ZWILLING J.A. Henckels Knives Review | Still Made in Germany (2024)

ZWILLING vs Henckels vs ZWILLING J.A. Henckels vs J.A. Henckels International – are you confused too?

Then, read our review, and you will understand what the differences or similarities between these definitions are.

ZWILLING J.A. Henckels (originally ZWILLING trademark) and J.A. Henckels International (established in 1895) are the two brands that serve as an umbrella for multiple knife lines as well as other cookware manufactured by ZWILLING J.A. Henckels.

There are currently four lines with multiple brands of knives manufactured by the German company named ZWILLING J.A. Henckels. We will endeavor to explain the differences and outline the knives that are made in Germany, in case you are after a knife or a set of knives from this country of manufacture.

Where are ZWILLING J.A. Henckels Knives Made?

The original ZWILLING knives were first manufactured in Solingen, Germany in 1731 and 9 out of 16 brands of the original ZWILLING line knives are still made in Germany.

The company later expanded and began to produce their knives in various locations outside of Germany. This is when the J.A. Henckels International brand was born.

Not all are made in Germany

As mentioned above, nine brands of the ZWILLING knives line are currently made in Germany, other brands of the same line are either made in Japan or Spain. The J.A. Henckels International (short Henckels) knives are made in Spain, Thailand, India or China.

Later on, a third brand, called Miyabi, was added to the two above. Under this brand, Japanese-style knives are being made.

The Henckels knives in this line are still made from German stainless steel; however, they are produced in China and are very cheap in comparison to the other lines’ knives.

Henckel Knives can be Purchased Globally in the USA, Canada, UK, etc.

Thanks to websites like Amazon, several brands of both ZWILLING and Henckel line knives are sold globally. You can find a bargain from some sellers, but you have to do your homework.

These may also be the cheaper versions that are made in China or Thailand. Keep in mind that as long as you purchase from a reputable seller, you can be certain, it’s a quality product you are paying for.

Henckels International Knives vs ZWILLING and the Difference

The premium knife range and other cutlery lines that are mainly produced in Germany belong to the ZWILLING J.A. Henckels brand. J.A. Henckels International, the value-for-money brand, comprises knives and cutlery that are manufactured in other countries.

That is the main difference between J. A. Henckels International and Zwilling. You can easily distinguish between the knives of the two brands, if you look at their respective logos.

ZWILLING J.A. Henckels’ logo is the twin, whereas a single person logo represents the J.A. Henckels International knives that are definitely not made in Germany.

ZWILLING J.A. Henckels also specify that while those knives in a knife set block marketed with a twin logo are made in Germany, their other accessories such as the holding block, shears and honing rod are not necessarily produced in Germany.

Furthermore, you should also be aware that just because the knife bears the twin head logo and the J.A. Henckels name alone doesn’t guarantee that they are made in Germany. As we mentioned, above, some of these knives in the ZWILLING line are made in Spain and Japan.

If you are after German made ZWILLING J.A. Henckels knives, then one thing should be clear to you now is that you should only be looking at the knife brands under the ZWILLING line and not the Henckels line.

You will also notice the differences in prices between the twin head J.A. Henckels knives and the J.A. Henckels International knives. The reason for this is that the ZWILLING line knives are the premium knives.

Below is a list of ZWILLING and Henckels brand knives available on the USA market at the time of writing this article. We have put this together to show the country of origin and how they were made.

This chart will help you to easily identify which knife brands are manufactured in which countries, to save you time doing your own research.

