Article By: Suraiya Fardous
- December 9, 2023 , Last updated on : December 10, 2023
German knife brands are famous all around the world because of their outstanding knives that outperform knives from other brands. Among these German brands, JA Hanckel is one of the most popular ones, which has been around since 1895, making them one of the oldest knife manufacturers in the world that is still in business. The best Henckel knives are all you need to cover all grounds in your kitchen.
Buying guide for the best Henckel knives
The requirements for buying the best JA Henckel knife sets will not be the same as the requirements for buying other types of knives. For example, if you want to buy the best German knives, you can look for knives from other German brands as well. Here is how you can select the best Henckel knives on the market.
Manufacturer
First and foremost, you need to look for knives made from Henckels. However, Henckel also has ownership of Zwilling, which is an even older knife brand than Henckel itself. Even though, technically, both are now part of the same company, the knives under each brand differ in price and quality.
Build Material
After you have ensured that you are getting a Henckel knife, you need to check for the material that was used to make the knife. You need to check the materials that are used to make the blade and also the handle. However, the blade material is more important because it will determine how long the knife lasts.
Package Deals
Last but not least, you can get lucrative package deals that you can get to save of money, especially when you compare the price of the sets with the price of the individual knives. Additionally, you can get certain sets that contain all the knives you are going to need in your kitchen.
Best Henckel knives | Top 11 Picks
Since Henckels has released a lot of standalone knives and knife sets, it can get quite hard to select one for yourself without a Henckel knife comparison. That is why we have selected the best Henckel knives on the market and ranked them based on personal experience and user reviews.
List of the best Henckel knives
Henckels 20 Piece Self Sharpening Knife Set
Henckels Forged Premio 19-pc Knife Block Set
Henckels 16-pc Self-Sharpening Knife Set
Henckels 15-Piece White Handle Knife Set
Henckels Classic Chefs knife
Henckels Classic paring knife
Henckels 14-Piece White Handle Knife Set
Henckels Premio Chefs knife
Henckels 7-Piece Self-Sharpening Knife Block Set
Henckels Bread Knife
Henckels 3-Piece Starter Knife Set
Henckels 20 Piece Self Sharpening Knife Set
Blade Material: Stainless steel
Number of Knives: 18
The Henckels 20 Piece Self Sharpening Knife Set has the overall best Henckel knives on the market. It is a versatile set that contains a wide variety of knives to meet all of your kitchen requirements. Additionally, the knives, combined with the storage block, have beautiful designs, so you can proudly display them in front of your guests.
Besides the design, the Henckels 20 Piece Self Sharpening Knife Set has knives that are made from quality German stainless steel. As a result, all the knives in the set have excellent sharpness that can get through various ingredients with ease. Also, the knives are able to retain their sharpness for a long time.
We loved how all of the 18 knives in this set felt in our hands. They have good balance and ergonomic handles. Another attractive feature of this set is the built-in ceramic sharpening rods in each of the slots. As a result, the knives sharpen themselves when you take them out of the slots and again when you put them back.
Pros:
Knife slots automatically sharpen the knives
Excellent sharpness and edge retention
Contains versatile choices of knives
Beautiful design
Cons:
Very expensive
While the Henckels 20 Piece self-sharpening knife set has some of the most desirable features you can expect in a knife set, it is also very expensive. However, if you can afford the set, its ability to automatically sharpen knives, combined with the excellent sharpness of the knives, makes them the best Hanckel knives on the market.
If you do not care for the automatic knife sharpener that comes with the Henckels 20 Piece Self Sharpening Knife Set, you can go for the Henckels Forged Premio 19-pc knife block set. The knives in this set come in a beautiful wooden block that is perfect for people who are going for the natural wooden aesthetics in their kitchen.
Besides the wooden block, the knives in the Henckels Forged Premio 19-pc Knife Block Set are also exceptional. They have outstanding balance because of their perfect size-weight ratio, which makes them ideal for beginners. Lastly, the handles on the knives have a full tang, triple-riveted build, which makes them really durable.
The set contains a 9-inch sharpening steel, which you can use to sharpen the knives. Since the blades are made from stainless steel, they do not need as much maintenance as blades made from other materials. However, you will have to sharpen them from time to time.
