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Foodie Friday: Hammer Stahl knives

A bit earlier this year, I wrote about a braised brisket recipe that I love. As part of that, I suggested you need a good knife in the kitchen. I’m not alone in this. Type “How do I choose a good knife” in Google and you’ll receive damn near one million results. I know that’s not a good metric, but folks want this information.

For a good article on the topic, go here, or here, or here.

My favorite knife, as I mentioned in that earlier post, is made by Hammer Stahl. Their website, however, doesn’t match the level of craftsmanship in their knives. In fact, it sucks.

I think the best description of their site is found in something Gertrude Stein once wrote, “There is no there there.”

I’d tell you to go get one of their knives today, but that’s obviously easier said than done.

Pity. A great knife needs a better way for people to get it.

Tags: braised brisket, cooking, Hammer Stahl knives, knives
This entry was posted Friday, 5 February, 2010 at 11:49 pm
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About Patrick West

I am DFWdaddy, and TheKiddo's dad. Everything else is extraneous.

31 Responses to “Foodie Friday: Hammer Stahl knives”

Sorry about the web site it is currantly under construction. It will be finished in a couple of weeks.

Phillip McMahon on February 25th, 2010 at 4:11 am

Wonderful news! I’m a huge fan of the knives. Will link to it again when it’s up and running.

Patrick West on February 25th, 2010 at 4:16 pm

Can someone please explain the difference between Hammer Stahl and Gunter Wilhelm Cutlery? I have an odd assortment of both brands and can see no difference except for the name branding on the knife itself.

klaus on April 5th, 2010 at 2:42 am

I’m not sure what the difference is. I spent some time trying to discover it, but haven’t had any success. The knives do look remarkably similar. I’ve not held any of the Gunter Wilhelm knives, though I feel pretty certain it would have the same heft to it.

I’d direct you to the Hammer Stahl site, but it’s “under construction” once again.

Patrick West on April 6th, 2010 at 2:41 pm

I asked the same question, but after I attended one of the major professional shows in the industry I got the answer. There is a clear and big difference between Hammer Stahl and Gunter Wilhelm. GW is the creator of the original knife made of superior 440C steel, and 59-60 hardness. HS (the “creator” of HS was working for GW) “took” the idea and copy the design using cheaper steel. At the beginning the feel is similar but after some time you will feel the difference in the performance. Moreover, once you buy the HS knife, try to replace it (HS claims to have “Life Time Guarantee”), but first you need to find where to call. Their website (if available) has neither address nor telephone to contact to complain/replace/refund. If you buy from GW, you have all the contact information available 365/24/7. Last but not least, you can find HS knives on other online sites (like eBay, Shopping etc.) for only $14.24 !!! What kind of knife will be $149 on the official website and only $14.24 elsewhere??? Something is wrong with HS and you will pay for it!!

Dave Lee on May 8th, 2010 at 5:04 am

Hello,The theme of your blog is very fit to me, I hope more exchanges with you this Subject.

Mathilde Greenwade on June 3rd, 2010 at 1:52 pm

You did a good job.

Lakeesha Arone on June 4th, 2010 at 11:27 am

you have a good sense of humour.

Birch on June 4th, 2010 at 11:30 am

Thank you for another great article. Where else could anyone get that kind of information in such a perfect way of writing? I have a presentation next week, and I am on the look for such information.

usaonlinecasinos2.blogspot.com on June 4th, 2010 at 7:57 pm

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why don't you love me - beyonce on June 4th, 2010 at 8:22 pm

I love my HammerStahl knive .they got the best costumer service .

Brandon James on June 5th, 2010 at 5:28 am

Do not buy from Hammer Stahl. Its true what that other person said about Hammer Stahl stealing the Gunter Wilheim design. Gunter Wilheim owns the patent to that design and when he tried to sure for copyright infringement, Hammer Stahl changed the design and put a squiggle in the handle.
The HS knives are made in China too, at the same place that USED to make the Gunter Wilheim.
I wish i had done my research before being suckered into buying the HS knives.
Buyer beware!!! Do not but from them!!!

Tiffany on July 7th, 2010 at 3:58 am

I don’t care were they are made .I have the opportunity to have GW and HS in the restaurant show and I love HS over GW and all the chef I talk to they don’t like GW .

beronica on July 10th, 2010 at 9:50 pm

great knives – i know them from a hunting friend.

