Quick Summary
- What it is: a budget-friendly 15-piece set from Henckels, Zwilling’s value brand.
- Includes: paring, serrated utility, two hollow-edge santokus, chef’s and bread knives, six steak knives, shears, a honing steel and a block.
- Construction: single-piece stamped stainless blades, full tang, triple-rivet handles with steel end caps.
- Care: listed as dishwasher safe, but hand washing keeps edges sharper.
- Best for: first kitchens and families who want a complete, lightweight set at a fair price.
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The Henckels Statement set is one of the most popular mid-priced knife block sets. It’s sold under the Henckels name, which Zwilling J.A. Henckels uses for its value lines, as opposed to its premium Zwilling-branded knives.
You can see the set on the official Zwilling/Henckels store, which also sells a white-handled version.
Our previous version of this page repeated marketing phrases and contradicted itself, calling the knives both stamped and forged-style and describing stainless steel handles. We’ve rewritten it using retailer specifications.
What’s in the Set
| Piece | Size (approximate) |
|---|---|
| Paring knife | 3–3.5 in |
| Serrated utility knife | 5 in |
| Hollow-edge santoku | 5–5.5 in |
| Hollow-edge santoku | 7 in |
| Chef’s knife | 8 in |
| Bread knife | 8 in |
| Steak knives (6) | About 4.5–4.75 in |
| Kitchen shears | — |
| Honing steel | — |
| Hardwood block | — |
Contents are taken from the Kohl’s listing and the PC Richard listing, which differ slightly on paring and small santoku lengths. Check the box of the version you buy.
Construction
Stamped Blades
Statement knives are stamped from sheet stainless steel rather than forged. That makes them lighter and keeps the price down, while a full tang runs through the handle for strength.
With no bolster, you can sharpen the full length of the edge, right to the heel. Many cooks also find light stamped knives less tiring for long prep sessions.
Handles
The handles use a traditional triple-rivet design with a stainless steel end cap. They’re synthetic, not stainless steel as our old page claimed, and come in black or white versions.
Where It’s Made
Retail listings don’t state the country of manufacture. Henckels-branded value lines are generally made outside Germany, unlike most Zwilling-branded forged knives, so check the packaging if origin matters to you.
Pros and Cons
What we like:
- Complete set with two santokus and six steak knives
- Light, comfortable stamped knives
- Full tang and riveted handles
- Limited lifetime warranty (per retailer listings)
What to consider:
- Stamped blades dull faster than premium forged knives
- Steel grade isn’t specified
- Block takes counter space
- Not made in Germany like premium Zwilling lines
The Knives You’ll Use Most
Most home cooks will reach for the 8-inch chef’s knife or the 7-inch santoku for daily prep, the paring knife for small jobs, and the bread knife for loaves and tomatoes. Together they cover nearly every task.
The 5-inch serrated utility knife is handy for sandwiches, bagels and soft fruit. The smaller santoku suits quick jobs like slicing a single onion or a few vegetables.
Having both a chef’s knife and a santoku lets you find out which style you prefer. Chef’s knives suit rocking cuts, while santokus suit push cuts and chopping.
The Steak Knives
The six steak knives have stainless steel end caps to match the kitchen knives. Check the edge on your set: plain-edged steak knives give cleaner cuts and can be sharpened normally, while serrated ones stay working longer but need a tapered rod to sharpen.
Wash them by hand after meals rather than leaving them in a sink or dishwasher with other cutlery, which dulls edges quickly.
Is It Good Value?
For the price of one premium forged chef’s knife, the Statement set gives you a full block of knives, shears and a honing steel. That’s strong value for a first kitchen.
The trade-off is edge retention and feel. Stamped knives are lighter and need sharpening more often, but they’re easy to sharpen and very usable day to day.
If you later want to upgrade, keep the steak knives, bread knife and shears from this set and add a better chef’s knife. That’s a cost-effective way to improve the knife you use most.
Who Is It For?
The Statement set suits first apartments, families and anyone who wants every common knife in one purchase at a moderate price. It’s also a practical gift for weddings and housewarmings.
Cooks with smaller hands often appreciate the light weight and the inclusion of two santokus.
If you cook a lot and want knives that hold an edge longer, a forged set or one premium chef’s knife plus a few basics may serve you better. Our guide to the best kitchen knife sets compares alternatives.
Statement vs Other Henckels and Zwilling Lines
| Line | Brand tier | Construction |
|---|---|---|
| Statement | Henckels (value) | Stamped, triple-rivet |
| Four Star | Zwilling (premium) | Forged, molded handle |
| Pro S | Zwilling (premium) | Forged, full bolster |
For a full explanation of the Zwilling and Henckels tiers, read Wüsthof vs Henckels, and for other Henckels sets see our Henckels knife set reviews.
Individual Statement Knives
If you only need a few pieces, Statement knives are sold individually too, such as the Statement 3-inch paring knife and the Statement 8-inch bread knife.
Sharpening the Statement Knives
Because the blades are stamped stainless steel with no bolster, they’re straightforward to sharpen. Use a medium whetstone or a quality manual sharpener at about 15 degrees per side, then refine on a finer grit.
The serrated utility and bread knives need a tapered rod instead. Sharpen only the beveled side, one scallop at a time, and remove the burr from the flat side.
Many home cooks find that a few minutes on the honing steel before cooking, plus a proper sharpening two or three times a year, keeps the whole set performing well.
Care Tips
- Hand wash and dry, even though listings say dishwasher safe.
- Hone before use with the included steel, a few light strokes per side.
- Sharpen every few months at about 15 degrees per side.
- Dry the block and never put wet knives into the slots.
- Use wood or plastic boards to protect the edges.
Using the Honing Steel
Hold the steel upright on a damp towel and draw each knife down it, heel to tip, at about 15 degrees. Three to five light strokes per side is enough.
Honing doesn’t replace sharpening; it straightens the edge between sharpenings. Don’t use the steel on the serrated utility, bread or steak knives.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are Henckels Statement knives forged or stamped?
Stamped, with a full tang and triple-rivet handles.
Are Henckels Statement knives dishwasher safe?
Retailers list them as dishwasher safe, but hand washing is recommended.
Is Henckels Statement made in Germany?
Retail listings don’t say; Henckels value lines are generally made outside Germany.
What’s the difference between Henckels and Zwilling?
Same company; Zwilling is the premium brand and Henckels the value brand.
Does the set include a sharpener?
It includes a honing steel, which realigns edges but doesn’t sharpen dull knives.
