Butch

While I'm out in Germany, I want to pick up a top-of-the-line set of kitchen knives.

Frankfurt is about 2 hours away from Solingen, which is where the factories are for both Wusthof and Zwilling Henckel, so I am thinking I'll take a little field trip up there and visit a factory and pick up a nice set . . .

What are people's opinions on the two manufacturers? Any preferences, experiences, suggestions, etc.?

I'm thinking I'd be willing to spend up to 500 Euros on a block and set that will last me for life. This would probably entail several knives that I likely don't have much use for at the moment, but would expect to use as I expand my culinary interests and actually have a decent kitchen in which to cook.

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kimchicowboy

i'd say wait and get a set of cutco knives. and it's not cuz i used to sell them (dah, i dread those days), but i really think they're that good.

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ufcrusher

I swear by Henckels...just make sure that you get knives in their twin line up. (Four-Star, Five-Star, Pro-S and others) My family has been using them my entire life and when we did our wedding registry, we picked to go with Pro-S. (I know we have had the one set of Pro-S for 30 years and they are still going strong, cant really have a better endorsement than actual experience)

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baggio248

I have the Pro-S series. I love them. There are alot of people who say that Wustof's are better. I love my Pro-S. I would go find a set of each that you like, and try them, see which ones feel better. The Pro-S are nicely balanced, and they just feel right in my hand.

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gear02

Read amazon's reviews and see what they say. I looked over there, but I'm not sure what knives you would be getting.

doolittle

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InfiniteNothing

I think a good knife has to fit your personality. Try using both knives and see how they work for you.

Daedalus

I vote Wusthof, but I doubt you would be disappointed with either. I worked in an upscale kitchen for 6 months. There were 5 pro chefs, and I recall both brands being owned/used, but it seemed the Wusthofs were revered a little more. When I asked about the knives, there seemed to be a little more pride from the chefs when talking about the Wusthofs vs the Henckels.

http://www.epinions.com/hmgd-KnifeGu...st/pp_~1/pa_~1

MrGreg

I've used both, and my preference is for Wusthof. Also, consider getting a magnet strip instead of a block. I think it's a cleaner solution, and frees up some counter space.

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Hoser

What kind of money are we talking about for a good set of knives? How long will they last?

oblongmelon

well, it depends on HOW many knives you purchase..my preference is the Wusthof..and I've had them forever..
this websight has free shipping on the sets you might want to take a look at..usually 7-10 pieces are great to start out with..these prices aren't that bad either..

http://www.cutleryandmore.com/prodlist.asp?ListID=33

you can always add the "specialty knives" later on..

raimin

i had both henkels 5 star and wusthof...perferred the kenkels

now i bought a set of shun, and think i like them more

Jeffbx

Another for the Wüsthof crowd.



Probably about $200-300 for a good starter set, and if you take care of them, the knives should last longer than you do. It makes a WORLD of difference using decent knives vs. the cheapo 'never have to sharpen' serrated ones.

Butch

Thanks for the input . . . I was kind of leaning towards a preference for Wusthof, but I definitely agree that I need to really try both manufacturers side-by-side to get a feel . . . so I shall.

- Wusthof Grand Prix
- Wusthof Classic
- Henckel 5 Star
- Henckel 4 Star
- Henckel Pro S

Of course, this may all become a moot point since I'm not sure anymore that I'll be able to get them at any better of a price here in Germany than if I were to order via Amazon. Because of the strength of the Euro and the universal 16% (or is it 18% now?) VAT tax here (vs. no tax on Amazon), it looks like it might just be better for me to wait until I get back to the US . . . how ironic.

Though, it would still be cool to say I got them directly from the factory in Solingen.

Will continue looking into it . . . still certainly interested to hear more opinions, of course . . .

Jeffbx

I was thinking the same thing - that the conversion to the Euro & the tax rate might kill any good deal you might get. However, I believe there is a way to get a refund on the tax when you leave the country (I know you can do it in some places in Europe, not sure about Germany).

