If you’re looking for a high-quality knife that won’t cost a small fortune, Victorinox and Mercer are both good options.
Both brands are used in culinary schools and kitchens all over the world, both are available at entry-level price points, and both are NSF-certified for safety, meaning they won’t contaminate your food with harmful chemicals. With so many similarities, how do you know which is right for you?
Knifepal.com’s up-to-date, 2020 comparison guide focuses on the differences and similarities between the Victorinox Fibrox Pro and Mercer Culinary Genesis knives. We’ll break down each brand’s pros and cons so you can decide which one is a must-have in your kitchen knife collection.
Here’s a quick index to navigate through this article:
- Victorinox vs. Mercer Culinary
- Details
- Design and Ergonomics
- Blade Quality
- Maintenance
- Limited Lifetime Warranty
- Fibrox Pro Knife Pros and Cons
- Mercer Culinary Genesis Pros and Cons
- Final Verdict
Victorinox vs. Mercer Culinary
Victorinox, now famous for their Swiss Army knives as well as their vast array of kitchen knives, was founded in 1884 as a culinary workshop. Their blades are known for their top-notch quality and durability. Prior to 2009, Victorinox knives were sold through RH Forschner.
While they’re now marketed solely as Victorinox knives, you may hear some lifelong knife aficionados refer to them as Forschner.
While Mercer Culinary doesn’t have Victorinox’s history, they’ve been in business for over 30 years. Mercer Culinary is the leading knife supplier to over 90% of culinary schools as well as being found in restaurant kitchens worldwide.
They’ve since entered the retail market, allowing budding Master Chefs to bring professional-quality knives to their home cooks.
You can read more about Mercer knives here: Mercer Knives Review
Details
The Victorinox Chef’s Pro knife and the Mercer Genesis Chef’s knife share a few common traits, but it’s their differences that truly stand out.
Common Traits
- High-quality ergonomics
- Made with triple rivets for stability
- NSF-certified, so they’re food-safe
- Stamped and forged blades
- Limited warranty
Victorinox Chef’s Knife
- Length: 7.9 in
- Weight: 7.5 oz
- Blade: European stainless steel, half-tang design
- Edge: Straight & sharp edge
- Handle: Thermoplastic elastomers (TPE)
- Dishwasher proof: Yes
- Limited warranty: Yes
Mercer Culinary Genesis
- Length: 8 in
- Weight: 9.2 oz
- Blade: German high carbon, full tang design
- Edge: Taper-ground edge
- Handle: Santoprene
- Dishwasher proof: No
- Limited warranty: Yes
Design and Ergonomics
Mercer Culinary knives have a bit more heft to them, and with their full-tang construction, the knife’s weight is evenly balanced between blade and handle. More experienced users tend to prefer heavier knives, as they add more power and stability.
It has great knuckle clearance to use with cutting board. The weight of the knife does a lot of the chopping work for you with Mercer knives.
Mercer Culinary knives have solid, non-stick handles. Made from Santoprene, the handle doesn’t become slippery even when it’s fully submerged in water — or your hands are covered in food.
The handles have a more traditional shape than those found on Victorinox knives, so some users may find them more comfortable to use.
Victorinox knives are lightweight and easy to wield in the kitchen. The non-slip TPE handle is processed like plastic but performs like rubber, offering a solid design that prevents any food, mold, or debris from settling into the seams.
Victorinox knives also have uniquely designed handles, which you’ll either love or hate. We recommend holding one in store to see if the handle shape works for you. Same as Mercer, it has great knuckle clearance to use with cutting board.
The long blade is perfectly designed for a mincing and chopping, but some might find the half-tang design throws off the knife’s balance.
Related article: Victorinox Swiss Army Cutlery Serrated Edge Paring Knife
Blade Quality
The Victorinox Chef’s Pro knife blade is made from European stainless steel, which resists stains, rust, and corrosion over time. Overall, Victorinox knives are easier to sharpen, tend to hold their edges better, and need less frequent sharpening than Mercer knives.
Mercer Genesis Chef’s knives are high-quality, but they aren’t designed to last longer than a few years. They lose their sharpness faster than Victorinox knives, are more challenging to sharpen, and require sharpening more frequently, which some users may find annoying.
Here are some best tools to sharpen your knives: Best Honing Steel and Best Sharpening Stones
Maintenance
Some Victorinox knives, like the Fibrox Pro, are dishwasher safe because they’re designed with synthetic handles. That being said, it’s generally better for the longevity of your knife to wash it by hand using a non-abrasive soap, as powerful dishwashers can dull the blade’s edge or even chip it.
Because Mercer Culinary knives use high carbon steel that could rust with prolonged water exposure, they are hand-wash only, which some people may find inconvenient.
But if you want your knives to last long, it’s best to follow the manufacturer’s instructions instead of just chucking your knife in the dishwasher and hoping for the best.
Putting your knife in the dishwasher isn’t an instant death sentence, but if you don’t want any scratches, chips dulled edges, and — the worst-case scenario — the blade becoming dislodged from the handle — the best course of action is to hand-wash all of your knives.
Read more on Mercer knife maintenance here: How To Clean & Care Mercer Knives, Knife Bag, And Case?
Limited Lifetime Warranty
The Victorinox Chef’s Pro Knife comes backed by a limited lifetime warranty covering defects in the blade or handle. The warranty does not cover damage from improper maintenance or abuse — such as improper sharpening — or general wear and tear from daily use.
The Mercer Culinary Genesis Chef’s knife comes with a similar warranty. It will cover any manufacturing defects, but it won’t cover general wear and tear, improper maintenance (like running it through the dishwasher), or abuse. If you’re a corporate user, the warranty expires after 25 years.
Victorinox Chef’s Knife Pros and Cons
Pros:
- Razor-sharp, laser-tested stainless steel blade
- TPE handle has a non-slip grip even when wet
- Long blade works well for large foods like watermelon and squash
- Lightweight design is easy to use for extended periods without discomfort
- Dishwasher safe
Cons:
- Half-tang design means the knife isn’t fully balanced
- Handle shape may require an adjustment period
Mercer Culinary Genesis Pros and Cons
Pros:
- Weighty blade makes chopping effortless
- Full-tang offers increased stability
- Ergonomic, traditionally-shaped handle
- The long, sharp blade cuts through large foods easily
Cons:
- Not dishwasher safe
- Heavier knives can be tiring after prolonged use
- Needs frequent sharpening
Final Verdict
The Victorinox Pro Chef’s knife and Mercer Culinary Genesis Chef’s knife are both fantastic knives with a few similarities.
But, all things considered, the Victorinox Chef’s Knives has better staying power. It’s dishwasher safe, made with stainless steel, and the blade requires less maintenance than Mercer’s offering.