Pros:
Beautiful wooden block
Comes with a sharpening steel
Durable triple-riveted handles
Outstanding balance
Cons:
Comparatively expensive
The Henckels Forged Premio 19-pc Knife Block Set is also an expensive set, especially when you compare it with the rest of your options. However, it is still more affordable than the Henckels 20 Piece Self Sharpening Knife Set. Its beautiful wooden block, combined with its outstanding knives, makes them the best Henckel knives that you can get.
The Henckels 16-pc Self-Sharpening Knife Set stands out from the competition because of the lightweight build of the knives, which makes them really easy to use. Even though the knives are light, their single-piece and precision-stamped blades make them some of the most durable knives that you can find in a set.
Besides their build quality, another reason for the outstanding durability is the rust-free blades of the knives. Also, the rust-free blades make the knives dishwasher-safe, meaning you can clean them without any fuss. But even without a dishwasher, you can wash them with your hands just as easily.
Even though this set contains only 14 knives, these are more than enough for the average kitchen. So, if the 20-piece sets are too expensive for you, you can get this one. You can clean these knives in your dishwasher or by hand, whichever you prefer.
Pros:
Rust-free blades
Lightweight and easy to use
Single-piece, precision-stamped blades
Easy to clean
Cons:
Could be easier to resharpen
The only issue you might face with the knives in the Henckels 20 Piece Self Sharpening Knife Set is when you will go to resharpen them. It is harder to resharpen because of its sharpening angle. Other than that, their lightweight builds, combined with their rust-free blades, make them the best Henckel knives on the market.
The Henckels 15-Piece White Handle Knife Set is ideal for someone looking for an affordable set that will last a long time. The knives in the set have durable full tang builds, which ensures they are the last knives you have to buy. Additionally, the knives have ultra-sharp blades, which allow you to get through tougher ingredients with ease.
We loved how the set had all the tools we needed to easily tackle all the tasks in our kitchen. A special mention to the chef’s knife in the set that outperformed the chef’s knife in its competing sets.
The knives in this set are dishwasher safe as well. However, the blades are made from stainless steel, so they do not need to be cleaned as rigorously. You can chuck them in the dishwasher once a month, and you are good to go. Overall, these knives are great for people who hate maintenance.
Pros:
Ultra-sharp blades
Built to last
Long lasting sharpness
Cons:
Storage block can be easily damaged
The only drawback of the Henckels 15-Piece White Handle Knife Set is the storage block that comes with the set. It can be easily damaged if you mistakenly drop or knock it. Other than that, their ultra-sharp blades, combined with their long-lasting sharpness, make them the best Henckel knives on the market.
If you do not have sufficient room in your kitchen to fit an entire set of knives, but you still need a knife that can handle a wide variety of ingredients, you can go for the Henckels Classic Chefs knife. It has an ergonomic build that allows you to precisely cut your ingredients so that you can make any meal that your heart desires.
Before using this knife, we knew that the Henckels Classic chef’s knife was one of the best on the market. After using it, we saw why people claimed it to be the best. We think that even beginners can use this knife to tackle tough ingredients with ease.
If you are just here for a chef’s knife, then this is the one you need to get. From mincing vegetables to slicing meat, this knife can do it all. Its strong, pointed edge can be used to disjoint bones as well. Lastly, it excels at precision cutting as well for people who want to decorate their dishes.
Pros:
Ergonomic build
Allows you to cut precisely
Multipurpose knife
Cons:
Handle could be more durable
The only issue we have with the Henckels Classic Chefs knife is its plastic handle, which could have been more durable. However, if they used better materials, the cost of the knife would go up as well. Other than that, its ergonomic build, combined with its multipurpose usage, makes it one of the best knives you can buy.
The Henckels Classic paring knife is one of the best paring knives on the market because of its construction from high-quality German stainless steel. The build material makes the knife rust-resistant, which in turn makes the knife dishwasher-safe. Lastly, the knife has great balance, which allows you to use it comfortably.
Since paring knives usually face greater force on the blade, they tend to snap off from the handle easily. However, we loved the durable full-tang build of the knife. We exerted significant force on the blade, and it still remained intact.
Pros:
Made from high-quality German stainless steel
Dishwasher safe knife
Has great balance and comfort
Cons:
Limited usage options
Since the Henckels Classic paring knife is meant for peeling fruits and vegetables only, it has very limited usage options. However, if you are in the market for a paring knife, then its construction from high-quality German stainless steel, combined with its great balance, makes it one of the best Henckel knives that you can buy.
