I particularly like the well priced Forschner knives. Although they are not the ultimate in quality, they do present an extremely good value.
Forschner Victorinox Cutlery
Numerous people know that Forschner knives are produced by Victorinox - the creators of Swiss Army Knives. What the majority of people aren't familiar with is the origin of the "Forschner" side of the story.
The Forschner Group was very renowned in the USA in the late 1800s, when it was known as The Forschner Butcher Scale Company. Forschner began to import Victorinox blades in 1937 and coined the term "Swiss Army Knife" to better promote its products. These knives were such a huge success post-World War II that the corporation decided to cease the manufacture of butcher scales and switch its attention solely to the knives.
Victorinox bought a minority share in Forschner when Forschner began selling shares on the public markets in 1981. In 1995, they purchased a greater claim and, in 2002, finally consented to buy the remainder. Though Forschner had by then changed its name to "Swiss Army Brands, Inc.", the Forschner brand remained a well known one in the U.S.. So, when Victorinox decided to release their first kitchen cutlery set there in the mid-1990s, the Forschner brand was reinvented.
Forschner Fibrox
One of Victorinox's most favored series is the Forschner Fibrox. This has a suitably cheap cost for the thin, super sharp and super light blade, making them a top choice for chefs on a financial plan. Cook's Illustrated magazine has given this set good reviews for several years.
The Fibrox knives are forged in Solingen, Germany, home to many of the world's very famous knife makers. The knives are finally completed and put together in Ibach, Switzerland, Victorinox's base for over 100 years.
To provide a sharp edge that can keep its sharpness over time, the knives are created out of a high-carbon, molydbenum stainless steel alloy. Use of this alloy renders the knives relatively hard -- up to 55-56 on the Rockwell C hardness scale -- and sharp. Because the knives are moderately hard, they preserve their sharp edge without being prone to breakage. The materials and heat-treatment is similar in quality to that offered by Wusthohf and other high-end companies, however the end product is much less costly. Other Japanese knives, like those created by Shun, are harder, sharper, and more expensive. Each bears the distinctive "RH Forschner" stamp on the blade.
Although the Fibrox’s grip appears like plastic, it is really a synthetic fiber. The grip is comfortable and prevents sliding. It is likewise strong and resists normal wear and tear. Although it is not suggested to place sharp knives in the dishwasher, these handles would not be damaged if they went through that handling.
Knife Sets and Individual Knives
Forschner distributes their knives in a variety of unique configurations. I often recommend purchasing knives individually, because this allows you to pick and choose the appropriate knife for each purpose. Buying a top-notch Japanese Chef's knife to be the workhorse of the kitchen and additionally supplementing with cheaper Forschner Fibrox knives is a great plan for supplying your deluxe kitchen on a budget.
If you're seeking the ease of buying a complete collection of knives all at once, Forschner produces a well priced array of eight pieces that will cover all the basic uses of the average domicile. You can also acquire a larger collection.
