F Dick Gebr Schwabenland Forged Stainless Messerkoffer / Kochkoffer Chef Kit with Locking Briefcase Esslingen, W Germany 1950s 60s- 9 Pieces Minty

Vintage F Dick "Messerkoffer" or "Kochkoffer" set of 9 knives and tools in original locking wooden carrying case from the 1950s or early to mid 1960s. A set like this represented the top-tier knives of the day for serious professional cooks.

Gebr. Schwabenland, founded in 1897 by brothers Wilhelm and Karl, was a kitchen-supply business especially known for its innovations in copper pot manufacturing. Gebr. Schwabenland contracted with top manufacturers in Germany to supply their growing list of shops and catalog. In the 1950s and 60s they worked with F Dick to provide these knife sets for professional cooks. 

A Messerkoffer of Kochkoffer like this represented the top-tier knives of the day for professional cooks. This wooden briefcase-style carrier represents the early versions of the plastic or aluminum cases that would be later used to carry knives, of course, replaced largely now with the knife roll. 

These knives were made in an old style that has long been abandoned; first drop forged, then hand forged to thin the blade and extend the tang, hand ground on water-cooled wheels, and finally fine-ground finished on leather wheels. 

Set includes: 4" stainless steel paring, 5" stainless steel boning, 5" stainless bayonet fork, 10" stainless steel spatula, 9.75" stainless steel medium coarse cut sharpening steel, 8.5" stainless steel chef, 10.5" stainless steel chef, 12.5" stainless steel tranchelard slicer, and 12.75" wide stainless steel chef knife. 

Super clean set here, the paring knife, boning knife and 8" chef show more signs of use, specifically washing, in that the wood is a little lighter and the paint is missing from the stamped handle. Otherwise these are as close to new old stock as used knives get, there is a little dulling form use but they have never been re-sharpened. These are the original grinds and edges. The marks are an elecro-etch which is easily lost as well, these are all present and unblemished. Box is very clean and free from damage as well. Overall an outstanding group of F Dick knives. We found one other set like this in carbon steel that was more used with replacement handles, otherwise this is a very hard to find kit, especially in this condition.