Bladesmith Bob Kramer Partners with ZWILLING J.A. HENCKELS to Create Custom Knives

SEATTLE, Oct. 21 /PRNewswire/ -- Bob Kramer of Kramer Knives, a Master Bladesmith and Designer, announces his partnership with ZWILLING J.A. HENCKELS, the renowned cutlery manufacturer long known for unparalleled product quality and performance. This partnership joins two of the top names in cutlery in a collaboration of excellence, which is sure to raise the bar for the industry. The first series of knives, available to market in 2011, will showcase Bob Kramer's signature style of straight carbon steel blades with wood handles.

Mr. Kramer and ZWILLING J.A. HENCKELS form a natural team, with both partners known for their reputation for excellence and integrity. For the last 279 years, ZWILLING J.A. HENCKELS has represented quality, innovation and reliability across its many product lines. Mr. Kramer looks to the new collaboration not only to produce the best knives, but to revolutionize the category. "I am excited to partner with ZWILLING J.A. HENCKELS, a company that consistently delivers expertise and long lasting quality," Kramer says. "ZWILLING J.A. HENCKELS will provide me the resources and tools I'll need to create cutlery that incorporates innovation with the traditional craftsmanship I respect." Mr. Kramer chose to align with ZWILLING J.A. HENCKELS for the company's proprietary technologies, extensive global distribution and German heritage.

Bob Kramer, an expert on culinary cutlery, had 10 years experience in professional kitchens before becoming intrigued with the tool of the kitchen trade. After traveling the country to learn the best sharpening techniques, he then enrolled in the knife making school through the American Bladesmith Society. He is now publicly recognized for his intricate Damascus Carbon Steel and Straight Carbon Steel handcrafted knives. Mr. Kramer's experience and belief in the old traditions of knife making is what initially led to his interest in partnering with ZWILLING J.A. HENCKELS, which has manufacturing operations in Solingen, Germany and Seki, Japan.

"We are pleased Mr. Kramer chose to work with us on this endeavor. We have a mutual respect for each other's work, which will result in extraordinary developments never before seen in the cutlery world," said Guido Weishaupt, CEO of ZWILLING J.A. HENCKELS, LLC.

Bob Kramer is one of only a hundred and three people in the world, and the only former chef, to be certified as a Master Bladesmith. He makes each knife by hand, using a multi-step process which encompasses as many as 3,000 layers of steel. The outcome is a stunning Damascus steel blade with a swirling pattern resembling wood grain and is harder, thinner, sharper, and slices and dices with ease and perfection.

SOURCE Kramer Knives