really like to get a matching Mantis as well.

 

[Odaon]

Pictures are good! The Moray is definitely on my list. I'm curious about how I'll like it size wise compared to a standard 8" chef knife.

 

[ncrockclimb]

Pictures are good! The Moray is definitely on my list. I'm curious about how I'll like it size wise compared to a standard 8" chef knife.

I VERY much prefer the size of the Moray for dicing veggies and slicing meat. My wife and mom feel the same way. That being said, we are not professional chefs and our food processing speed is about what you would expect from amateurs. A professional or very competent chef might miss the added length. YMMV. Length aside, the handle / blade angle on the Moray are amazing for dicing and slicing.

 

[ichor]

Pictures are good! The Moray is definitely on my list. I'm curious about how I'll like it size wise compared to a standard 8" chef knife.

Absolutely beautiful knife! I've used nothing but 8-10" chef for decades. When I found that Master Futoshi Nagao (Owner of Hiromoto company) now 78 years old, is semi retiring and cutting way back on his production, I could only buy a 7" chef knife. I quickly found that it was too short for my taste. Gave it to my daughter the chef, who prefers smaller knives. YMMV, but just saying, be sure you know what you want/need.

 

[Odaon]

Definitely! Thanks for the info guys!

 

[Comprehensivist]

Good write-up and photos Charles. My wife and I like ours a lot too. It is not the only one we pull out of the knife block, but it is one of the most frequently used. It is my favorite design of Allen's so far.

Phil

 

[1jay]

Let me start off by saying I'm no good at reviews or story telling so bare with me. This was a Blade show purchase via Instagram.

Moray w/Bog Oak natural liners and pins with white pinstripes. 3/32 A2

I've been in the middle of fixing up a foreclosure in order to make it livable for my family prior to the school year starting. So upon arrival the knife went right into a safe box and sat for a few months. Well we moved in and my kids are about a week into school now. Still very much under construction but also falling into the school routine. Tonight I'm on dinner duty as well as packing lunches, homework and showers.
So here's the Moray in Bog Oak, maiden kitchen run with light duty food prep.

Rocky is helping

This is my first and only dedicated CUSTOM kitchen knife and I love it. Even though the first run wasn't too demanding it still excelled at slicing. The handle is extremely comfortable. Blade angle works perfectly. I highly recommend this model.
I really want a matching Arowana and Matador!

 

[Uncle_P]

I see Rocky was overtaken by the knife and needed a break. Allen is one of those best kept secret kinda makers; great looking knives, highly functional designs, excellent blade geometry, comfy handle ergos - the whole deal. Glad to see that you finally got a chance to use it. Congrats on snagging you one.

 

[ncrockclimb]

Let me start off by saying I'm no good at reviews or story telling so bare with me. This was a Blade show purchase via Instagram.

Moray w/Bog Oak natural liners and pins with white pinstripes. 3/32 A2

I've been in the middle ...

Nice review and thanks for sharing!!! While I am a fan of the handles I on the knives I have purchased, I am a little jealous of your bog oak. You have a spectacular knife!!!

 

[Comprehensivist]

Nice review 1jay. You shared what features you like about the knife, how it worked for you, and that you are happy with the purchase. That covers the basics, so don't sell yourself short on your review skills. You can always come back later and add more observations and comments about the knife as they occur to you.

The Bog Oak on your Moray looks very classy in an old world kind of way like it way handed down from an earlier generation. Nice score.

Phil