Zwilling Made in Germany

Image	Product	Features	Price
	ZWILLING Pro	Made in Germany Forged	Buy on Amazon
	ZWILLING Four Star	Forged Made In Germany	Buy on Amazon
	ZWILLING Gourmet	Stamped Made in Germany	Buy on Amazon
	ZWILLING Professional S	Forged Made in Germany	Buy on Amazon
	ZWILLING Twin Signature	Stamped Made in Germany	Buy on Amazon
	ZWILLING Twin Four Star II	Forged Made in Germany	Buy on Amazon
	ZWILLING Pro Holm Oak	Forged Made in Germany	Buy on Amazon
	ZWILLING Now S	Forged Made in Germany	Buy on Amazon
	ZWILLING Twin 1731	Forged Made in Germany	Buy on Amazon

Zwilling Made Elsewhere

Image	Product	Features	Price
	ZWILLING Twin Fin II	Forged Made in Japan	Buy on Amazon
	ZWILLING Kramer Meiji	Forged Made in Japan	Buy on Amazon
	ZWILLING Kramer Euroline Stainless Damascus	Forged Made in Japan	Buy on Amazon
	ZWILLING Kramer Euroline Carbon	Forged Made in Japan	Buy on Amazon
	ZWILLING Twin Gourmet	Stamped Made in Spain	Buy on Amazon
	ZWILLING Diplome	Forged Made in Japan	Buy on Amazon
	ZWILLING Twin Grip	Stamped Made in Spain	Buy on Amazon

Henckels

Image	Product	Features	Price
	Henckels Forged Synergy	Forged Made in China	Buy on Amazon
	Henckels Solution	Stamped Made in India	Buy on Amazon
	Henckels Classic	Forged Made in Spain	Buy on Amazon
	Henckels Modernist	Forged Made in China	Buy on Amazon
	Henckels Dynamic	Stamped Made in India	Buy on Amazon
	Henckels Everedge Solution	Stamped Made in India	Buy on Amazon
	Henckels Everedge Dynamic	Stamped Made in India	Buy on Amazon
	HENCKELS Definition	Stamped Made in China	Buy on Amazon
	Henckels Forged Accent	Forged Made in China	Buy on Amazon
	Henckels Graphite	Forged Made in China	Buy on Amazon
	Henckels Silvercap	Stamped Made in China	Buy on Amazon
	Henckels Statement	Stamped Made in China	Buy on Amazon
	Henckels Forged Contour	Forged Made in Spain	Buy on Amazon
	Henckels Forged Premio	Forged Made in China	Buy on Amazon
	Henckels Everedge Plus	Forged Made in China	Buy on Amazon
	Henckels Fine Edge Pro	Stamped Made in Thailand	Buy on Amazon
	Henckels EverSharp Pro	Stamped Made in Thailand	Buy on Amazon

How ZWILLING J.A. Henckels knives are made

The majority of ZWILLING J.A. Henckels knives are forged, whereas J.A. Henckels International knives are mixed, being either forged or stamped. Whether the knives are forged or stamped in most cases can be determined by a bolster being present.

A molten bolster is formed directly onto a forged blade, which is then shaped and sharpened.

When you see knives that are without a bolster, these are stamped and tend to be more flexible.

Many of the ZWILLING J.A. Henckels boning and filleting knives are made using the stamping method. This doesn’t mean that the knife is bad quality.

It simply means that it will be more flexible and light as it won’t have a bolster. Stamping is also a faster way of producing a knife, as it requires fewer steps to complete.

By far, all steel that is used by ZWILLING J.A. Henckels is long-lasting and is resistant to corrosion from water.

It’s also considered that steels ZWILLING J.A. Henckels uses can be some of the hardest steels to sharpen.

How long will ZWILLING J.A. Henckels knives last?

ZWILLING do have quality knives made of high quality stainless metals and to the highest standards, but like many other knives they can rust, if they are not taken care of properly.

You have to be very careless with how these knives are used for them to rust. Also, the stainless steel they are made from is only going to be completely protected, if you keep it clean and dry.

So, as long as you use chopping boards that aren’t going to damage your knives, always wash and dry your knives by hand after every use, sharpen and hone them when required, they will last a lifetime.

The J.A. Henckels Warranty

ZWILLING knives have a limited lifetime warranty, however, some additional points in the fine print should be taken into consideration.

The warranty covers the manufacturing process and protects a buyer from defects. If the buyer experiences a defect or problem, the knife is replaced unquestionably. If there is any kind of natural misuse of their knives, ZWILLING warranty will not cover these at all.

