Calphalon Knives vs Henckels Knives: Which is Better?

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Calphalon and Henckels are globally renowned for their fine knives and premiere manufacturing. Both are outstanding options for anyone who values superior precision, and a product with lasting quality.

Here we’ll be breaking down the differences between Calphalon knives vs. Henckels knives so you know which suits your personal preferences better.

What is Calphalon?

Calphalon is an international brand of high-end kitchen equipment and appliances.

With a vast product range featuring all sorts of items spanning cookware, appliances, bakeware, cutlery, and kitchen tools Calphalon is a brand that’s become synonymous with quality.

Out of their vast collection, Calphalon knives are largely responsible for their fame thanks to the precision manufacturing and superlative overall cutting performance.

What is Henckels?

Much like Calphalon, Henckels is another international brand that manufactures fine retail kitchen appliances and equipment. While their product range isn’t quite as vast, their knife sets are of comparably superior quality.

In fact, Henckels is praised by critics around the world for making some of the very best knife sets and cutlery available. Much like Calphalon, they’re a highly reliable option which is both a good and a bad thing.

After all, you’re presented with even more excellent possibilities to pick from.

Calphalon Knives Vs. Henckels Knives Comparison

	Calphalon Knives	Henckels Knives
Origin	Founded 1963, Started Cutlery 2002	1731
Product Ranges	Knife Sets, Block Sets, Chef’s Knives, Paring & Peeling Knives, Steak Knives & Sets, Knife Sharpeners & Steels, Japanese Knives, Santoku Knives, Knife Blocks & Storage, Cleavers Carving & Slicing Knives, Bread Knives, Prep Knives, Utility Knives, Boning & Fillet Knives, Cheese Knives, Kitchen Shears & Scissors, Cutting Boards	Individual Knives & Sets, Steak Knives, Cutlery Sets
Sharpness & Effectiveness	Supreme Sharpness With SharpIn Self-Sharpening	Razor Sharp With No Self-Sharpening Feature
Manufacturing	Stain Resistant High Carbon German Steel & Stamped Asian Steel	Cryogenically Tempered High-Carbon Stainless Steel
Design & Aesthetics	Subdued Minimal Look	Epitome Of Elegance, Racy Modern Designs
Affordability	Cheaper Than Henckels	Higher Price Knives And Knife Sets Than The Average
Warranty	Full Lifetime Warranty	Full Lifetime Warranty
Considerations	Hand Washing Advised To Prevent Rusting	Some Of The Highest Quality Knives In The Industry

Calphalon Knives vs Henckels Knives: Which is Better?

Shopping for the perfect set of knives can easily leave anyone confused. If you’re trying to figure out which knife or knife set is best for your kitchen and cooking style, read on.

Here’s a comprehensive comparison of Calphalon knives vs. Henckels knives so that you can make an informed decision.

Calphalon Knives

All Calphalon knives are well-balanced and feel professional from the moment you get them in your hands. They’ve got weight, and every knife in Calphalon knife sets is ergonomically designed.

Let’s take a closer look at the main defining characteristics of this outstanding brand of knives and knife sets.

Origin

Calphalon is a corporation that was founded in 1963 with a specialization in hard-anodized aluminum cookware. However, in 2002, the Ohio-based manufacturer entered into the cutlery business.

Product Range

You can expect to find the following types of knives available from Calphalon:

• Knife Sets
• Block Sets
• Chef’s Knives
• Paring & Peeling Knives
• Steak Knives & Sets
• Knife Sharpeners & Steels
• Japanese Knives
• Santoku Knives
• Knife Blocks & Storage
• Cleavers
• Carving & Slicing Knives
• Bread Knives
• Prep Knives
• Utility Knives
• Boning & Fillet Knives
• Cheese Knives
• Kitchen Shears & Scissors
• Cutting Boards

Sharpness And Effectiveness

Calphalon has the upper hand in the sharpness department. They’re ultra-sharp and remain for far longer than the vast majority of other brands.

Patented SharpIN self-sharpening technology utilizes built-in ceramic sharpeners to keep the knife edge razor-sharp every single time it’s removed from the block or replaced.

Manufacturing

Calphalon knives are forged from stain-resistant high-carbon German steel while Calphalon steak knives utilize high-durability stamped Asian steel. Blades are fully forged with a bolster and tang.

Engravings on each knife make the various types easy to identify.

Design And Aesthetics

While one can’t fault Calphalon’s general design and quality manufacturing, the pleasing aesthetic of their knives and other cutlery aren’t quite as boldly high-end as Henckels knives.

Affordability

As the newer brand, Calphalon knife sets are more affordable than Henckels knives.

Warranty

Calphalon knives are backed by a full lifetime warranty. Sharpness is also guaranteed for a lifetime on certain sets thanks to the ceramic self-sharpening knife block provided.

Considerations

Despite Calphalon knives being rust-resistant, we recommend that you wash them by hand so wash and dry them attentively making sure that there’s no moisture remaining as they are still susceptible to rust.

Calphalon knives in extensive use need to be well-maintained to prevent rust and other damage from occurring but if you take care of your knife set it can last a lifetime.

Henckels Knives

Henckels premium cutlery is a German brand famous for its long-lasting quality. Their premium line of knives is manufactured in Germany, while the entry-level offerings are produced in Spain and Asia.

Regardless of the product line, you can look forward to the superior cutting performance and long-lasting durability. Here’s a breakdown of what makes Henckels cutlery such good knives.

Origin

The Zwilling J. A. Henckels company is a German kitchenware manufacturer established in Solingen, Germany in 1731.

That gives Heckels over 290 years of service as a popular producer of high-quality kitchen knives, cutlery, and cookware.

Product Range

You can expect to find the following types of knives available from Henckels:

• Individual Knives & Sets
• Steak Knives
• Cutlery Sets

Sharpness And Effectiveness

Henckels knives are reliably sharp and are sharp enough for most chefs to cut through most things without ever encountering any difficulty.

This being said, Henckels still can’t compare to the self-sharpening ability of Calphalon knives which remain as sharp as the day that you bought them for a lifetime.

Manufacturing

Henckel knives are made using high-carbon stainless steel put through a cryogenic tempering process which improves the cutting-edge retention while lowering the knife weight and improving the balance.

Design And Aesthetics

From the moment that you lay your eyes on Henckels simplistic, elegant knives it becomes clear they have the edge in the looks department.

There are few knives that can compare to the straightforward, luxury appeal which remains supremely practical and comfortable to use at all times.

Affordability

As one of the longest-standing knife and cutlery manufacturers, Henckels knife sets are much higher priced than similar knives from Calphalon.

Warranty

Henckels cutlery is backed by a lifetime warranty with a warning that every knife needs to be hand-washed to prevent rusting.

Considerations

It’s not a fair comparison to put Henckels budget knives up against Calphalon’s premium quality. However, the German-manufactured high-end knives from Henckels are among the highest quality cutlery you’ll find.

For example, the Henckel Twin Cermax knives are near incomparable in cutting performance, quality, and feel.

For the best chef’s knives out there, you can’t beat Henckels but for more affordable, home cutlery you’ll need to compare specs and prices carefully between the budget line and Calphalon’s well-priced knives.

Which Is The Best Between Calphalon Knives Vs. Henckels Knives?

 

Calphalon and Henckels manufacture fantastic budget, mid-range, and high-end knives.

However, Calphalon has the edge when it comes to cost-effective knife sets. Some seasoned chefs prefer a single Henckels chef’s knife over any lower-end cutlery due to the quality and multipurpose versatility.

It all depends on your approach to cooking and just how precise you’d like your blades to be.