There are many knives from different countries, but few have come close to the reputation of German kitchen knives. Indeed, in the international cutlery scene, it seems to be only a choice between German knives and Japanese knives. Any chef will testify of their unique qualities both for function, aesthetics, and durability.

A German knives will be a welcome addition to your kitchen whether you are looking for precision or a workhorse.

A German chef’s knife, also called a French knife or cook’s knife, tends to be thicker and heavier. The blade profile is fatter and more rounded in belly, so it’s a little more all-purpose and can be used for everything. They can take abuse, and you can use them on bones, which means you can cut through chicken bones or slice open a hard-shelled winter squash.

German Kitchen Knives

Most of the world’s top class pocket, hunting and different kinds of speciality knives are manufactured by German companies.

One thing that every German knife user will probably agree on is the precise, careful craftsmanship of the top German knife manufacturers, resulting in knives which are distinctive and perhaps almost completely flawless. For instance, consider a fixed blade German knife with glimmering stag or perfect wood handle scales seamlessly fitted, without any gap between the tang and scales, or a brass or nickel silver finger guard perfectly shaped and greatly polished with no filing, sanding or grinding marks visible, coupled with a pristine Solingen steel blade for a precise shave that has no accidental score visible anywhere on it. An elite quality German knife is actually a work of art, manufactured by adept professionals who feel extremely proud of the work they perform and the knives they develop. The famous Solingen city in Germany boasts of the longest history associated with the production of top class knives and cutlery.

Features

As German knives are one of the most prevalent ones, it’s wise to clearly understand the key features of them. Whether you’re a professional or beginner chef, a German knife is perhaps your best bet in the kitchen.

1. German knives usually come with a full length tang and a bolster.
2. The steel used in German knives usually has ratings between 56 and 58 on the Rockwell hardness scale.
3. The blade grind of a German knife is symmetrical .
4. The thick piece of steel or the bolster of the knife is located right before its handle .
5. A German knife comes with an angle of 20 to 22 degrees .
6. Though weight differs from blade to blade, a German knife tends to be heavyweight . For instance, a Wusthof 8 inch chef’s knife weighs around 9.6 ounces .
7. Thicker, heavier German knives empower you to perform robust chores more conveniently .
8. Don’t require regular maintenance such as weekly cleaning or annual sharpening .
9. Dishwater safe .
10. German knife producers have been manufacturing premium knives since the 19th century and these unique features are perhaps the key reasons why chefs across the world prefer German knives .
11. Thick blade design and bolster: German kitchen knives come with a thick blade and have a bolster. The bolster serves as the connection point of the blade and handle, and the steel widens at this point. As such, it adds weight that helps balance the knife, and it also protects your hand from the sharp blade.
12. Full tang construction: German knives come with full tang construction, which sees the steel run from the tip of the blade to the end of the handle. This construction promotes durability and balance, which all increase efficiency.
13. Razor-sharp blades: The knives usually come with an edge angle between 14 and 22 degrees on each side. This angle allows for a razor-sharp edge.
14. High steel quality: German knives’ blades are made from steel with a high content of chromium. As a result, they are highly resistant to rust and chipping.
15. Have a wide blade: these knives feature a wide blade that is also slightly rounded. Because of this feature, it is easier to use the rock chop technique when cutting. It is also easier to use these knives to carry ingredients.
16. Soft steel: German knives often use soft steel compared to Japanese knives. The downside to soft steel is that it will dull faster compared to hard steel. The positive is that it has higher durability, and it does not chip easily.
17. Comfortable and strong handles: While different brands use different materials for their knives, the knives, in general, feature sturdy handles that are also hefty enough to balance the heavy blades. The handles also have ergonomic contours for comfort and a safe grip.
18. Heavy blade: The German knives are usually heavy since they are constructed using more steel. You can notice the material more on the bolster and tang areas. This extra material gives the knives extra robustness and makes them more durable.

There are four types of blades to consider here :

Straight blades, Granton blades, serrated blades, and scalloped blades. Each has different properties and thus is suited for different purposes. 

Straight blades: Most kitchen knives will have straight edges. They feature a straight and uniform edge that does not have any indentation or serrations. Of the four types of blades, these are the most versatile. They can do an excellent job of cutting brisket only if they are sharp. Otherwise, you will struggle starting cuts and getting through briskets, increasing the chances of messing up. 

Serrated blades: You use serrated blades primarily for tearing. While this makes them excellent for tough meats and bread crusts, they are not recommended for use on briskets because they do not provide finesse. As a result, they will rip through brisket, leaving torn fibers and uneven brisket slices. 

Scalloped blades: These blades have hollow edges thanks to the vertical indentations, which are evenly spaced. As a result, they combine the best of both straight blades and serrated ones. It is easier to start cuts and get through the brisket and with little risk of tearing fibers. You, however, need to be careful with using scalloped blades on tender briskets. 

Granton edge: The best type of blade to use is a Granton edge. Granton blades are originally a trademark of knives made by Granton Knife Company from the U.S. Eventually, other companies copied this design customizing it to their knife models. This kind of blade has small dimples or indents but still manages to retain a straight edge. It allows for clean thin slices without a struggle for starting cuts or pushing through the brisket. 

I recommend a German knife

Zwilling J.A. Henckels Knife Pro 8″ Ultimate Serrated Chef’s Knife

Features

Sigmaforge knife is precision forged from a single piece of Zwilling exclusive high carbon stainless steel

Full tang with curved bolster provides solid grip and balance; comfortable and traditional 3-rivet resin handle

57 Rockwell Hardness; 15° single bevel blade angle delivers outstanding cutting performance

Friodur ice-hardened blades are remarkably sharp, stay sharper longer and highly corrosion resistant

Made in Germany with a lifetime warranty

Description

The Zwilling Pro Ultimate Serrated Chef’s Knife is designed for slicing larger fruits with a tough skin, crusty breads, cakes, pastries and more. The serrated edge results in a slicing motion in which the blade is dragged across the food’s surface as it moves down through it. Zwilling Pro is designed by architect and designer Matteo Thun, offering beauty and function with a classic design. The wedge-shaped blade and half bolster allows you to cut along the entire length of the blade. The unique curved bolster supports your thumb for extra grip, comfort, control and safety. This entire collection features precision forged knives made from a single piece of Zwilling exclusive high carbon stainless steel. As a result, the knives have improved quality consistency, lasting sharpness, and perfect geometry. In addition, the steel blade goes through a special ice-hardening process called Friodur. This process changes the molecular structure of the steel improving the cutting properties providing a remarkably sharp blade and ensures a long lasting cutting edge. Each knife is hand sharpened, polished and laser controlled to assure the cutting edge is accurate along the full length of the blade. The blade is enhanced with a traditional 3-riveted resin handle. Made in Germany with a lifetime warranty.

Why choose YIERCITY

We do professional knife set retail and wholesale business. We hope to be your stable global supporter and partner.

We are an enterprise integrating factory and trade, specializing in the design, manufacture and sales of high-quality knife sets.

We always make every effort to ensure the quality of each set of knives.

Why choose YIER Knives

● The complete knife set contains all kitchen knives.

● Delivery from the local warehouse, within 3 days.

● Manufactured in our own factory, cost-effective.

● Transparent acrylic knife holder, like a work of art

● Excellent materials, safe and durable.

● Free returns

● We listen to customer needs and feedback.