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Klötzli Messerschmiede / Knife Smithy Questions and Answers / FAQ
Who is the Klötzli Knife Smithy?
Klötzli Knife Smithy is one of Switzerland’s most traditional knife makers. It is the oldest knife manufactory in Switzerland with uninterrupted production since its founding in 1846. In one workshop, various special tools are made, for example blades for dairy use or woodcarving tools. The smithy also produces some kitchen knives and outdoor knives. In addition, it offers a professional sharpening service for blades of all kinds.swissinfo+2
In its two retail shops in Bern and Burgdorf you will find steel goods of all kinds, in every conceivable shape and size, from numerous manufacturers around the world. A knife shop in the old-school tradition.klotzli+1
Is the Klötzli Knife Smithy old?
Klötzli Knife Smithy was founded in 1846 in Burgdorf and is therefore the oldest Swiss knife manufactory that has continuously produced knives since its foundation. It is still family-owned and is now run by the sixth generation, the siblings Nina and Samuel Klötzli.swissinfo+2
What kind of knives does Klötzli produce?
Klötzli Knife Smithy produces many very good, beautifully crafted and robust industrial blades, such as cheese borers, bark planers or butter borers. The cheese drills / cheese triers is the company’s oldest product and has been manufactured since 1846.gruyere
The kitchen knives from its own manufactory are all hand-polished and have handles made from Swiss wood. The folding knives from its own workshop are the flagship products of Klötzli Knife Smithy: the high end of Swiss knives, period. Top materials, high-quality blade steel, a very high proportion of handwork and outstanding attention to detail. Comparable to the finest Swiss watches.klotzli+1
Is the Klötzli Knife Smithy well known?
In addition to its strong local reputation in the Bern and Burgdorf region, Klötzli Knife Smithy has become known across Switzerland and even internationally thanks to several products: The chip-carving knives for woodcarving, developed by Ernst Klötzli (4th generation), have gained great recognition in Switzerland and worldwide.
Colloquially, especially the chip-carving knife Model 2 became known as “the Klötzli knife”. The high-end folding knives from its own workshop have gained international recognition from the 5th generation onwards. They even appeared on the cover of the renowned “Blade Magazine” in the USA.
Is Klötzli Knife Smithy a member of the Swiss Knife Smiths Association?
Yes, since 1891. It is even a founding member of the Swiss Knife Smiths Association, as is Victorinox, the other founding member that is still in the association.swissinfo
Can I take a tour of the knife smithy?
Unfortunately, the production area and the grinding workshop cannot be visited. The museum, however, can! https://www.klotzli.com/de/Geschichte/Alte-Werkstatt-/-Museum
Does Klötzli Knife Smithy have a museum?
Yes, for its 175th anniversary in 2021, a small museum was set up in the old workshop. It offers a wonderful insight into craftsmen’s lives around the turn of the 19th to 20th century, addresses industrialisation and the family’s life, and displays the family’s collections. Around 800 objects are exhibited, which are particularly interesting in a cultural context: what was produced and how the range adapted to people’s needs over time.
Can I have my knives sharpened at Klötzli Knife Smithy?
Yes! Absolutely. It offers a professional sharpening service for all conceivable knives and scissors. The workshop in Burgdorf sharpens anything that is worth it in terms of steel quality and workmanship. You can drop off your knives at the retail shops in Burgdorf or Bern, or send them by post to either address. The knives and scissors can then be collected again where they were dropped off or sent back by post.
How much does it cost to have a knife sharpened?
Prices are calculated according to knife type or blade length.klotzli
How long does knife sharpening take?
About 5 working days.klotzli
Can I wait directly for my knives?
No, sharpening and repair work are batched so there is enough time for the rest of production. Therefore, sharpening is only done on certain days.klotzli
Can I send my knives by post?
Yes! No problem – to our addresses in Bern or Burgdorf. Please include a note stating what should be done with the items and do not forget to include your return address!klotzli
Do you also sharpen Japanese knives?
Absolutely! We sharpen knives of all kinds and shapes, as long as the steel quality is good enough. If the steel quality is not sufficient, it is not worth sharpening; in that case we return the knives at no cost to you.klotzli
Do you sharpen serrated knives?
Yes! We sharpen almost all types of serrated edges. Serrations between 1 mm and 4 mm, micro-serration, etc.klotzli
Do you also sharpen scissors?
