Kind of takes your breath away, no? Thank you for this excellent and very informative tutorial. Hope you can find them :) A road trip would definitely be in order. Armed with this knowledge, I went in to the store and found that they were able to beat the best online deal I found without even asking. Messermeister ceramic hone: $25 . The remaining slots measure as follows: P.S. We are your source for everything Wusthof, including chef’s knives, santoku knives, nakiri knives and much more. Please consider buying a ceramic hone. There are only two reasons why you wouldn’t want to go this route: 1) if you peeled a lot of acorn squash or other hard-skinned vegetables, OR tended to treat your tools roughly and didn’t want to have to worry about the brittleness of Japanese steel, OR 2) you just hated the feel of a Japanese blade and didn’t think you could ever acclimate to it (you could). I agree with the first comment, hands down the most helpful article/guide on all things Wusthof. Long-term you will never ever regret it. @ Sur La Table / Amazon In my book, the original Grand Prix (sans “II”) stands pretty much the same in the line-up as the updated Grand Prix II. There is nothing out of the ordinary about this steel, but it’s tough and definitely won’t rust. As the chef knives above, the blades are all forged, full tang, and pass through the same rigorous manufacturing process, the only difference being they are 1) slightly thinner, and 2) sharpened at a 10-degree angle instead of 14. You’re welcome, John! Shears Slot 1 A small price to pay for the extra chopping power. Wusthof ® Stainless Steel Carving Set in Rosewood Box. Thank you for the fantastic article and for the advice. I cannot personally vouch for their quality because I have not used any of them. Another collaboration is what—this time with the legendary Le Cordon Bleu culinary school in order to come up with a knife tailored for chefs. They make high-end units which are used in professional kitchens and high-end restaurants. Thanks for the Hong Kong offer. Every authentic Wusthof knife has one. Please understand it’s my rough notes and I cannot be responsible for any inaccuracies or anachronisms. I will be reading your other post thoroughly, looks great as well, thank you for that! $69.95 sugg. $369.95 sugg. Even angel food cake! .you can simply visualize, that’s where you want to end up. Did you buy it from a bricks-and-mortar store or from the W&S website? @ Amazon (Below: the Classic 2-piece Asian santoku and paring knife set.). 1) I own a Wusthof Classic Ikon and just measured (with a caliper) the thickness of the spine near the heel. Thanks for the reply! Wüsthof – Two Piece Starter Set – 3.5″ Pairing Knife and 8″ Cooks Knife (9755) My daughter owns the 8″ Classic and the 3 1/2″ paring knife which she purchased as a set. (Below: Classic Ikon chef knife, hollow edge.). Regarding the Wusthof Classic Ikon Creme: However . This said, I have an embarrassing confession to make. OR, MAC ceramic hone: $55 Expert?! And if you need a paring knife and can’t resist a deal, you should consider the Asian two-knife set. The remaining slots measure as follows: What a cool company! If not sharp, correct the angle some. BUY NOW $130–190 @ Sur La Table / Amazon Henckels 31070-103 Twin Four Star, 4-Inch Paring Knife Wusthof ® Gourmet White 18-Piece Knife Set with Walnut Block Options. The blades should all perform similarly. If it doesn’t match your set, that’s OK. My knives are a total mish-mash and I think it’s fun! The slot for the scissors measures approximately 1 1/4″ L X 1/4″ W See What’s a Honing Steel? Strictly speaking, the chai dao is Chinese, not Japanese, but let’s not mince cultures. So I put it in my shopping basket, along with too many other cool knives that my heart wanted but my wallet didn’t, and, unfortunately, it didn’t make the cut. Notice the subtle, continuous arc of the spine, the shape of the blade (steeper curve at the tip), and the full-sized bolster (unlike the Ikon). Here’s a list of current prices for various Wusthof 8-inch chef knives (which, of course can fluctuate like airplane fares). I was nearly sold on the Classic Icon, but wanted to understand the difference between it and the Classic. (Please note: If your knife set does not come with a block, you should buy one, or a knife storage drawer, or at least some knife covers. Thanks, I’m looking forward to reading about your shopping bonanza :-), Ah, well. Personally, I think knife blocks are just fine for storing kitchen knives, even those with super-fine edges. And the handsome Acacia block. There you can learn more about things like “dry fine-grinding” and “blue glazed” steel which really set these knives apart. In various discussions there is much discussion about dulling or damaging the blade—a valid concern, but one I have a solution to via sharpening. You can give him some next year if you want.) This was exactly what I was looking for. There’s a 9-inch Wusthof Classic Ikon resting in my 22-slot Wusthof knife block as I write. I did all the research and never have found time to finish it. This kind of care protects knife edges. You can also use a pack of matches. . I am disappointed but I will have to take your advise and go with the Classic one. Zwilling J.A. *** Items with free gifts have qualifications and/or purchase amount thresholds. I don’t know if it has a forged bolster. 