Henckels is a renowned brand in the kitchen due to its high-quality and sharp knives, making them an excellent choice for any chef.
A Chef’s knife is an essential tool for both home cooks and professional chefs, and Henckels is known for its durability and quality. Whether you’re a home cook or a professional chef, Henckels knives are a great investment for your kitchen.
If you’re ready to dive in, let’s get started! This review will explore the various Henckels kitchen knife sets and their popular features.
We’ll also offer our opinion on whether or not investing in Henckels knives is a wise choice for your kitchen.
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(You need to read The 8 Best German Knife Brands for Your Kitchen)
About the Henckels Brand
Zwilling J.A. Henckels AG is one of the largest and oldest manufacturers of kitchen knives for both domestic and professional use, with its roots in an era when swords were the primary weapons used for war.
The Henckels brand has a long and storied history. They were founded in 1731 by Peter Henckels in Solingen, Germany.
The brand is one of the oldest cutlery manufacturers globally, with a significant and long-standing presence in international markets.
Apart from Henckels, the company also owns seven more brands: Zwilling (kitchen products), Staub (French cast iron and ceramic cookware), Ballarini (Italian kitchen tools), Miyabi (German and Japanese production), Demeyere (Belgian-made products), and even brands with beauty products.
(Also see Choosing a JA Henckel Knife Set – Which Series Is Best)
What are The Different Levels of Henckels Knives?
Henckels knives come in different levels or grades, catering to various needs and preferences. The main grades include:
- Zwilling J.A. Henckels Gourmet: Basic everyday knives suitable for general use.
- Zwilling J.A. Henckels Four-Star: A higher-quality option with better materials and construction.
- Zwilling J.A. Henckels Five-Star: High-end knives designed for performance and durability.
- Zwilling J.A. Henckels Pro: Top-of-the-line knives for superior cutting and longevity.
In addition to these grades, Henckels knives are available with stamped or forged blades. Stamped knives are thinner, more flexible, and ideal for cutting vegetables and slicing tender cuts of meat.
Forged knives, on the other hand, are thicker, heftier, and more rigid, providing better durability and performance. Learn about Shun Knife vs. Zwilling
Best Henckels Knives
If you’re in the market for high-quality knives, Henckels is a brand worth considering. Some of their top-rated models include the Zwilling Pro, Four Star, and Classic lines.
The Zwilling Pro chef’s knife is known for its precision and ergonomic design, while the Four Star knives offer a comfortable grip and durable construction. The Classic series features a timeless look and excellent balance.
(Must read Wusthof vs. Zwilling J.A. Henckels Comparison: Which is Best)
If you are looking for great kitchen knives for your cooking, then purchasing a Henckels knife set is the right choice.
However, you must know that each knife model differs from the rest. Below, I have compiled a list of the best Henckels knives to help you decide the best option for your needs.
1 – HENCKELS Modernist 13-pc Knife Set with Block
The Modernist series’ knives and knife block sets are known for their precision and durability. These knives are made of German stainless steel and guarantee long-lasting sharpness. While durable, they are also relatively lightweight and easy to handle.
Many like them for their polished and sharp look, which is also great for professionals.
(Learn more about How To Choose German Knives- Comprehensive Buying Guide)
The set includes a paring knife, a serrated utility knife, a santoku knife, a bread knife, a chef’s knife, steak knives, kitchen shears, sharpening steel, and a black knife block.
- Made from high-quality stainless steel with a fully forged bolster construction and a satin-finished blade
- Traditional triple-rivet stainless steel handle that is curved for the user’s comfort
- Lightweight with a fingerprint-proof sandblasted texture for easy grip
- Finely honed blade for precision cutting
- Dishwasher-safe, but hand wash is recommended
2 – HENCKELS Statement Kitchen Knife Set with Block
Henckels knives in the Statement series are perfect for daily kitchen tasks. These knives are light and curved for comfort, allowing excellent maneuverability and balance. They are straightforward to use, and they are long-lasting.
The set includes Henckels statement knives review, a paring knife, a serrated utility knife, a santoku knife with a hollow edge, a chef’s knife, a bread knife, six 4.5-inch steak knives, sharpening steel, kitchen shears, and a hardwood block.
- Made from high-quality stainless steel with a fine-edge blade for precision and excellent sharpness
- Full tang design with a traditional triple-rivet handle for balance
- Dishwasher-safe, but hand wash is recommended.
3 – HENCKELS Classic 8″ Chef Knife, German Stainless Steel
Knives in the Classic series make prep work fast and easy. This stainless steel kitchen knife is manufactured in Spain and is excellent for professional use. Classic’s superior quality provides durability, precision cutting, and balance. A multipurpose chef’s knife, great for chopping, mincing, slicing, and dicing.
