Are you passionate about cooking and enjoy trying different recipes for your family?
Since you are here, it means your answer is yes.
It also means that you know how important a knife’s role is in every kitchen.
To help level up your skills, we listed the best JA Henckels Knife sets you might want to add to your collection.
Not only that, but the bonus guide will also assist you in evaluating your cutting requirements before buying a suitable knife set.
Best JA Henckels Knife Set Reviews
Comparison Chart
J.A. Henckels International Statement Kitchen Knife Set with Block, 15-pc, Chef Knife, Steak Knife set, Kitchen Knife Sharpener, Light Brown
J.A. Henckels International Self-Sharpening Knife Block Set – Forged Stainless Steel Modernist – 20 Piece
1. J.A. Henckels International Statement Kitchen Knife Set
The J.A. Henckels International Statement Kitchen Knife Set includes high-performing knives made of stainless steel.
These knives come with a plastic handle and a full tang design supporting a single piece of precision-stamped blade.
Product Highlights
The J.A Henckels International Statement Knife Set comprises 15 pieces, including:
- Three-inch paring knife
- Five-inch serrated utility knife
- Five-inch Santoku knife
- Seven-inch Santoku knife
- Eight-inch chef’s knife
- Eight-inch bread knife
- Six 4.5-inch steak knives
- Kitchen shears
- Sharpening steel
- Hardwood knife block
Thanks to their premium-quality stainless-steel construction, the blades offer the desired sharpness needed to achieve precise cutting.
Aside from that, the knives are also sturdy and resistant to rust and stain.
As mentioned, these elegant knives have a full tang design, which means the tang goes all the way up to the handle’s end.
This way, the handle doesn’t separate from the blade, leaving no space between the two and offering a firm grip.
Lucky for you, your hands won’t slip towards the edge while cutting, even if they are wet.
In addition to that, the triple-riveted handle makes it easy and comfortable for you to hold the knife.
The stainless-steel end cap not only looks stylish but also offers the desired stability and balance to the knife’s structure.
What We Like
One of the best things about the JA Henckels International Statement Knife Set is its affordability.
The set offers you 15 pieces of premium-quality knives, ensuring you have a knife for all kinds of cutting tasks.
Other features, such as their precision-stamped blade construction, add to their overall stability.
The blade comes with a satin finish, too, guaranteeing decent resistance to corrosion.
The knives arrive already honed to ensure longer-lasting sharpness.
When they do start to dull, the set includes a sharpening steel so that you can achieve the razor-sharp edge that you desire.
What We Don’t Like
The handle is plastic, which may turn off some people.
However, the plastic keeps the knives lightweight and well-balanced.
Pros:
- Designed to last for years
- Resistant to rust and stain
- Well-balanced and comfortable to use
- Easy to maneuver
- Dishwasher-safe
- Ideal for everyday use
Con:
- Knife block doesn’t fit all knives
2. Zwilling J.A. Henckels TWIN Signature Knife Block Set
The Zwilling J.A. Henckels TWIN Signature Knife Block Set comprises 19 pieces.
These knives boast precision-stamped blades, triple-riveted handles, and special formula steel construction.
In addition, the Friodur blade is further ice-hardened to 57 Rockwell hardness for better overall durability.
Product Highlights
The Zwilling J.A. Henckels TWIN Signature Knife Set offers great value for money, which is why many home chefs love this set.
This extensive 19-piece knife set includes:
- 2.5-inch peeling knife
- Four-inch paring/utility knife
- 4.5-inch utility knife
- Five-inch utility knife (serrated)
- Six-inch sandwich/utility knife
- Seven-inch hollow-edged Santoku knife
- Eight-inch chef’s knife
- Eight-inch bread knife
- Eight 4.5-inch non-serrated steak knives
- Kitchen shears
- Nine-inch sharpening steel
- Bamboo knife block
You will find that these knives have a German steel-stamped blade that retains its sharpness for a relatively long time.
The entire knife structure is made from a single piece of steel, yet it remains pretty lightweight and well balanced.
Moreover, the knives are designed using ice-hardened technology to guarantee razor sharpness and strength.
The blades boast a Rockwell score of 57, making them perfect for both household and professional kitchen use.
Not to mention, the high carbon steel is resistant to stain or rust.
The ergonomic design prevents your fingers or wrist from hurting, even after long cutting hours.
Indeed, it’s easy to see why the Zwilling TWIN Signature set is a perfect choice for daily kitchen use.
All the knives come with a triple-riveted handle to ensure a comfortable and secure grip. This design choice helps prevent your hands from slipping off.
