Detailed Reviews of The Best German Knife Brands Best Overall Zwilling J.A. Everything on the knife is created in his own shop, he designs and makes all parts of the knife, including the sheath. 2900 S. 26th St. WMF kitchen knives are very stylish. Heres how you can identify one: First, take a look at the blade. Each of Gdes knives is drop-forged, and theyre grounded and sharpened by hand. These knives were built to be ChefCentric and durable. As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases. You can find the Knifemaker Database and Directory in the drop menu under "The Vault" tab. In my opinion, both German and Japanese knives have a place in the home or professional kitchen. There are a few different types of marks that Solingen knife makers commonly use. Similar to Wsthof knives, Zwilling knives receive plenty of praise. links[0]='http://www.GermanMilitaria.com'; Most have a cutting angle of 14 to 22 degrees. 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'. Share pictures of your old knives and your knowledge here! 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. That's the first Coca Cola Atlanta knife I have seen. In the following centuries the business developed and established a diverse range of different cutlery. The metal, brass, or copper handles with rust-resistant stainless blades or carbon steel provide excellent grip when enduring for too long in the most challenging situations. Goins says that some of their cutlery line was made by other manufacturers and lists the dates as 1905-1958. His 'working' knives, if taken care of properly, will appreciate in value over time. A pocket knife can serve a plethora of purposes ranging from household use to self-defense. This is where Messermeisters knives really shine, as theyre hand-finished to create the sharpest blade edge possible. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Best German Pocket Knife Brands: List Of Top 9, Top 9 Best German Pocket Knife Brands To Perfect Your Cutlery Collections, 10 Best Portable Generator Brands To Keep Your Home Powered, 10 Best Pool Cue Brands To Complete Your Play Style, 10 Best Marinara Sauce Brands To Toss Noodles In, 10 Best Car Speaker Brands For An Audio Bliss, Top 10 Best German Appliance Brands To Complete Your Home Design, Top 10 Best German Cookware Brands With High Durability, Best German Kitchen Brands List of Top 8, Best German Vacuum Cleaner Brands: List of Top 8, Best German Motorcycle Brands: List Of Top 8, Best German Refrigerator Brands: List Of Top 8. The kitchen knives from the Forge series are made in Asia. Due to the large pommel - the steel part on the back of the handle - these knives are relatively heavy. links[5]='http://www.wwiidaggers.com'; Zwilling J.A. Knife makers in Solingen take great pride in their work, which shows in the final product. What are the Most Common Solingen Germany Knife Makers Marks? 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. The company was founded in 1814 in Solingen by Abraham Wusthof. Our Retail Store is currently: What more could a cooking enthusiast ask for? Many people look for these knives because of their unique history and design. Wusthof Classic 9 Piece Acacia Knife Block Set $675.00. by tjmurphy Thu Jan 20, 2011 1:37 pm, Post Cuttingedge.com Hermann Boker immigrated in the USA and founded H. Boeker & Co. His brother Robert expanded the company to Canada and Mexico in 1865. For many knife connoisseurs, it is not only a tool but a collectible representing classy styles. | Sitemap. These include Aeon, Crafter, Classic Ikon, Ikon, Classic, Epicure, Grand Prix II, and Gourmet. We store towels, medicine, toiletry supplies, first-aid gear, massage devices, facial steamers, spare Painting your garage is a great way to improve the look of the space and make the walls easier to clean. The one-piece, hammer-forged design of the Meridian Elite series gives them an admirable combination of durability and balance. Henckels Professional "S" 31021-200 Cook's knife 20 cm (8"), Zwilling J.A. CJ Buck is currently Chairman and CEO of Buck Knives, Inc. and the 4th generation family member to run Buck Knives. by FRJ Fri Jan 21, 2011 1:57 am, Return to Knife Lore - Traditional Knives From the Old Days, Powered by phpBB Forum Software phpBB Limited. Each WKC knife comes with a true sense of time-honored tradition. However, Zwilling knives can be resharpened almost effortlessly, so this shouldnt present too much of an issue. Henckels Professional S 7-Piece Knife Set With Block, Wsthofs Classic Ikon 7-Piece Knife Set With Block, Messermeister Meridian Elite 3-Piece Starter Set, Most affordable high quality German knives. The history of WMF, or Wrttembergische Metallwarenfabrik, dates back to 1853. Included in this set is a chefs knife, paring knife, prep knife, bread knife, kitchen shears, and honing rod, covering all of your culinary bases. Some of Mercers knife collections include Renaissance, Genesis, Millenia, Praxis, and Ultimate White. With these tips, you should easily identify any Solingen knife makers marks. Wsthof currently features eight different knife lines. 