When it comes to cooking your favorite dishes in the kitchen, there is always one tool you’re going to need – a knife. But let’s face it…there are a lot of knives on the market. How can you know you’re buying a knife (or knives) you can really depend on?
If you’re looking for high-quality knives, one country to look at is Germany. Germany has consistently produced cutlery from a variety of reputable brands. The blade material is thick, durable, and slices through anything with ease.
Even narrowing down the options to German cutlery, though, you’re still greeted with many options. Instead of going into the realm of German knives blindly, I’ve decided to create a list of the very best German kitchen knives in 2021.
Carry on reading or jump straight to our number #1 pick here.
- What Should I Look For When Buying the Best German Kitchen Knives?
- Here’s How We’ve Determined the Best German Kitchen Knives
- #1: J.A. Henckels International Statement Kitchen Knife Set (Best Value)
- #2: WÜSTHOF Gourmet Twelve Piece Block Set (Best German Kitchen Knife Set)
- #3: Mercer Culinary Genesis 6-Piece Forged Knife Block Set (Best 6-Piece Set)
- #4: imarku Chef Knife (Best Low Cost)
- #5: Güde Alpha Series – 6″ Chef’s Knife (Best German Kitchen Knife)
- Bonus Pick: Zwilling J.A. Henckels Zwilling Steak Knife Set (Best Kitchen Steak Knife Set)
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Verdict: Your Best German Kitchen Knives
What Should I Look For When Buying the Best German Kitchen Knives?
Excited to dive into the realm of German kitchen knives? I certainly can’t blame you. But there are some details you should consider before making a purchase. Let’s take a closer look at these important details.
Criteria #1: What is the blade material?
One thing you should pay attention to is blade material. There are a lot of options, but most of these are designed with stainless steel or high carbon stainless steel. What’s the difference? Well, steel resists rust and corrosion, whereas carbon does not. High carbon is easier to sharpen, though, and is known for its ease of slicing and dicing. That said, high carbon stainless steel blade material is the ideal combo of both and is known for its extreme durability.
Criteria #2: How many knives in the set?
Some people are looking for a single German knife, and that’s okay. I have included a few single German knives from popular brands that you will surely enjoy. If you need multiple knives and prefer a set, I have you covered, too. Some have six knives, while others have 12.
Criteria #3: How comfortable is the handle?
While the material and durability of the blade and how many knives come in the set are important factors, you can’t forget to pay attention to the handle, too. You want a handle that will provide you with a comfortable grip that is sturdy, stable, and impact/heat-resistant for longer-lasting use.
Here’s How We’ve Determined the Best German Kitchen Knives
Ok, so I will be honest with you. There is a pretty good amount of German knives available, all claiming to be “the best.” Well, I decided to go in and take a look at all of the features and qualities of these knife sets. From there, I also paid attention to real customer reviews. In the end, I found that these German knives came in as the “top” in the business. You’re bound to find a knife set or single knife that is right for you.
#1: J.A. Henckels International Statement Kitchen Knife Set (Best Value)
When it comes to finding the best value knife set, the answer was easy – the J.A. Henckels International Statement Kitchen Knife Set. Not only is this a fairly cost-effective option for those in the market for a knife set, but it comes with 15 different knives to satisfy all of your kitchen needs.
This Henckels knife set is pretty impressive. Inside the professional-looking hardwood block, you will find these pieces.
- 3-inch paring knife
- 5-inch serrated utility knife
- 7-inch santoku knife
- 8-inch chef’s knife
- 8-inch bread knife
- 6 (4.5-inch) steak knives
- Sharpening steel kitchen shears
To put it simply, this is the hardwood block knife set that you can go to for any cutting needs. Each of the dishwasher-safe knives is designed using high-quality steel with a comfortable and lightweight plastic handle. Each blade comes complete with a satin finish, too, to ensure precise and sharp cutting that is guaranteed to hold its sharpness.
