In this video, I highlight the best kitchen knife
brands that are NOT made in China. You’ll learn where they’re made and why
they’re worth buying. Let’s get started. Wusthof is a German company that has been
family owned since it was founded in 1814. They manufacture their knives in Solingen,
Germany which is known as the “City of Blades” due to the rich knife-making legacy of the
area. Their knives are the epitome of German engineering — they’re expertly-designed,
precisely-crafted, and built to last. Most collections are made of forged German stainless
steel tempered to 58 on the Rockwell scale, which means they’re durable and won’t chip easily.
The full-tang, which is the part of the blade that extends through the butt end of the handle, adds
heft and balance to these sturdy knives.Wusthof offers several knife collections with unique
designs. Some have black synthetic handles, while others are made of natural wood. The two
most popular collections are the Classic and Ikon. If you’re looking for German-style knives
with thick forged blades and comfortable handles, you can’t go wrong with Wusthof. Zwilling
also makes knives in the famed City of Blades, Solingen, Germany. The company has been around
since 1731, making it one of the oldest businesses in the world still operating. Zwilling blades
undergo an ice-hardened process called FRIODUR. This method of cooling the hot metal in sub-zero
temperatures after forging ensures a sharper, more corrosion-resistant blade with better
edge retention. Zwilling offers over a dozen collections but the most popular, and the
two that I recommend, are Pro and Professional “S.” Both have a classic Western-style with a
high-carbon steel blade, curved edge for rocking, and a contoured, triple-riveted black handle. The
main difference between Pro and Professional S is that Professional S knives have a full bolster
that runs from the spine to the edge. The full bolster adds weight and balance to the middle
of the knife but it doesn’t allow you to sharpen the entire edge because the heel is too thick. If
you’re looking for hefty, durable knives that are made in Germany and will last forever, Zwilling
is a great option. Bernd Dressler and his wife Debra founded Messermeister in 1981. The company
started as a distributor and was originally named Dressler American Marketing Company. In 1985, they
rebranded it as Messermeister, which means knife master in German. Today, Debra and her daughters
are at the helm, making it not only a family-owned but a women-owned business as well. Messermeister
is an American company based in California but makes its knives in Solingen, Germany. While many
brands have moved on to more automated systems, Messermeister blades are still made by hand, using
a hot-drop hammer-forged process. As you can see, Messermeister blades are incredibly thick. They
are much wider than Wusthof Classic blades. The added thickness makes the knives heavier and
more sturdy but also a bit less nimble. Like Wusthof and Zwilling, Messermeister knives are
sharp, balanced, durable and feature the classic German design with black, riveted handles.
If you want to support a women-owned business that’s been making quality German-style knives
for several decades, check out Messermiester. Shun is an award-winning cutlery
brand owned by the KAI Group, a blade manufacturer that’s been in business
since 1908. Every Shun knife is handcrafted in Seki City, Japan, a region that’s become
home to the top Japanese blade makers for over 800 years. The two things that make Shun knives special are blade materials
and design. Shun uses a variety of highly-refined “super steels” to manufacture each blade. These
high-carbon steels provide Shun knives with superior sharpness, edge retention, and stain
resistance. The handcrafted blades feature distinct Damascus and hammered patterns that not
only look great but create pockets of air that help food slide off the blade. If you prefer a
simply-designed Western-style workhorse knife, stick with Wusthof and Zwilling. But, if you want
lighter, more nimble Japanese-style knives that are made in Seki City, Japan, Shun is one of the
best brands on the market. MAC may not have the brand recognition of Shun, Wusthof, or Zwilling,
but the company has been around since 1964 and has sold over 25 million knives. Since the beginning
MAC knives have been handcrafted in Seki City, Japan. MAC blades are made of a high-carbon alloy.
It doesn’t contain as much chromium as stainless steel, so the blade is more prone to rust and
stain. But with less chromium the knives will stay sharper for much longer and perform better
than typical knives. By using this type of steel MAC is making a conscious choice to prioritize
performance over appearance. The MAC MTH-80 chef’s knife has gotten high praise from publications
like Good Housekeeping and Food & Wine Magazine and was recently named the best chef’s knife by
The New York Times Wirecutter. I recently put it to the test and it’s lightweight, balanced,
incredibly sharp, and retains its edge longer than almost any brand I’ve reviewed. Global was
founded in 1985, by Mino Tsuchida and industrial designer Komin Yamada. These knives are made on
the west coast of Japan and have a distinct look that instantly stands out. Rather than having a
synthetic or wood handle bolted to the blade with steel rivets like most kitchen knives, Global
knives are stainless steel from the tip of the blade to butt end of the handle. Although Global
knives appear to be one singular piece of steel, they’re actually made with three parts. The handle
is two pieces welded together. The blade is then cut from a sheet and welded to the handle. Sand
is added to the hollow handle to add some heft and make the knives more balanced. The pattern of
recessed dots or dimples on the grip of the handle is an iconic feature of the brand. The black
dots not only improve the grip but provide a nice contrast against the steel handle. Some people
love this look of Global knives, while others prefer something more traditional. But, one thing
is for sure, they stand out and are memorable. Made In partners with a family-owned French knife
factory in Thiers, France — a region that’s become known as the Capital of Cutlery because companies
in this commune have been producing fully forged knives for over 700 years. Today, Thiers is home
to about 100 knife makers, a cutlery museum, and has road names that translate in English
to Cutlery Street and Factories Street. The point is — it’s a place that’s full of cutlery
expertise, talent, and tradition. Its economy relies on knife making, and, because of that, they
do it very well. Made In forged its blades using the same German steel as Wusthof and Zwilling.
