Wusthof vs Zwilling J.A. Henckels – Pick the Best German Brand

Last Updated on September 6, 2021

Which knife set is better, Wusthof or Zwilling J.A. Henckels? This question has come up a lot recently and it’s important to know the difference between these two brands if you’re in the market for new knives because they are both high-quality companies with different styles and price points.

Both Wusthof and Zwilling J.A. Henckels knives are made in Solingen, Germany. While both brands offer high-quality products, there are some key differences in the knives’ material, hardness, durability, and price. But how do you know which to buy? In this blog post, we will be comparing these two brands of knives to help you make your decision on which brand is best for you.

Wusthof vs Zwilling J.A. Henckels

Differences

• The cutting angle of Zwilling knife on each side is 15 degrees. Whereas Wusthof has 14 degrees cutting angle.
• The blades of Zwilling knives are made of high carbon rust-resistant steel in order to protect the blades from rust. On the other hand, Wusthof blades are made of X50CrMOV15 stainless steel.
• Zwilling knife blades are comparatively less hard than Wusthof knife blades.
• Their blades are less sharper than Wusthof blades due to their slightly higher cutting angle.
• Zwilling knives are more durable than Wusthof knives.
• Their blades are easier to sharpen than Wusthof blades.
• The sharpness of Zwilling knives lasts for a shorter period of time.
• The cost of Zwilling knives is less than Wusthof knives.
• Zwilling has 56-57 Rockwell hardness. While Wusthof has 58 Rockwell hardness.

Similarities

• Both Zwilling and Wusthof brand use stain resistant steel to provide protection against rust.
• To improve balance and durability, the knives feature full tang construction.
• The handles of both the knives are made of synthetic material or wood to provide sturdy and comfortable grip.
• The bolster of the knives increases balance and help you to handle the knives easily.
• Both the knives are engaged in cutlery business for more than 100 years.
• Hand wash the knives before and after every use and dry it immediately.
• Both knives feature distinct curve near the butt.
• Zwilling knife and Wusthof knife are produced in Solingen city of Germany.
• Both knives come with a limited lifetime warranty.

Related comparisons

• Wusthof knives vs Shun knives
• Cutco vs Wusthof knives

Zwilling J.A. Henckels Knife

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Zwilling J. A. Henckels Knife is the oldest German knife company that has been making knives since 1731. This company is founded by Peter Henckels and from the beginning, they have always prided themselves in delivering the best knives available and are still committed to this goal today. They believe their quality, craftsmanship, and durability make them the perfect choice for any kitchen with an edge on tradition combined with modern technology.

Zwilling J.A. Henckels is one of the best knife brands on the market today and they have a wide variety of knives to choose from for any occasion. They are known worldwide for producing some of the highest quality blades and their German steel will last a lifetime if taken care of properly.

Pros

• Full tang construction and bolster provide perfect balance.
• High carbon stainless steel blade.
• Suitable for doing any type of tasks.
• The knife is highly durable and has super sharp edge.
• Wooden handle provides comfortable grip.
• Easier to sharpen.
• The knife is available at low price.
• Comes with limited lifetime warranty.

Cons

• Need to sharpen blade frequently.

Wusthof Classic Knife

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Wusthof knives have been made in Solingen, Germany since 1814. This world-class company has a reputation for quality and innovation that is second to none. Wusthof is a family-owned company that was founded around 200 years ago. The small town where they lived is called Solingen.

Solingen is a city in North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany. It’s known as the “City of Blades” for its history of manufacturing knives and other edged tools. The city has been making these objects for many years when it was an important center of medieval trade. Today Solingen still makes blades – from kitchen knives to samurai swords – but also produces scissors, razors and shears, garden clippers, and saws for cutting wood or metal.

Wusthof knives are the choice of chefs around the world because they will not let you down. Their knife can be sharpened easily and hold their edge better than any other knife on the market today. If you want to buy your first set of high-quality kitchen knives, then Wusthof is where you need to start.

Pros

• The blades are made of X50CrMOV15 stainless steel, vanadium and molybdenum.
• Has 14 degree cutting angle on each side.
• The synthetic or wooden handle gives you strong grip.
• Multipurpose knife.
• The knife is highly durable and strong.
• Has super sharp edge and the sharpness lasts for long time.
• Features bolster and full tang construction to provide perfect balance and best control.
• The steel of the blade is slightly harder and lasts for long time.
• Offers limited lifetime guarantee.

Cons

• Their knives are slightly expensive.

Forged vs Stamped Knives of Them

A forged blade is created by heating a single piece of raw steel with other materials (other metals) in the shape of an object which is being manufactured. The pieces are forged into the desired shape, optionally chemically treated and polished or given various types of finish, and assembled into the final object with other parts such as handle components or sheaths.

A stamped knife is usually a knife with a blade made from a sheet of steel, shaped by successively stamping it into shape on an anvil. For centuries, this was the main method of production for most types of edged blades other than those produced by stock removal. Typically the metals used are steel or stainless steel sheet, punched and formed in permanent dies according to a pattern that provides the desired shape for each side.

Both Zwilling and Wusthof brand produces forged and stamped knives. Forged knives are high quality, expensive, stronger, and easy to sharpen than stamped knives. Stamped knives are thinner, lighter, and manufactured for customers who have a lower budget. Wusthof Gourmet line knives are stamped from a sheet of steel. On the other hand, Zwilling made their inexpensive stamped knives in Spain and Asia changing their names into Henckels International.