In addition to that, the handles are sturdy and long-lasting, courtesy of their polymer-based construction.
The full tang design not only holds onto the blade but also offers stability to the entire structure.
The blades are angled 15 degrees on each side to maximize cutting precision, except for the Santoku knives, which are angled 10 degrees.
You can use these knives to chop, cut, slice, and dice a wide range of ingredients, from vegetables and fruits to cheeses.
What We Like
The best thing about the Zwilling J.A. Henckels TWIN Signature knife set is the variety of knives you will get.
These perform different tasks, such as chopping, cutting, peeling, and so much more.
To enhance and prolong their sharpness, they also underwent edge polishing and laser finishing.
The stainless-steel blades don’t rust and stain, and you can conveniently wash them in the dishwasher.
All in all, you will find that this set doesn’t require any special care, and the blades stay sharp for a longer time.
What We Don’t Like
The Zwilling J.A. Henckels TWIN Signature Knife Set is for large families or people who enjoy cooking for groups.
If yours is a small family, you probably don’t need as many as eight steak knives.
Pros:
- Does not break easily when dropped
- Sturdy handles
- Safe to wash in the dishwasher
- Made in Germany
- Lightweight design
Cons:
- Thin blades
- Larger block slots
3. J.A. Henckels International Self-Sharpening Knife Block Set
The J.A. Henckels International Self-Sharpening Knife Block Set is a one-for-all, all-for-one set that includes forged stainless-steel knives.
Each one is well-balanced and serves a different purpose than the other.
Product Highlights
This 20-piece set features an elegant and stylish design, thanks to the knives’ well-balanced stainless-steel handles and mirror-finish end caps.
The entire set comes with the following:
- Three-inch paring knife
- Four-inch paring knife
- Five-inch utility knife (serrated)
- 5-inch prep knife
- 5-inch boning knife
- Six-inch utility knife
- Seven-inch Santoku knife (hollow edge)
- Eight-inch bread knife
- Eight-inch chef’s knife
- Eight-inch carving knife
- Eight 4.5-inch serrated steak knives
- Kitchen shears
- Self-sharpening knife block
The J.A. Henckels Self-Sharpening Knife Block Set features a fully forged construction featuring a satin-finished blade, honed for sharpness and longevity.
These single-piece knives have precision-stamped blades that guarantee strength and durability.
The blades are heavy-duty stainless steel, making them resistant to rust, corrosion, and stain.
Additionally, the triple-rivet handle allows you to do your weekly vegetable cutting session without feeling any fatigue in your wrist or fingers.
The entire knife set weighs around eight pounds.
You will immediately notice the elegant brushed stainless-steel cap that enhances the overall aesthetic appeal of the knives.
Perhaps its best feature yet is the knife block.
All the slots for the fine-edged knives come with a built-in ceramic sharpening rod set.
This way, they sharpen the knives continuously during regular use while you insert or remove them from the block.
You can find labels against all the slots so that you place the knives back in their respective spaces.
Lastly, this durable knife set comes with a limited lifetime warranty, ensuring a safe investment.
What We Like
The single-piece construction adds to the overall stability of the knife structure, uniformly distributing the weight.
Also, the slightly curved profile of the handles allows you to grip the knives while cutting firmly.
One of the best things about this knife set is the self-sharpening knife block, made of premium-quality wood with a walnut finish.
The built-in ceramic honing wheels automatically sharpen the knives, saving you from the hassle of manual sharpening.
What We Don’t Like
Unfortunately, the block doesn’t contain any sharpening slot for serrated and utility knives.
Moreover, this comprehensive knife set is only recommended for large families.
Pros:
- Dishwasher-safe
- Comes with a limited lifetime warranty
- Made of forged German stainless steel
- Self-sharpens
- The block has labeled slots
- Well-balanced
Con:
- Made in China
4. J.A. Henckels International Forged Premio Knife Set
The J.A. Henckels International Forged Premio Knife Set comes with an 18-slot wood knife block featuring a Cherry finish.
Moreover, the knives are lightweight, thin, sturdy, and eco-friendly.
Product Highlights
The J.A. Henckels Forged Premio Knife Set includes all kinds of knives, giving you everything you need to do various food prep tasks.
All in all, the set includes:
- Five-inch serrated utility knife
- Six-inch utility knife
- Three-inch paring knife
- Three-inch paring knife (hollow edge)
- 5-inch boning knife
- Seven-inch Santoku knife
- Eight-inch bread knife
- Eight-inch chef’s knife
- Eight 4.5-inch serrated steak knives
- Sharpening steel
- Kitchen shears
- Wood knife block
With these many choices, you will have the right kind of knife for complicated and casual cutting.