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. Bark River Knives is a family-owned business whose goal is to produce the finest semi-production cutting tools available on the market. The post discusses the different knife makers marks from Solingen, Germany. by Miller Bro's Thu Jan 20, 2011 6:14 am, Post GOOD CONDITION. For years, he has been using the same slicing knife to perfectly cut briskets, pork shoulders, and any other type of meat you can think of. This shows that they know a thing or two about manufacturing before they delved into the knife market. From kitchen knives and cutlery to pans and kitchen gadgets. Jeff makes his knives based off his own designs, using 1095, 80CRv2 and a few other high carbon steels. However, they do report that there are a couple of areas where the knives could be a little better. The PUMA-Werk was founded in 1769 in Solingen. Founded in Germany in 1834, Kissing Crane Company is most renowned for providing high-quality pocket knives. In an effort to make their knives as sharp as possible, German knife brands put extra attention on how they achieve their final edge. Its a simple knife you can find at any, Read More What Slicing Knife Does Aaron Franklin Use?Continue, There are a lot of different factors that go into choosing the perfect chef knife. Overall, theres no set of German knives Id rather have for my kitchen, whether at home or professionally. Here are the top 9 must-have brands of pocket knives made in Germany that can convince even the most demanding users with their merits proven through practical applications. Messermeister knives are hot-dropped and hammer forged with great attention to detail. Zwilling knives come in a wide range of handle styles, blade functions and prices. Subscribe to our newsletter and stay informed! 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. Benchmade is one of the most widely recognized knife manufacturers in the United States and is known for making high quality knives and tools in the USA. 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. Additionally, the craftsmanship that goes into each blade is second to none. Mercers mission to be more innovative and to problem-solve with its knives has resulted in truly high-quality products. Gordon Ramsay even uses Wsthof knives on his online cooking course, which is a true testament to their quality! Thats why Ive focused on 7-piece knife sets for this guide. There are also utility knives, boning and fillet knives, cheese knives, kitchen shears, and scissors. That way when youre reading through a set of specifications, youll know exactly how that compares to the industry standards and to what you need for your own style of cooking. by trail Thu Jan 20, 2011 2:43 am, Post Since then the name Solingen can only be used for cutlery which has been made in the industrial area of Solingen. This steel formula results in knives that are hard, razor-sharp, and resistant to corrosion. If there is no company logo, look for a city mark. In addition to the use of proprietary steel blends to craft their finest knives, German knife makers will choose very different bolster designs to stand out from competitors. Henckels Professional S 7-Piece Knife Set With Block is my first choice, and Wsthofs Classic Ikon 7-Piece Knife Set With Block is a worthwhile upgrade. They're so proud of their USA made knives, they print those three great letters right on the highest quality blade, so you'll never forget that KA-BAR knives are made in the land of the free and used by the brave. links[8]='http://www.johnsonreferencebooks.com'; It allows you to keep your knife close at hand and makes it easier to access when you need it. Henckels is one of the most famous names in the world of kitchen knives. It was the beginning of an international success story when Carl Linder began exporting his goods in 1918. Throughout that time, its truly cemented its reputation as one of the best cookware brands. People are selling used vintage Solingen knives on eBay, Mavin and other classified sites at this price. As you read on, youll find that each knife brand comes with various benefits and drawbacks. Wusthof is a family-owned firm founded in 1814 in Solingen, the home to several prestigious German knife makers. The first section is a list of 262 currently identified dagger manufacturers totalling 440 marks. A. Henckels (1731) 5. There's nothing like the feeling of a true Damascus steel blade in your hand. 10. Carl Linder established the Linder Solingen company in the 19th century in Solingen and registered the local trademark in 1908. Because these brands' kitchen knives have been so popular for such a long time, they sometimes look very similar. 