Where Are ZWILLING Knives Made? Germany, Japan and Beyond

Short answer: knives sold under the ZWILLING name are mostly made in Solingen, Germany; ZWILLING’s Japanese knives (Miyabi) are made in Seki, Japan; and the cheaper HENCKELS knives (once called J.A. Henckels International) are made in Spain and in Asia. ZWILLING is one company that owns all three brands, and the country printed on the box or blade tells you which factory a knife came from.

Zwilling is an international brand that has been around for nearly 300 years, undergoing various design upgrades while staying a kitchen staple. Because its knives are sold and used worldwide, many people wonder about the manufacturing process and location. If you fall into this category, it is worth reading through this piece to find out more.

Before diving into more details, let us first look at the different brands of Zwilling knives available worldwide. Identifying the brands in the market is the simplest way to tell which knives are manufactured where. Here we go!

Brands of Zwilling Knives

Since its establishment in 1731, Zwilling has grown into a multi-national group, with brands and factories in different parts of the world. For knives, the ZWILLING and HENCKELS brands are the most prominent ones, plus Miyabi for Japanese-style knives.

The parent company is based in Solingen, Germany, but the brands have separate manufacturing sites. And of course, there are outlets and retail shops in America, Asia, and Europe where buyers can purchase them. Here is where each brand is made:

• ZWILLING (Zwilling J.A. Henckels)

ZWILLING has been the premium brand of the company since its establishment. Its classic German knife lines (such as Pro, Four Star, Professional S, TWIN Signature and Gourmet) are made in Solingen, a city in North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany, that has been famous for blades for centuries. Some newer or lower-priced ZWILLING-branded lines are made elsewhere, so check the box or the blade stamp if the country matters to you.

The twin figure in the logo is where the name comes from: “Zwilling” means “twin” in German. The story goes that Peter Henckels picked the sign because he was born under Gemini. What is documented is that he registered the twin mark with the Solingen cutlers’ guild in 1731, which is why the company counts its history from that year.

Though these knives are manufactured in Germany, they are sold worldwide. So, if you are considering getting one, be it for domestic or professional use, the manufacturing location should not be an issue. If you are deciding whether they are worth it, see my take on whether ZWILLING knives are good; my favorite ZWILLING set is in my guide to the best knife sets under $200.

• HENCKELS (formerly J.A. Henckels International)

HENCKELS is the group’s value brand. You’ll recognize it by the single-figure logo instead of the twins. HENCKELS knives are designed to ZWILLING’s specifications but made outside Germany: mainly in Spain and in Asian factories, including China. They cost less than ZWILLING knives and are mostly stamped rather than forged.

That doesn’t make them bad knives. The HENCKELS Solution set and the Statement line are light, easy to live with and good for families, as I explain in my best knife sets under $100 guide.

• Miyabi

Miyabi is ZWILLING’s Japanese knife brand. Its knives are made in Seki, Japan, a city with a long sword-making history. If you are curious about the name, I explain what Miyabi means.

Conclusion

If you are looking to buy a knife from Zwilling but are unsure about the production site and the quality, I hope this article has cleared things up. The twin-logo ZWILLING knives are made in Germany, Miyabi knives in Japan, and HENCKELS knives in Spain and Asia. Wherever they are made, all of them are built to the company’s specifications. If you are interested in comparisons, have a look at Wusthof vs Zwilling.