3 1/8″ X 1/4″ (mini-cleaver slot), Sur La Table 22-Slot Knife Block How this applies to the manufacturing of the Urban Farmer series I do not know. Choose Options. 1 1/8″ X 1/8″ [10″ deep] We’re talking name-brand blades that will... A carving knife is a thing of beauty, even if it’s used only a couple times a... Or, one man’s story of seduction and betrayal by Calphalon knives. But the quality of the blades should be higher than the Wusthof Gourmet. @ Amazon Soooo. – If you are set on using the Wusthof/Chef’s Choice sharpener, I don’t think the difference between 14 and 10 degrees will be that noticeable. And I just tested it out in my slightly smaller 17-slot block and it fits fine as well. Should I contact Williams and Sonoma about this knife? 1 1/4″ X 1/16″ (2) Secondly, don’t stress–sometimes you need to guesstimate and use trial and error. I totally agree that, ideally, you should try to actually handle the knive(s) you intend to buy. Excuse me while I effuse, but these are seriously beautiful knives. But the Wusthof’s steel has an HRC of 58 while K Sabatier’s is 54-56 which is a bit softer. The handle really is something. Thanks! But my best guess is that if you use the top slot, the tip should clear. To your second question, What are the most essential knives to have in your kitchen? The top two slots can handle 12” blades. Hone some at what you think is the correct angle and feel the edge. They showed rust. 2 1/8″ X 1/4″ (X2) [10″ deep] Beechwood block has room for three cook’s knives (including wides) up to 10″ long. Henckels Four Star, 4-inch paring: $30 Whew :), I would like to second the above comment! I’m not big on handheld knife sharpeners. Most paring knives come with either 3.5-inch or 4-inch blades. lol Nah…..but I found a few sellers who had multiple items I wanted and worked out bundle deals, saved money that way. I have never used a steel or a ceramic sharpener and would that do the same job? All kidding aside. :) You might want to read my page, The Sharpening Cycle, on the KKG website to learn more about these issues. I suppose if I had bought the swivel version, that extra raised space would have helped. . Wusthof knives all use the same X50CrMoV15 stainless steel—with molybdenum and vanadium added to enhance their hardness, durability, and resistance to corrosion. Buuuut, they do go through an additional step of getting a drop-forged bolster (in the spot where the blade meets the handle) which gives them more heft than the “stamped” Gourmet. For me, I have reservations: 1) My hand tends to swim in the handle, and 2) the balance tips forward too much. – You may be shocked to hear this, but I would not let either Williams-Sonoma or even the Wusthof outlet store sharpen any of my knives. A wider blade can help with chopping herbs and greens, slicing up an onion—and the width makes it easier for you to scoop up what you’ve chopped. I cook for myself and husband 6-7 nights a week and am vegan. Thanks in advance.. and again kudos on a great article!! If you’re going to be in the East, it would make sense to also consider some Japanese knives. I must admit, I’m not a huge fan of paying a premium for steak knives. how to know if a Amazon seller is an authorized Wusthof dealer). Thanks, much! Small collection: 8 knives total; 6-, 8-inch chefs and a santoku. Of course, it doesn’t hurt that the company is currently run by Viola and Harald Wüsthof, seventh generation of the same Wusthof family that founded the company 200 years ago! Yes, please teach yourself some knife skills. View all of our amazing specials to save big on Wusthof. Do you know if the Wustoff Classic 9 inch carving knife will fit in the Wusthoff knife block without hitting the bottom thereby damaging the tip? The Wusthof Ikon lines also have the same half bolster design. A little research and I found that that is normal and nothing to worry about. Wusthof-Trident Classic 6'' Utility Knife. All the sites that sell these say they’re forged, which doesn’t make sense. I may never be quite that fortunate again! For those who already own an 8-inch chef and are adding on, or are certain they want a smaller chef knife, here are two sets with a 6-inch chef: Wusthof Classic Ikon 2-Piece Knife Set (6-inch chef) http://bernal-cutlery.shoplightspeed.com/windmuehlenmesser-1922-7-chef-carbon-walnut-handle.html. And does it belong to the Classic series? .there does exist a “core three” set for the Gran Prix II line. @ Amazon The reason you’d