The Henckels 14-Piece White Handle Knife Set is an outstanding set with knives that have blades with professional-level sharpness. At the same time, the knives are lightweight and easy to use. As a result, the set is perfect for both beginners and professionals. Lastly, the knives are dishwasher-safe since they do not rust.
We loved the white handles on the knives in this set. It fits the white aesthetics we have going on in our kitchen. So, if you have a lot of white marble countertops in your kitchen, this set will be perfect for you.
Pros:
Blades with professional-level sharpness
Knives are lightweight and easy to use
Easy to clean
Cons:
Knives sit a bit loose in the storage block
The only issue we have with the Henckels 14-Piece White Handle Knife Set is that the knives sit a bit loose in the storage box. However, they do not fall off the block, so it will not be a big problem. Other than that, their professional-level sharpness, combined with their lightweight build, makes them the best Henckel knives.
The Henckels Premio Chefs knife has durable construction because of its seamless transition from its blade to handle. Additionally, the handle has an ergonomic structure that makes it comfortable to hold even when using the knife for a long time. Besides the handle, the knife also has an outstanding blade with long-lasting sharpness.
This knife lets us cut with precision, which is why we think it is perfect for people who want to make gourmet meals that they can proudly serve to their guests. It is a versatile all-rounder that can easily handle various ingredients without breaking a sweat.
Pros:
Seamless transition from blade to handle
Long-lasting sharpness
Comfortable handle
Cons:
Does not come sharpened
The only drawback of the Henckels Premio Chefs knife is that it does not come sharpened out of the box. As a result, if you do not have a knife sharpener in your kitchen, it will be useless. Other than that, its comfortable handle, combined with its long-lasting sharpness, makes it one of the best Henckel knives on the market.
If you want a knife set with a self-sharpening knife holder but do not require a lot of knives, the Henckels 7-Piece Self-Sharpening Knife Block Set is perfect for you. It contains all the necessary knives that you need in your kitchen, no more and no less. Besides that, the knives have an exceptional size-weight ratio.
We loved the seamless transition from the handles to the blades of these knives. They added to the overall aesthetics and functionality of the knives. This is because the single-piece build of the knives makes them more durable than its competitors.
Pros:
Knife holder with sharpener
Aesthetic ash wood base
Knives with exceptional balance
Cons:
A limited number of knives
The only issue we have with the Henckels knives set is that it contains only five knives. If you want a self-sharpening set with more knives, go for the Henckels 20-piece Self Sharpening Knife Set. Other than that, their aesthetic wooden base, combined with their exceptional balance, makes them the best Henckel knives.
The Henckels Bread Knife is one of the best knives you can present on your dinner table when entertaining your guests. It is made from durable German stainless steel, which ensures the knife will never let you down. It has a sharp, serrated edge that ensures you can get through any meal with ease. Lastly, the knife is dishwasher-safe.
A quality bread knife is important for anyone who loves to entertain guests in their home. We loved how it performed when cutting our meals into bite-sized portions. Furthermore, we loved its looks as well.
Pros:
Made from durable German stainless steel
Serrated sharp edge
Dishwasher-safe knife
Cons:
Looks could be better
While the Henckels Bread Knife is without a doubt one of the more premium bread knives among the competition, its looks deceive its quality. However, if you prefer functionality over looks, then its sharp serrated edge, combined with its high-quality build material, makes it one of the best Henckels knives you can get.
The Henckels 3-Piece Starter Knife Set is ideal for people who do not want a set with a storage block and lots of knives. It is perfect for people looking for a personal knife set. The knives have superior ultra-sharp blades that retain their sharpness for a long time. Lastly, the knives require minimal care because of their durable stainless steel build.
If you do not want to get a lot of knives and clutter your kitchen space, this set is perfect for you. These three knives let us perform all the basic tasks we had to perform with knives in our kitchen without any issues.
Pros:
Superior ultra-sharp blades
Long-lasting build
Requires minimal care
Cons:
Handles could be more ergonomic
The biggest drawback of the Henckels 3-Piece Starter Knife Set is the handles on the knives, which can get uncomfortable to use when you are holding them for a long time. Other than that, their ultra-sharp blades, combined with their durable build, make them the best Henckel knives on the market.
The best Henckel knives for you will depend on your personal requirements. For example, if you want an aesthetic set of knives, you can go for the Henckels Forged Premio 19-pc Knife Block Set. Alternatively, if you want the overall best knives on the market, you can go for the Henckels 20 Piece Self Sharpening Knife Set.
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