Top German Kitchen Knives and Brands

If you’re in the market for new kitchen knives, you’ve probably been looking at which brand to buy and along with that comes the question of whether you should invest in a good set of German knives.

German kitchen knives have long been considered some of the best on the market. They offer top craftsmanship and value for the money. But of the many brands available, there are only a few that exemplify the qualities of the best German knives.

Below you will find an overview of the top German knife brands, as well as what to look for in a knife before you purchase it. We’ll also go over the differences between German and Japanese kitchen knives, so you can make a decision about which you prefer.

Top German Knife Brands

You’ve likely heard of the top two German knife brands already, even if you weren’t researching knives. They are Wüsthof and Zwilling J.A. Henckels. Both have been manufacturing knives for many many years and are considered the best knife makers in Solingen, Germany, the epicenter of knife making.

Wüsthof

[amazon box=”B085V653KM” /]

Wüsthof has been a family-owned company for seven generations now. They have a reputation for making very high-quality, reliable knives since 1814. All of their knives are made in Germany and they are all precision forged. You can expect the best craftsmanship in these knives.

The Wüsthof Classic set is one of the best kitchen knife sets you can buy. It includes an 8″ chef’s knife, 6″ utility knife, and 3.5″ paring knife, which are really the main three knives you’ll be using in the kitchen.

Types of knives Wüsthof produces:

• Butcher knife
• Paring knife
• Chefs knife
• Utility knife
• Bread knife
• Serrated deli knife
• Fillet knife

Zwilling J.A. Henckels

[amazon box=”B07KTXTGGC” /]

Zwilling has been around for a very long time. They are one of the oldest and most respected knifemanufacturers in the world. It was trademarked by the founder, Peter Henkels, in 1731. 

Henckels produces multiple lines of kitchen cutlery under a few different, though similar, names. You can be assured you’re buying the highest quality with their premium lines, like the international-forged Premio line (image above).

Types of knives they produce:

• Chef’s knife
• Paring knife
• Serrated utility knife
• Bread knife
• Boning knife
• Santoku knife
• Steak knives

Specifications of German Kitchen Knives

You may be wondering what makes German knives unique, or at least different, from other knives. Japanese knives are their closest competitor though Japanese knives are quite different in design.

There are other European-made brands that have similar features of German knives, but a distinction still remains between German and European, mostly in terms of quality and craftsmanship.

Bevel

One of the main specifications of German knives is a 17–22 degree bevel, with the most common being 20 degrees. This is the angle at which the blade is sharpened. In contrast, Japanese knives typically have a 12-17 degree bevel.

German knives are cut on both sides of the knife blade, so the sharpest edge of the knife is in the middle. Many Japanese knives are sharpened only on one side.

Handle & Bolster

When you pick up a knife, you want there to be a good, weighty balance to it and be easy to hold and manipulate. The handle design makes a big difference. German handles are often contoured to fit the hand. This will give you a better grip on the knife, as opposed to the typical Japanese handle that is often round and smaller.

If you have small hands, you may find some German handles are too big for your hand. They can be bulky and difficult to handle. However, well-designed German knives, like the Wüsthof Classic Ikon chefs knife has an ergonomic and sleekly angled handle that is easy to grip.

Another aspect of the handle to be aware of with German knives is the bolster. This is the thick grip of steel between the handle and the blade. The bolster is there so you can gain a better grip on the knife and to help balance the weight of the blade when cutting.

Most German knives have a bolster. In contrast, Japanese knives don’t often have a bolster. It can add considerable weight to the knife.

Tang

The tang refers to how much the blade extends into the handle of the knife. German knives tend to have a full tang. This gives additional durability and stability to the knife. In contrast, Japanese knives often have a partial tang.

Weight

There is a noticeable difference in weight between a German knife and Japanese knife. If you pick them both up in each hand, you’ll see that the German knife is much heavier and heftier than the Japanese version. The German knives are built for durability and for managing tough jobs.

You don’t have to worry about breaking it if you drop it, or snapping it while performing more robust tasks. However, the weight might be too much for you to handle. You may prefer a lighter weight knife, in this case.

Steel

The type of steel that is used for the blade is a very important thing to consider. The hardness of steel is measured with the Rockwell scale. The higher up the scale, the harder the steel is, but the more susceptible it is to chipping.

German knives tend to fall somewhere on the softer side of the scale, around 56-58, which Japanese knives tend to be 60-63. This is why German knives are less prone to chipping and breaking.

They are more flexible, in a way, and can handle tougher projects. They will dull less often, and at a more gradual pace than Japanese knives.

Why Buy a German Kitchen Knife

We know that as a consumer you just want to know which knife you should buy. Of course you want the best, but you’re not quite sure which one is right for you. The first thing I always say is that it’s best to hold both types of knives in your hands and decide which you like the feel of more.

You really can’t go wrong with a German knife. If you own a whole German knife set – like a Wüsthof Classic or Zwilling Premio line, you can be assured that you’ve purchased some of the best knives on the market today.

They will last for a very long time and suit most home cutting and chopping projects. They are built to be sturdy work horses. Just remember that you get what you pay for. Spending a good amount on a quality knife set will get you a much higher value than paying little for a low-quality set.

The benefits you’ll get from a quality German knife set will pay off many times over. And I don’t just mean in the cutting potential and longevity. They will also be much easier to keep sharpened. Learn all about sharpening your knives here.

Our Top Picks for German Knives

If you’re looking for a German chef’s knife or knife block, we have a few top recommendations for you.

[amazon box=”B085V653KM,B09JFQ5227,B00004RFMT,B01K8OZGI8″ grid=”4″]

CONCLUSION

German knives have long since held one of the top spots for high-quality, well manufactured knives. If you’re looking for a great set of knives, you can’t go wrong with any of these choices. German knives are built to last. (Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links to products that we know and recommend. If you use our links we may receive a small commission at no additional cost to you.)