#2: WÜSTHOF Gourmet Twelve Piece Block Set (Best German Kitchen Knife Set)
Replace Image below with Amazon SiteStripe Image
When it comes to German brands that make knives, look no further than Wüsthof from Solingen, Germany. They are known for making reliable products that every customer loves. That said, if you’re in the market for a German knife set with enough pieces to handle all of your kitchen needs, consider this Wüsthof Gourmet Twelve Piece Block Set. It ranked as our best pick for a reason. Let’s take a closer look at the details.
Reason #1 to Choose This Product – 12 Pieces
One reason to love this set from Wüsthof is that it comes with 12 impressive pieces. With so many options, you can rest assured that all of your needs will be met. Inside the professional-style wood block, you will find the following.
- 2 1/2-inch paring knife
- 3-inch spear point parking knife
- 4 1/2-inch utility knife
- 4 (4 1/2-inch) steak knives
- 8-inch bread knife
- 8-inch cook’s knife
- 9-inch steel, come-apart kitchen shears
Basically, you have a knife available in every size you need. Use the small size paring knife to slice through fruits and vegetables with ease. Use a larger size, such as the 8-inch size, to cut through homemade bread with ease. When it comes time to dig into your delicious meats, use the 4-inch size steak knives (and be glad you did).
Reason #2 to Choose This Product – Razor Sharp Blade
What good is a knife if you can’t easily slice through all of your kitchen items? It’s easy to become a chef right from home with this Wüsthof set. Whether you’re slicing through fruits and veggies or tackling bread, meat, and more, you can do it thanks to the razor-sharp performance of these knives.
The knives are designed using high carbon steel using the latest state-of-the-art technology. Not only are they impressively sharp, but they are easy to maintain, too. However, to ensure that they are at peak performance, it’s best to hand wash these knives.
Not only are they reliable for cutting, slicing, and dicing, but these knives are also resistant to corrosion and dulling. There’s no need for a knife sharpening kit with these knives. They are designed to stay sharp and even come with a limited lifetime warranty to make you feel more confident.
Reason #3 to Choose This Product – Superior Handle
The blade isn’t the only thing to be excited about when it comes to this knife set. These Wüsthof knives come complete with triple-riveted synthetic polypropylene handles. Why is this beneficial? I’ll give you three reasons.
- They resist all types of fading and discoloration.
- They can handle high heat and incredible impact.
- They’re super lightweight and comfortable, allowing for less fatigue and more cutting.
To put it simply, the customer gets to enjoy knives with a superior grip that allows for comfortable and stable cutting. Plus, you don’t have to worry about the handles being damaged, thanks to the impressive craftsmanship.
#3: Mercer Culinary Genesis 6-Piece Forged Knife Block Set (Best 6-Piece Set)
Not everyone needs a knife set that’s overflowing with options. If you’re looking for something a bit more simplistic and refined, then this is the best choice for you. The Mercer Culinary Genesis 6-Piece Forged Knife Block Set is a popular knife set that comes with the following knives.
- 8-inch chef’s knife
- 8-inch bread knife
- 6-inch boning knife
- 5-inch utility knife
- 3.5-inch paring knife
All of these high-quality knives sit inside of a classy tempered glass block that adds immediate sophistication and elegance to any kitchen countertop.
As far as construction is concerned, these knives come with an ergonomic Santoprene handle that provides superior comfort and grip, even if you’re cutting with wet hands. The knives can handle all types of ingredients, even oils, and severe temperatures. The blades are made using high-carbon, no-stain steel that resists rust and corrosion.
Designed using precision-forged construction, you can feel confident in the strength of these knives. They provide the user with utmost balance while cutting, while the taper-ground edges offer stability and long-lasting sharpness.
#4: imarku Chef Knife (Best Low Cost)
Replace Image below with Amazon SiteStripe Image
If you’re looking for a quality kitchen knife to see you through your chopping and slicing, then let it be the imarku Chef Knife. No, this is not a set that comes with all of the bells and whistles you might find from high-end knife brands and their respective knife sets. However, this is a budget-friendly knife that will get the job done.
