Zwilling J. A. Henckels is a knife manufacturer based in Solingen, Germany. It is one of the largest and oldest manufacturers of kitchen knives, scissors, cookware and flatware, having been founded in June of 1731 by Peter Henckels. The brand's namesake was Johann Abraham Henckels (1771-1850), who renamed the brand after himself under his leadership.
The company operates several brands, including Zwilling J. A. Henckels, J. A. Henckels International and BSF. Through these activities, the company also operates its own retail shops both in Germany and internationally, among them about 200 sub-stores in China.
Henckels knives are manufactured in several ways. A large selection of the knife range are forged from a single piece of high carbon stainless steel, which is cold hardened to improve stain resistance.
This hardening process consists of cryogenic tempering, and involves immersing the finished knife blades in liquid nitrogen. This process is required to get full hardness from most stainless knife steels, as it completes the conversion of austenite to martensite.
The process of forging is intended to produce improved cutting-edge retention, weight, balance, and reduced opportunity for metal fatigue. Nearly all of Zwilling's knives are manufactured in Solingen, Germany.
According to en.wikipedia
