Zwilling vs. Henckels Kitchen Knives: What's the Difference?
In this comparison of Zwilling vs. Henckels kitchen knives, you’ll learn their key differences, why people confuse the two, and how to choose the right brand.
Disclaimer: We may earn a fee if you buy via the affiliate links below (at no extra cost to you). As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
*****Our Favorite Products in One Convenient Place*****
Want to see all the products we recommend in one convenient place? Visit the Prudent Reviews Amazon shop to browse through a handpicked selection of our favorite items across cookware, kitchen knives, appliances, and more. Go to: https://www.amazon.com/shop/prudentreviews
*****Navigate This Video*****
0:00 Are Zwilling and Henckels the Same?
1:09 Forged vs. Stamped Blades
1:54 Where It’s Made
2:17 Price
2:49 Blade Materials
3:13 Handle Materials
3:35 Design
5:19 Are Zwilling Knives Better Than Henckels?
*****Products Featured in This Video*****
Zwilling Pro: https://amzn.to/3Bp14VU (Amazon)
Zwilling Pro: https://www.jdoqocy.com/click-8744728-13819538?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.zwilling.com%2Fus%2Fzwilling%2Fcutlery%2Fpro%2F (Zwilling.com)
Zwilling Professional S: https://amzn.to/3DEbcwS (Amazon)
Zwilling Four Star: https://amzn.to/3QVQTOu (Amazon)
Henckels Solution: https://amzn.to/3f5wXvd (Amazon)
Henckels Solution: https://www.jdoqocy.com/click-8744728-13819538?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.zwilling.com%2Fus%2Fhenckels-international%2Fcutlery%2Fsolution%2F (Zwilling.com)
Henckels Classic: https://amzn.to/3dqhntJ (Amazon)
All Zwilling Collections: https://www.tkqlhce.com/click-8744728-13819538?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.zwilling.com%2Fus%2Fzwilling%2Fcutlery%2F (Zwilling.com)
All Henckels Collections: https://www.dpbolvw.net/click-8744728-13819538?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.zwilling.com%2Fus%2Fhenckels-international%2Fcutlery%2F (Zwilling.com)
*****Related Videos/Articles*****
Zwilling vs. Henckels (full comparison) https://prudentreviews.com/zwilling-vs-henckels/
Zwilling Review https://prudentreviews.com/zwilling-knives-review/
Henckels Review https://prudentreviews.com/henckels-knives-review/
Zwilling Pro vs. Four Star vs. Twin Four Star II https://prudentreviews.com/zwilling-pro-vs-four-star-vs-twin-four-star-ii/
Zwilling J.A. Henckels Pro vs. Pro “S” https://prudentreviews.com/zwilling-ja-henckels-pro-vs-pro-s/
*****Subscribe to This Channel*****
Subscribe for more videos like this (click to subscribe): https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCxpxBlLEJzk2Ucu7YJunVHg?sub_confirmation=1
*****About Prudent Reviews*****
Our mission at Prudent Reviews is simple: to help you find the best products for your home. We take the stress out of shopping by testing, analyzing, and comparing the top products. Our reviews, comparisons, and product guides are in-depth, carefully researched, and completely unbiased. Since launching, we’ve helped over 8 million people across the globe find the best products and improve their lives at home. Visit https://prudentreviews.com/ to learn more.
*****Prudent Reviews All Access*****
Become an All Access member and get 1:1 buying advice, exclusive discounts, ad-free browsing, and much more. Check out all the perks: https://prudentreviews.com/membership/
*****Stay Up to Date*****
Join our free newsletter and get the latest reviews, deals, giveaways, and exclusive content: https://prudentreviews.com/newsletter/
*****Follow Us on Social*****
Pinterest https://www.pinterest.com/prudentreviews/
Facebook https://www.facebook.com/PrudentReviews/
*****Partner With Us*****
Want to partner with Prudent Reviews? Email Andrew@PrudentReviews.com to inquire about brand partnership opportunities.
I’m looking at Henckels Classic. What about Premio which also says they’re forged?