Maybe just get one good chef's knife or something unique from the factory & get the rest from Amazon. Just remember not to put it in your carry on...

ufcrusher

Dont know why you are bolding your post, but Henkels are also one solid forged blade and handle. You made this same comment previously and when I called you on it back then, you never responded.

http://forums.gotapex.com/showthread.php?t=86344

What you may be thinking of is Henckels, Sintermetal Component Technology, which is a process that welds the optimum grades of metal into each part of the knife while keeping the blade, bolster and tang as one piece of metal. SCT keeps knives sharper longer, makes the blade angle more consistent and deters corrosion and pitting. Blades also go through the Friodur ice-hardening process, which adds more strength to the blade and prevents staining.


I have no problem when someone makes a comment contrary to my beliefs and then proves to me that I am incorrect, but when someone repeatedly makes the same comment, is questioned on it and stays silent, it screams foul. Yes, Henckels does have a different process to make the knives even better by taking a fully forged knife and attaching other metals which have superior properties than the "skeleton/backbone" that makes up the knife. Yet this doesnt change the fact that its a fully forged knife made out of a solid piece of metal. Think of it as creating specialty alloys for parts of the knife.

surfer

Henckels is good. But I like Wusthof better. I went to a knife sharpening class sponsored by Wusthof and the guy said you try them both and see which one is more comfortable in your hand.

sourdough

The Henkels Pro-S series has a very solid bread knife. Unfortunately, I have first-hand experience with it.

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baggio248

OUCH!!!!!!!!!!!! I use that knife for alot of differnt things. I even bought the 6-inch serated and its great. That knife is freaking sharp! Hope that healed.

sourdough

My cuts don't heal.

Merlin

Just pour a little olive oil on it and things will be just fine.

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Grimm

Yeah, a guy that gets baked every day should probably stay away from sharp objects... someone could get hurt.

Butch

If he were baked every day, he'd be toast

doolittle

all knives cut, i wouldent ever say that one knife will cut your food better than another. but after selling both knives for 5 years, all i know is henckles breaks alot and trident doesent. trident is one piece of steel and henckles are 3 "or maybe 2 now" and guess where they usually break? . your favorite company cheats to keep the costs down. you can put as much ice on it as you want, a high quality tool made of a single bar of steel is allways better than welded ..

doolittle

When your in Solingen, you may want to look for knife modles that arent exported to the usa. it would be cool if you found a set that no one else has, you should be able to find sets w/custom handles or blade shapes at the factory's or german cuttlery stores.

ufcrusher

You say that you have seen henckels break....which series? The reason I ask is straight forward, I have never seen or heard of a single one break in the twins line. I have worked as a chef and the preferred knives among all the different chefs (where I worked) were the Henckels...I know of 10 different families that all have had them for many many years without incident. I have seen four chef knives lose their tips from inappropriate use.

As for "putting ice on it", I dont know what you are referring to there. I pointed out what I thought you might be referring to concerning not being truly forged. The blanks are created using multiple levels but the knife is made from the single blank.

Production description for the Henckels:
http://www.zwilling.com/country/ca/l...s/102/seiten/0

doolittle

they break right where the metals meet, its actually pretty common, most resellers will trade out broken henckes ( and they do quite often), whether you bought them there or not, they do offer a good return policy on their knives. they are both good blades, but for the price they charge for them, ill take the one that is not welded together. high quality tool steel Is not cheap and neither is the forging process. think about it, what other company offers high quality bolster steel or handle steel and what would be the point(are you gonna bend it with your hands)?, why go thru the trouble of welding different metals to a forged blade when it is allready made of one of the best tool steels you can buy(unless its cheaper). and the weld is a weak spot, it often rusts out right where the handle meets the bolster.
i think ice hardening is a gimmick, knife steel should be hardened to a precise rockwell to fit the needs of the type of blade. the chrome content is what keeps it from rusting. henckles has brought its product up with the times and has done real well with its pro and 4,5 star kitchen series. but its not the same quality as a trident.