It is one of the largest and oldest manufacturers of kitchen knives for domestic and professional use, having been founded in June 1731 by Peter Henckels.

[1][2] The logo was registered with the Cutlers' Guild of Solingen, making Zwilling one of the earliest examples of a trademarked company.

In 2004, Henckels acquired the Japanese knife manufacturer Nippa and the U.S. beauty specialist Tweezerman, which is operated independently from Zwilling.

In 2011 Zwilling partnered with Master Bladesmith and designer Bob Kramer to launch a series of co-branded knives, starting with a carbon steel line.

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.

[27] 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.

[29][30] In 1909 Henckels set up its first subsidiary in the U.S.,[31] followed by Canada, the Netherlands, Denmark, Switzerland, Japan, Italy, France, Spain, China.