Betonstahl.net on September 13th, 2010 at 7:58 pm

What Dave Lee wrote in his comparison of GW versus HammerStahl is misrepresented. Gunter Wilhelm is a made up name by a guy who is not a chef who found a way to market his knives MADE IN CHINA by using a German sounding name. Ask any German person, Gunter Wilhelm is like having a name Smith Jones ( two last names ). Secondly, GW handles are made from Synthetic wood= plastic. The handles flake off and separate from the plastic coating. As for someone owning a “Patent” on a knife…that is like saying someone owns a patent on a plate, or a glass or a cup. A knife is a knife. The difference is in quality. Try balancing a GW knife on one finger, it doesb’t work. Hammer Stahl, on the other hand, is a professionally backed company with a culinary headquarters in Tennessee which handles all the shipping, receiving, replacement and warranties and customer service. I have never seen a GW warranty card or product brochure, as I HAVE seen with Hammer Stahl. The reason HS can compete with Wusthoff and the better quality of Henckels is that they sell direct at Home Shows, Bridal shows, and to Culinary Arts Professionals and restaurants, NOT TO LARGE RETAIL establishments at this time like Macy’s, which would send the cost through the roof. Hammerstahl is made from HAND forged 440C high carbon German Steel from Solingen, Germany,with a Rockwell hardness of 58. The handles are authentic Pakka Wood, not Rosewood, which is too soft and contributes to deforestation. Which means you don’t put them in the dishwasher. Even Wusthof, another great company of quality GERMAN knives does not say on their website that they are HAND forged- in fact their production video shows the process to be nearly 95 % Robotics. Beware of Henckels, as they have in recent years compromised their quality in order to compete with the American Market, and not all of their knives are still made in Germany as before. Just because a knife company is smaller than the Giants does not mean it is less effective. Hammer Stahl does not advertise in the traditional ways, but makes their presence at Trade shows, Gourmet shops, and Home Show exhibits. They have an excellent replacement policy which is usually handled personally by a representative local to your region.

Chef Paul on October 13th, 2010 at 1:50 pm

I’ve used the complete set of the top of the line Zwilling J.A. Henckles knives for over 20 years. I thught they were good tools.

I recently bought several of the Hammer Stahl knives, and I can tell you….there is no comparison between these two products.

The Hammer Stahl product is perfectly balanced and for long-term daily use, your wrists and tendons will know the difference the first few hours of continuous use. I feel like I’ve gone from plastic knives, with no real balance; to a super secret black-ops tool designed for someone who actually uses knives everyday to take care of business.

You can probably get a knife comparable to the Hammer Stahl, but you won’t get one anywhere near the quality, for anywhere near the price.

Given their overall design, balance and looks…I think they should have called them “Excalibur’s”

Terry on October 21st, 2010 at 6:54 am

Visited the Miami Beach Food and Beverage show at the convention center there recently, which was only to the Trade. Hammer Stahl as usual was there, as they are at all the top shows around the country.The company is definitely growing in popularity,and judging by the number of chefs trying out and ordering the knives, Hammer Stahl is the quality of knife a degreed Chef will appreciate. I met the owner of the company at the show, and he is available 24/7 by phone as well as back up service through the fulfillment and distribution center. As far as I know, GW does NOT have their owner attending the shows, but hires young kids to man his booths at county fairs. Smacks a bit of Cutco..the USA company that is the cheaply made but overpriced product found in most little old ladies kitchens over the age of 65. GW has no professional company support behind them, they are a one man show trying their best to emulate the success of Hammer Stahl. GW has pots and pans like all those guys bring out at the home shows, but HAmmer Stahl concentrates on just the knives, and from everything I have seen, they exceed expectation. No company pays what Hammer Stahl pays at these convention center shows for this exhibit space if they didn’t already have a loyal following. Think about it.

Chef Paul on October 28th, 2010 at 6:19 pm

Thats what i was looking for a long time. I have to make a presentation at a congress in germany and this informations was what i need. Thx a lot.