- Assembled in Spain, the high-quality stainless steel is sourced from Germany
- Made with fully forged stain-resistant carbon steel
- Ergonomic design that allows for easy and comfortable use with a handle length of 4.72 inches
- Full bolster provides weight and ensures safety
4 – HENCKELS Definition Self-Sharpening Knife Block Set
The Definition series combines the three-rivet handles’ classic Henckels look with the ergonomic design’s comfort. Thanks to their high-quality stainless steel, these knives are breakproof but with light blades for ease of use. They also include the traditional triple-rivet handle.
The set includes a paring knife, a utility knife and a serrated utility knife, a santoku knife, a bread knife, a chef’s knife, six 4.5-inch steak knives, kitchen shears, and a self-sharpening knife block.
- Ashwood block with a stainless steel cap and self-sharpening labeled slots with built-in ceramic honing wheels, which sharpen knives every time they are removed or put back
- Knives are made with high-quality stainless steel
- Single-piece precision-stamped blade construction
- Traditional triple-rivet handle
5 – HENCKELS Graphite 20-pc Self-Sharpening Knife Set with Block
The Henckels set includes a 3-inch and a 4-inch paring knife, a 5-inch serrated utility knife and a 6-inch utility knife, a prep knife, a boning knife, a santoku knife, a bread knife, a carving knife, a chef’s knife, eight 4.5-inch steak knives, kitchen shears, and a self-sharpening knife block.
- Ashwood block with a stainless steel cap and self-sharpening labeled slots with built-in ceramic honing wheels, which sharpen knives every time they are removed or put back
- Knives are made with high-quality stainless steel
- Single-piece precision-stamped blade construction
- Traditional triple-rivet handle
6 – J.A. HENCKELS International Forged Premio 8-Inch Chef
These knives are fabricated from high-quality German stainless steel and are assembled in China with the established standard Henckels value.
- Forged bolster construction seamlessly transitions from blade to handle for durability and balance.
- The professional satin-finished blade boasts precision cutting and is honed for long-lasting sharpness.
- The modern triple-rivet design is curved for comfort
- The knife also includes a stainless steel endcap.
- Dishwasher-safe
7 – HENCKELS Forged Premio 14-pc Knife Set with Block
Like the previous item on the list, this knife set is stamped with the single-man Henckels logo, symbolizing Forged Premio’s superb quality and great value.
The set Henckels forged generation knife review includes an all-rounder chef’s knife, a serrated utility knife, a small paring knife, a santoku hollow edge knife, a carving knife, sharpening steel, six 4.5-inch steak knives (stamped), kitchen shears, and a hardwood block.
- Knives fabricated from high-quality stainless steel with a stainless steel endcap
- Lightweight, full tang design yields maximum maneuverability
- A professional, fine-edge blade boasts precision cutting and is finely honed for long-lasting sharpness
- The traditional triple-rivet handle offers balance and is curved for comfort
- Dishwasher-safe, but hand wash is recommended
8 – HENCKELS Solution 12-pc Knife Set with Block
This Henckels solution knives review has a serrated utility knife, a chef’s knife, six 4.5-inch steak knives, kitchen shears, 9-inch sharpening steel, and a hardwood knife block.
- Single-piece, precision-stamped knives fabricated from high-quality stainless steel
- Lightweight, full tang design yields maximum maneuverability without sacrificing strength and durability.
- A professional, fine-edge blade boasts precision cutting and is finely honed for long-lasting sharpness.
- The ergonomic, breakproof, and traditional triple-rivet handle offers balance and is curved for comfort.
- Dishwasher-safe, but hand wash recommended
9 – HENCKELS Statement Chef’s Knife
The Henckels International Statement 8″ Chef’s Knife is perfect for kitchen tasks. Easily used to mince, dice, slice, and chop in no time. These knives are fabricated from high-quality German stainless steel and are assembled in China.
- Fabricated from high-quality stainless steel
- Single-piece precision-stamped blade construction provides durability
- Professional satin-finished blade boasts precision cutting and is finely honed for long-lasting sharpness
- Lightweight full tang design yields maximum maneuverability.
- Traditional triple-rivet handle with stainless steel endcap offers a balance.
- Dishwasher-safe
10 – J.A. HENCKELS International Statement Kitchen Knife Set
With a stained ash wood base and a stainless steel cap, this set includes all the staple items and is a must-have. It is tailor-made for the J.A. Henckels International Statement knife series.
This set includes a paring knife, a utility knife, a serrated utility knife, a santoku knife, a chef’s knife, kitchen shears, and a self-sharpening knife block.
(Check out What Knives Does Hell’s Kitchen Star Gordon Ramsay Use: Gordon Ramsay Knives)
- Stylish brushed stainless steel cap and stained ash wood base self-sharpening block
- Self-sharpening slots that sharpen each time a knife is removed or replaced
- Labeled slots guide proper placement.
