Why choose Professional S Zwilling Henckels Knives?
Old is gold, right? Well, one of the oldest manufacturers of cutlery in the world is Zwilling J.A. Henckels, a German company based in Solingen in Germany. With over 280 years of knife-making experience under its belt, they have perfected the art of knife design and forging.
The company has been winning awards since the 1800s and no wonder their knives are of high quality, durable, and beautiful. One of their best line of knives is the Professional S Zwilling Henckels knives, which feature a traditional, high-quality design that caters to most of your kitchen needs. More on this below.
Characteristics of German Knives
German knives are often compared to Japanese knives due to the fact that both have been around for a long and are of top quality. However, they have different features that appeal differently to different people. Zwilling Henckels knives are German-made and have characteristics typical to German knives. Here are some of them.
The Bevel
German blades tend to be double bevel. This means that they're sharpened on both sides of the blade. The blades are usually sharpened to an angle of 20 to 30 degrees, which makes them less sharp compared to Japanese blades, which have an angle of 12 to 15 degrees.
Thick blades
German knives are heavier and thicker than Japanese knives. This makes them more versatile and hard-wearing. You can use them for heavy-duty work without worrying about the blade breaking.
Hard or Soft?
German knives are softer than Japanese knives. This makes them easier to sharpen, but it also means that they don't retain an edge for long and they would need more sharpening.
Features of the Professional S Zwilling Henckels Knives
FRIDOUR® Ice Hardened Blade
One of the most important qualities of a good knife is its hardness, as this determines how durable and sharp the knife will be. The Professional S series are hardened in a patented process known as the FRIODUR ice-hardening process. It involves alternate heating and cooling of steel to make an extremely hard and long-lasting blade.
The steel is first heated to 10000C, then cooled to -700C and finally heated again to over 2500C. This results in a strong, sharp blade with an edge that lasts longer than traditionally forged blades.
SIGMAFORGE
Knives can either be forged or stamped.
Forging involves heating a piece of metal and then hammering it into shape. Stamping involves cutting the blade out from a large sheet of metal, sort like how you would cut out shapes from rolled out dough.
Forged knives are easier to sharpen and stay sharp longer than stamped knives. They are also more pricy as their manufacturing process is more elaborate. Stamped knives go through a simpler process that are more flexible, lighter, and cheaper.
Professional S Zwilling Henckels knives are forged using a modern patented process known as SIGMAFORGE, where only a portion of the metal that is to be forged is heated in a temperature-controlled fashion. This protects the steel from damage and uses less energy than the traditional forging process.
Hardness
The last thing you want to happen while cutting up ingredients is the knife breaking. The harder the knife, the more reliable, stronger, and more balanced it will be. Hard knives can undertake more heavy-duty tasks without chipping or denting. The hardness of the blade is measured using the Rockwell scale: the higher it is, the harder the blade is. Professional S knives are about 55 to 57 Rockwell. Their hardness is down to the high carbon content of the steel, as well as the above mentioned ice-hardening process.
Sharpness
Everyone wants a sharp knife. Professional S blades are acutely sharp, owing to laser-controlled V-edge honing on each side giving a 300 angle that can cut through virtually anything effortlessly. The blade is also thick, which, like hardness, contributes to the overall strength of the knife.
ZWILLING J.A. Henckels Pro Knife 3 Pc Set
Ergonomic Design
A good knife is comfortable to hold and easy to handle. Professional S Zwilling Henckels knives have ergonomically designed handles with the traditional strong 3-rivet design.
The knives are either full tang or partial tang. This gives you stability and balance as you cut through thick cuts of meat or mince veggies and herbs.
The bolster gives the blade extra stability and prevents your fingers from slipping off the handle and onto the blade during a particularly vigorous cutting session, or in case the handle gets too slippery. It also keeps the blade steady and prevents it from bending dangerously when cutting tough food.
Hygienic
Hygiene is key in the kitchen, and knives play a big role in this. Sometimes bits of food and dirt get trapped in the little gaps where the handle and the blade join. Professional S knives have a seamless transition between the handle and the blade, with no crevices to trap food which would in turn attract germs.
Your Professional S Zwilling Henckels Knives are best partnered with this attractive ZWILLING J.A. Henckels Magnetic Knife Block shown below which is crafted from natural bamboo, a beautiful, durable wood that resists water penetration, staining, and knife scarring. Along with its slot-less design, this knife block is exceptionally hygienic for a healthier kitchen.
Caring for the Professional S series
Knives in the Professional S Zwilling Henckels series are top quality, so you don't want them to wear out quickly. Here are some tips on how to take good care of them.- You can wash the knives in the dishwasher, but the high heat may damage the blade or discolor it, so hand washing is recommended.
- Wipe the knife clean with a wet cloth immediately after washing to maintain the shine.
- Avoid cutting on very hard surfaces like marble or glass as the high carbon steel is more prone to chipping. Hard surfaces also dull the blade faster than usual. Use wooden or plastic cutting boards instead.
- Even hard, long-enduring knife edges get dull. If you're not familiar with using a sharpening steel or a whetstone, no need to worry. You can use The ZWILLING J.A. Henckels Sharp Pro Sharpener & Honer Black for any knife without a serrated edge.
Final Words
Professional S Zwilling Henckels knives are a great choice for both the professional and the home kitchen. The series also has a wide selection of knives, and there is something for everyone. Check out the products available in this range and choose one that suits your culinary needs.
Also Read: Best Knife Block Sets for 2021