J.A. Henckels Classic Chef Knife Review

One of the least expensive forged knives on the market.

By Timothy Hales | Updated: November 5, 2021

Materials and Construction

The J.A. Henckels International Classic Chef’s Knife is made of high-quality German carbon no-stain steel. The blade is hot-drop forged from a single piece of steel and ground in two directions to create a 15-degree edge. The hot-drop forging process adds durability to the knife. Although this knife is made in Spain, the blade still comes from Germany.

The blade has a Rockwell Hardness (HRC) of 55-58 which is common for most German steel blades. With a Rockwell of 55-58 it is easy to sharpen and hold an edge a little longer depending on the amount of use in the kitchen.

The big feature that this forged knife provides that stamped knives do not is the bolster. The bolster provides added weight to the knife so that it is comfortably balanced in your hand. The bolster also provides safety by protecting your hand from the sharp blade.

A polyoxyethylene material is used for the handle which is more durable than many other types of plastics used for knife handles..

The handle is comprised of two scales that attach to the full tang with three rivets. The edges are ground down to create a smooth and give the appearance of a single piece. This handle is very durable and easy to clean.

Design

The first thing that I noticed about the J.A. Henckels Chef’s Knife is its weight. Weighing in at 8.6 ounces, this knife has a noticeable difference from many of the stamped knives. I don’t see the weight as a negative trait but more as a positive since it is connected to many of its benefits. The full tang contributes to the weight, which is where the knife blade extends all the way through the handle. This knife also has a bolster that adds weight but provides balance and safety.

The blade of this chef’s knife is thicker at the spine measuring 0.095″ and tapers down 0.018″ just before the edge.

The thicker blade provides stability and leverage while cutting. The edge is sharpened at a 15-degree angle on each side to create an edge angle of 30 degrees.

This sharpened angle is useful for many cuts such as butchering, chopping, slicing, mincing, and dicing. The blade’s spine is not ground smooth at the edge and has a slight sharp feel to it, which did cause a little discomfort with a pinch grip. I wish that the edge would have been rounded.

The handle’s design provides an excellent grip. I especially liked how comfortable using a pinch grip was with this handle and bolster. The texture of the handle is smooth and was a little slippery while using with oily hands. The design of the handle creates the look and feel that a knife is a single unit. The way the handle is put together feels good in your hand and makes it easy to clean by keeping food particles out of any crevices.

Kitchen Usability

Each knife goes through a series of usage tests in my own kitchen over a period of several weeks. Trying a knife in an isolated test environment does not accurately represent a true home kitchen environment. I have cut a variety of meats, vegetables, and herbs.

I have found the J.A. Henckels International Chef Knife to cut very well. The blade showed little wear and maintained a sharp edge after many uses. The only minor issue I encountered was certain vegetables sticking to the blade.

Cleaning and Maintenance

The J.A. Henckels International Classic Chef’s Knife can be cleaned in the dishwasher because it has a synthetic handle. Although J.A. Henckels recommends using caution when putting your knife in the dishwasher, I recommend that all knives be hand washed to ensure their sharpness and longevity (see: Kitchen Knife Care). This includes immediately rinsing off after use and then using warm water and soap to clean it fully.

Although the blade is made of stainless steel, they are not 100% rust-proof. Rinse off fruit and vegetable juices along with other high acid foods as soon as you are finished using it. If your knife gets rust stains, you can use a non-abrasive metal cleaner to remove them.

The blade holds its sharpness pretty well, but you should regularly hone it to keep it sharp. However, if the blade no longer comes back to being sharp with honing, you can use a whetstone to apply a fresh edge to the blade.

The scales of the handle are flush with the tang to prevent juices and food particles from getting in between. The 3 rivets firmly secure the handle so there is no cracks or crevices.

Remember that your knife is an investment. If you take proper care of your knife, it will provide you many years of great use.

Company

ZWILLING J.A. Henckels has been in the business of creating high-quality knives since 1731. Their experience has allowed them to perfect steel selection, hardening processes, blade sharpening, and handle manufacturing which helps them create extremely sharp and durable blades with optimal balance and ergonomics.

Research shows that there are not any major lawsuits, class action claims, etc., against the ZWILLING J.A. Henckels company.

Reviews for the company’s products on Amazon show to be legitimate without an abundance of false reviews or removal of reviews. This applies to the J.A. Henckels Chef knife and the 93 other products on Amazon as of the publish date of this article.

Return Policy

The warranty does not cover wood products, such as knife handles, wear from normal use, or any damage resulting from use other than the intended purpose of the item. You can file a claim by sending J.A. Henckels the knife along with a description of the issue.

Warranty

The J.A. Henckels International Classic Chef’s Knife is fully guaranteed against defects in materials and/or craftsmanship. The warranty does not cover wood products, such as knife handles, wear from normal use, or any damage resulting from use other than the intended purpose of the item. You can file a claim by sending J.A. Henckels the knife along with a description of the issue.

Value

The J.A. Henckels International Classic Chef Knife has a moderate price. In my use of this knife, I find the value to be very good for the price. I find myself reaching for this knife over my other chef knives. The J.A Henckels brand has been around for a long time. Even though this knife series is one of the lower quality ones that they offer, it still is better than many chef knives prices at or below $60.

Who Should Buy the J.A. Henckels International Classic Knife?

Summary

The J.A. Henckels International Classic Chef’s Knife is an excellent forged blade option. It has a solid handle in design and construction. The added weight not only provides balance but contributes to its quality. As a result, this knife is one that will remain in my kitchen for years to come!

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Revision History

December 16, 2017 – Published.
February 21, 2021 – Updated layout.
November 5, 2021 – Updated to use Review Scoring 2.0. Added additional details for the knife blade.