Betonstahl Net on January 16th, 2011 at 11:57 am

I just purchased a complete set of Hammer Stahl knives at the ZestFest at the Irving Convention Center Sat. Jan. 29th. If you want to get a good deal on them , this is your chance. The ZestFest ends Sun.Jan. 30th at 5pm……These are awesome knives!

wayne on January 30th, 2011 at 2:25 am

You certainly deserve a round of applause for your post and more specifically, your blog in general. Very high quality material

car auction dallas on March 1st, 2011 at 3:02 pm

This is my opinion of hammer stahl, there not very good knives. I do own several HS knives from before they changed there design. I also own GW knives as well. At a glance i couldn’t see a difference between the two companies. So i did some research and dave lee is right. The creator of HS worked with GW before he started HS. And when they split he copied GWs design. Eventually HS was sued and had to change there design.

My HS knives i kept having problems with the edge. After a couple of uses they would dull and i had a hard time to get the edge back. I do use a good cutting board too. Bamboo i found to be the best for knives. Better on the edge of the knife and naturally antibacterial. My GW knives have a great long lasting edge. Easy maintenance.

Another thing is the wood in the handle of both knives are the SAME! Pakkawood is hardwood veneer impregnated with phenolic resin, making it resistant to water. Which is why its called synthetic pakkawood. Its not plastic. Lots of companies use this wood.

Also GW has a trusted warranty. I have damaged my GW chef knife(on accident. I swear!) and i got it replaced. It was super easy and they have great customer service! I didn’t even have to send my old knife back, and i got my new knife in just a few days for free. I even got to talk to the owner. Well my hubby did, but it was on speaker phone.

I did buy my GWs at the fair. I later found out they sell at costco as well for a better price, but there worth every penny i bought them for. And kids did not sell them to me. The men at the booth were a good 10 years or so older then me (im in my late 20′s) and they were very well educated about how knives are made. Him and my husband had a blast talking about knives. My hubby loves knives. Must be a man thing lol.

Overall iv had lots of good experience with GW. Great knives and great products. I do plan on buying there cookware soon too. My sister bought some about a year ago and she loves them. Great Company!

Elizabeth on May 16th, 2011 at 5:37 am

I just returned from Costco in Roseville, CA, where I had an interesting conversation with Gunther Wilhelm Salesman, Dave M From New Jersey. He is clearly misinformed about his product and Hammer Stahl’s's product, all he did was make comparisons of the two which were totally unfounded. From my experience when a salesman has to misrepresent their product and badmouth their competitions product, they are certainly hiding something. He is a pleasant young man, but clearly out of his depth when it comes to the subject of fine cutlery. I had purchased GW cutlery online, and HS cutlery at the Food and Wine festival in South Beach a month or so ago. My overall professional opinion…HS is a far superior product when you compare side by side. The GW knife will appear to the untrained eye to be quality cutlery, which it is, but compared to HS the differences are stark! First of all the handle, being a chef of 20yrs, I like a handle that is larger and a blade that is thicker… a knife that does all the work. The bolster (where the blade meets the handle) of GW was hard and obtrusive, where the HS was smooth and fit my hand comfortably. OMG BALANCE, the HS balance was near perfect, where the GW was falling from my hand. When using the two side by side, I found the HS to have an overall better feel, and to hold an edge longer. The salesman did have a HS knife at his display, and upon close observation, clearly was not the HS cutlery that I had purchased. As for customer service, HS did replace my 8″ chef, when I had accidentally dropped it on my tile and the tip broke off, but I did have to mail it to them. GW according to the salesman will replace the knife and not ask for the damaged one…HMMM, that sounds a little suspect, how can they afford to do this? How can GW afford to sell their cutlery at Costco for $35 for all pieces. On a final note, I did call my HS representative, who I met in Florida, who also happens to the owner, to voice my concerns… he had nothing bad to say about GW, but he was very upset when I told him how he and his company were personally attacked by salesman, Dave M,(WATCH WHAT YOU SAY DAVE).

Chef Rosario on May 20th, 2011 at 3:53 am

Elizabeth,
Are you the owners wife…You sound like an employee… Compare the NEW HS and GW and you will see the difference! Hammer Stahl has a much better feel, better balance, and, it is my understanding that HS is distributed from a company that has been in business here in the US since the 1870′s. THEY ARE NOT THE SAME!