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. Outside of the materials used in their construction, Japanese and German knives feature markedly different designs. Jessica Allen likes to share helpful information with current and aspiring homeowners. Each of these lines is unique and differs from the others. If something seems fishy, move on to another seller. Olamic Cutlery uses some of the finest materials including titanium, Damascus steel, and Bohler M390 Blade steel. Henckels is another german brand which stands for great handmade knives and cutlery. They help to identify the knifes maker and provide some information about the quality of the knife. He named his company after his own zodiac sign: Twins (Zwillinge in German). These are all cool! Maybe somebody has seen them all but I doubt if I have seen more than 5 percent, even in pictures. What is a utility knife? Aside from knife lines, Wsthof also has a variety of single knives available for purchase. 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. Bker/Boker Solingen You can also choose to purchase fillet knives, boning knives, utility knives, tomato knives, and cleavers. One area of improvement is in balance. Which types of Japanese knives are there? The Red class knives are cheaper and made in China. ", Pocket Knives of the United States Military. Weight, length, handle material: all things that play an important role when choosing a knife. In Solingen, the knives are impeccably handcrafted. by tjmurphy Thu Jan 20, 2011 7:41 pm, Post 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. That's probably my only one, but I'll bet we see some good stuff, especially if some of the old-timers start rooting around in their cigar boxes. Founded in 1869, the German pocket knife manufacturer Boker has grown to a global leader in the cutlery industry. Page 1, THE OSTDIEK COMPANY , MINNEPOLIS , MINN. (Probably made by W.R. CASE & SONS in the teens). A Solingen Germany knife will have an edge made from high-carbon stainless steel. If the handle looks cheap or flimsy, chances are its not the real deal. Fifty-five manual steps go into the production of each Gde knife. However, some customers still complain that the prices are a bit high. by ObsidianEdge Fri Jan 21, 2011 12:01 am, Post They make knives that are classic in design and this 8-inch chef's knife certainly has that traditional western style design. Finally, take a look at the overall construction of the knife. 200,000. Their pocket knives are elaborately handmade and suited for a variety of functions. Fixed blade knives are probably the most common, but you can find many folding blades along with a wide variety of special purpose knives too.Apart from finding knives which we use everyday, which includes both factory produced & handmade items, many are one of a kind and unique. Founded in 1731 by Johann Peter Henckels, a well-known knife manufacturer in Solingen. The handle of a genuine Solingen knife should be made from high-quality materials like wood or bone. Their contoured handles give them both a comfortable fit and a modern touch, and they look great displayed in the included acacia wood block. Mini Knuckle OTF Switchblade Keychain Knife $ 36.00 $ 17.00. Solingen History 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. The following makers are still worth their money: Robert Klaas (Kissing Crane) - small manufacturer, folders - produces nearly exclusively for the US market Hartkopf - try the damascus and snakewood folders Diefenthal - classic folding hunters with stag Puma - only the older pieces before mid-80 Not much in the fixed blade category I'm afraid. 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. 