Having the right knife is essential for every kitchen, irrespective of the kitchen size. However, it’s extremely important to select the right brand to purchase your kitchen knives because it can directly influence the cutting performance and durability standards. So, in this article, we will talk about Cuisinart vs. Henckels knives to help you select the brand that suits your knife needs!
Cuisinart Knives vs Henckels Knives
Cuisinart Knives
Cuisinart has been around since 1973 and actually gained popularity for its food processors. However, when the company was managed by Conair in 1989, it started offering cookware, knives, and other kitchen appliances. Cuisinart has constantly been working to create functional products, which can be seen in all their products. There are nine collections of knives. The majority of knives have the same material, but the designs are different.
When it comes down to the material, Cuisinart uses stainless steel for constructing the blades, but they use low-grade steel that’s mixed with chromium and carbon, which is not very durable. This is primarily because Cuisinart knives are affordable, but you will have to suffer from edge retention. The knives are made from plastic handles, but the Graphix range uses hollow handles made from stainless steel, which enhances the overall grip on the knife.
The majority of knives are made from forged blades, but Non-Stick Edge, Artisan, Advantage Colored, and Graphix use stamped blades. On the other hand, Cuisinart has added a variety of designs because there are multiple blade styles and colors available in the knives. In fact, some knives also have ceramic-coated and colorful blades. For instance, the Artisan range has hammered blades and also includes small air pockets to prevent the sticking of food to the blade.
On the contrary, the Marble Style knife collection has natural stone handles. If you are concerned about the hardness of the blade, the rating is 55, which is quite low, but it will be fine for regular kitchen use. These knives are made in China because the company intends to provide affordable knives. All In all, Cuisinart knives are suggested for people who want mediocre knives in different styles but don’t want to invest too much in purchasing them, but that comes at the cost of durability.
Henckels Knives
Henckels is also known as Henckels International, and the company is owned by Zwilling J.A. Henckels, who started the company in 1731 in Germany. The company has coined its name as the biggest manufacturer of flatware, scissors, knives, and cookware. In addition, they control various kitchen appliance brands with which they offer nonstick cookware, stainless steel cookware, and enameled cast-iron cookware. Henckels also offers Japanese cutlery sets.
The knives are produced in China, Spain, India, and Thailand, but the designs are carried out in Germany to ensure it has the class of knives. They have designed premium knives, but they have something for beginners as well. Henckels has around eighteen collections of knives, and all of them have a unique construction, materials, quality, and design. For instance, the premium knives are made from premium steel, while other knives are made from stainless steel materials.
Some blades are mixed with carbon, chromium, and molybdenum, which improves the harness, stain resistance, and edge retention. Henckels uses POM material, which is not only durable but has a moisture-resistant nature as well. However, Graphite and Modernist range use stainless steel handles. The majority of knives by Henckels are designed with stamped blades but Forged Premio, The Classic, Forged Accent, Forged Synergy, and Forged Contour use forged blades.
When it comes down to the designs, you won’t find much variety as the handles have a black color with three rivets and an exposed tang. The forged knives are designed with bolsters, but the stamped blades are designed with a bolster-free design. Henckel knives have a hardness level of 57, which is a promising option for high-end knives. The blades are sharpened at the edge to the fifteen-degree angle, but this angle hasn’t been specified by Cuisinart.
The Bottom Line
Ranging from Cuisinart to Henckels, both these brands have a promising range of knives to make sure there is something for everyone. However, Cuisinart knives are suitable for people on a budget but choose Henckels if you want premium knives with sharper blades and higher edge retention and are ready to pay for it.