Each blade does through a nitrogen hardening treatment that increases hardness, durability,
and improves edge retention. I’ve thoroughly reviewed Made In knives, and they perform just as
good, if not better, than brands like Wusthof and Zwilling. However, Made In knives cost less since
they sell exclusively online and avoid retail markups. In addition to kitchen knives, Made In
manufactures cookware, bakeware, serving ware, and kitchen accessories. K Sabatier is another
highly rated French brand, but I have not tested their knives yet. If you’ve used them, let me
know what you think of them in the comments. Cutco was founded in 1949 in New York and is
the largest kitchen cutlery manufacturer in North America. While other companies
have moved manufacturing overseas, Cutco has produced knives from its factory
in Olean, New York, for over 70 years. I’ve thoroughly reviewed Cutco knives, and
they’re well-built and ultra-sharp. One of the most unique features is their Wedge-Lock
handles. Instead of a smooth surface, the handles contour in and out, creating
an ideal shape for gripping. Unlike most kitchen knife brands which offer a 30-day return
policy and a limited lifetime warranty on defects, Cutco is committed to customer satisfaction.
Each knife comes with Cutco’s Forever Guarantee, which states, “If at any time you are not
satisfied with the performance of your product, we will correct the problem or replace the
product.” They also provide a free sharpening service for life (you just have to pay a small
shipping fee). You can’t find Cutco knives in retail stores. You can buy them online or schedule
an in-home demonstration with a sales rep of Vector Marketing, the main distributor of Cutco
knives. Kramer Knives are made in Bellingham, Washington by the skilled hands of Bob Kramer.
Kramer is one of the few Master Bladesmiths in the US — only 120 other people hold that title. Each
knife is hand crafted by Bob Kramer himself, and they are truly a work of art. There are two ways
to get your hands on one of these masterpieces. The first is to buy them through an auction on
Kramer’s website. They start at $250 with bid increments of $250. The second option is to shop
the very limited selection of knives available at a fixed cost on KramerKnives.com. For most people, these knives are
way too expensive and not practical. But if you can afford it and want to experience the work
of one of the few master bladesmiths in the US, sign up for the email list and place a bid at the
next auction. In addition to hand making knives in his shop in Washington, Kramer licensed
several of his designs to Zwilling and you can buy those for a fixed price on Zwilling.com
or Amazon. With these collections, you get to experience a Kramer knife for a much lower price.
However, they’re made in Zwilling’s factories in Japan. Lamson is one of the oldest cutlery
manufacturers in the US. Silas Lamson and Abel Goodnow started making knives in Shelburne Falls,
Massachusetts, in 1837. The company was initially named Lamson & Goodnow. Today, the knives are
manufactured in Westfield, Massachusetts. The blades are made from either high-carbon
stainless steel from Solingen, Germany, or Lamson’s proprietary alloy. They feature
beautifully crafted wood or acrylic handles. Victorinox was founded in 1884 in Switzerland
and is best-known known for creating the iconic Swiss Army Knife. Today, this family-owned company
produces several knife collections,watches, travel gear, and fragrances. Fibrox is one of their most
popular collections. These knives are designed with input from professional chefs and made in
Victonriox’s factory in Switzerland. Each knife has a comfortable synthetic handle with a grippy
texture and a razor-sharp blade. These may not be the most elegant-looking knives, but that’s not
why you buy them. You pick this collection because it’s comfortable, safe, sharp, lightweight, and,
arguably the best part—it’s inexpensive. All of those attributes make it one of the most popular knife
collections in restaurant kitchens. If you want to know more about the brands in this video, I’ll link to my full reviews of each in the description below. I’ll also link to websites
that sell these brand. Those are affiliate links, so I'll earn a commission if you click and buy but at no extra cost
to you. If you found this video helpful, check out this video where I highlight the best cookware brands
that are not made in China. And don’t forget to click the logo to subscribe to the channel. Thanks
for watching, we’ll see you in the next video.
