Mercer is $47 and Henckels is $40. It's for a mom who cooks pretty often.
by edsmeds
33 Comments
PickledToddler
The second one. Only because the heel of the knife doesn’t have that lip. It’s super unnecessary and makes sharpening harder. Knife #2 all the way. I always gift globals. They are cheap and reliable.
NarrowPhrase5999
Both strong contenders, I’d be happy with either
HundredWithTheForce
I never go with Henckels because the bolster extends down to the edge of the blade. It is too easy to develop a high spot on the blade while sharpening. That will make it impossible to do fine chopping/slicing.
Complex-Start7591
Mercer is slightly better in my opinion because the weight is better. Both are great for a hobby cook though.
Dustin0791
I own the Mercer, and it’s a great knife! My college gave me a set.
Eradicate-Humans
Mercer
Insominus
Hey I own both of these knives and they perform basically the same.
Key difference is that Henckel has a little more clout attached to its name, so if you want to continue gifting knives to this person I’d probably go with Henckel cuz it’s cool to have a full set of them.
AOP_fiction
I have not worked with Henckels but I know they have a good reputation. I have used Mercer my entire career and think they are the best bang for buck. I use the Genesis line at home, and the ultimate or the Millenia at work.
OGREtheTroll
Don’t you dare give someone a gift of a knife with a full bolster!
JLev1992
As others have said, the full bolster on the Henckels is a no go for me.
FromYonderWoods
I I’m standing at expo looking at my mercer renaissance I got like 5 years ago and after near daily use there isn’t a single pit or nic on the blade. I’d say for the price it’s hard to beat
unicornlevelexists
I would pick the Mercer if it was me because of the shape of the blade and the lack of that thick part at the back. It might make the knife sturdier (not sure?) but they are a pain I the ass to sharpen with that.
DaMadVulture
Mercers is made with German steel! Like the comment easy to sharpen. I’ve still have my culinary set from 15 years ago and they are great knives. Maybe order a blade guard with it too.
Candid-Mind9021
Everyone is right about the bolster. Go for the Mercer.
Parfait-Putrid
Find a MAC with western handle
CoppertopTX
Retired from commercial kitchens and my home knives are all Henckels, because they are properly balanced for both my husband and myself, not to mention they’ve held up for 20 years of daily use and only need sharpening every 6-9 months.
The-Master-of-DeTox
The Mercer. It’s a great gift and starter knife.
Cardiff07
I loved my Mercer. Rocked that knife for 8 years.
IAm5toned
the mercer
ImFrenchSoWhatever
Mercer
Kwebster7327
Slightly superstitious concern: I was always taught that giving a knife as a gift would cut apart the friendship. My Dad would always make me “buy” the knife from him for a penny.
MrBenSampson
I bought a knife with a full bolster when I was a baby in culinary school, and didn’t know any better. I still use it several years later, but routine sharpening eventually made it so that the bolster was preventing the blade from making full contact with the cutting board. I also dropped it once, chipping the blade, which meant that I had to remove a lot of material. That would have been a deathblow to the knife, had I not stubbornly filed down the bolster.
Fuuzzzz
I received the Mercer years ago as a Christmas gift, and that bad boy holds up still. Solid, abuse-able knife
I haven’t used knives like these in years. I have gone to different levels of Japanese knives. Price points vary obviously, but they maintain an edge better, are lighter weight as well. I would recommend a 6” knife for a mom rather than 8” all day too.
HolySnokes1
Buy them a gift card , not a knife. A knife is a personal choice . It’s an amazing thought and super sweet though .
killerkitten115
Check out santoku knives, they are my favorite. I choose my 99¢ goodwill Chicago cutlery even over my Misen
snailfucked
And here I was thinking the decision was going to be Henckels or Wusthof.
blltproofloneliness
I have that same Mercer ( from culinary school ) great knife. very sharp, the first week I had it I cut myself in the bend of my finger 😭
L0stOnaCloud
Mercer all thr way. It’s mostly what I was taught on. Very easy to use and maintain. If you wanna go more expensive I’d recommended Shanzu knives.
