Where can I find a quality comparison for Zwilling Knives?
I'm trying to find comparisons between various knives from Zwilling. I know the difference between the lines: JA Henckels International tends to be of different build quality as compared to Zwilling.
However, I'm having trouble differentiating between the different knives from within the Zwilling brand. For instance, sets are named things like Cuisine, Gourmet, Signature, Four Star, and Professional S.
Even the Zwilling website doesn't really offer too much information about the specific lines. In fact, it doesn't even list some of the lines I've seen for sale, such as Gourmet. Can anyone provide info about these knives, or a link to further descriptions and comparisons?
Best Answer
There's a serious dearth of information about the differences between the Henckels product lines, but from what I can tell:
- The biggest difference is the handle design, which impacts the balance. You'll want to hold the knives to find which is right for you.
- Stamped blades are used in the following lines: Twin Signature, Twin Gourmet, International Everedge, International Everedge Plus, International Fine Edge Pro, International Fine Edge Synergy, International Eversharp. Source: Henckels Site.
- Forged blades are used for the following lines: Twin Profection, Twin Four Star and Four Star II, Twin Cuisine, Twin Professional S, Twin Select, International Classic, International Forged Premio, and International Forged Synergy. Sources: Henckels site, Squidoo, Amazon
- Microserrated blades are used in the following product lines: Eversharp Pro, Everedge, Everedge Plus (Source: Henckels International website)
- All but the Twin Cermax line are X50CrMoV15 steel, hardened to 54-56 HRC (some reports say up to 57 Rockwell C). This means they're slightly softer than Wusthof (which now hardens many of their products to 58 HRC), but less brittle.
- Twin Cermax uses special, superhard (66 HRC) MC66 steel, meaning they take a sharper edge and hold it MUCH longer than the other lines. This is probably a clone of the ZDP-189 supersteel. (source)
The microserrated blades aid in slicing, but hurt the ability to chop and mince. They WILL help retain a cutting edge longer, but also cannot be sharpened normally.
Edit: Personally, I've not been impressed by Henckels knives. Wusthof knives strike me as better quality at a similar price, and Victorinox is almost as good but a lot cheaper. Why do I say this? Well, Wusthof blades aren't as thick and unwieldy as Henckels, and they harden the steel to 58 Rockwell, so it takes a better edge. Victorinox is comparable hardness to Henckels, but about half the price, and the shapes of the blades just seem so perfect, with a deeper belly to slice thick items, and awesome grippy Fibrox handles.
Edit 2: 5 March 2016 - Henckels appears to have moved to a 57-58 HRC steel standard now for many of their blades, and switched to a narrower 15 degree bevel. This means they are capable of finer cuts, but the edges may be a tad more fragile. Twin Profection is now 60 HRC. This means that steel-on-steel, the knives should now be competitive with Wusthof. The Twin Signature and International Forged Classic still use the inferior 53-55 HRC steels. Victorinox has also raised the prices on their Fibrox-handled knives. Personal opinion, they're still a much better value than Henckels, but Henckels may be more competitive with Wusthof now.
Pictures about "Where can I find a quality comparison for Zwilling Knives?"
What are the different grades of Zwilling knives?
Zwilling Pro, Four Star, and Twin Four Star II knives are sharp, durable, and expertly crafted in Germany. What is this? The key difference between them is the design of the handle, including its shape, riveting, bolstering, tang, and material. Pro knife handles have a traditional shape with a rounded butt end.What is the best line of Zwilling knives?
If you're ready to buy but unsure which Zwilling collection is the best, I highly recommend Zwilling Pro. It features a classic German knife design with a black handle, exposed rivets and tang, and a half bolster for balance. The handle and blade are thick and hefty, highlighting the quality craftsmanship.Are Zwilling and Henckels the same?
ZWILLING (left) and Henckels (right). Both ZWILLING and Henckels are part of the same respected company but their materials and prices are what makes them different. With their German culinary design, the company specializes in premium knives and are seen as a global symbol of excellence.What is the difference between Zwilling J.A. Henckels and JA Henckels International?
Within Zwilling J.A. Henckels' portfolio, Zwilling is the premium knife brand, whereas Henckels, also referred to as J.A. Henckels or Henckels International, is the company's entry-level brand. It may be helpful to think of the two in terms of tiers or a hierarchy.Zwilling Knives Review + J.A. Henckels Knife Review - All Knives Overview
More answers regarding where can I find a quality comparison for Zwilling Knives?
Answer 2
I know this is a very old thread... however just wanted to mention that most of the "pro" lines of Zwilling knives are 57 Rockwell and higher... you can check this site for more detailed information
http://www.metrokitchen.com/zwilling-ja-henckels-knives-comparison-guide
Sources: Stack Exchange - This article follows the attribution requirements of Stack Exchange and is licensed under CC BY-SA 3.0.
Images: MART PRODUCTION, MART PRODUCTION, MART PRODUCTION, Ann H