Are you ready to buy Zwilling knives but can’t decide between the Pro, Four Star, and Twin Four Star II collections?
All three are made in Germany using the same high-quality steel and forging methods. They offer the same sharpness, edge retention, and durability, and they’re all backed by Zwilling’s lifetime warranty.
Despite the similarities, these collections have key differences you need to know before buying.
In this comparison of Zwilling Pro vs. Four Star vs. Twin Four Star II kitchen knives, you’ll learn how they compare in terms of design, performance, price, and much more.
By the end, you’ll have all the facts necessary to decide which knife collection is right for you.
Use the links below to navigate the comparison:
- Zwilling Pro vs. Four Star vs. Twin Four Star II: Comparison Chart
- Similarities Between Zwilling Pro, Four Star, and Twin Four Star II
- Differences Between Zwilling Pro, Four Star, and Twin Four Star II
- Bottom Line: Should You Buy Zwilling Pro, Four Star, or Twin Four Star II Knives?
Zwilling Pro vs. Four Star vs. Twin Four Star II: Comparison Chart
Before we dive into the details, this handy comparison chart provides a quick overview of the Pro, Four Star, and Twin Four Star II collections’ similarities and differences.
Swipe or scroll to view the entire chart.
Feature | Zwilling Pro | Zwilling Four Star | Zwilling Twin Four Star II |
---|---|---|---|
Blade Materials and Construction | Forged from German stainless steel | Forged from German stainless steel | Forged from German stainless steel |
Sharpness | 15-degree angle per side | 15-degree angle per side | 15-degree angle per side |
Steel Hardness | 57 on the Rockwell Scale | 57 on the Rockwell Scale | 57 on the Rockwell Scale |
Handle Material | ABS | Polypropylene | Polypropylene with Stainless End Cap |
Handle Shape | Ergonomic with rounded butt end | Ergonomic with flat end butt | Ergonomic with flat end butt |
Handle Rivets | Exposed Rivets | Concealed Rivets | Concealed Rivets |
Bolster | Half Bolster | Full Bolster | Full Bolster |
Tang | Fully Exposed | Fully Concealed | Fully Concealed |
Options | Over 40 knives and knife sets | Over 40 knives and knife sets | Over 20 knives and knife sets |
Where It's Made | Germany | Germany | Germany |
Warranty | Limited Lifetime | Limited Lifetime | Limited Lifetime |
Price | $$$ (view on Amazon) | $$$ (view on Amazon) | $$$ (view on Amazon) |
Similarities Between Zwilling Pro, Four Star, and Twin Four Star II
As I mentioned, the Zwilling Pro, Four Star, and Twin Four Star II knife collections have a lot in common. Let’s quickly review the similarities.
Blade Materials and Construction
Zwilling has been around for centuries, and the company is known for its premium materials and construction.
All of Zwiling’s blades, including those in the Pro, Four Star, and Twin Four Star II collections, are crafted from proprietary stainless steel. This steel is ultra-durable, stain- and corrosion-resistant, and retains its sharpness.
The blades in these three collections are forged from a single piece of metal rather than being stamped from a sheet then attached to the other components.
You can learn about the differences between forged and stamped knives in this guide, but the key distinction is that forged blades are thicker, stronger, more balanced, and boast superior edge retention.
Sharpness
The blades in all three collections are all sharpened to a 15-degree angle on each side. This is an exceptionally sharp edge for Western-style knives, and only Japanese blades are sharper.
Rockwell Hardness
Blades in the Zwilling Pro, Four Star, and Twin Four Star II collections are hardened to a 57 on the Rockwell scale.
Kitchen knives typically range between 55 and 62, so a score of 57 is relatively soft.
Why does that matter?
Hard steel can tolerate and retain an extremely sharp edge, but as the steel gets harder, the edge gets more brittle and prone to chipping.
Zwilling designs its knives to be a kitchen workhorse. They may not retain their edge as long as knives with ultra-hard steel, but you never have to worry about the edge chipping. Plus, they are simple to sharpen at home with an inexpensive handheld sharpener.
Warranty
All of Zwilling’s collections come with the brand’s Limited Lifetime Warranty. The warranty covers defects in materials and craftsmanship but not damage due to misuse.
Price
The Pro, Four Star, and Twin Four Star II knife collections are all premium and carry similar price points. The specific knives you want and the retailer you shop will affect the relative cost, but you can generally expect price tags to be similar across all three collections.
The chart below shows the current prices of each collection on Amazon. You can click on each item to learn more.
Knife / Knife Set | Price | View Details |
---|---|---|
Zwilling Pro 8-Inch Chef's Knife | Amazon | |
Zwilling Pro 7-inch Santoku Knife | Amazon | |
Zwilling Pro 16-Piece Knife Set | Amazon | |
Zwilling Pro 7-Piece Knife Set | Amazon | |
Zwilling Four Star 8-Inch Chef's Knife | Amazon | |
Zwilling Four Star 8-Inch Slicing Knife | Amazon | |
Zwilling Four Star 12-Piece Knife Set | Amazon | |
Zwilling Four Star 5.5-Inch Santoku Knife | Amazon | |
Zwilling Twin Four Star II 8-Inch Chef's Knife | Amazon | |
Zwilling Twin Four Star II 13-Piece Knife Set | Amazon | |
Zwilling Twin Four Star II 5-Inch Utility Knife | Amazon | |
Zwilling Twin Four Star II 7-Piece Knife Set | Amazon |
Where They’re Made
Zwilling was established in 1731 in Solingen, Germany, and since then, the company has perfected the process of making premium kitchen knives.
