Wusthof vs Henckels | 2 Meticulous German Brands

Later on, the brand was renamed to ZWILLING J.A. Henckels by Peter Henckels’ son, Johann Abraham Henckels. 

The company currently manufactures 4 lines of knives, cutlery and cookware: ZWILLING, Henckels, Miyabi and Ballarini. 

German made knives and cutlery can only be purchased under the ZWILLING line, which includes these brands: Pro, Four Star, Gourmet, Professional “S”, Twin Signature, Twin Four Star II, Pro Holm Oak, Now S and Twin 1731. The knives that belong to the Henckels line are not made in Germany. 

In this review, we will be looking at the ZWILLING J.A. Henckels knives that are made in Germany; thus we aren’t going to compare the Henckels line, but the ZWILLING line.

We are going to refer to the ZWILLING J.A. Henckels knives as ZWILLING knives. If you would like more information about ZWILLING vs Henckels knives, please read the ZWILLING J.A. Henckels Knives Review. 

When it comes to  Wusthof, all their knives are made in Germany. 

Now, let’s get into which of these powerhouse German family-owned businesses, Wüsthof (also can be referred to as Wusthof or Wuesthof) or ZWILLING J.A. Henckels produce the best blades. Wusthof vs Henckels head to head.

It’s all about having the correct knife for the job. The appropriate tool will always make your job a lot easier in the kitchen.

Wusthof vs Henckels: The Knife Makers’ Competitive History

It seems that over time these two exclusive knife makers from Germany have been fighting neck and neck for the top spot. But, the bigger question remains, which one of the two companies makes better German knives? 

To answer this question, you might want to read a little about Wusthof and ZWILLING’s history in our previous articles. The best way to determine who is better, is to give you sufficient information, so you can make an informed decision. So, we have asked ourselves a few questions that will help with this.

Wusthof vs J.A. Henckels: Here’s the Difference

ZWILLING J.A. Henckels and Wüsthof are both German and are both located in Solingen, the City of Blades, Germany, and have a reputable history behind them. Both are still family owned, however, ZWILLING in 1970 was acquired by another German family-owned company, the Werhahn Group.

ZWILLING was founded by Peter Henckels in 1731 and later taken over and renamed to ZWILLING J.A. Henckels by his son Johann Abraham Henckels. ZWILLING J.A. Henckels expanded their production line and began producing their knives, cutlery, other kitchen equipment and culinary tools outside Germany. 

They have factories in Japan, Spain, Thailand, India and China. We have created a quick reference chart to help you easily identify which of their knives are or aren’t made in Germany.

Wusthof was founded by Johann Abraham Wüsthof in 1814. Despite their original factory nearly being destroyed in World War 2, they rebuilt and then expanded into two more factories in the Solingen Business Park. 

Wusthof is one of only a handful of other brands who are allowed to use the ‘Made in Solingen’ label, thus protecting themselves against fraudulence. 

This also means that all the most important manufacturing processes are completed in the city of Solingen. 

You can always contact Wusthof directly to find out where a certain product was made, if it’s not clearly labeled.

Wusthof do have distribution businesses established in America and Canada that manage store outlets selling their knives. In that respect, it simplifies the coverage process of warranty issues.

The only downside in this case is that each state in the US has separate rules on warranty claims as to what Wusthof is responsible for covering. 

Needless to say that both companies have limited lifetime warranties and will cover manufacturing defects by replacing the knives. 

ZWILLING, J.A. Henckels warn that they would only replace faulty products, if these products were purchased from authorized sellers. 

They ask you to use the original packaging, if possible, to mail the faulty product to their warranty department in New York, allowing up to 12 weeks for the inspection process. 

Wusthof also guarantees that all their knives are covered by a limited lifetime warranty against manufacturing and material defects. Faulty products should be shipped to Wüsthof USA, INC address, allowing up to 2 weeks for the inspection process. 

Both, ZWILLING J.A. Henckels and Wusthof recommend purchasing shipping insurance, as they will not be held responsible for any damage or loss in transit. 

Wusthof and Henckels Kitchen Knives that are Similar: Wusthof Classic vs Henckels Pro

It took a bit of digging, and it turns out that there’s one knife that looks like an exact copy. Wusthof’s Classic line 8-inch chef knife looks just like ZWILLING Professional “S” 8-inch chef knife. 

