Forschner blades are some of my favorite, inexpensive blades. These knives are not the absolute best blades around, but the utility they provide is almost unbeatable.
Forschner Victorinox Cutlery
It is common knowledge that Forschner blades are manufactured by Victorinox - the firm that also makes Swiss Army Knives. Nevertheless, few people are aware of the whole tale of the Forschner corporation.
The Forschner Company, founded in the 19th century as The Forschner Butcher Scale Company, was a renowned U.S. commercial kitchen supplier. In 1937, Forschner began importing Victorinox blades, and sold them with the now world-renowned designation "Swiss Army Knife". The triumph of these Swiss Army Knives turned out to be overwhelming, so after the finish of WWII, The Forschner Group stopped selling meat cutter weighing devices and concentrated mainly on cutlery.
In the early Eighties, Forschner began selling public shares and Victorinox became a marginal partner. They acquired more of the business in the Nineties, and by 2002 Victorinox decided to purchase the rest. Although they had changed their title to "Swiss Army Brands Inc.", the moniker Forschner carried product visibility in the United States. When Victorinox put out their initial line of cutlery collections during the middle of the 1990's, Victorinox reintroduced the name Forschner.
Forschner Fibrox
As one of Victorinox's most popular series, the Forschner Fibrox series is characterized by its small cost and razor sharp edges. These thin blades are terrific for those fanatic chefs who are watching their bottom line while building their tool set. This line has also earned Cook's Illustrated's recommendation for several years in a row.
The Fibrox blades are created in Solingen, Germany, home to many of the world's most well-known knife makers. The knives are then completed and assembled in Ibach, Switzerland, Victorinox's base for more than 100 years.
A high-carbon blended steel is used to make the blade. This allows the blades to retain their edge. The blades are tempered and hardened to a rating of 55-56 on the Rockwell C hardness scale. This renders sharpness without causing fragility. These materials and heat treatment is similar to what Wusthof and other high-end manufacturers offer Each bears the distinctive "RH Forschner" stamp on the blade.
Fibrox handles are constructed from a man-made strand, like molded plastic providing a long lasting handle with a secure grip. Generally I don't suggest placing blades into the dishwasher, but these handles are so well-built that they can measure up to the challenge.
Knife Sets and Individual Knives
Forschner sells their cutlery in different sized sets. I typically suggest hobbyist cooks purchase their cutlery individually, as each chef has different needs. You might decide to buy one premium Japanese Chef's knife to do the bulk of the work in your kitchen, and round out your set with less costly cutlery such as Forschner Knives. This is a practical method to procure the right equipment for a gourmet kitchen while still keeping to a budget.
On the other hand, buying a complete suite of utensils is convenient, so Forschner supplies an eight-piece set. It is inexpensive and provides all the knives an average household might need. bigger sets can also be bought.
More Info
Forschner's site is an excellent source of data on these knives.