This is an excellent breakdown and explanation of these knives; thank you!
One made in China, one in Germany. Pay for the difference with a smile.
Your video got me to looking at my old 9" chef knife. Apparently there was a time when the two brands were less separate. (??). I forget when I got this one but 20-30 years ago? On my knife, the printing is on the right hand side of the blade instead of the left. The text says, "ZWILLING J.A. HENCKELS SOLINGEN GERMANY, (the twins logo) NO STAIN FRIODUR 31021-230 (9") Then the square boxes image and a small 6. It has a full bolster similar to the top knife at 1:18 in your video. Can you tell me what the little squares graphic is? I’m guessing it is info about the steel / process? I see photos online of other of their knives with the same image except different squares darkened in.
So basically the big difference is not in the name but in the building process.
A forged Henkles is better then a stamped Zwilling … a forged Henkles is almost the same as a forged Zwilling … a stamped Henkles is almost the same as a stamped Zwilling … a stamped Henkles is worse then a forged Zwilling … so far and so forth with all brands.
But what about material ? A VG-10 Henkles is way better then a Zwilling made from 1095 or AUS-6 ? I think so …
So in the end, if you find a forged Elmax Henkles you should definitely buy it because it will be so better then a regular Zwilling !
I think there’s a typo in the chart. The "Zwilling Twin Fin II" is actually forged (not stamped).
This guy picked the cheapest Henckel to review. I have two Henckel forged. They look exactly like the Zwellings.
Zulauf Canyon
Thank you .., sooo helpful for making this major life purchase to last a lifetime.
I have a Henckel that was made in 1987 and it has the same build quality as the Zwillings of today. It has a very thick blade and large bolster with a one piece handle. The handle is of some kind of plastic or some material! Great knife. And I think it used to have two of the figures even though it had Henkels stamped on it. I am guessing the parent company had to send their Henkel line out to Spain and China in order to make a profit!
I have a Henckles classic 8" and it is forged not stamped, so you should make that adjustment…lol you just send this at the end of the video…even though you were saying the whole time they were all stamped.
What about henckels accent knifes?
Henkels is also a exklusiv export brand. They are not available in Germany, in fact the separate brand of Henkels dont even exist here^^
The "cheaper" Zwillling knives are published under the brand name of Ballarini
Check out the full comparison for more details: https://prudentreviews.com/zwilling-vs-henckels/
Want to know when Zwilling and Henckels go on sale? Join our free newsletter to get deal alerts: https://prudentreviews.com/newsletter/
Still love the 4 star collection. Looking for a tourne knife…anyone?
Wow I thought I had a henckels for 15 years 😂 I’ve had a forged Zwilling all along
First time to see this channel. I really appreciated the clean style and the easy to digest style of explanation. I have liked and subscribed and am looking forward to more content.
I wish I’d known the difference in stamped and forged when I started buying knives. I bought a whole block empty and then began buying Wusthof knives to put in it, and then found out they were stamped. When I began slowly replacing each one with a forged version, the most immediate difference I noticed was in the weight, and it made a big difference. I still have the gourmet ones even though I have a duplicate in the classic (forged) version, but it would have been nice to know. Your videos are incredibly informative but unbiased. Thank you so much!
What about Henckels Forged Elite knives?
So informational! Ty so much for this review!
Got a henckels solution , for like 9 bucks at burlington , not bad , used to have a carico serrated as a gift but mysteriously it lost a tooth , im super kitchen inclined and it does the job, buy a sharpening stone with it and youre set.your video reviews is all true
I got a henckels classic years ago as my first knife, and bought another (plus some of the smaller addons) more recently to use with a roommate I was cooking with. they aren’t fancy, but they’ve been great. very reasonable place to start. I’m upgrading to some nicer japanese knives now, but I have zero regrets about starting where I did. they were super affordable at a time when I didn’t have a lot of extra money, and they’re very approachable (and durable) for a noobie. they aren’t what I would suggest for a pro, or even an experienced and dedicated home cook. but there’s no reason to drop $1/200++ if you’re just dabbling, or only need to slice an onion a couple times a week.