Both of these kitchen knives have a black 2-piece handle with 3 rivets securing the handle onto the tang. 

The shape of each is nearly 100% exact. The only visual difference is the laser-etched print on each blade. If this etching is removed, it would be pretty hard to tell which one was which. 

However, the Wusthof’s knife has a slightly sharper blade, which could probably be only noticed in a paper slice test. 

The Wusthof blade slices through paper like a scalpel, whereas when sliced with the ZWILLING knife, it feels more like a new razor blade. Each blade’s sound when attempting to slice paper is different,

However, Wusthof’s scalpel-like blade does it effortlessly, whereas the ZWILLING’s razor-like blade requires minimal force.

The Chef Knife 

Which ZWILLING Blade is Like a Wusthof Blade?

To compare Wusthof blades against ZWILLING blades is not easy. 

There are many factors that come into play, starting with raw material and processes that are used to achieve quality and ending with a sharp angle. 

Next, there will be other factors, such as the length and width of the blade. Although these differences are easier to identify, the steel hardness or the blade sharpness would differ.

And, remember, that even though the blades might look or even be the same, the design of the rest of the knife as well as your personal preference as to how you hold and use this knife are also factors to consider.

Here are a couple of differences that can help you decide if the blades are alike.

Hardness Grade of the steel  

Blade Sharpness  

Which Brand Knives Do Professionals Prefer More?

At the end of the day, it’s not the brand or the looks that are the most important, when one has to work with a knife the whole day long. 

It’s ergonomics and the feel of the knife that counts for everything, which makes both of these knife makers famous for their designs. 

Most professionals like workhorse sets that are universal for nearly everything they are preparing and cooking in the kitchen. This includes cutting vegetables, meats, and fruits. But, it also boils down to the balance aspects, heaviness and the overall grip.

ZWILLING Pro chef knife, for example, is balanced at the center of the half bolster. The Wusthof chef knives are back heavy at the bolster point.

This is slightly better for chefs who want a chef knife that is used for chopping. Some chefs will like Henckels Pro knife, which is more equally balanced. This, of course, is based on personal opinion.

This is where both are very similar, having a balancing point near the bolster. Some of their knives that are stamped don’t have a bolster and rely on a heavier handle to create that balancing point.

This is why many chefs will be more interested in knives with bolsters. This is especially important for chopping and dicing. These knives can easily return to an upright point while holding a bolster at a certain pivot point.

Most professionals will like having a storage block instead of a carrying case. A carrying case is fine for knife storage if you’re a chef in training, though.

Which are the Top-Rated Chef Knives that Can Be Compared?

For ZWILLING, it has to be the Professional S-series line, 7-piece set. With Wusthof, we have to admit; their Classic 7-piece chef set is also hard to beat. 

But how do they compare with each other? Well, it comes down to the price that separates these two 7-piece sets. 

The Zwilling brand costs over $300 while the Wusthof is generally under $200. We think that one set that is nearly half the price of the other set is a deal.

Knife Block Set

table

Which Stamped Knives are Better? ZWILLING vs Wusthof 

Stamped knives are different from forged knives in that they are cut out of a sheet of steel, whereas forged knives are pressed out of a single piece of steel. Stamped knives do not have a bolster; thus they are significantly lighter than forged knives. 

Wusthof’s steel that is used in stamped knives is heat-treated to 56 HRC (Rockwell scale), whereas ZWILLING’s steel for stamped knives is heat-treated to 53-55 HRC. So, the higher the number, the harder the steel. 

Stamped knives that are made from softer steel will need sharpening more often. The harder the steel, the longer it will last; however, it is more difficult to sharpen as it becomes less flexible. 

So, which one is better, Wusthof knives or ZWILLING knives? It will still come down to personal preference, as if a knife is harder it is more likely to snap. If you require a more flexible knife for a specific job, then you would want your knife to have been made from softer steel.

Does ZWILLING J.A. Henckels have a Better Bolster than Wusthof?

Bolster was designed mainly with chefs in mind and has a purpose behind how well the knife works. 