Chef J

Chef Joey on May 20th, 2011 at 11:37 pm

FYI, You did not meet Dave M in roseville. Hammer Stahl just had to redesign their product due to patten. The representive can not tell you this. Knives are different to every person. If your happy with Hammer Stalh I’m happy for you. I have both types also and found the metal in the older HM knife is very brittle. Yes the sales man in costco is correct GW does not require the damaged knives to be returned. Chef J HS has not been in business that long.Some how you have been misinformed.

melisa on May 23rd, 2011 at 9:00 pm

FYI Mellisa! I did meet Dave in Costco, and can describe exactly what he looks like if you would like! He gave me his card, and out of respect for him, did not mention his last name. Secondly, I didn’t say HS was in business that long only was stating that the company that does HS distributions has been. Clearly you misunderstood what I wrote.

Chef J on May 26th, 2011 at 9:04 pm

Wait a minute Chef J, or Chef Rosario? Do you have 2 identity’s? Cause i was talking to Rosario or so i thought. lol And please describe the guy at the costco cause the only guy that worked that show is in his early 20′s and Dave is not. The guy was handing out the company card that has Dave’s name on it. And the reason I know that is cause the girl working there also gave me the same card with Dave’s name on it. The guy was wearing a name badge ya know.
I do apologize for misunderstanding what you wrote. You could be right. I did research that the company has only been around for a few years. That is what i thought you meant.

Melisa on May 31st, 2011 at 11:51 pm

interesting chat. It seems that some is not really or true. The facts are still very simple and easy to check:
1. GW is the original design. HS worked for GW before having is “great idea” and same carbon copy design which he had to modify after losing in court.
2. You can trademark the design. Check the GW package and you’ll see the USA number of the Trademark 3,668,237
3. If you check the label of GW for the made in info you will find out that it says
“Crafted from 440C steel
made in Germany, finishing
and packaging in China”
It is the same like their claims on the website.
4. You can’t have wood handle. The “Chef” who wrote it has no idea what he is talking about. You can’t import wood handle to the USA. Simple. Both GW & HS are using pakkawood. Sounds like wood ,, but it is not – FYI “Chef”
5. I bought a few knives (again) and this time I got it at Costco and not in the restaurant show. It was less expensive and the lady handed me the card of ,,, DAVID. Well. She was very knowledgeable, but didn’t look at all like David. It seems that GW have many teams all over the USA selling this great product.
6. The customer service of GW is awesome.
7. I had the pleasure to meet once the owner of HS at a trade show. He was bad mounting GW ,, showing me GW’s house, saying the product is made in china and that GW “stole” from him the design. When I asked him a few questions back,, he wasn’t able to answer me. He is a low level life that stole from his employer and can’t make a sale without trashing other competitors (yes ,, he also trash other very high quality companies).
8. HS claim that they are 100% made-in-Germany. The owner of SH couldn’t show any made-in-label or any prof that his knife even show Germany. GW have a certificate of the German steel they are using.

Many of my professional friends are using the GW knives for many years (I got mine after it was recommended to me 6 years ago ,, HS wasn’t even created at that time, ask the owner of HS)and all are super happy with it.

FYI – GW started doing cookware about a year ago and I am proud to have one for ~6 months already. It is an amazing cookware (some great features are patented,, and yes you can do that with cookware) and any professional chef or person that cooks at home would enjoy them. The company that promotes HS today is a marketing company and they also have cookware, but ,, sorry ,, GW wins again.

Dave Lee on September 7th, 2011 at 3:01 pm

I have also purchased HS knives at the trade show in Miami a few years ago. I have lost the contact information. Does anyone still have the fellows name and number? Thanks
larry

larry on October 23rd, 2011 at 12:06 am

Larry, I just ran across this site and noticed you needed the contact info for our distributor in the South Florida area. Please email us at info@hammerstahl.com or call us 866-394-3136 and we will certainly help you with the Distributor’s contact info. Thank you for your interest and business

Bobby on November 3rd, 2011 at 2:35 pm

Thanks Bobby.

larry on November 6th, 2011 at 10:46 am

For XMAS I was looking to buy some gifts to family and friends. I was happy to find GW doing a road show in my area and bought a few knives. While I was shopping I saw a new brochure at the booth which included a recommendation written by the White House’s Chef (including name and picture). Guess this is the best quote you can get ,,, money can’t buy it. It is the ultimate statement recognizing the high qulaity of the GW knives. Later I visited the GW website and saw the same quote alone with other top tier chefs who know GW’s knives and quality and are willing to put their name and reputation on the line.
Great job GW. You are my No.1 knife vendor.

Dave Lee on December 19th, 2011 at 6:14 am