Victorinox is a company that is perhaps best known for creating Swiss Army knives. But did you know that they also manufacture high quality kitchen knives? As a matter of fact, the company’s founder Karl Elsener had been making fine kitchen knives for thirteen years before the creation of the Swiss Army Knife.
Victorinox Cutlery has long been a favorite of professionals in North America. They are comparable with other high end brands, but they are often less expensive. Like all high quality knives should be, they are made from high-carbon stainless steel. Victorinox has its own special process for edge honing so that the blade remains as sharp as possible for a long time.
The blades have a full tang, meaning that they extend all the way through the handle. This makes for a very strong knife that is more sturdy than those that are simply joined at the bolster. There are a variety of handle types, like Rosewood, and their patented Fibrox Handles, which include a textured surface for better grip.
As opposed to some other brands, most Victorinox Cutlery products are stamped, which makes for a less expensive knife. Instead of being heat forged, they are cut from cold-rolled sheets of steel. These types of blades are lighter, meaning your hand won’t tire as quickly. They do offer a line of forged knives, however, but be prepared to spend more for this type of set than the stamped ones.
You can buy these knives separately or in sets. Block sets are often more economical, giving you more for the money you spend. A popular set from this company is the 8-Piece Block Set, which includes a parer, boning knife, chef’s knife, bread knife, a sliver, a honing steel, kitchen shears, and an oak storage block.
As with all high quality knives, proper care is key to their longevity. Always hand wash your knives and dry them completely before storing them away. Take care to store them in a safe place, such as a knife block, magnetic strip, or case. Simply keeping them in a drawer will dull the blade as well as promote chipping and pitting.
Those who love to cook, but don’t want to break the bank buying professional knives, will greatly benefit from the use of Victorinox Cutlery. They still feature all the qualities that more expensive brands do. The economical cook will love this brand.