Victorinox

Victorinox has been combining Swiss quality, innovation and design for more than 130 years. The portfolio includes Victorinox knives in particular. The products are characterized by exclusivity and durability and have become an integral part of professional catering today.

The history of the company dates back to 1884, when Karl Elsener founded the company in Ibach, a small town in Switzerland. Originally, the Swiss company produced officer's knives for the Swiss army. Karl Elsener's groundbreaking invention was the introduction of the so-called "Original Swiss Army Knife" in 1891. This pocket knife set new standards in terms of practicality and functionality. It combined various tools such as screwdrivers, can openers and blades and quickly became an indispensable multi-tool - not only for soldiers, but also for civilian use.

The tradition of outstanding craftsmanship and the use of high-quality materials still characterize the company today. In the decades that followed its foundation, Victorinox diversified its product portfolio, focusing on kitchen knives and professional catering equipment.

Victorinox knives are Swiss Made. All products are considered Swiss Made if at least 60% of their manufacturing costs are incurred in Switzerland. The knives and tools manufactured by Victorinox are produced entirely in Ibach-Schwyz and Delémont. They are therefore "Swiss Made" and marked accordingly on the blade or packaging.

The steel scraps that accumulate during production are not simply disposed of. At Victorinox, they are simply turned into new knives. All steel scraps are collected - even the grinding sludge is filtered and recycled. It gets quite hot during the various sharpening processes, so water is used for cooling. The stored heat is extracted again and used to heat the company buildings at the headquarters and 120 apartments. The wood for the pocket knives with wooden scales used to come from Africa. Although this was FSC-certified, the company preferred to use local sources. The search for the right material was long - but now the company uses local walnut wood.

Knives made for professional kitchens must meet special requirements. Despite daily use, the blade must have long-term edge retention. This property depends crucially on a balanced carbon content in the material, optimum heat treatment and the right knife grind. In the past, swords and knives were worked over a coal fire to achieve these properties. However, a higher steel hardness also leads to an increased susceptibility to rust, especially in kitchen knives, which often end up in the dishwasher, and pocket knives, which are often only wiped superficially.

To ensure long-lasting cutting resistance, the blades of Victorinox knives are made of a special chrome steel with a molybdenum content, an important alloying element to increase corrosion resistance and achieve the desired hardness.

Restaurateurs will find the entire range of high-quality knives from the Swiss manufacturer in the Banholzer online store. Here you will find a compact overview of the most important products:

In addition to these and many other types of knives, Victorinox also produces other kitchen accessories. The range also includes Victorinox peelers, potato drills, spatulas, household scissors, carving forks and lemon scrapers. There are even Victorinox scissors in the range.

You usually need more than one knife in your kitchen. It is therefore worth buying a whole knife case rather than individual knives. Victorinox offers different variants here. In the Banholzer Shop, for example, you can get a Victorinox case with 14 pieces. It contains the most important types of knives as well as a sharpening steel with which you can sharpen the knives. Another advantage of the knife cases: your kitchen tools can be stored safely in them. You can also take the case with you if you are organizing a catering event, for example.

An alternative to the case is the Victorinox knife block made of high-quality real wood. This block is equipped with 11 knives, which are safely stowed away but always ready to hand.

Buying a Victorinox knife is a purchase that will pay off in your professional kitchen for many years or even decades. It is therefore all the more important that you take good care of your knives and store them correctly. An easy maintenance tip: Rinse the knife under clean water immediately after use. The stainless steel handles have been polished so well that food residue cannot stick to them easily. However, acidic food that sticks to the blade over a longer period of time can damage it.

All Victorinox knives with a plastic handle are designed so that they can be put in the dishwasher. However, make sure that you do not use too harsh and aggressive cleaning agents. Also, do not leave the knives in the dishwasher for too long after they have finished washing. The hot steam and condensation can leave stains on the blade. Dry the knives with a soft cotton cloth to avoid scratching the blade.

If you have a knife with a wooden handle, it requires special care. It must never be washed in the dishwasher and should be rubbed regularly with an oil. Linseed or rapeseed oil is best suited for this.

You should resharpen your high-quality knives regularly. The best way to do this is with a special honing steel or sharpening steel which, unlike a whetstone, does not remove any material but straightens the burr on the blade. When the knife is used regularly, the thin ridge of the cutting edge becomes slightly bent or curved. The honing steel corrects this by straightening the burr back into the correct position.