Zwilling J.A. Henckels AG was originally founded in 1731 by Peter Henckels and is renowned in Germany, Spain, and worldwide as a company specializing in premium kitchenware and cutlery. Zwilling J.A. Henckels AG is the parent company of both Zwilling J.A. (“Zwilling”) and J.A. Henckels International (“Henckels”).
J. A. Henckels is one of the leading manufacturers of chef's knives. Since 1970, Zwilling is fully owned by Werhahn KG. The following brands belong to the Zwilling Group: ZWILLING, HENCKELS, Miyabi, BSF, Demeyere, Staub, Fontignac, Ballarini, Flammkraft, and Santos Grills.
Zwilling J.A. Henckels is the parent company of the Henckels brand (also known as J.A. Henckels or Henckels International) as well as the Zwilling brand. Within each brand you'll find a multitude of different series to explore.
A: As a consumer I can tell you that the primary difference between Zwilling (AKA 'Twin' in German with the TWO man logo) vs. anything Henckels (AKA the single man logo) is quality of materials. The Zwilling products are costly, have a lifetime warranty and are made in Germany or similar.
Gordon Ramsay
The right tools make things easier. Ramsay likes Henckels knives.
The Best Celeb Chef's Knife: Shun Classic Western Chef's Knife. The knife that topped our testing is Bobby Flay's favorite, the Shun Classic Western Chef's Knife. The heft and comfort of the handle, sharpness of the blade, and overall balanced proportions made it stand out against the others.
A: The J.A. Henckell lines are made in China and has only one person in the logo (e.g., on the block). The Zwilling products are made in Germany and have the "Twins" in the logo. Thank you for your feedback!
😉 While our knives are designed to be dishwasher safe for convenience, we always recommend handwashing to protect your blades from chips and premature dulling. 🧼 Shop Henckels: https://brnw.ch/21wOSLB.
Henckels typically get a score of 56-57 on the scale and Wüsthof gets a 58, so technically Wüsthof is a slightly harder steel. This is good because it means Wüsthof knives vs. Henckels will hold their sharpened edge better. On the flip side, a softer Rockwell score means a knife is easier to sharpen.
With the right care, our knives can often last a lifetime.
The blade- edge angle for all Zwilling J.A. Henckels cutlery, with the exception of santokus, is 15 degrees on each side (30 degrees total).
Zwilling J.A. Henckels AG was originally founded in 1731 by Peter Henckels and is renowned in Germany, Spain, and worldwide as a company specializing in premium kitchenware and cutlery. Zwilling J.A. Henckels AG is the parent company of both Zwilling J.A. (“Zwilling”) and J.A. Henckels International (“Henckels”).
Forged knives are generally heavier and thicker than stamped kitchen knives. Most of these knives get bolsters during the manufacturing process, and it naturally adds some weight to the design. Forged knives are widely liked due to the weight and power they bring, giving off a firm and sturdy feel during heavy cuts.
Gordon Ramsay's Love for Quality Knives
Gordon Ramsay is known to have a deep love for Japanese steel knives. These lightweight knives are well known for their sharp edges and ability to cut through vegetables, meats, and herbs easily. They can handle any chopping, slicing, or mincing tasks with ease.
High-Quality Materials: Wusthof uses high-quality materials for their blades, including high-carbon stainless steel, which is known for its sharpness, durability, and resistance to corrosion. The choice of materials contributes to the knife's overall performance and longevity.
The aggressive detergents and salts, and the high temperature in the dishwasher, make the cutting edge porous and blunt, and more susceptible to rust. The moisture also causes wooden handles to swell and become brittle. It is therefore better to clean some knives by hand, with water and a mild dish soap.
You can't go wrong with Henckels ... I've had some of their knives for decades and still use them every day. These knives are made of stamped steel, so the blades are thinner than you'd see on a super high-end knife set, but they are still great knives that really cut at an affordable price.
Crafted in Solingen, Germany's City of Blades
Since 1731, ZWILLING factories have blended traditional craftsmanship with innovative production technologies. We believe the best products are born from a human touch. Many of our employees have called ZWILLING home for most of their professional lives.
The US has birthed a lot of great knife companies like Buck, Gerber, and SOG, which have all created iconic American knives, and maintained a certain high reputation as American made.
The Verdict: Which Brand Is Better? The Wüsthof Gourmet 10-Piece Knife Block Set was a good starter set but isn't of lasting quality. The chef's and serrated knives were almost too short to be useful. The Zwilling set had more quality components, though the chef's knife struggled when cutting dense vegetables.
Cutco® Knives have been made for more than 75 years at our factory in Olean, New York. Made in America is more than where we manufacture our knives. It is a deep-rooted commitment to providing American jobs that support families, quality American products and exceptional American service.