Knives & Cutlery

German knives, such as Zwilling and Henckels, use slightly softer steel, around 56 to 58 on the Rockwell hardness scale, with a thicker blade and an edge of about 15 to 20 degrees per side, so they are tough and forgiving. Japanese knives, such as Shun, Miyabi and Global, use harder steel, around 60 to 66 HRC, with a thinner blade and a sharper edge of about 10 to 15 degrees, so they cut more precisely but can chip if misused. Many cooks keep a German knife for heavy work and a Japanese knife for slicing.

Yes. Zwilling J.A. Henckels is a German knife maker founded in Solingen in 1731. Its premium knives carry the Zwilling (twin) name and logo, while the Henckels name, with a single-figure logo, is the company’s more affordable line. The group also owns Miyabi, which makes Japanese knives in Seki, Japan, as well as Staub and Demeyere cookware.

Honing straightens the microscopic edge of a knife that has rolled over in use; it is done with a honing steel, often before each use, and removes almost no metal. Sharpening grinds new metal away to create a fresh edge, using a whetstone or sharpener, and is needed only every few months for home use or every few weeks in a busy kitchen. Self-sharpening knife blocks have ceramic sharpeners built into the slots that touch up the edge each time the knife is drawn.

No. Dishwashers dull and chip knife edges by knocking them against other items, and the heat, detergent and long wet cycles can damage wooden or composite handles and cause spotting even on stainless steel. Wash chef knives by hand with warm soapy water right after use, dry them immediately, and store them in a block, on a magnetic strip or in a sheath, not loose in a drawer.

Disposable cutlery comes in light, medium and heavy weights. Light-weight cutlery suits ice cream, yogurt and light snacks. Medium weight is the standard for takeout and cafeterias. Heavy weight is for steak, salads with firm vegetables and catered meals, where flimsy forks snap. Compostable cutlery made from plant-based materials, such as Eco-Products, is labelled for commercial composting. Cutlery is usually sold in cases of 1,000.

Shipping is a flat $16.50 anywhere in Canada and free on orders over $199 before tax. Orders are processed in 2 to 3 business days (cut-off 10:00 AM MST, Monday to Friday) and Canadian transit takes 2 to 6 business days. We also ship to the United States, with duties and taxes shown at checkout. See the Shipping page for full details.