Is J.A. Henckels a Reliable Manufacturer of Kitchen Knives?
Friday, November 27th, 2009One cutlery company that has its birthplace in Solingen, Germany is Zwilling J.A. Henckels. Established in 1731, it can claim many “firsts”, among them the first stainless steel blades, multi-purpose kitchen shears, forged knives with molded handles and hybrid forged knives. This manufacturer is also rated one of the most technically perfect blade makers on the planet. It would seem that thanks to 278 years of experience, Henckels Four Star Knife Sets could be called the sharpest knives in the block.
Product Descriptions
In accordance with their logo – a stylized version of the astrological sign of Gemini – all Henckels knives have been designated with the word “Twin” followed by the specific product line. Henkles produces eleven Twin series – 1731, Cermax M66, Select, Cuisine, Four Star II, Pro “S”, Five Star, Four Star, Gourmet, Signature and Grip Parers – and one more series consisting of cleavers and dicers. All of these knives have been crafted in Germany, except the Cermax M66 cutlery series which is produced in Japan.
Nearly all Henckels knives are constructed of top-grade German high-carbon, no-stain steel blades, which have been ice-hardened to improve their blade strength and resistance to corrosion. This is hardly news as the company invented the Friodur ice-hardening system for forged knives. Conseqently, if you are contemplating bringing home a Henckels knife set, you can be assured of German expertise with world-class standards.
Advantages
The fantastic thing concerning Henckels Four Star Knife Sets is the many types made for consumers from the enthusiastic amateurs to the restaurant chefs. In turn, a number of financial situations are served by its budget-priced cutlery in the Twin Signature series to the high-quality knives included in the Twin Cermax M66 series. However, the grade of materials employed and the fabrication method employed are consistent with regards to every knife coming from Henckels.
The top-quality knives found in the Cermax M66 Henckels knife set moves like a laser through food. This set of knives can cut, slice, julienne, dice and mince more effectively than any other knife of similar quality. In addition, the heaviness and balance of these knives are just right; to the degree that expert chefs are quickly leaning towards the Cermax M66 as opposed to, say, nearly equivalent knives over at Wusthoft.
Even this manufacturers’ stamped steel knives like the Twin Signature product line are good tradeoffs between price and quality. Obviously, nearly three centuries of making knives is likely to pay off!
Disadvantages
Particularly in cases where you purchase your knives through the internet, make sure that you are getting what you requested and paid good money for. There have been instances of the product descriptions in a Henckels knife set that didn’t correspond with the items delivered.
Next there is the subject of reputation. Because Henckles now produces low-end knives that now and again don’t meet the usual Henckles quality, the other high-end knives suffer from the other’s failures. This is akin to the instance of a few bad apples tainting the complete bushel.
In conclusion, the selection of a Henckels Knife Set normally is settled by two issues: your food prep habits and the size of your bank account. Usually, you will be made to choose one over the other but with Henckels knives, the decision is made easier.