This, for example, includes damage to the wooden handles if left soaking in water or used harsh cleaning products that destroy the wood.

As you can expect, they won’t replace the knife if you aren’t using it properly. Don’t use the knife to unscrew slotted screws, open pickle jars, or cut up a bone. These knives were designed to cut foods only.

If you have any questions, you can always send a message to their email address at the ZWILLING shop and ask.

ZWILLING J.A. Henckels Knives Handle Repair: Is it Possible and How?

Your knives’ wooden handles can, of course, be repaired, however, it is something that would require a professional to do.

If you have woodworking experience, you might be able to do this yourself. We recommend that you take your knife to a knife Crafter or a Henckels knife handle repairer and have them replace the handle.

They will use a template based on the original knife and reproduce it using long-lasting hardwood. There are special screw-in rivets that attach the wood pieces onto the tang of the blade, too.

Epoxy or special glue is used to make the wood and metal parts stick together for long periods. Then the handle is sanded-down smooth and finished using sealing oils.

As replacing a knife’s handle will most likely not be cheap, it’s probably a good idea to call at least a couple of knife repair shops to see the estimated cost and what suits you best.

This is how Henckel knife handle replacement works along with most other knife brands.

Can ZWILLING J.A. Henckels Knives Go into the Dishwasher?

ZWILLING J.A. Henckels knives, that have wooden handles or are made from carbon steel, should be washed by hand. The rest of the knives are dishwasher-safe. It is, however, still recommended to also handwash them.

Detergents and high temperatures may cause damage to the handles or leave marks on the blades of your ZWILLING J.A. Henckels knives.

How to clean ZWILLING J.A. Henckels knives

If you want your knives to last you a lifetime, hand wash them immediately after use to prevent foods that are stuck to the blades drying out or acids from certain foods staining them. Never leave your knives soaking in the sink.

Use tap water and the soft side of a sponge with a little dishwashing liquid.

Dry your knives with a dry kitchen towel to get the rest of the moisture off. Then the knife can be placed into the knife holder for storage.

How Often Should I Sharpen My ZWILLING J.A. Henckels Knives?

How often you sharpen your knives will depend on how often you use them. Bob Kramer, in his ‘What is sharp’ video, explains well how to paper-sharpness-test your kitchen knives. You need to get the feeling for when your knife needs to be sharpened.

If you do any kind of kitchen preparation, the first thing you should do is test and, if needed to, sharpen your ZWILLING J.A. Henckels knives. If you have a knife set that has a self-sharpening knife block, then you probably don’t need to sharpen your stock.

However, this short guide may help you further, if you don’t have a sharpening block set.

How to Sharpen ZWILLING J.A. Henckels Knives?

You can use three different kinds of sharpeners. The first is a traditional knife sharpener that you slide a knife through. Run the knife through the slot 4-5 times and this will be sufficient for the job.

The second is a sharpening stone and requires some training to hold the knife at an angle. Usually, water is used to help the stone sand the edge of the knife. This can produce very sharp edges as a result.

The last kind is using a honing rod and is described later in this section. All three of these work fine and can be used anytime you need your knives to be sharper.

How to Hone ZWILLING J.A. Henckels Knives?

If you have a honing rod, you can sharpen your ZWILLING J.A. Henckels knives anytime to perfection with a little practice. The rod should be held handle-down on a table and the blade to be held at the correct angle.

Then you slide your knife slowly downward, starting from the back of the blade to the tip of the knife along the entire honing rod, so the knife edge can be sharpened as well.

What actually happens when you do this, is the microblade edge teeth that have been misaligned are being straightened again. It’s not visible to the naked eye, but an experienced chef will immediately feel the difference when attempting to slice something.

Make these sliding motions at least 5-6 times on each side. When done, your knives will be nice and sharp again.

Which ZWILLING J.A. Henckels Classic Knife Sets Stay Sharp Longer?

The knives in all the ZWILLING J.A. Henckels knife sets are sharpened to 15-20 degrees on each side, totaling a minimum of 30 degrees and ensuring the sharpness required to use them with ease.