In fact, there is a lot to like about this affordable chef’s knife. For one, it’s made with high-carbon stainless steel that will retain its sharpness and sturdiness for quite some time. It’s also got a super-sharp edge to take on just about anything from veggies to tough meat, and the blade is built to fend off corrosion and tarnish.
Aside from the reliable blade, the handle is another thing to enjoy. This knife comes with an ergonomic pakka handle. This results in a professional-style knife that will minimize fatigue and aches from using it for an extended period of time.
#5: Güde Alpha Series – 6″ Chef’s Knife (Best German Kitchen Knife)
When seeking out the best German knives, look no further than the Güde Alpha items. This is one of the most popular brands in the German knife industry. Their products are actually made in Solingen, Germany, so you know that you’re getting items that come straight from the source. Aside from being one of the most popular knife brands in the industry, there is a lot to love about the actual knives.
Today, I decided to pick out the chef’s knife from Güde Alpha. That’s because a chef’s knife is a piece of kitchen cutlery that can easily tackle any project (and by project, I clearly mean breakfast, lunch, and dinner of all varieties). So whether you’re indulging in a German-favorite bratwurst or prefer an American steak right off the grill, this knife can keep you satisfied.
This chef’s knife is designed using a single piece of alloyed Chrome-Vanadium-Moly cutlery steel. The blade is entirely forged, and the grips are made with a long-lasting, comfortable plastic grip known as Hostaform. The blade is ice-hardened to ensure its all-round durability while also being dishwasher safe. When necessary, this blade finish can easily be hand-sharpened to keep it in top-notch shape.
Bonus Pick: Zwilling J.A. Henckels Zwilling Steak Knife Set (Best Kitchen Steak Knife Set)
What’s a quality kitchen knife set if you don’t have any steak knives to go with it? As our bonus pick, we have included the Zwilling J.A. Henckels Zwilling Steak Knife Set. The Zwilling J.A. Henckels Zwilling set comes with 4 1/2-inch blades that swiftly slice through all of your favorite meats. They’re entirely dishwasher-safe and come with a lifetime warranty.
Frequently Asked Questions
What brand of knives do professional chefs prefer?
Wüsthof and Zwilling J.A. Henckels are two of the most popular brands of knives that chefs enjoy. Of course, this comes as no surprise. German knives are notably some of the most reliable and easy-to-use knives on the market. That said, these knife makers are commonly found in professional kitchens across the nation.
What is the best brand of kitchen knives?
There are lots of options when it comes to brands of kitchen knives. Of course, German knives easily rank highly on the list, including Wüsthof and Zwilling J.A. Henckels. Some other notable brands include Victorinox and Mac Professional.
Which is better – Zwilling or Wüsthof?
These two German knives are fairly similar to each other. However, it has been noted that the Wüsthof kitchen knife craftsmanship has a slight edge over Zwilling items due to the sharpness.
Verdict: Your Best German Kitchen Knives
Ok, I know, it’s a lot of information to take in. If you’re trying to make your decision quickly with links to the items, I got you covered. Below you will find short and simple details about the items on this list, along with links to the products.
If you want the greatest value for your money, pick the J.A. Henckels International Statement Kitchen Knife Set.
If you want the very best kitchen knife set on the market, consider the WÜSTHOF Gourmet Twelve Piece Block Set.
If you need a quality 6-piece kitchen knife set, pick the Mercer Culinary Genesis 6-Piece Forged Knife Block Set.
If you want to keep the spending under $40, pick the imarku Chef Knife.
If you want a super high-quality chef kitchen knife, consider the Güde Alpha Series – 6″ Chef’s Knife.
Any of the German knives on this list will provide you with a quality experience, whether you need a single kitchen knife or need a kitchen knife set. The most important things to consider when buying are the blade and the handles. However, you will find that all of these knives from different brands have superior handles and blades to see you through all of your kitchen needs.
Enjoyed this content? Leave your email address below to see more fun items!