Zwilling prides itself on having the highest quality and manufacturing standards, and the company upholds those standards by keeping manufacturing in-house at their Solingen facilities.
Although Zwilling offers Japanese-style knives made in Japan, every knife in the Pro, Four Star, and Twin Four Star II collections is made in Germany.
Differences Between Zwilling Pro, Four Star, and Twin Four Star II
Now that you know how Zwilling Pro, Four Star, and Twin Four Star knives are similar, let’s explore the differences.
Handle Shape
The Zwilling Pro collection features a traditional handle with flat sides and a slightly rounded top and bottom.
The handle hooks right before the butt end, which helps secure your hand. It’s a familiar shape that you’ll find on other high-end knives, including the Wusthof Classic and Messermeister Meridian Elite.
The handles of the Four Star and Twin Four Star II collections have a similar shape, but instead of having a rounded butt end like Pro knives, the butt end is squared and flat.
That design makes Four Star and Twin Four Star II handles feel a bit bulkier than the Pro. Overall, the difference is minimal, and the best shape comes down to your personal preference.
Handle Rivets
The Four Star and Twin Four Star II knives have handles that do not feature visible rivets. In these collections, the rivets are completely hidden beneath the matte black handle material.
The Pro collection’s handle design reveals visible rivets. That gives the knives a more traditional look, offering a “heavy-duty” aesthetic that appeals to many home chefs.
Bolster
The Zwilling Pro collection features a tapered half bolster to support the professional pinch grip. More experienced home cooks and chefs will be especially appreciative of this feature, as it makes chopping, dicing, and slicing much smoother.
The Four Star and Twin Four Star II collections both feature a full bolster that runs the full depth of the knife, providing protection where the handle meets the blade. This is useful for the average home chef and keeps your fingers protected while you cut or chop.
The downsides to full bolsters are that they don’t allow you to sharpen or use the entire edge (the metal is too thick at the heel), and they get in the way of performing a pinch grip.
Tang
All of Zwilling’s forged knife collections feature a full tang, meaning the blade’s metal extends through the inner part of the handle to the butt end.
The Pro collection features an exposed tang, meaning you can see the steel throughout the handle’s length and at the butt of the knife.
The Four Star and Twin Four Star II collections have a hidden tang that is completely encased within the handle’s black plastic material.
End Cap
Zwilling Pro knives have a rounded butt end with the exposed tang running through it.
The Four Star collection has a basic, flat butt, with the end cap completely encased in the black handle material.
Four Star II knives feature an elegant, polished steel end cap with the Zwilling logo stamped on it. This is the one major difference between Four Star and Twin Four Star II knives.
Handle Material
Within the Pro collection, all knife handles are made of Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene (ABS), an opaque, durable plastic often used in appliances, automobiles, luggage, and helmets.
The Four Star and Twin Four Star II knives feature handles made of Polypropylene, with the Twin Four Star II collection including an imprinted steel end cap that accents the black handle material and adds depth.
Both Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene (ABS) and Polypropylene are durable, moisture-resistant plastics. They are heat resistant and lightweight, keeping the knives balanced and easy to maneuver.
Both thermoplastics are commonly used for kitchen knife handles, and the differences between these materials are minimal.
Options
The Four Star and Pro collections offer extensive selections of knives and knife sets. Each collection boasts over 40 different products.
The Twin Four Star II collection is more limited, with about half as many products. It still includes all of the basics, like chef’s, paring, santoku, utility, bread, and fillet knives.
To see what each collection offers, check out the full lineup on Zwilling.com using the links below.
Bottom Line: Should You Buy Zwilling Pro, Four Star, or Twin Four Star II Knives?
Zwilling Pro, Four Star, and Twin Four Star II knives are sharp, durable, and expertly crafted in Germany.
The key difference between them is the design of the handle, including its shape, riveting, bolstering, tang, and material.
- Pro knife handles have a traditional shape with a rounded butt end. Four Star and Twin Four Star II handles are bulkier with a squared, flat butt end.
- Pro handles have three exposed rivets, while the handle material covers the rivets in the Four Star and Twin Four Star II collections.
- Pro knives have a sleek half bolster, while Four Star and Twin Four Star II knives feature a full bolster.
- Pro knives have an exposed tang while the handle material covers the tang in the Four Star and Twin Four Star II collections.
- Pro knives feature a rounded butt end with no end cap. Twin Four Star II knives feature an elegant steel end cap, and Four Star knives have a covered end cap.
- Pro handles are made of ABS. Four Star and Twin Four Star II are made of Polypropylene.
- Pro and Four Star collections offer a more comprehensive selection of knives. The Twin Four Star II collection includes all the basics.
Ultimately, the differences between these collections are minor, and the right one for you comes down to personal preferences.
Zwilling has a solid and well-earned reputation and is one of the best kitchen knife brands in the world — you can’t go wrong with any of these collections.
If you’re still unsure about which one to buy and need a nudge in one direction, I highly recommend the Pro collection. The handles are comfortable, and the exposed tang and rivets lend it a classic look.
The Pro collection’s half-bolster makes it easy to perform the professional pinch grip, perfect for chopping or mincing vegetables.
If you like the shape of Four Star and Twin Four Star II handles and prefer the extra protection you get with a full bolster, I recommend going with the Twin Four Star II.
The only notable difference is that Twin Four Star II handles feature an elegant steel end cap, which contrasts nicely against the black Polypropylene.
If you’re ready to buy or just want to read more reviews and see the current prices, check out all three collections on Amazon and Zwilling.com at the links below:
- Zwilling Pro: Amazon, Zwilling.com
- Zwilling Four Star: Amazon, Zwilling.com
- Zwilling Twin Four Star II: Amazon, Zwilling.com
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