want this type of knife is, so you have a full blade to use when cutting. The decision I am trying to make is whether to buy this set or splurge on the extra wide 6″ chef knife. (Right: An 8-inch chef knife next to a 14-incher at the Wusthof outlet store in Norwalk, CT.). . Otherwise, I think you’re making things harder on yourself and you’d be much happier with two knives. Beautiful, modern design originally made for William-Sonoma; polypropylene handle, but looks like wood; hard to find in U.S. A failed partnership project and discontinued. Wipe clean. So all I can do is gush. Learn more about Henckels Knives by comparing the many different styles that Zwilling JA Henckels has to offer. .there is NO difference in quality between Wusthof and Henckels. $449.95. For a 14-degree, or 10-degree edge, you can’t use my folding paper trick. Any thoughts on finding discontinued Wusthof patterns? Combining their sharpening know-how with my regular honing on a ceramic hone/steel has yielded excellent results. Eight steak knife slots in base. Medium collection: 30 knives, including 6-, 8-, 9-, 10-inch chef, cleaver, and two santokus (which, true to form, don’t have bolsters). (For the record, most of Wusthof’s knives these days have edge angles of 15 degrees or sharper.). Since you mentioned other discontinued lines, I wonder why you didn’t include the “Grand Prix” (with a “d”)? Thank you for any help or insight you can provide. Wusthof calls the 4-inch a “wide” paring knife, but, to my eyes, the blade pretty much looks the size and shape of your average 4-inch paring knife. (Below: Wusthof Epicure 7-piece knife block set). KD. Oh, I love Japanese knives, I have a couple of KAI knives that I use often, and I’m also looking for Yoshihiro, Tojiro and Suisin knives in Hong Kong. ), Nonetheless, a knife set can serve the purpose of jump-starting your kitchen with a bevy of blades without having to go through an exhausting series of buying decisions. You get three paring knives! Whether or not you can get there or not, you’d probably get a kick out of reading my post: Wusthof Knives — Outlet Store Bonanza for details… I assume it’s for balance, to match the lighter weight of the Grenadilla wood. 4) Skip ordering from Amazon and order directly from one of Wusthof’s authorized retailers online. I recommend the 7-inch because it’s closest to an 8-inch chef and can handle most kitchen tasks. Wusthof 4348 Classic Ikon 2-Stage Handheld Knife Sharpener Wusthof 2922-7 2-Stage Handheld Knife Sharpener 12" Round Regular Cut Knife Sharpening Steel with Black Plastic Handle I can’t imagine ever needing another knife to do anything. . You know I have to laugh. I’m knocking it down from 5 to 4 stars because of the kinda narrow slots on rows 2, 3, and 4. It seemed self-evident to me that the “II” indicated an update of the original, so the discontinued Grand Prix (without the II) didn’t seem worth mentioning. Wusthof Classic 8-inch Chef w/paring: $170 . Use Your Knives Properly. You will get the hang of it. These German-made Wüsthof classic knives combine meticulous craftsmanship with striking design. The Cordon Bleu lacks a bolster (that extra hunk of metal at the heel of the blade that protects your fingers from slipping onto the blade) which makes it weigh less than the Classic. Because there’s a tremendous Wusthof outlet sale going on right now (in Norwalk, CT), from today (Thursday) thru Saturday. That’s where Wusthof’s reputation lies. “This Shun Bamboo Knife Block has 22 knife slots, which includes slots for shears and a sharpening steel. You must realize that the trend, nowadays, is towards specialization, the Japanese way. Wusthof Classic Ikon: $160 The Wüsthof production facilities in Solingen are highly automated, with more than 100 robots performing many steps in the knife-making process, while specific tasks such as the finishing of the edges and surfaces, and the final honing of the blade, are still completed manually. It will not be as hard on your knives as the steel that comes with the set and will make their factory edges last much longer. Soooo. So if you’re in the mood to splurge and spend $200 on an Ikon chef knife with a Blackwood handle (a gorgeous knife), please understand that the extra money you’re spending is going to the handle and the feel, not to the engineering of the blade. And if it makes you feel any better, a few years ago I ended up doing the same thing you might do. To review: All knives are forged from the same steel. You could get them on Amazon, or even cheaper (and still new), on eBay. The official list: paring knife, two utility knives, bread knife and sandwich serrated, 6- and 8-inch chef knives, 5- and 7-inch santoku, boning knife, 8-inch granton carver (no fork), and eight steak knives. I’d never heard of this knife before. For those interested in more details, please be sure to explore the Windmuehlenmesser’s website. Mercer OR Dexter-Russell Bread knife: $ 15 Then, within each category, I’ll focus on the six Wusthof knife lines I’ve recommended above, touching on sets/blocks worth considering, and drawing some distinctions. Although just recently, they’ve been making a comeback. So I started researching but again, was confused by the large selection from their various lines (Classic, Grande Prix, Creme, etc). Please be aware that it’s a 9-inch chef and a 4-inch parer, but don’t let that extra inch on the chef scare you. This is my favorite Wusthof knife. These blades are specially constructed to provide a harder, less brittle, and more flexible knife than traditional grades of steel. Shop now! I chose Wusthof Culinar. 