Crazy_Dude_117
When buying a Henckels, always go for a Zwilling-Henckels. It has the two dudes as the logo, instead of the one. They are much higher quality, easier to sharpen, and the Zwilling Pro line doesn’t have that annoying full bolster. They are pricey however.
That being said, the Mercer is the better bang for your buck. There’s a reason many culinary schools issue these out to their students.
33 Comments
The second one. Only because the heel of the knife doesn’t have that lip. It’s super unnecessary and makes sharpening harder. Knife #2 all the way. I always gift globals. They are cheap and reliable.
Both strong contenders, I’d be happy with either
I never go with Henckels because the bolster extends down to the edge of the blade. It is too easy to develop a high spot on the blade while sharpening. That will make it impossible to do fine chopping/slicing.
Mercer is slightly better in my opinion because the weight is better. Both are great for a hobby cook though.
I own the Mercer, and it’s a great knife! My college gave me a set.
Mercer
Hey I own both of these knives and they perform basically the same.
Key difference is that Henckel has a little more clout attached to its name, so if you want to continue gifting knives to this person I’d probably go with Henckel cuz it’s cool to have a full set of them.
I have not worked with Henckels but I know they have a good reputation. I have used Mercer my entire career and think they are the best bang for buck. I use the Genesis line at home, and the ultimate or the Millenia at work.
Don’t you dare give someone a gift of a knife with a full bolster!
As others have said, the full bolster on the Henckels is a no go for me.
I I’m standing at expo looking at my mercer renaissance I got like 5 years ago and after near daily use there isn’t a single pit or nic on the blade. I’d say for the price it’s hard to beat
I would pick the Mercer if it was me because of the shape of the blade and the lack of that thick part at the back. It might make the knife sturdier (not sure?) but they are a pain I the ass to sharpen with that.
Mercers is made with German steel! Like the comment easy to sharpen. I’ve still have my culinary set from 15 years ago and they are great knives. Maybe order a blade guard with it too.
Everyone is right about the bolster. Go for the Mercer.
Find a MAC with western handle
Retired from commercial kitchens and my home knives are all Henckels, because they are properly balanced for both my husband and myself, not to mention they’ve held up for 20 years of daily use and only need sharpening every 6-9 months.
The Mercer. It’s a great gift and starter knife.
I loved my Mercer. Rocked that knife for 8 years.
the mercer
Mercer
Slightly superstitious concern: I was always taught that giving a knife as a gift would cut apart the friendship. My Dad would always make me “buy” the knife from him for a penny.
I bought a knife with a full bolster when I was a baby in culinary school, and didn’t know any better. I still use it several years later, but routine sharpening eventually made it so that the bolster was preventing the blade from making full contact with the cutting board. I also dropped it once, chipping the blade, which meant that I had to remove a lot of material. That would have been a deathblow to the knife, had I not stubbornly filed down the bolster.
I received the Mercer years ago as a Christmas gift, and that bad boy holds up still. Solid, abuse-able knife
[another option](https://www.chefknivestogo.com/fucunagy18.html)
I’d rather get this in my stocking for that price point
Get mom a shun. She deserves it
I haven’t used knives like these in years.
I have gone to different levels of Japanese knives. Price points vary obviously, but they maintain an edge better, are lighter weight as well.
I would recommend a 6” knife for a mom rather than 8” all day too.
Buy them a gift card , not a knife. A knife is a personal choice . It’s an amazing thought and super sweet though .
Check out santoku knives, they are my favorite. I choose my 99¢ goodwill Chicago cutlery even over my Misen
And here I was thinking the decision was going to be Henckels or Wusthof.
I have that same Mercer ( from culinary school ) great knife. very sharp, the first week I had it I cut myself in the bend of my finger 😭
Mercer all thr way. It’s mostly what I was taught on. Very easy to use and maintain. If you wanna go more expensive I’d recommended Shanzu knives.
When buying a Henckels, always go for a Zwilling-Henckels. It has the two dudes as the logo, instead of the one. They are much higher quality, easier to sharpen, and the Zwilling Pro line doesn’t have that annoying full bolster. They are pricey however.
That being said, the Mercer is the better bang for your buck. There’s a reason many culinary schools issue these out to their students.
Option 3. Wustof ikon.