Victorinox makes a better inexpensive knife – the cutting edge of the blade being the most important part.
Can confirm the Classic is really good, especially for $40ish
Henckels is just a generic cheap knife with a big markup.
530 Denesik Pass
So Sadddd…When I first found out that Henckels were made in China, I could have cried. I have not bought one since…I’ll stick to my 90+ year old Victorinox that was my Grand Father’s
Great explanation. 🎉. Thank you very much.
I’ve had a set of Henckels for many years and they are still good, I think both are great cutting tools!
super helpful，thanks！
Damn just ordered Henckels set instead of Zwiling. Wish I found this video before ordering 😢
I was at a state fare tonight. A cutco rep tried to tell me that Zwilling knives are stamped…that the only part of the blade that is forged is the bolster?
I have twin signature friduor ice hardened knifes, do I need the "forged" ones ?
so much ego in cooking
thank you , being looking on amazon
I have had a Henckels folding knife since the eighties with the twins logo on it. Now what?
A good kitchen knife is one of the most important instruments in your kitchen!
I don’t understand how this channel is not in the millions of Subs and same with the videos you guys make some of best detailed content out there
Good afternoon sir, there is no inscription made in Germany on my zwilling knives. The packaging says made in China . Is it a fake? Or there are such knives. Please tell me . Please write your mail and I will send you a photo of these knives. Can you help me determine if this is an original or a fake? Thank you sir.
I have a number of Zwilling knives, including two Zwilling J.A. Henckels Professional "S" chef’s knives: a 10-inch and an 8-inch that has the hollow edge more commonly seen on santoku-type knives. All of my Zwilling knives are quite good, and the two Professional "S" knives are the two best I’ve had in the kitchen my whole life. The 10-incher is about 50 years old (my parents got it as a wedding gift a bit before I was born) and has been used almost every day, and the 8-inch knife I got myself at a local knife shop right before the pandemic for only $50. It was new, but I got that swell deal for three reasons: it had a slight imperfection on the handle, they were discontinuing the hollow edge version of the 8-inch chef’s; and I’m a cham-peen haggler. 🔪💯
I’m binge watching all ur videos. You’re the MAN Andrew.
Wow! I never thought I would view a video on knives, but I did. Well done! 👏
Zwilling is well worth it. If you can’t afford them right now. save up your pennies, cut out something else.
When I bought mine, full set, Four-Star, I was told they would last a lifetime. 50 years later, that has held true. And still holding.
I bought them at a department store, now rebranded Macy’s, very likely on sale, as I am really cheap, so that may still be possible.
Well done!
My J A Henckels 8" Chef’s Knife (Model #31161-200) has been my trusty kitchen workhorse since it was bought for me in the mid-90s. BUT … I recently had it replaced with the exact same item/model — And it is not the same knife. Still a very nice knife, but not as thick or heavy or balanced as the old one. And a noticeable drag on the cutting board. The Zwilling (or a Wusthof) is a better alternative for that knife you’ve loved for years and now need to replace.
😊The Zwilling Pro is a heavy, thick hunk of metal. Great if you have huge hands. Still lighter than a cleaver, but useful for the same tasks – butcher poultry and split hard-skinned vegetables like pumpkin.
they’re the same..
Toward the end of the video, you state that Zwilling knives are forged and Henckels knives are stamped. But earlier in the video you state that Zwilling and Henckels both make forged AND stamped knives. Seems a bit contradictory. I don’t think comparing a forged Zwilling to a stamped Henckels was a fair comparison. Why didn’t you use a forged Henckels for the comparison?
Excellent video. I learned quite a bit.
Love this brand. Also dont forget Miyabi. Zwillings Japanese brand.
I chose Miyabi due to the japanese inspiration drawn from the samurai, as well as their use of harder core steels. My blades cutting edge is a 63 rockwell hardness and has held up good for 2 years so far.
The only offering ive seen with a similar spec is a crazy damascus Kramer line which uses my same core metal. But my blades are less than half that cost. I went Miyabi Mizu.