All the famous Germany knife brands are/were headquartered in Solingen. Keeping your German kitchen knives in great shape comes down to three things: German and Japanese knives are the most respected pieces of cutlery in professional kitchens. Solingen is a city in western Germany in the North Rhine-Westphalia region, about thirty-five minutes east of Dsseldorf. AAPK Tips and Tricks -- An Illustrated FAQ Forum on Steriods, Knife Lore - Traditional Knives From the Old Days, Canal Street Cutlery Collector's Forum, Cattaraugus Cutlery Collector's Forum, Great Eastern Cutlery (GEC) Collector's Forum, Robeson Cutlery Company Collector's Forum, Schatt & Morgan Knife Collector's Forum, Knife Related Creation, Modification, And Restoration Forums. While many different types and styles of knives come out of Solingen, they all have one thing in common: theyre well-made and built to last. The brands most popular model is the Mercator K55K which has added incredible value to the name of Mercator Knives, which is now a division of Otter-Messer. Wusthof is owned and run by the Wusthof family. Jeff also does his own precision heat treating in house with a digital oven and appropriate quench oil to ensure maximum hardness and toughness of the blades. The steel used is a friodur steel using X50CrMoV15. American Knife and Tool Institute. German knife brands will usually combine their specialized steels with full-tang construction and riveted handles to achieve the best balance available. How about a thread for all the old and obscure brands that don't really warrant a thread for themselves? Specifically, Japanese steel has a higher carbon content making their blades harder and sharper, but also more brittle. Customer Service In my experience, this makes the Classic IKON series feel nearly weightless a true joy to use that helps me look forward to meal prep time. Henckels Professional $369.95 Buy on Amazon We may earn a commission if you make a purchase, at no additional cost to you. Each of Gdes knives is drop-forged, and theyre grounded and sharpened by hand. By incorporating a half-bolster at the blade, you get the double benefit of cut and scrape protection as well as being able to use the full length of the blade. by knifegirl888 Thu Jan 20, 2011 11:20 pm, Post This is usually an initial or a name stamped into the knifes metal. Henckels, now known as Zwilling, is a conglomerate and owns a variety of companies, including Staub cast iron and Demeyere cookware, as well as the revered Zwilling brand. Top brands for the professional chef in each of us. CJ Buck is currently Chairman and CEO of Buck Knives, Inc. and the 4th generation family member to run Buck Knives. As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases. A few different types of marks are commonly seen on Solingen Germany knives. Thats why Ive focused on 7-piece knife sets for this guide. In short, this knife set is an ideal choice for someone who is already comfortable with their knife skills and wants to pare down for an efficient use of kitchen space. There are two main ways that companies like J.A. Kissing Crane (1834) 9. ad[8]='http://www.germandaggers.com/banners/JRBMbanner.jpg'; Here weve gathered plenty of information on the top German knife brands to simplify your search for the perfect knife. Theyre not as sharp as high-carbon blades. Later on, the company was taken over by Johann Abraham Henckels, to whom the brand owes its current name: Zwilling J.A. WKC (1883) Final Words They may cost a bit more than your average kitchen knife, but trust us its worth every penny! 2494 Distinct Links Please support our Link Partners by visiting them. Theyre every bit as high quality as the other knives featured in this guide, and will last you for years to come. It should feel solid in your hand and have no loose parts or wobbling blades. For those who employ a pinch grip hold, they may find that Messermeister knives have a slightly heavy handle. 10. Buck, Benchmade, Bear and Son, Bark River,Case, Cattaraugus, Cold Steel, Cutco, Canal Street, Gerber,Leatherman, Kershaw, Queen, Randall, Robeson, Schatt and Morgan . CJ started with Buck Knives in 1978, working on the production line building . These days, they produce everything you need in the kitchen. The kitchen knives from Solingen, Germany, are famous around the world. Stewart and Ritchie think enough of the brand to give it a short writeup in the Standard Knife Collector's Guide. Throughout that time, its truly cemented its reputation as one of the best cookware brands. From hunting and pocket knives to the V-42 Stiletto carried by U.S. Army soldiers in World War II, to the M-1 Astronauts knife carried on the Gemini and Apollo missions, Case knives have been a trusted companion, as well as a tool, for generations. If youre not experienced with German kitchen knives, I would suggest starting with a full bolster or half bolster knife because of their added protection for your front finger. The ZWILLING J.A. ANTHONY CARTERS BOOK ON GERMAN KNIVES AND MARKS. The Don Massive Italian Stiletto OTF $ 74.00. Sold Out. German knives tend to be