1) they’re designed to work at low grits and, thus, remove more metal than necessary . . And thanks much for letting me know. Mainly because you’re dealing with something you can’t actually see with the naked eye. The belly of the Sabatier will have less curve (making it not as easy to rock) and the width will be narrower allowing less knuckle room. BUY NOW $179 @ Amazon / 2-Piece Knife Set Why the heck, for the sake of clarity, didn’t Wusthof officially name (or rename) this knife the Ikon Blackwood? (If you haven’t already, you might enjoy viewing Solingen, Germany — Wusthof Factory Tour.). Actually, I don’t categorically prefer Wusthof over Henckels. A stylish, yet workhorse, knife. And chef knives, Lordy! (Although after 20 years of neglect, I’ve finally found a couple of uses for mine. .no, I’m sorry I’m not aware of any secret, insider’s websites where you could find a single, original Grand Prix steak knife—or even a set of originals. . Cleaver Slot 1 (4 inches wide) Thanks so much for this guide! Wooden bars that do NOT allow the knives to touch metal on metal are fine. I love my Wusthof blades, but I also love my Global santoku :). Wusthof Grand Prix II 3-Piece Knife Starter Set if smooth steel handles are your thang, rest assured the blade will have the exact same quality as all the other Wusthof forged knives. I’m thrilled! I’ve just fixed it. They are high-quality knives, no doubt, but the tactile feedback I was looking for just wasn’t there. Each Wusthof Knife is manufactured with several processes to produce a high quality knife. I bake artisan bread, but we rarely have bagels or pastries. I ended up going with the Icon – the 8-piece, 17-slot walnut block set. They’ve been discontinued for much too looooong. https://www.windmuehlenmesser.de/en/product-knowledge/traditional-knife-making/. Usually the sets can range from 4 to 10 pieces. Now the question. The cutting edge of this bread knife has larger serrations and then smaller ones within the larger ones which adds up to one smokin’ bread knife. If, when you hone, you put too much pressure on the tip as you finish your stroke, you can gradually round it. That, sir, is the attraction. Global 8″ Chef’s Knife. The santoku came from the factory much sharper than the chef knife, but after getting the chef knife professionally sharpened, they both now perform similarly. Wusthof knife edges are all created Western style, with the same bevel on both sides. All are tempered to 58 HRC (Rockwell hardness), and all, except the Asian hybrids, are sharpened to 14 degrees per side. The smell was horrible and it’s been ridiculous trying to find a replacement. I’ve tried to give you a roadmap that you can return to again and again when you’re feeling lost. Glad KKG was able to lead you down the path. To your question. True, it’s a sleek, contemporary design—like a Gran Prix II with a handle that’s morphed from plastic to steel. Why? The blade’s so light and nimble and natural in the hand, you’ll hardly be aware. Save to Favorites. BUY NOW $110–137 @ Amazon because that’s only 25 degrees. Some models are known as Grand Prix, Classic and Grand Prix II. Pros: Solves all knife needs, especially large chef’s For more about this, read: In other words, with Wusthof Ikon knives and Henckels Pro knives, you are getting the maximum cutting area from the blade. One of the main elements bumping up the price are the steak knives. Why do you like Wusthof over Henckels? I hope you will publish something on your thoughts about knife blocks. There is no marking whatsoever on the knife. Steak knives aside—if you’ve got the budget, enjoy cooking, and have more than one chef in your kitchen (like our house), you’ll probably find the extra blades come in handy. Hi, Guru! Just because a Wusthof knife set isn’t in this listing, doesn’t mean I wouldn’t recommend it. Hope you’ve had a successful tour through the world of Wusthof! Thanks for the knowledge! (I’m not certain how effective this is in practice, but it certainly sounds like a cool idea.). They are susceptible to corrosion (like rust). It not only looks graceful as a deer antler, but fits into your hand (or mine, at least) like a kid-leather glove. So if you let it soak in raspberry juice it might not survive