Yes! Scissor sharpening is particularly demanding – when done properly. We disassemble the scissors, polish the inner sides, sharpen them and reassemble them so that they cut right to the tip. The complete service includes 38 work steps! This is only worthwhile for high-quality scissors.klotzli
How often should I have my kitchen knives sharpened?
This depends on various factors. Basically: when the knife no longer cuts well enough, it should be sharpened. How often this is necessary depends on how the knives are cared for, how they are stored and what they are cut on, i.e. the cutting surface.klotzli
Is it worth having an old knife sharpened?
It is only worthwhile if the steel quality is good. Age in general says nothing. An old knife made of high-quality, hard steel can easily be resharpened! That is why investing in a high-quality knife is worthwhile.klotzli
Repairs
Can a broken knife tip be repaired?
We can regrind the knife so that it has a point again. It will perhaps be a bit shorter, but that is normally not a problem.klotzli
Can you replace a broken knife handle?
In most cases we cannot, as we do not have suitable handles for every knife in the workshop. We can send it to the manufacturer for repair, provided the manufacturer is known.klotzli
Do you also repair pocket knives?
We carry out various sharpening and repair work on pocket knives, but not everything is possible. Each knife has to be assessed individually.klotzli
How much does a knife repair cost?
This depends entirely on the type of repair. Our minimum charge is 12.00 CHF, but depending on the effort involved it can quickly be several times that. We are happy to provide an individual quote.klotzli
How long does a repair take?
Normally around 5 working days.klotzli
Buying Advice
Which kitchen knife do I need?
Depending on the tasks to be performed, different knives are required. The range runs from a paring knife to a chef’s knife, a butcher’s knife or a filleting knife. It therefore depends entirely on what needs to be cut.klotzli
Which chef’s knife is suitable for beginners?
Often chef’s knives, i.e. vegetable knives, are recommended for beginners. The Japanese Santoku, also an all-purpose knife, is also frequently recommended as a “starter product”.klotzli
What is better: stainless steel or carbon steel?
There are now only a few kitchen knives with carbon steel, i.e. steel that is NOT rust-free. For example the Klötzli “Grosi Messer”, a knife like in grandmother’s days, made of carbon steel that rusts. Some users find carbon steel sharper, but this is hard to prove with today’s high-tech steel grades. Knives made of rusting carbon steel certainly require more care.klotzli
Which knives do you recommend for home cooks?
Whether you cook professionally or as a hobby makes no difference. What matters is that the knife feels good in your hand, the blade size fits and you like the knife, because buying a high-quality product that can be resharpened is a very long-term investment and can be used for a long time.klotzli
How much does a good kitchen knife cost?
Well-made kitchen knives are already available at very affordable prices. However, the better the blade steel, the more expensive the knife. Very high-quality steel always has its price.klotzli
Which knife is suitable for cutting meat?
For cutting raw meat, a chef’s knife or a butcher’s knife (butcher’s knife is best); for cutting cooked meat, a carving knife.klotzli
Which knife do I need for cutting vegetables?
For cutting on a board, a chef’s knife or a Santoku knife is best; for freehand peeling, a small vegetable knife, a paring knife, in Swiss German a “Schnitzer”.klotzli
Range / Assortment
Do you also sell pocket knives?
Yes, we stock all traditional Swiss pocket knives from the manufacturer Victorinox, but also other brands such as Swiza, Opinel, or various folding knife manufacturers like Spyderco, CRKT, SOG, Böker, Laguiole, Thiers, Fällkniven and many more. And of course the folding knives from our own manufactory.klotzli+1
Do you have Japanese kitchen knives?
Yes, we offer a large selection of Japanese kitchen knives in various qualities, shapes and sizes. Of our around 600 different kitchen knives, about a third are Japanese!klotzli
Can I buy gift vouchers from you?
Absolutely, we are happy to issue gift vouchers.klotzli
Do you stock spare parts for knives?
We have a number of spare parts in our workshop; best to contact our sales team with a specific request.klotzli
Orders and Shipping
Do you ship throughout Switzerland?
Yes! Also to Europe and the rest of the world!klotzli
How much are the shipping costs?
Shipping costs within Switzerland: 10.00 CHF flat rate; purchases from 150.00 CHF are postage-free. Shipping within Europe costs 20.00 CHF, to the rest of the world 30.00 CHF.klotzli
Can I collect my order in the shop?
Yes, of course. In the web shop you can select the “Pick up” option for collection in our retail shops in Bern or Burgdorf.klotzli+1
How long does shipping take?
Shipping within Switzerland takes only about 2 days. Orders placed before 11:00 are, in the best case, delivered the following day.klotzli