If you require a premium-quality chef’s knife for slicing, dicing, and mincing all types of food, look no further than Germany’s top choice—the Wusthof Classic knife.
Wusthof stands as one of the most respected knife brands in the world for many reasons. These heavy-duty knives have become an iconic part of kitchen history over the past decades. Jamie Oliver, Gordon Ramsay, and other famous TV chefs use Wusthof knives on their cooking shows, satisfied with the elegant design, sharpness, and excellent grip.
Perfectly balanced, forged from a single piece of stainless steel, and stain-resistant, the Wusthof knives are an extension of your hand and a perfect addition to any kitchen.
In this Wusthof Classic knife review, we will share some of the brand’s most prominent qualities and reasons why you should add this knife to your collection.
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Wusthof Classic Knife Review
Each Wusthof Classic knife is forged from a solid sheet of chromium-molybdenum-vanadium steel for utmost balance, strength, and heft. The stain-resistant, high-carbon alloy ensures a razor-sharp cutting edge on the knife.
The perfect polishing of the blade and the laser-controlled grinding promises flawless tapering with every move.
Around the full tang blade, a triple-riveted, ergonomic handle provides strength and endurance. Chefs don’t have to worry about bacterial build-up with this knife’s synthetic handle. It looks stylish and also offers an excellent grip.
The full bolster gives Wusthof Classic its heft and protects the fingers while slicing.
Wusthof Classic 9 Piece Knife
The Wüsthof Classic 9-Piece Knife Block Set is a versatile and high-quality option for home chefs, offering a variety of essential blades for everyday cooking tasks. The knives are made from high-quality German stainless steel, known for its exceptional sharpness, edge retention, and durability.
The set includes:
- Tournament knife (with 7 cm blade),
- Paring knife (10 cm),
- Slicing knife (14 cm),
- Ham knife (20 cm),
- Bread knife (23 cm),
- Chef's knife (20 cm),
- Meat fork (16 cm ),
- Sharpening steel (23 cm)
- Kitchen scissors
- Straight-edge blades
- Forged blades
- Precision bolster
- Comfortable and ergonomic design
- It can be heavy
Wusthof Classic Knife: Specifications
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Wusthof Classic Knife Set
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Set Inclusion:
Tournament knife (with 7 cm blade), Paring knife (10 cm), Slicing knife (14 cm), Ham knife (20 cm), Bread knife (23 cm), Chef’s knife (20 cm), Meat fork (16 cm ), Sharpening steel (23 cm), Kitchen scissors
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Blade Material:
Ice-tempered high carbon stainless steel
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German Stainless Steel
185 grams
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Dishwasher Safe?:
Yes
Wusthof Classic Knife Features And Benefits
Straight-Edge Blades
Compared to serrated blades or hollow-edge blades, the straight-edge ones (like Wusthof’s) have the most flexible use of all kitchen knives. The 8” chef’s knife length can handle almost all kitchen tasks, from chopping vegetables to cutting frozen meat. The perfect balance, ideal heft, and straight edge allow your knife to slice easily without tearing foods. With every chop, you will get an even slice.
Forged Blades
Wusthof knives are designed according to the highest German standards. Each knife has forged blades, sharpened to 14 degrees on both sides. The edges are honed following the unique PEtec (precision edge technology) manufacturing process, which makes them exceptionally sharp, and you can keep them that way with regular sharpening and proper care.
Precision Bolster
Wusthof’s performance is well-known around the globe. Adding a full precision bolster keeps the knife’s performance at the highest level, providing excellent balance and heft. The precision bolster also protects your hand from slipping onto the edge of the blade.
Ergonomic Design
A Wusthof Classic knife review would not be complete without mentioning the ergonomic handle. Many chef’s knives have an inferior design, making them less comfortable for extended daily use. For amateur cooks, the handle’s function may not play a vital role, but it means a lot to professional ones.
Other brands or manufacturers don’t spend as much time or technology designing comfortable handles, but Wusthof does. No other knife can match the Wusthof Classic knife in terms of comfort and ease of use.
