Zwilling J. A. Henckels

"Zwilling" (German for 'twin') was founded on 13 June 1731 by the German knife-maker Peter Henckels. The logo was registered with the Cutlers' Guild of Solingen, making Zwilling one of the earliest examples of a trademarked company. In 1771, Peter's son Johann Abraham Henckels (1771–1850)—the later namesake of the company—was born. The Henckels logo has been in the current shape with a red background since 1969.

J. A. Henckels opened the first trading outlet in 1818 in Berlin, opening a shop in New York City in 1883 and followed a year later by Vienna. The company exhibited its products at the 1851 Great Exhibition at the Crystal Palace in Great Britain, being awarded an international knifesmithing medal.

J. A. Henckels was awarded the Grand Prix prize in Paris in 1900 and the Grand Prix of St. Louis in 1904. It was also awarded the Prussian State Golden Medal. Henckels was also given a royal warrant of appointment as purveyors of knives to the Imperial and Royal Court of Austria-Hungary (see K.u.k. Hoflieferant (in German)).

Since 1970, Zwilling has been fully owned by Werhahn KG located in Neuss.

Brands & current state

The company operates several brands, including Zwilling J. A. Henckels, J. A. Henckels International, Miyabi (former Nippa), Staub, Demeyere, Ballarini and BSF. Through these activities, the company also operates its own retail shops both in Germany and internationally, among them about 200 sub-stores in China. Since 1970, the Werhahn Group has owned the company, with a staff of 3,200 worldwide. Profits amounted to €282 million in 2007, with 80% generated outside Germany. In 2004, Henckels acquired the Japanese knife manufacturer Nippa and the U.S. beauty specialist Tweezerman, which is operated independently from Zwilling.

Hairdressing

Since 1988, J. A. Henckels has partnered with Solingen-based professional hairdressing equipment manufacturer Jaguar, which became part of the Zwilling group in 2004 to make product for the hairdressing industry, also owning a selection of hairdressing equipment brands.

Cookware

With the 2008 acquisitions of the Belgian manufacturer Demeyere (stainless steel cookware) and the French group Staub, which produces enameled cast iron cookware, Zwilling moved to expand the cookware segment of its business.

Manufacturing process

Henckels knives are manufactured in several ways. A large selection of knives in the range is forged from a single piece of high-carbon stainless steel, which is cold-hardened to improve stain resistance. This hardening process consists of cryogenic tempering and involves immersing the finished knife blades in liquid nitrogen. This process is required to get full hardness from most stainless knife steels, as it completes the conversion of austenite to martensite. The process of forging is intended to produce improved cutting-edge retention, weight, balance, and reduced opportunity for metal fatigue. Most of Zwilling's higher-end knives are manufactured in Solingen, North Rhine-Westphalia, while others, including Henckels-branded knives, are made in Spain and China.