The higher the angle, the more durable its edge and the blunter the knife. However, the knife will stay sharp for longer, requiring less maintenance. The lower the angle the less durable the edge and the sharper the knife, however, it will need to be sharpened more often.

The 20-degree per side edge would remain sharper for longer than the 15-degree per side edge. So, this edge takes less maintenance to keep sharp.

Which ZWILLING J.A. Henckels Knife Set Block Comes with a Built-In Sharpener?

Out of the 50 sets of ZWILLING J.A. Henckels knives that come with a storage block on their website at the time of writing this review, nearly half of the sets come with a built-in sharpener. As odd as it sounds, having a self-sharpening knife block is a great idea.

Though, such knife sets are often more expensive, because of how they are built.

Image	Product	Features	Price
	ZWILLING Pro 7-Piece Knife Block Set Self-Sharpening	4-inch paring knife 5 1/2 inch prep knife 8-inch bread knife 8-inch chef's knife Kitchen shears Cutting board plastic Self-sharpening knife block	Buy on Amazon
	ZWILLING Gourmet 7-piece Knife Block Set Self-Sharpening	4-inch paring knife 5 1/2-inch paring knife 8-inch bread knife 8-inch chef's knife 7-inch hollow edge Santoku knife Twin kitchen shears Self-sharpening knife block	Buy on Amazon
	ZWILLING Four Star 7-Piece Knife Block Set Self-Sharpening	4-inch prep knife 5-inch serrated utility knife 5 1/2-inch fine edge paring knife 8-inch bread knife 8-inch chef's knife Twin shears Self-sharpening block	Buy on Amazon

Who Uses ZWILLING J.A. Henckels Knives?

ZWILLING J.A. Henckels claims that there are many star chefs in the culinary world who use their knives. These chefs help push the sales of the ZWILLING J.A. Henckels’ name because of their interest in these knives. They can also be paid to endorse a product.

Which ZWILLING J.A. Henckels Stainless-Steel Knife Blade Is Best For Chefs?

If you’re a chef who wants to have an excellent set of chef knives, your search is over. The chef knife set that many professionals trust, and we recommend you buy, is the ZWILLING Professional S chef knife set.

Which German Made Henckel Chef Knife Is Their Best Piece?

If you’ve come to this answer from the question you typed into Google, without reading the entire article, we’d like to mention here for you that there are no Henckels knives that are made in Germany.

The knives that are made in Germany by ZWILLING J.A. Henckels come under the ZWILLING line. There are many good ZWILLING J.A. Henckels knives to choose from, however, the ZWILLING TWIN 1731 knives have recently become a big game-changer.

These remarkable knife series were designed by an Italian designer, Matteo Thun. Often described as an extension of the hand, the knife is balanced by a uniquely curved bolster. If you place the knife bolster on your finger, it will balance perfectly.

If you balance the knife bolster on your finger, it weights perfectly. The design is so well-crafted that the wooden frame is a single piece that uses heated resin to secure it. This handle is made from oiled Ebony wood, which adds a timeless modern look to the knife.

Image	Product	Features	Price
	ZWILLING 1731 Chef's Knife	8-inch	Buy on Amazon
	ZWILLING 1731 Santoku Knife	8-inch	Buy on Amazon
	ZWILLING 1731 Pairing Knife	4-inch	Buy on Amazon
	ZWILLING 1731 Carving Knife	8-inch	Buy on Amazon
	ZWILLING 1731 Sharpening Steel	Honing rod	Buy on Amazon

Here’s Why You Should Buy ZWILLING J.A. Henckels Knives

The intention of ZWILLING J.A. Henckels is to offer the best quality possible that money can buy.

They only use high grade raw materials and the best technology to manufacture durable products, which when looked after appropriately will last a lifetime.

ZWILLING J.A. Henckels Knife Sets

The knives that come in sets can also be purchased separately, and not all of them have to come from a specific set.

You can create your own knife set. Although many people find it nice, when the knives in their sets match, it’s actually not the most important thing to consider when selecting a set to buy.