Bolsters are added to give a knife more strength, better durability and a balance while you use it. Bolsters on a knife also prevent you from getting injured when filleting and slicing foods. 

These bolsters come in a huge selection of styles and sizes: traditional, curved, half or full, double (half and heel), etc. 

Traditional bolsters are full bolsters. This kind of bolster gives you finger protection and adds weight to a knife, which in turn gives you better control.  

Some half bolstered knives in the ZWILLING Pro, TWIN 1731 and DIPLÔME lines, and quite a few of the ZWILLING knives in the Miyabi brand have curved bolsters, which are for some people more comfortable than the standard half bolsters. 

Wusthof came up with the idea of double bolsters. These were designed in such a way that the half bolster would allow for the entire length of the blade to be honed and sharpened, whereas the heel bolster allows for extra balance. 

Wusthof collections include knives with so-called Demi-Bolster blades. The blades with this kind of bolster are 20% lighter than the blades with bolsters in their Classic line. These blades also allow for effective sharpening of the full length of the blade.

Once again, it comes down to personal preference and what is comfortable in your hand. Also, if you are not too confident with a knife, it would be safer to stay with the traditional full bolster.

Image	Product	Features	Price
	ZWILLING 1731 Chef's Knife	8-inch Forged	Buy on Amazon
	ZWILLING Pro Chef's Knife	8-inch Stamped	Buy on Amazon
	Wusthof Classic Chef's Knife	8-inch Forged	Buy on Amazon
	Wusthof Classic IKON Chef's Knife	8-inch Forged	Buy on Amazon

Wusthof vs ZWILLING J.A. Henckels: The Price Difference

Foremost, most of the knives that are made in Germany, if they are genuine, will be more expensive. 

The differences in price of similar quality knives sold by Wusthof and ZWILLING can be noticeable. ZWILLING J.A. Henkels knives, that are made in Germany, are often pricier than those sold by Wusthof. This doesn’t mean that Wusthof’s knives are of a lesser quality. 

If you want a cheaper alternative, ZWILLING J.A. Henkels does offer the Henckels International line that’s made in countries other than Germany. A set of these knives can be purchased at a price as low as 40 dollars on Amazon. 

You generally won’t find a single Wusthof knife for under 50 dollars. In fact, the Wusthof Classic steel chef knife by itself costs around 160 dollars! 

Again, overall the ZWILLING range from J. A. Henckels will typically cost more, but as you can see, Wusthof can be high-priced as well, depending on what your requirements are.

Repairing Knives: Wusthof vs ZWILLING, which is Easier?

If you have ever needed to repair a knife handle, you will know it’s going to cost you money. Because both of these knife manufactures make essentially similar knives, when it comes to their tang, the repair will also be similar. 

Since the materials that knife makers use are so advanced, it makes them relatively easy to fix. The overall cost to replace a knife handle will depend on the material that goes into the replacement. If you choose an expensive wood, the price will be higher. 

Just remember, when replacing a handle, if a new handle will be made of wood, you will need to take good care of it. Water and moisture are a major concern anytime you use your knife. 

The blades that will not be easy to repair are the ones that have molded plastic handles. These don’t have a tang design that will be easy to mount a wooden handle.

If My Knife is Defective, which German-Based Company will Reply Faster?

You might be interested to know the response time between these two companies, if your knife breaks because of manufacturing defects? In many cases, claims have been made against ZWILLING from the Better Business Bureau.

Their process time is often 3 months before their warranty is honored. They do respond eventually, but in some cases are very picky about what they will replace. 

Wusthof, on the other hand, is lightning-quick to replace anything defective. Their response, when contacted, is swift and helpful. Perhaps they are more centered on keeping the integrity of their public interests. Or maybe they are good at handling little warranty defects.

Our Conclusion

As you can see, in most cases, Wusthof simply has more positive points when comparing these two German companies. Both companies feature German knives made in the same city, Solingen, Germany. 

When it comes to quality, that hasn’t changed, Wusthof clearly is dedicated to this. ZWILLING J.A. Henckels did expand to meet a global market, and this is admirable for treating their name like any big kitchen appliance brand.

What ZWILLING does, for having a bigger name than Wusthof, is purely brilliant marketing.