Can Be Heavy In The Hand
If you prefer a lighter knife, the Wusthof Classic might not be your favourite. The additional weight in the bolster and handle can cause issues for people with small hands. If you have small hands and you grip the knife tightly, you can adjust your technique.
After a few uses, you may find that this knife isn’t as bulky or heavy as you thought. We suggest you give it a try before rejecting it for its weight. Weight can be subjective, and when it comes to a knife of exceptional quality and performance, it pays to fine-tune your slicing or cutting movements to get a better grip.
Best Used For?
The Wusthof Classic knife perfectly slices, dices, chops, and carves various foods—from soft and hard fruits to vegetables and meats. This 8-inch knife, according to many professional chefs, is the perfect size for all kitchen tasks. A longer knife can make things difficult when cutting smaller fruits or vegetables, and a shorter blade (6 inches or less) misses the mark when cutting a larger piece of meat.
The 8-inch knife also fits best in most chef’s hands. The Wusthof Classic knives come from the original Wusthof line and are made with professional chefs in mind. Each knife has a sharp blade that can handle the precision and quickness of kitchen work.
If you are looking for the widest variety of professional knives and different styles, the Wusthof Classic line features approximately 70 blades.
Reasons To Buy?
In our Wusthof Classic knife review, we’ve already mentioned that this company has become one of the most popular knife manufacturers among professional chefs and cooking enthusiasts. Most chefs agree that a knife provides the foundation of any cooking activity, and the kitchen isn’t complete without a high-quality, sturdy, and sharp knife (some of the main benefits of the Wusthof Classic).
The superior design process produces exceptional knives with incredible versatility, strength, and performance. If you want to fill all your cutting needs and try some new recipes, this 8-inch knife stands out as one of the best investments you can make.
This solid knife will allow you to continue your cooking adventures and improve your cooking skills. It also makes an excellent gift for home cooks wanting to try a high-end knife.
If the Wusthof Classic line impresses you, and you have the means, add a few related items to round out your knife collection. We recommend the Wusthof knife block (peeling knife, utility knife, bread knife, meat fork, carving knife, and more), the 3-inch trimming knife, and the 5-inch Santoku knife.
Wusthof’s modern factories excel at efficiency by limiting emissions, wastewater, and toxic gases. Wusthof adheres to unmatched product quality and an awareness of the environment. They also filter water and reduce noise pollution during the production process.
Wusthof shows concerns for future generations in the materials they use. They make knives with high-quality wooden handles and consistently use sustainable products. In their latest product line, the brand uses recycled materials.
Wusthof Classic Knife Range
While our Wusthof Classic knife review focuses on the 8-inch cook’s knife, the entire Classic knife set includes multiple knife options. The sets and knife blocks include different knives for specific or everyday purposes. They range from Mega or the Classic 36-piece block set to combos of a 2-piece set.
Depending on your needs and cooking skills, you will find one just right for you. The Mega set is ideal for a big family or those who want to have everything from the Wusthof Classic line in one pack. You get the different chef knives, paring knives, and a huge set of specialty knives, ideal for the avid home chef who cooks daily for a large group.
The 26-piece block set also makes an excellent addition to any kitchen. If you love to cook and entertain your friends, consider this excellent option. From making a basic sandwich to the most complex meat dishes, you will have the perfect knife for each. You can slice, clean, fillet, debone, carve, and chop any meat, cheese, or veggie with this set.
The Wusthof Classic 20-piece block set comes in as one of the most popular. This basic family set includes everything you need to prepare healthy and delicious meals. You can slice, chop, and prep all your ingredients with confidence and ease. The set includes:
- 3 1/2″ paring knife
- 4 1/2″ utility knife
- 8 x 4 1/2″ steak knives
- 5″ hollow edge Santoku
- 6″ utility knife
- 6″ cleaver
- 6″ straight meat fork
- 8″ hollow edge carving knife
- 8″ cook’s knife
- 8″ bread knife
- 9″ steel knife
- Kitchen shears
- 25-slot knife block
If you want smaller sets, choose either the Classic 16-piece block set, 12-piece block set, Classic 10-piece block set, 9-piece block set, or 8-piece block set. Wusthof also offers a wide range of 3-piece and 2-piece Classic knife sets, perfect for a birthday or housewarming gift.