Not only that, but the knife set also comes with eight steak knives, a sharpening steel, a pair of shears, and a wooden knife block.
All the knives are thicker and heavier than stamped knives, which means the blades don’t bend.
Moreover, the central bolster offers balance to the entire structure.
The forged blades, coupled with triple-riveted handles, offer precise cutting and firm, secure grip.
The full-tang handle perfectly holds onto the blade while cutting harder things.
The metal cap then secures both the handle and the blade, enhancing both stability and style.
In addition, the blades have a satin finish that easily elevates your slicing or pilling experience.
Since the knives are stainless steel, they are resistant to rust and stain.
If that’s not enough, the lifetime warranty ensures a long-term, safe investment.
What We Like
The J.A. Henckels Forged Premio Knife Set features a full tang blade running all the way throughout the knife structure.
Furthermore, three rivets fasten the plastic handle to enhance the overall strength.
Another advantage of using the J.A. Henckels Forged Premio Knife Set is convenient cleaning.
You can find a smooth bolster in the middle, which separates the blade and the handle, allowing you to clean the knives conveniently in the dishwasher.
However, you should dry them immediately after taking them out.
What We Don’t Like
You don’t see any labels against the slot, meaning you can place the wrong knives in a different slot.
The steak knives also aren’t forged, which isn’t really a big deal.
Forged blades are thicker and heavier to maintain the knife’s balance.
Pros:
- Strong and durable blades
- Offers a secure grip
- Comes with a lifetime warranty
- Well-balanced construction
- Multi-purpose knife set
Cons:
- Made in China
- No labels on the slots
5. Zwilling J.A. Henckels Professional S Knife Block Set
The Zwilling J.A. Henckels Professional S is a compact knife set, perfect for small families with smaller kitchens.
Product Highlights
The Zwilling J.A. Henckels Professional S Knife Block Set features sophisticated knives with an elegant design, making them a suitable addition to any kitchen.
This knife set comprises seven pieces, including:
- Three-inch paring knife
- Five-inch serrated utility
- Five-inch hollow edge santoku
- Eight-inch chef’s knife
- Kitchen shears
- Sharpening steel
- Hardwood knife block
All the knives have stainless steel blades, which are all ice-hardened to boost overall strength.
Moreover, the knives feature a single piece of steel running from the edge to the handle.
This way, the knives exhibit a stable and balanced structure with uniform weight distribution, guaranteeing a firm grip.
You can observe a smooth transition from bolster to handle.
The traditional riveted handle is made of ultra-hygienic synthetic material to maximize support and strength.
The Zwilling J.A. Henckels Professional S Knife Block Set is perfect for both professionals and home cooks. It contains all kinds of knives for different tasks.
Additionally, the laser-controlled edge is relatively sharper with a consistent blade angle.
The high-carbon stainless-steel blade exhibits no-stain properties and resistance to pitting and corrosion.
All the knives come with an edge angle of 15 degrees on both sides. However, the Santoku knife has an edge angle of 10 degrees.
Moreover, this robust knife set comes with a lifetime guarantee against defects, making it a safe investment.
What We Like
One of the best things about the Zwilling J.A. Henckels Professional S Knife Block Set is its compact size.
The sleek knife box occupies a smaller footprint, so it won’t overcrowd your kitchen countertop.
We also like that the handle is made of black synthetic material, featuring a triple-riveted, complete tang design.
The knives feature a precision-forged construction, offering precision and stability to the steel structure.
Consequently, the design ensures long-lasting sharpness with enhanced edge retention.
What We Don’t Like
Unfortunately, if you are a steak lover, this knife isn’t for you since it doesn’t include any steak knives.
Moreover, the knife set doesn’t contain any kitchen shears.
Pros:
- Protected by a lifetime warranty
- Does not break easily
- Offers a secure grip
- Cuts precisely
- Long-lasting sharpness
Con:
- Doesn’t include steak knives
Buyer’s Guide
What’s the first thing that comes to mind when shopping for a knife set? Obviously, it’s the blade.
Still, you should also consider other features before making the final decision.
Here are important considerations to keep in mind:
1. Construction
Generally speaking, you will find two types of knives in the market: forged or stamped.
When you say a knife is forged, it means the blade came from a single metal piece heated and pounded into its final shape.
On the other hand, a stamped knife has a blade cut out from a sheet of steel.
2. Material
Most of the premium-quality knives are of German stainless-steel construction.
This type of steel produces knives that are robust and sharp but still lightweight.
Furthermore, it doesn’t call for too-frequent sharpening while offering precision cutting with every use.
Knives made of stainless steel retain their shine and sharpness longer because they do not rust, stain, nor corrode.
3. Cost
Of course, budget plays a vital role when picking a knife set.
You will find that the size of the knife set is somewhat related to the price tag.
It means a knife set with 20 pieces is naturally going to be more expensive than a compact knife set with seven knives.
4. Maintenance and Cleaning
Most of the knives you find in the market are dishwasher-safe, saving you from the hassle of manually washing them by hand.
Even so, many manufacturers recommend hand-washing to ensure the knives’ longevity.
Moreover, it would help if you pat dry the knives as soon as you take them out of the dishwasher.
It’s relatively easy to maintain stainless steel knives, as they don’t need too-frequent sharpening.
Knives with a complete bolster design don’t let dirt or any other bacteria get stuck in the bolster.
5. Balance and Weight
Both balance and weight are directly proportional to one another.
An appropriate weight is responsible for both the stability and balance of the knife’s structure.
You won’t be able to cut vegetables and fruits correctly if the knife isn’t balanced.
Moreover, it’s not just about the cutting but also your safety.
An unbalanced knife can cause your hands to slip towards the blade, leading to an unfortunate injury.
6. Lifetime Warranty
Lucky for you, all the JA Henckels knives come with a lifetime warranty for manufacturing defects or craftsmanship.
7. Handle Comfort
The handle of the knife is responsible for maintaining the balance of the entire knife structure.
Not only that, but a poorly constructed handle doesn’t provide the desired grip to your hands while cutting.
Look for both the material and design of the handle.
Most knives come with either synthetic, wooden, plastic, or brushed stainless steel handles.
A knife with a triple-riveted design also ensures a firm and comfortable grip on your fingers.
JA Henckels Knife Set FAQs
1. What is the difference between JA Henckels and Zwilling JA Henckels?
The primary differences between JA Henckels and Zwilling JA Henckels are seen in the material used, their price, and where they were produced.
Zwilling, in German, translates to a twin, as indicated by the logo itself.
Made in Germany, Zwilling products comprise premium-quality knives, offering high performance at a higher price.
Zwilling knives also use high-carbon German steel, later ice-hardened, so as to enhance strength.
Lastly, Zwilling knives come with a lifetime warranty to ensure consumers a long-term investment.
On the other hand, JA Henckels produces lower-cost knives with thinner blades and lower-quality steel.
Often, the materials used are sourced from all over the world. This also means these knives can be made in China, Japan, Thailand, and Spain.
In essence, JA Henckels is a value brand that designs long-lasting knives that don’t break the bank.
2. Are Henckel knives guaranteed for life?
According to Henckels, all the products come with a full warranty against any kind of defects in material or craftsmanship.
However, the warranty doesn’t include the following areas:
- Wood products (for example, knife handles)
- Wear and tear from normal or regular use
- Any accidental damage or scratch from falling
3. Are JA Henckels made in China?
Yes, they are made in China; however, JA Henckels sources knives worldwide.
It means these knives are manufactured primarily in the following different countries, based on the knife type:
- Japan
- Spain
- Thailand
4. Is Henckels a good knife set?
Undoubtedly, yes. You should know that an affordable price doesn’t mean lower durability and lower quality.
JA Henckels is a reputable brand, producing high-performing knives for daily home use.
The knives are often made from stainless steel, which is resistant to corrosion or rust. Also, the blades retain their shine and sharpness with time.
JA Henckels is also known for designing knives with a comfortable weight.
They are not too light that your hands may slip off, nor are they too heavy that you’ll feel fatigued easily.
5. Is Zwilling or Henckels better?
Both are good options, depending on your preferences and how you compare their features.
Zwilling is definitely a higher-end brand producing top-quality knives. However, this premium quality comes with a price tag.
Conversely, JA Henckels focuses on producing good-quality knives while keeping them affordable for the general masses.
Basically, these knives target different audiences.
Nonetheless, you will find that both brands design all kinds of knives, including utility, serrated, and paring knives.
It’s just that their manufacturing process is undoubtedly different from one another.
What Is the Best JA Henckels Knife Set?
JA Henckels started in 1731 in Solingen, Germany, and has been designing high-quality knives for more than 250 years.
The JA Henckels knife set is an all-rounder set consisting of all kinds of knives to fulfill your kitchen requirements.
Our recommendation goes to the JA Henckels International Statement Kitchen Knife Set, keeping in view both affordability and durability.
All the knives feature a single piece of stainless steel supported by sturdy plastic handles to keep them lightweight.
Additionally, the triple-riveted design prevents your hands from slipping towards the blade while cutting.