heavier, thicker, and more robust, making them better for tough jobs. Henckel's crowning achievement in cutlery. The biggest complaint customers have regarding Wsthof knives is their price. Wusthof Classic 9 Piece Acacia Knife Block Set $675.00. For thin aluminum, a carbide-tipped blade is the best option. PUMA Solingen is one of the oldest knife making companies in the world. There are three main styles of bolster used in the production of a German knife: Some knife makers will use a heel bolster, sometimes just called the heel, to improve balance on a knife. The fixed-blade knife selection ranges from machetes to daggers to tactical knives and more. The one-piece, hammer-forged design of the Meridian Elite series gives them an admirable combination of durability and balance. The difference between Messermeister and the other top German knife brands is that it hasnt been around nearly as long. Inspect the blade. Theyre incredibly sharp, wont stain or chip, and retain their sharpness longer than almost any knife Ive used. All rights reserved. With 15 different knife collections to choose from, theres definitely something for everyone! In the following centuries the business developed and established a diverse range of different cutlery. Mercer believes in creating affordable knives with amazing quality. What more could a cooking enthusiast ask for? With the merger of two leading family-owned Solingen sword makers, Weyersberg and Kirschbaum, the WKC company, also called WKC Stahl-und Metallwarenfabrik, began its business in 1883. | Sitemap. Knives have been made in Solingen, Germany for centuries. Signup for our Newsletter and receive a $5 voucher! Here is a, Read More Uncapping Roller Vs Knife | Best Option For Uncapping HoneyContinue, Whether youre a knife enthusiast or just someone who likes to be prepared, adding a pocket clip to your knife can be helpful. High carbon stainless steel provides the base for these sharp and durable knives. This vintage German knife maker continued its later history in 1995 when Hans Kolping, a successful Solingen businessman who made pocket knives for the American market, purchased the WKC company. FAQ It was necessary to comb through many reviews in order to find a drawback to these high-quality knives! Thanks, Blue! There are plenty of reputable dealers out there who sell authenticSoligen knives, so you shouldnt have any trouble finding one. 24 Hour Order Line Even when the quality of a knife set is there as it definitely is with Wusthofs Classic Series Im not a big fan of having more choices in your kitchen than you absolutely need. Another top German knife brand headquartered in Solingen, Germany, Gde has been in business since 1910. Hence, your preference is very personal. Many of Bkers knives are more affordable than the other top German knife brands on this list. Henckels Pro Le Blanc 5.5" Prep Knife $109.95. Gde has been making high-quality German kitchen knives for over a century. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. The city has been known for it's blade making prowess for centuries and was given the title "The City of Blades.". Pocket knives are made in Solingen by skilled artisans with impressive grips, gorgeous polish, and intricate designs. Bower Import Co, which may have been located in Jacksonville, FL. Since then the name Solingen can only be used for cutlery which has been made in the industrial area of Solingen. Since steel is an alloy a combination of iron, carbon, and other trace minerals all types of steel are not created equal. Today, over 200 years ago, the business is still lead by the family Wursthof. The reputation and flair of Damascus knives stretches back over 17 centuries to legends of Damascus blades cutting through a rifle barrel and slicing a strand of hair in two. At the turn of the century the majority of Bker knives had been exported to the United States and they are still a synonym for the exceptional quality of german knives. Bker/Boker Solingen All of them have extensive product lines and great customer reviews overall. You already own a German knife? Hermann Boker immigrated in the USA and founded H. Boeker & Co. His brother Robert expanded the company to Canada and Mexico in 1865. Our knives are forged, sharpened, finished, tested, packed and shipped in up to 55 manual steps at our factory in Solingen . Most customers are thrilled with their Messermeister knives overall. This city has been known for centuries as a hub for knife making, and its easy to see why when you look at the quality of their blades. Over 30 steps in the production process require a check from one of Gde's master knife makers. Theyre precision forged with a full-tang, triple-riveted handle that gives them perfect balance. Zwilling is one of the world's giants of German-style chef's knife manufacture. His Son Carl Linder built the company and established a great reputation in producing high quality knives made in Germany. by ObsidianEdge Fri Jan 21, 2011 12:01 am, Post It does away with the bulk of a knife block and situationally-specific knives to focus on the essentials: A chefs knife, slicer, and