What matters most is how each of the knives in a set feels in your hand. You would notice that not all knives, in a particular kitchen knife set, fit comfortably in your hand.

This also depends on how you use each knife. And as ZWILLING J.A. Henckels themselves say that ‘You never just buy a product’, you are going to use it, and you want to be comfortable when using it.

So, if you have an option to go to one of their stores and try their knives before you buy them, do so. And if you don’t, then you can always buy a knife or the entire set of ZWILLING J.A. Henckels knives from a trusted online seller, who provides a satisfaction guarantee.

Which Zwilling J.A. Henckel Knife Set Is The Most Popular?

There are two German made knife sets that are among their most popular. The first one is the 3-piece cutlery set from their Zwilling Four Star line.

This set includes an 8-inch chef knife, a 5-inch serrated utility knife, a 4-inch paring knife, a 5.5-inch fine edge prep knife, an 8-inch bread knife, twin shears and a self-sharpening Block.

Are ZWILLING J.A. Henckels knives better than Wusthoff?

It’s a close call between these two, since they both come from the same city in Germany.

Therefore, personal preference will help you understand what’s best for you.

Are ZWILLING J.A. Henckels Knives As Sharp As Wusthoff?

Both, ZWILLING J.A. Henckels and Wusthof knives sharpened to surgical angles, however, there is a slight difference. Wusthof knives are slightly sharper as they are sharpened to 14 degrees, whereas ZWILLING knives are sharpened to a minimum 15 degrees.

This gives ZWILLING knives an all-around sharpness that holds its edge slightly longer, meaning that the Wusthof knives need sharpening more often.

Is there a ZWILLING J.A. Henckels Knife that’s Identical to Wusthoff?

We didn’t think they would have similar looking knives, but in fact, they do. The ZWILLING Professional ‘S’ 8-inch chef knife looks identical to the Wusthof Classic 8-inch chef knife. They both have 3 rivets holding the 2-piece handle together.

There is one little difference between these two. The Wusthof knife is sharper! As mentioned above, the Wusthof Classic knife is sharpened to 14 degrees on each side, while ZWILLING Professional ‘S’ to 15 degrees.

ZWILLING J.A. Henckels Knives and Blocks

While there are many sets of ZWILLING J.A. Henckels knives that come with a storage block, it is also possible to purchase knife sets without one. Each block is made to hold a select number of knives, so you can increase your collection over time if you choose to buy the knives separately.

Are ZWILLING Knives Good and Worth the Money?

For the money you pay when buying an expensive set of knives, you want to know if they’ll last. ZWILLING J.A. Henckels knives are often dogged for their quality.

If the country of manufacture is important to you, and you believe that the ZWILLING J.A. Henckels knives made in Germany are better than the ones that aren’t, then you should certainly only consider researching further which of the nine brands of the ZWILLING line suits you best.

As mentioned above, the knives of the other eight brands in the ZWILLING line are made in either Japan or Spain and the knife brands in the Henckels line are not made in Germany at all.

If you are still in doubt whether a good quality knife can be produced outside of Germany, it is worth considering purchasing a German made one. You only get what you pay for.

That means ZWILLING is a good brand and the best of the J. A. Henckel range.

Why Henckels knives are so expensive

When you have a name as old as ZWILLING, you get to be known for having quality built into your product.

There are more than two dozen quality steps in all to produce a single ZWILLING J.A. Henckels knife.This means that the attention to detail is outstanding.

Many of the newest knives that ZWILLING J.A. Henckels produce are made by robots.

However, there are several trained factory employees to finish up and make sure the job is well done, too.

This is why these knives are so pricey.

Conclusion

Whether you want a knife for use at home or at work, a steak knife or a bread knife, there is a ZWILLING knife for any chef and any cutting job.

The ZWILLING Pro collection of knives is perfect for a seasoned chef and any home cook, and will last a lifetime provided you look after them properly.

However, this isn’t the only collection to choose from, be sure to check out all their knife collections for different styles and weights, so you choose the knife best suited to you.

Become a Henckels Pro chef today.