The review below was written before speaking with Alex regarding my assumption of the handles being laminated. I don’t claim to be an expert on timbers by any stretch of the imagination and because of the tight grain of the hardwood used I mistakenly took this to be laminated which is not the case. So I’m here to rectify my review. The knives are fine, I did sharpen further as Alex suggests in his description of them, and they are holding an edge well. It’s my first time buying from the ToolPost so I only have my first purchase to go on. Let’s start from the beginning. The communication from them was faultless and the delivery system of courier top notch and very speedy giving me updates and an hour window nearer time. I ordered the five carving knife set with a ten tool leather roll to keep my new tools in. I picked the knives based on the photos as that was my only option, a visit is to far to pick by sight and handling. The pictures seemed to show the handles as solid hardwood yet the handles are made of laminated wood, I know this is strong enough but would I have picked them had I known, no, I wouldn’t, I’m sure of that. yet it’s not enough for me to return them as it’s not affecting the performance of them. It does make me more dubious about buying any more as I don’t have confidence in the photos now. The blades were as described sharp enough for sale and use yet could happily benefit from more sharpening which I have done. As indeed it says exactly that in the description, They seem to hold an edge well enough even on well matured oak and I love my leather tool roll. I can’t give a review of total satisfaction because of the above reason which is a disappointment but the tools and red laminate will I’m sure perform for years to come. Just wish I could trust the photos still as I need more tools in the not to distant future