paring knife. These marks can be found on the blade, handle, or both. With 11 different knife collections and the ability to buy individual knives or sets, there are plenty of options available. However, some customers feel that they arent as suited to delicate tasks as harder knives. Youll need to weigh the pros and cons against your expectations to find the ideal knives for your kitchen! If you're a fan of German knives, then the city of Solingen is likely one that you're familiar with. Therefore, if youre looking for kitchen knives with extremely low prices, Gde isnt likely to meet your expectations. In their bolsters, Wsthof seeks to have the best of both worlds. One area of improvement is in balance. You can do it yourself! They feature a full tang and incredible balance with their ergonomic Santoprene handles. links[9]='http://www.cashicollection.com'; Finally, if there is neither a company logo nor a city mark, look for a makers mark. I don't have any, but I like this idea, trail! Soligen is of course one of the world's most famous knife cities, and the . links[3]='http://www.marnamilitaria.com'; With these tips, you should easily identify any Solingen knife makers marks. Zwilling has a huge line of knives that features nearly every type of knife you can think of. Their contoured handles give them both a comfortable fit and a modern touch, and they look great displayed in the included acacia wood block. Mercator offers durable, functional, and specifically designed knives that have successfully served numerous purposes for more than a century. This means that you cannot easily keep the knife block in a cupboard. These blades are designed to cut through hard materials without leaving, Read More What is the Best Band Saw Blade for Cutting Aluminum?Continue, Imperial Ireland Pocket Knife Value: An Imperial Ireland pocket knife is a valuable item. Some of these German knife brands have been around for centuries, and others are relatively new. Suggestions, Questions, Comments, Concerns, Alerts, Etc Member Store Tips, Tricks & Instructions, http://www.allaboutpocketknives.com/kni 55&start=0, http://www.knifeworld.com/pocknivofuns.html, http://www.agrussell.com/a-g-russell-bo US-UX3ORH/. For anyone that wants to keep their knife selection as simple as possible, the Messermeister Meridian Elite 3-Piece Starter Set is the way to go. What is a utility knife? To choose the best German kitchen knives, youll need to know a fair amount about how theyre made. The full list of items seized by Pennsylvania police from Bryan Kohberger's parents' house was revealed on Thursday and includes a knife, gun, ammunition and a 'criminal psychology book'. Bernard Levine has images of a minty one on his website. This is a listing or about 1,500 different brands that a knife collector might come across. They make knives that are classic in design and this 8-inch chef's knife certainly has that traditional western style design. Click the link below to order your copy of the Boker book! It does look like it was made by Case. We will NEVER rent, sell, or exchange your address outside of our company. I can't find anything that matches in my books & have come up empty even on the web. Bker kitchen knives have been known for their Solinger quality for over a hundred years. In 1974, knife salesman Pete Kershaw started his own cutlery company after leaving his previous employer, Gerber Legendary Gear - now known as just Gerber Gear. These include Aeon, Crafter, Classic Ikon, Ikon, Classic, Epicure, Grand Prix II, and Gourmet. Gde knives are softer than others, which makes them more durable. Razor-sharp thanks to the hand-sharpened 'Dnnschliff' grind. This top German knife brand has had plenty of time to make its way to the top! Wusthof is known for their high quality kitchen knives. If the handle looks cheap or flimsy, chances are its not the real deal. Michael StClair designs and create knives for everyday use, collection, or investment. In choosing the knife sets featured in this guide, I took the following categories into consideration: How many types of knives you need for your kitchen will depend on your culinary skills as well as your aspirations for cooking. by robinetn Thu Jan 20, 2011 11:40 pm, Post I would like to start a detailed list of all current AMERICAN MADE KNIFE MANUFACTURERS for our site, please add to the list of current makers and feel free to offer any updates! German steel can stand up to quite a bit of use. It also acts as a finger guard, preventing painful slip-ups from turning into cuts and scrapes. Functional, high-quality, affordable yet stylish. All the famous Germany knife brands are/were headquartered in Solingen. Fax: 479-631-8493 Solingen, Germany is world-renowned for the quality of its knives. I like it pretty good. Shipping costs depend on order amount and shipping destination. Im a big fan of the quality of Messermeisters knives, but their Olive Elite Professional series just doesnt impress me for the price. This steel formula results in knives that are hard, razor-sharp, and resistant to corrosion. International: 479-631-0130, Address: