J. A. Henckels

Zwilling (Twin) J.A. Henckels is a knife manufacturer based in Solingen, Germany. Zwilling is German for the astrological sign Gemini.

Zwilling J.A. Henckels was founded in Solingen, Germany in 1731 and celebrated its 275th anniversary in 2006. The (TWIN) trademark, registered by Peter Henckels in 1731, is one of the world's oldest. The current company name (Zwilling J.A. Henckels) was given to the company by Johann Abraham Henckels, a descendent of Peter Henckels. J.A. Henckels is a global manufacturer with products sold in over 100 countries worldwide. The company has wholly-owned subsidiaries in every major industrial country, while its worldwide headquarters still resides in Germany.

Brands and lines

The company has two distinct brands. The Zwilling J.A. Henckels brand is known as "The Premium Brand," with products that are mainly made in Germany (mostly forged blades) or Spain (for mid-range knives, forged or stamped). J.A. Henckels International is "The Value Brand" division of Zwilling J.A. Henckels that produces less costly, mostly stamped blade knives, often made in China or Taiwan.

Zwilling J.A. Henckels produces multiple lines of kitchen cutlery. The Four Star line, introduced in 1976 is a fully forged knife with a molded handle made of polypropylene and a tang which extends into the handle. The TWIN Select series has ergonomic handles which are constructed of 18/10 stainless steel. The TWIN Cuisine features a fully exposed, horizontal tang embedded in a polypropylene handle. TWIN Five Star handles are fully ergonomic and also made of polypropylene which surrounds the tang. Some lines, such as TWIN Pro "S", have a traditional 3-rivet polypropylene handle. TWIN Four Star II was released in 2006, has a molded handle, and resembles the Four Star except it also has stainless steel end cap featuring the Henckels logo. Most Zwilling J.A. Henckels knives feature blades which are constructed from high carbon, stainless steel which is ice hardened for sharpness and stain resistance. The TWIN Cermax M66 series is constructed using a microcarbide powder steel with clad layers and is manufactured in Japan.

Manufacturing

Zwilling J.A. Henckels knives are manufactured in several different ways. TWIN Select, Four Star, Four Star II, Five Star, and Pro "S" are all forged from a single piece of high carbon stainless steel, which is ice hardened to improve stain resistance. Forging is intended to produce improved cutting-edge retention, weight, balance, and reduced opportunity for metal fatigue.

TWIN Cuisine knives are forged from one piece of steel using a traditional hot drop forging technique followed by ice-hardening to produce a heavy, durable steel. TWIN Gourmet and Signature knives are stamped from a single pieces of J.A. Henckels steel. All "TWIN" knives are manufactured in Germany, with the exception of the TWIN Cermax.

Most Zwilling J.A. Henckels "TWIN" brand knife blades are hand honed in order to keep a lasting edge. The edge is laser controlled for a very sharp blade angle. The forged TWIN series also have enlarged bolsters for safety and extra balance while cutting.

Henckels International cutlery is manufactured in several different ways. The Classic and Forged Synergy series are forged to produce a heavier utensil. The Fine Edge Pro and Fine Edge Synergy models are stamped to provide for a lower cost knife. The "never needs sharpening" series knives have finely serrated edges.

Other Products

In addition to kitchen knives, Henckels makes poultry and craft scissors, kitchen gadgets, flatware, cookware, manicure tools, pocket and sporting knives. Until recently, they also manufactured straight razors, with both stainless steel and high-carbon steel blades.

J.A. Henckels Product lines

* TWIN Cermax M66
* TWIN Select
* TWIN Cuisine
* TWIN Five Star
* TWIN Four Star II
* TWIN Four Star
* TWIN Professional S
* TWIN Gourmet
* TWIN Signature
* TWIN Pollux
* TWIN Grip
* TWIN Fin
* TWIN L scissors
* TWIN Cuisine gadgets and tools
* SUPERFECTION Classic scissors
* TWIN Manicure
* TWIN Flatware

J.A. Henckels International Product lines

* Classic
* Forged Synergy
* Fine Edge Pro
* Fine Edge Synergy
* Eversharp Pro
* Everedge Plus
* Everedge
* Premiere Series flatware
* Classic Clad cookware

External links

* [http://www.jahenckels.com/ J.A. Henckels U.S.A. website]
* [http://www.zwilling.com/ J.A. Henckels worldwide website]