Zwilling J.A. Henckels Product Lines

Zwilling has many product lines with a variety of knives to suit any cook’s needs. They have an extensive selection for both professional and home cooks alike. Let’s talk about some of them:

Zwilling Pro Line

Zwilling’s Pro-Line is made with Friodur Ice-Hardened Blades that maintain stainless steel performance in an affordable package. This precision blade is ice-hardened to enhance durability and corrosion resistance, which Zwilling knows is important because kitchens need their knives to be the toughest cuts around. The half bolster, full tang, and triple-riveted handles give you the ultimate power in precision cutting every time.

Zwilling Pro Holm Oak

With Zwilling Pro Holm Oak Curved Bolster Knife, cutting easy becomes a pleasure. It has a curved bolster for balanced slicing and delicate handling. These blades are forged from one piece of steel and tempered with the best modern technology has to offer for absolute precision. Mediterranean holm oak handle has a decent look and you will feel good while using it.

Zwilling Professional “S” Line

Zwilling Professional “S” Line has a forged blade made from a single piece of solid steel that stays sharper for longer than tempered steel blades. With an ice-hardened Friodur blade and triple-riveted handle, the Sigma forged knives are unsurpassed in quality. The full bolster gives better control by ensuring stability for precision cutting, chopping, or dicing with less risk of slipping.

Zwilling Twin Four Star II

The Zwilling Twin Four Star II is the sharpest blade you will ever meet. With improved weight, balance, precision, and material quality under a superior forge standard, this knife will come as an excellent addition to any kitchen or professional chef’s collection.

Zwilling Four Star Line

Four Star Line knives use a special NO STAIN steel that resists staining and the wear-and-tear associated with chopping vegetables. This means they don’t need constant sharpening. These blades have been ice-hardened to make sure their titanium coating is as strong as possible; even after many years of use.

Wusthof Product Lines

Wusthof offers a wide variety of product lines, from their Epicure to the Grand Prix II. For those looking for an excellent knife that won’t break the bank, Wusthof’s knife lines are perfect. They have knives of all shapes and sizes according to consumer’s demands. Let’s talk about some of them:

Wusthof Epicure

The Wusthof Epicure is an innovative design with key features like a wider blade, full bolster, rounded handle that will elevate your knife skills. The full tang blades are made of gem-quality steel for precision, hardness, and longevity. They’ve increased the width so there can be more contact between blade and food to make cutting easier on you. It’s also thicker than any other distribution knife on the market, giving it a little more weight when making those cuts through tomatoes or sweet potatoes without collapsing under pressure from hands.

Wusthof Ikon

The Wusthof Ikon has a blade forged from one piece of high carbon stainless steel, which means it can take on the hardest and most delicate jobs with ease. The handle is made of African Blackwood, giving you an elegant piece to use every day in your kitchen. Its half bolster provides safety while cutting and its 3 rivets allow for easy using no matter what type of food you’re slicing up.

Wusthof Classic Ikon

The Wusthof Classic Ikon knife is precision-forged from a single blank of high carbon stainless steel for rock-solid durability. The blade has a full tang and triple riveting to the Polyoxymethylene (POM) handle for precise control whether you’re slicing, dicing, or chopping vegetables evenly into slivers without losing their texture. Furthermore, its ability to support heavy-duty use without getting fatigued due to superior balance makes it an obvious choice for professional chefs or anyone who wants a long-lasting piece of kitchen cutlery.

Wusthof Classic

Wusthof Classic knife features a full bolster, finger guard, and blade that makes cutting easier. The Wusthof Classic is designed for the master chef who spends hours a day working with knives. The ergonomic handle design is made from durable, long-lasting synthetic material. Precision Edge Technology (PEtec) uses lasers to cut and hone each blade to precision sharpness so all you have to do is glide through your cutting tasks.

Wusthof Grand Prix II

Wusthof Grand Prix II is a finely crafted blade that will quickly become your go-to chef’s knife. Featuring precision forged steel, it’s made of quality designed materials and features full tang. With its comfortable round shape grip, you’ll be able to use this for hours without any fatigue.

Price Comparison

The price of Wusthof and Zwilling J.A. Henckels knives is almost the same in the market. Wusthof and Zwilling J.A. Henckels knives are also of the same quality. They both have a  limited lifetime warranty, which is great for people with busy schedules and who can’t take time to sharpen their knives often enough on their own. The stamped knives from the two brands are budget-friendly but the forged knives are premium quality. We recommend you to go for forged knives though it will cost more money.

Our Recommendation

The name Wusthof is often synonymous with quality kitchen knives. Whether buying a set of their blades or just one, you will not be disappointed. Zwilling knives are also high-quality, but they don’t always live up to the reputation that Wusthof does. Wusthof knives are sharper than Zwilling knives and easy to use for all types of consumers.

Ultimately, it’s up to you which knife set is right for your needs. Each of these brands has a lot to offer when it comes to kitchen knives and if you’re really looking into the subtle differences between them there are plenty of reviews available online that can help with this process. We hope we’ve given you enough information in this blog post on Wusthof vs Zwilling J. A. Henckels so that you make an informed decision about which brand will work best for your kitchen.