Zwilling vs. Henckels
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As mentioned earlier, Zwilling J. A. Henckels is a company that owns many different brands, including Zwilling and Henckels.
They are two distinctive brands that share some similarities and some significant differences. While there are some differences in the manufacturing process of each brand’s knives, they both are regulated by Zwilling J.A. Henckels’ standard practices.
Therefore, both brands are expected to make quality knives based on the company’s reputation.
The Zwilling brand is under Zwilling J.A. Henckels and produces more premium products. Their forged knives are created from high-carbon steel.
They are presented as a more sophisticated option, catering to more experienced and professional buyers. Indeed, many professional chefs prefer this brand, such as Gordon Ramsey. All kitchen knives in the Zwilling brand are made in Germany.
A Henckels knife is under Henckels International. Henckels is the company’s value brand, producing quality knives at more affordable prices.
Their blades are catered toward more entry-level cooks. Henckel knives are manufactured in countries such as China, Spain, and Thailand.
Finally, their logos also differ, with Zwilling’s logo featuring twin figures (“Zwilling” is the German word for “twin”), while Henckels’ logo features one person holding a spear.
What to Look for Before Making a Purchase of Knives
If you’re considering buying Henckels knives, several key factors must be remembered. Look for a knife with a comfortable grip that feels balanced. The blade should be made from high-quality materials, with a sharp edge that can be maintained over time. Consider the size and weight of the knife, as well as its intended use – whether it’s a chef’s knife, paring knife, or specialty blade.
Safety Features
A Henckels knife is constructed to be lightweight for more balance and ease of movement. Moreover, the blades also feature range-safe edges on all slots. This gives the user more space while cutting, automatically protecting their fingers from accidental cuts.
Handle
Henckels quality knives feature the traditional wide-range handles with triple rivets attached. Most handles have a full tang design to maintain balance during use and have a comfortable grip to be more ergonomic.
Blade Type
The quality of the blade in a kitchen knife affects its durability. Forged knives have more durable blades than stamped knives, extending their longevity. Stainless steel and high-value materials can make a knife last for many years.
Washing Instructions
Most Henckels knives are dishwasher safe, but you are sometimes recommended to wash them by hand. This is because the knives’ blades can get damaged by rust. If a knife is washed and left in the dishwasher for a day, its edge might get rusty, eventually damaging its sharpness.
Knives should be well maintained. If you want your kitchen knife to last, clean it immediately after use by washing off the residue and drying it.
Functions of a Henckels Knife
Every Henckels knife set has many different types of knives with various functions.
A regular knife set must include a classic chef’s knife, ideal for chopping and dicing vegetables, fruits, meat, and fish.
A serrated utility knife (or bread knife) has a jagged edge to cut through slippery or soft surfaces that a flat blade normally slides on. Even though it is usually used for bread, hence the name, you can use it for other materials with similar textures.
A paring knife is perfect for slicing and mincing tiny things like herbs or peeling fruits and vegetables.
Are Henckels Knives Good?
Yes, Henckels knives are good. They are known for their high-quality German stainless steel, precision, safety, durability, and comfort in use.
Henckels knives have a cutting angle of 30 degrees and are hardened to 57 on the Rockwell scale, making them sharper than some competitors. Although they are made in various countries to maintain lower prices, their quality remains consistent, and they receive five-star reviews across the web.
Pros
The most significant advantage that Henckels knife review offer is its long-standing reputation. The company is known for providing high-status products. Their quality is to be expected with every purchase.
Owning a Henckels knife set ensures that your kitchen tools will last for years and get the job done. Moreover, they offer versatility that makes them worth the purchase.
Henckels kitchen knives also have great value. Their more premium products are highly-priced, but their entry-level knives have prices that are not too far from the standard market price. Therefore, you can find a good quality knife that is still affordable.
Finally, they are designed with your safety in mind. These knives have good balance and a comfortable grip that prevents fatigue. This leads to fewer cutting accidents.
Cons
Of course, like every other product, a Henckels knife also has disadvantages.
Because of the large variety of brands, models, and styles, many customers often get confused by the many different options. A lack of specific brand trades can dissuade buyers from purchasing such a knife, making them look elsewhere.
Moreover, in a knife block set, you get a lot of different products, and sometimes, the accompanying tools might not be on par with the knives in terms of quality. Depending on your spending on a knife set, this might not affect or displease you.
Many companies tend to cut costs by offering high-quality products with side products of lesser quality. Still, it is understandable if you want to get value for your money. If the material of your knife block is not as good as you thought.
But if you still appreciate the value of your knives, then perhaps it might be something you can move on from.
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Last Updated on December 16, 2023 by John Siracusa