scot-free. The first step in properly caring for any knife is using it the right way. . OK, I’m going to just dump some core research right here in this comments section. And there is good reason (other than smart marketing)—they are well made with a very high nod to quality. What are your thoughts? All are full tang. You’re not going to convince me, but your passionate commitment certainly explains why Wusthof continues to manufacture the Culinar line :). Thx! Or are the lengths inside the blocks all the same? Otherwise—if you’re seeking a kitchen knife that’s well-made, stylish, and most of all comfortable, the Wusthof Epicure santoku is highly worth investigating. A family-owned business, on line since 1998. As a present, I bought a 6-inch Ikon Blackwood chef that normally goes for $180 on Amazon for, get this, $41.50. Thank you for the article. And. Wusthof Classic knives are made for professional chefs and cooking enthusiasts with its triple riveted, full tang handle. 2 1/16; 2 1/16; 2 1/16 Crate & Barrel is currently have a sale on Wusthof’s “Urban Farmer” series. for more info :). It still has an amazingly sharp edge on it that can slice tomatoes cleanly without having to saw back and forth. . I shopped online for a week prior to going in and the best deal I found was $295 for those three. Terms & Conditions | I’m considering a 3.5-inch—half bolster. If the two reasons above do not relate to your kitchen knife needs, then there’s no reason to pay the extra $50 for a wider blade. For me, a 5-inch is a bit too small to be my go-to knife. That pairing (…sorry) will work well for me. Seriously….. And there are multiple sets available….. http://www.ebay.com/itm/Brand-New-Wusthof-Classic-Steak-WUSTHOF-CLASSIC-4-PIECE-STEAK-KNIFE-SET-4068-/112459532666?hash=item1a2f1c497a:g:P00AAOSwXeJXeFZT. No fun at all. Anyway, Windmuehlenmesser’s 1922 series looks like the perfect marriage of beautiful vintage design with manufacturing quality. The Classic line boasts the largest collection—roughly 70 types of knives in all (not including accessories like forks). Regardless—the other thing I love about this knife (and santokus in general) is the “scoopability factor.” You know, the way you can use the wide blade to scoop up what you you’ve just chopped and toss it in the pot. All slots are slightly over 3/16″ high (thick?) If you’re looking for a slimmed down go-to knife for your kitchen, you will never regret buying it. Similar to a Chinese vegetable cleaver, or a Japanese santoku or nakiri. These sets range from around $330 to $760. (Granted, I may be overstating my case—because I’ve read some reviews that have raved about the balance of the Grand Prix II. Messermeister Ceramic Rod Knife Sharpener, 12-Inch (Have her call or email Wusthof to find out.) Thank you veru much for your info. The blade is a touch wider than both the Classic and Ikon which means it will offer more knuckle clearance. As long as you’re comparing similar lines—very important. $761.00. @ Amazon. But I can’t help but wonder if these self-same reviewers tested out the Ikon, they might rave even louder about it.). That experience sent me on my way to discovering a better solution to sharpening which I think I’ve found. But let me query one of my sources at Wusthof and see if I can confirm. (Although, looks-wise, it looks a lot like Wusthof’s Epicure line, doesn’t it?). I’ve been going back and forth between Wusthof and Henckels… and can’t decide. . The same is true for the Classic Ikon, the Grand Prix II, et al. You should charge them :). Also, consider a high-quality two-piece set—chef and paring knife—and supplement with an inexpensive bread knife (now or later). . Look carefully, otherwise you’ll wonder: What’s the diff between this knife and the Classic? 2) When you’re on the product page in Amazon, see who it is shipped and sold by. @ Amazon / Sur La Table, Wusthof Le Cordon Bleu 2-Piece Starter Knife Set Skip Navigation. And many are discovering they have a hankering for the slightly reduced length and weight of this style of knife versus the traditional chef knife. The tradeoff is that the steel is more prone to edge chipping and is slightly less durable. Here are some other quality ideas I would consider (some require stretching your budget): Probably my first pick as far a quality and sharpitude are concerned. 1; 1; 1; 1 5/16; 1 7/16 An 8-inch chef knife is the standard for home kitchens and there’s a reason why—it’s big, but not too big. “Safely store your knives within arm’s reach on your countertop or shelf. This is much sharper than what German-style knives used to be sharpened at (around 22 degrees) and shows the influence of the Japanese invasion. I didn’t let on, but went, “eh” inside. Wusthof Classic 36-Piece Knife Block Set Test it out on a tomato or a red pepper, etc. $121.00 $99.95. They use a specific type of steel formula on all their knives and all of them are forged or laser cut.