Although Germany has hundreds of knife makers, Zwilling/Henckels and Wusthof are the two that are most well-known internationally. And for good reason--they make dependable knives (generally backed by a lifetime guarantee) that will stand up to a lot of hard use and still retain their edge.
Michael Walker is the greatest knifemaker of all time. If you agree, great, your smart and you can spend the time you normally spend reading this site, listening to GGL82 where Michael Walker was a guest. If you don't keep reading.
A: Japanese knives are known for their sharpness, precision, and lightweight design. They are crafted with high-quality steel, which holds an edge longer, making them perfect for delicate dining and precision cutting tasks.
To better understand why the chef's knife, paring knife, and bread knife are each greater than the sum of their parts, let's break down these all-purpose kitchen companions a little further.
Gordon Ramsay
Ramsay likes Henckels knives. This is a German brand known for their toughness and bulky blades.
Carbon steel blades are also well-known for having high wear resistance, which enables them to keep their edges sharp for longer than stainless.
Given the quality of the knife, we can't argue with the cost. But what really makes this knife a bargain is that if it ever gets damaged beyond repair, Cutco will replace it.
For centuries, Japan and Germany have been recognized globally for producing the best knives. Their knife-forging processes' rich history and origins come from sword smithing centuries ago.
One of our longtime favorite Western-style chef's knives is the Wüsthof 8-Inch Classic Chef's Knife, which is super-sharp and easy to handle. Invest in it and it will serve you well for years to come. For an editor-favorite, Japanese chef's knife, we recommend the Misono UX10.
Final Verdict. The Chicago Cutlery Fusion 18-Piece Block Set is our top choice because it has a great selection of sharp knives and includes a sharpening steel. If you want all the essentials at a more affordable price, we recommend the Cuisinart Advantage Color Collection 12-Piece Set.
Bobby's Favorite: Shun Classic Western Chef's Knife
Bobby has sung the praises of Shun, his favorite chef's knife brand, on more than one occasion. The celebrity chef recommends the Shun Classic Western Chef's Knife, which is handcrafted in Japan.
For more than 1,000 years, Japan's blacksmiths have been known for making high-quality blades—from swords for samurai to slicers for sushi chefs. Today, Japanese brands make some of the finest knives in the world, in all shapes and sizes, so it's important to know what to look for.
Cutco knives are made using stamped steel which means they're cheaper to produce. Although there's nothing wrong with stamped knives, they don't always hold their edge as long as forged knives. That means that you'll have to sharpen stamped knives sooner than forged knives.
American Made
It is a deep-rooted commitment to providing American jobs that support families, quality American products and exceptional American service. All Cutco Knives are American made, and we are committed to keeping it that way.
If you've ever read a Henckels knife review, you know the Henckels reputation is the epitome of world-class. From paring knives and shears to full chef's blocks, Henckels knives can be found in kitchens around the world. You might even have a few treasured pieces in your own cutlery collection.
Knives with an Obsidian blade are considered the sharpest in the world, but this material is not fit for making kitchen knives as they're extremely coarse and brittle.
The Verdict
It's tough to beat the Wüsthof classic chef's knife. Besides being reasonably priced for the quality, the knife feels great to hold, and the blade is sharp and precise. Wüsthof has been producing knives since 1814 — the company knows what it's doing.
The most important difference is one of materials—generally speaking, Japanese knives are made of harder steel. That makes for a sharper knife that stays sharper for longer but can be more brittle.
The vast majority of Zwilling knives are forged, making them longer-lasting and more durable. Zwilling knives usually come with a lifetime warranty whereas Henckels stamped knives will have a limited warranty. Tang: Henckels vs.
That's how I landed on this golden oldie on Reddit: Anthony Bourdain talking about and using his favorite knife, the Global G-2 Chef's Knife.
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.