Zwilling

Why should we choose these high priced knives?

If you have faced the need to choose a kitchen knife at least once in your life, you would have noticed that middle and high segment household stores offer a wide selection of kitchen knives. Knives differ from each other in brand, material, design and price. If you’ve had your eye on Zwilling kitchen knives, you’ve probably wondered: Why are these knives so expensive? The answer to the question seemed to you to be insufficiently reasoned, or maybe it was left unanswered at all. That is why we will try to focus on the main features that make Zwilling knives an expensive purchase.

What distinguishes Zwilling knives?

History – The history of Zwilling begins in 1731 with the production of premium quality kitchen knives. The brand set out to create quality kitchen knives that people would use intensively throughout their whole lives. Quality has become a 300-year tradition and has been achieved through a combination of materials, manufacturing processes and technologies.

Material – Zwilling knives are made of specially formulated German steel (X50CrMoV15). The formula involves an impressively balanced combination of chromium and carbon, along with an alloy of molybdenum and vanadium. Each element plays a unique role in the steel’s strength, stain and corrosion resistance.

By production methodology – Zwilling has developed a unique method of knife blade production and called it SIGMAFORGE®, which means obtaining a forged type knife. During the forging process, SIGMAFORGE® knives are precision-forged from a single piece of steel and the bolster is formed by applying temperature and force. During the forging process, SIGMAFORGE® knives are precision-forged from a single piece of steel and the bolster is formed by applying temperature and force. The quality of the steel structure is preserved in its entirety, completely unaffected by the heat – a prerequisite for creating the particularly hard, flexible and edge-retaining SIGMAFORGE® knives. In knives made by this method, Zwilling uses the bolster. It is a thick piece of metal between the blade and the handle of the knife, which serves two functions: it secures the blade and protects the finger from slipping and injury.

Instead of starting from a single bar of steel, stamped knives typically begin as a large sheet of steel. The blades are stamped (or laser-cut) from the sheet, similar to a cookie cutter on a sheet of dough.

Hardening Process – FRIODUR® is an optimized hardening process developed by a Zwilling and denotes products made from steel which has been thermally treated and hardened in the following steps:

1. The steel is heated to above 1000 °C.
2. It is then very quickly cooled so its temperature falls below 800 °C, subsequently being left to slowly cool down to room temperature.
3. Ice-hardening causes the steel to transform even more, further improving its hardness, as well as its resistance to wear and tear and corrosion. This step also optimizes the steel’s structure.
4. Tempering harmonizes the grain structure and relieves any stress from the material. This creates flexibility, makes the knife safe to use and prevents the blade from breaking.

The result: high levels of hardness, elasticity and resistance to corrosion.

Knives blades sharpening – Zwilling sharpens all of its blades to a razor-sharp 15-degree angle per side, except for those in the Japanese collections, which are honed to an even sharper 9-12 degree angle.

The knives with a 15-degree angle per side are ideal for all-purpose cutting and can handle firm ingredients and bones. The sharper Japanese blades are better suited for slicing vegetables, sushi, and more intricate jobs.

Balace – One of the first things you’ll notice when picking up a Zwilling knife is its weight and heft — both signs of a well-crafted blade.

These knives are known for their balance and precision, which can largely be attributed to the brand’s use of a full-tang design that evenly distributes weight along the length of the blade.

You can easily balance these knives on an open palm or even two extended fingers.

Handle Material – The brand is careful about the selection of handles. Uses only the highest quality materials, matches the purpose of the knife and gives an ergonomic shape. In the products of the brand, you will find collections of plastic, wooden, Micarta and metal-handled knives.

The plastic handle (ABS, polypropylene or polyoxymethylene) is characterized by an amazing resistance to impact, scratches and temperature changes.

When making wooden handles, only premium quality wood is used, which perfectly fits the shape of the hand and ensures comfortable use of the knife without tiring the hand.

Micarta handles combine the benefits of wooden and plastic handles. It is distinguished by its wooden appearance and durability characteristic of plastic.

Zwilling uses premium quality stainless steel with a special combination of chrome and carbon in the production of metal handles.

In conclusion, three centuries of experience, carefully selected raw materials, unique production methodology, diverse designs, attention to detail and innovation create premium quality and ensure long-term durability, which is directly proportional to the market price of Zwilling knives. The choice is made 🙂

Blog’s author: Borena Kuliashvili