The Wusthof Classic series has reigned as the best-selling collection for decades. It has everything a professional chef or a serious cook needs, and it will last a lifetime.
Wusthof vs Global Knives
Wusthof, the famous German knife brand, has been perfecting its craftsmanship for more than 200 years. Global is a well-known Japanese brand, famous among professional chefs. While it hasn’t been present on the market as long as Wusthof, their professional knives are exceptional due to incredible blade material, design, and lightweight handles. Read more about the German vs Japanese knives debate.
The most distinct difference between these two brands is the knives’ design. Global knives feature a state-of-the-art design with a metallic handle. Wusthof blades are thick, sturdy, and feature wood or synthetic handles. A bolster between the handle and blade prevents the fingers from slipping. The bolster also adds balance to your hand when slicing or chopping.
When it comes to weight, Wusthof models are heavier. The Wusthof Classic cook’s knife weighs approximately 8 ounces, while Global’s knife weighs approximately 5 ounces.
In terms of blade steel, Global knives are crafted from unique steel (designed for their knives). Global uses a more durable, softer, and scratch-resistant steel (due to the high chromium content). Wusthof produces blades out of a mix of steel—X50 Cr MoV 15.
Wusthof knives may be pricier, and the price difference varies on the set you purchase and the site you are buying it from. They may cost a little more than Global, but they are easy to use, well balanced, razor-sharp, and have an exceptional design that will never go out of style.
<<Our Testing and Review Methodology>>
Frequently Asked Questions
Where Are Wusthof Knives Made?
All Wusthof knives are produced in Solingen, Germany, and they have dominated the sales of professional cooking knives globally for the past five decades. The brand takes pride in its exceptional quality, precision, and sustainable materials.
Since the beginning, Wusthof has used the same stainless steel to ensure durability, hardness, and resistance to corrosion. Each knife is heat-treated to the Rockwell scale of hardness, which is standard for German knives, and sharpened to an angle of 14 degrees (sharper than any other German knife).
How To Maintain Wusthof Knives?
Wusthof offers a lifetime warranty against craftsmanship and manufacturer malfunctions. The warranty doesn’t cover damages due to wear and tear. If you have any issues with the knife, Wusthof will replace the knife and provide you with a brand new one.
If you maintain your knives per Wusthof’s recommendations, expect to use your knife for cooking and preparing your favourite meal for years to come. Honing refers to the realignment of the blade and doesn’t remove any metal layer. Honing your knives will keep the edges in perfect shape.
Sharpening removes the upper steel layer and creates a new edge, and it is better to do it less frequently. If you over-sharpen the knives, you can reshape or destroy the blade.
The safest option to sharpen your knives is to send them directly to Wusthof. They will give your knives the best treatment and not damage the blade. Wusthof charges a nominal fee for sharpening depending on the knife type.
The best option to hone your knife is to purchase the Wusthof honing steel.
Can You Wash Wusthof Knives In A Dishwasher?
Wusthof advises washing the knives by hand. It is a standard protocol for all professional and higher-end knives because excess exposure to water may lead to rust. Besides, some dishwasher detergents can be abrasive and cause damage to the handles.
Other Great Knives We Have Reviewed:
> F. Dick
> Global
> Victorinox
Wusthof Classic Knife Review: Summing Up
In this Wusthof Classic knife review, we’ve covered many details, from manufacturing to quality, sturdiness, flexibility, pros, and cons.
If we sum up everything, it all comes down to the fact that the Wusthof chef’s knife provides exceptional value, performance, and durability. If you are a cooking enthusiast and you want to reward yourself with a professional knife, you can never go wrong with buying a Wusthof Classic cook’s knife. You will get a premium-quality and well-rounded knife that will become the backbone of your cooking and serve you for many years.
