Production

From blank to knife

Precision engineering at every production stage is of decisive importance for the quality of the product. By the time a Zwilling J.A. Henckels´ chef´s knife is finished, it will have passed through approx. 40 different stages.

The most important steps are explained below.

1. Production of blanks

The production of blanks comprises all the operations leading up to heat treatment. ZWILLING J.A. HENCKELS uses high-grade, rolled stainless steel. The most important process stages are:

Stamping: An eccentric press stamps the appropriate components out of the rolled steel.
Production of sintered bolsters: Powdered metal is compressed under high pressure to form the shaped components,which are then sintered in a vacuum at 1300 °C.
Plasma welding: Secures the tang to the bolster.
Flash butt welding: Secures the blade to the bolster.

Production of blanks includes hardening

The hardening process is an important operation in the production of cutlery since it is crucial for the final quality of the steel. The correct hardening temperature and the duration of the treatment are subject to narrow limits and must be precisely maintained. The cutting abilities and corrosion resistance of the blade depend entirely on the right heat treatment.