55 manual operations Knife series Man, that's an interesting blade. A Solingen Germany knife will be well-made and built to last. Some of the pocket knives available include Damascus knives, fishing knives, hunting knives, and sailing knives. ad[6]='http://www.germandaggers.com/banners/Cash2.jpg'; Stamped blades are a much less expensive production method, but wont ever yield the same quality and sharpness as forged knives. Whether you prefer the weight and feel of a Japanese santoku knife or a German chefs knife is a matter of personal preference, so there is no better pick besides the one you enjoy using more. At first Boker was specialized on producing razors, scissors and pocket knives. Rockwell hardness ranges from 56 to 58, a measure of a knife's strength and durability. At Boker, you do not only purchase a mere pocket knife for multitasking but a work of art with advanced locking technologies and exceptional designs ranging from Damascus steel designs to multitool knives to affordable pocket knives satisfying its loyal customers. by robinetn Fri Jan 21, 2011 12:16 am, Post links[3]='http://www.marnamilitaria.com'; The quality of these blades became so well-known internationally that the term Solingen soon developed into a trademark and a symbol of quality. Specifically, Japanese steel has a higher carbon content making their blades harder and sharper, but also more brittle. German knives tend to be heavier, thicker, and more robust, making them better for tough jobs. Click the link below to order your copy of the Boker book! Gde has been making high-quality German kitchen knives for over a century. These custom knives are some of the most beautiful blades money can buy and each is handcrafted by skilled craftsmen in Russia or Visalia, California. Wusthof is owned and run by the Wusthof family. WKC (1883) Final Words In contrast to most German knives, Messermeisters Meridian Elite series forgoes the use of a bolster. What is the Best Band Saw Blade for Cutting Aluminum? Customer Service These marks can be found on the knifes blade, handle, or even sheath. 2494 Distinct Links Please support our Link Partners by visiting them. Solingen is a city in western Germany in the North Rhine-Westphalia region, about thirty-five minutes east of Dsseldorf. Viper Tec Knuckle OTF (Multiple Styles Available) $ 139.95 $ 99.00. These are classic German pocket knives with slim handles in original blade form ideally designed for recreational and survival purposes and provide optimum performance. All over the world, the knives from Solingen are famous and known for their exceptional quality. Germany has been making knives and blades for centuries, especially inthe "City of Blades," orSolingen, Germany (pronouned Zoling'n). links[4]='http://www.theoldbrigade.co.uk'; Puma history can be traced back to 1769, when Johann Lauterjung registered his brand with the Knife Makers Guild of Solingen, Germany. 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. The biggest complaint customers have regarding Wsthof knives is their price. In fact, these two brands have nothing to do with each other, despite both originating from Germany. Zwilling J.A. The company used a unique processing technique that allowed each worker to specialize in their profession and become specialists, which led to the superior sword and blade quality. Here is the Case slot knife from Levine's Website: Copyright 2004-2023 allaboutpocketknives.com, Knife Lore - Traditional Knives From the Old Days. View all kitchen knives from Germany here. That company became the pocket blade brand we know of today as Kershaw 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. How Can I Identify a Solingen Germany Knife? However, some customers feel that they arent as suited to delicate tasks as harder knives. 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. We are adding the search by stamps and markings functionality, but it is not working very well at the moment. This mark signifies that the knife was made in Solingen and is often seen on newer blades. Variant marks are shown for some makers/distributors where known. Gde has several knife collections, including Alpha, Kappa, and Delta. links[2]='http://www.johnsonreferencebooks.com'; Every Kissing Crane pocket knife features a unique, sophisticated design with the world-famous Kissing Crane logo and superbly polished bolsters. It has been founded in 1769 by Johann Philipp Lauterjung in a small village near Solingen called Balkhausen. Youll need to weigh the pros and cons against your expectations to find the ideal knives for your kitchen! Some people wonder if Puma is a famous German shoe company, why does it even produce pocket knives? Today, Solingen is a thriving city with a population of approx. Original Item: Only One Available. It was necessary to comb through many reviews in order to find a drawback to these high-quality knives! Well, here's a name that was in business for over 50 years, but I think is not quit a household name. Theyre every bit as high quality as the other knives featured in this guide, and will last you for years to come. CJ started with Buck Knives in 1978, working on the production line building 110 Folding Hunters.