The History of Wüsthof Knives

Johann Abraham Wüsthof founded Shears Factory, Steel and Iron Works in 1814. Despite the name, it was not a large-scale industrialized factory, but rather a small operation that Wüsthof ran out of an underground cellar where he made scissors. Wüsthof’s sons learned the trade, too. His son Eduard expanded the business, offering 1,200 models of various handmade pocket, bread, vegetable, and butcher's knives, while his other son, Robert, handled management and even traveled to America to broker a deal to sell the family’s products there. Unfortunately for him, the agent he had been in contact with could not follow through on his promises. However, Robert eventually met another American businessman who was excited by the family’s Solingen-made knives and ordered double the quantities that Robert had brought along with him. This marked the introduction of Wüsthof knives to the United States. Back in Germany, a period of industrialization was occurring that allowed for production to expand, although it must be noted that the knives are still made with traditional artisanship in mind, even today. The company also patented its iconic trident logo around that time and over the next century, Wüsthof introduced the now-iconic Classic series and oversaw the founding of Wüsthof-Trident of America, Inc., which reintroduced Wüsthof knives to the American market. Today, Wüsthof knives are still made solely in Solingen and the company remains family-owned. Wüsthof knives, which have a reputation as kitchen workhorses, are now exported to roughly 80 countries.