The WÜSTHOF knife ranges we carry have various handle designs to suit individual tastes. All knives are suitable for both right- and left-handers. All of the ranges are made from a single piece of precision-forged steel; this is known as 'full tang', and adds weight to the knife (which helps with cutting power). All our WÜSTHOF blades are made from high-carbon stainless steel, which does not rust. The metal retains its sharpness for long stretches of time – one of the many reasons we think these are the best German knives on the market.
WÜSTHOF Classic
The WÜSTHOF Classic range features a full bolster (the metal 'cushion' between the handle and blade), which centres the weight of the knife. This weight distribution is great for the 'rock chopping' technique that's standard in classical French cookery, where the tip of the blade never leaves the board. Another benefit of the full bolster is that it provides a 'finger guard', where your finger does not encounter any sharp portion of the blade when chopping ingredients using a pinch grip. (A pinch grip – where your thumb and forefinger grip the blade while your other fingers grip the handle – is the safest and most effective way to use a culinary knife. It's one of the many skills we teach at the Applied Knife Techniques class at our cook school.) The handle of a WÜSTHOF Classic knife has a pronounced curve, which makes the knife feel more secure when chopping.
WÜSTHOF Classic Ikon
The Classic Ikon range features a half-bolster, which de-centres the weight so it is split between the middle and end of the knife. The benefit of this is that it makes the knife easier to lift off the board, making a wider range of knife techniques easier to execute. But the main benefit is that this half bolster makes it possible to sharpen the entire length of the blade. This extends the durability of a knife, as there will be no unevenness in the sharpness of the blade (the kind of thing that becomes more noticeable over time). An innovative, ergonomic handle allows for great comfort and a secure grip.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do you clean WÜSTHOF knives; and are WÜSTHOF knives dishwasher safe?
It is best to clean your knives straight after you have used them. Wash with warm, soapy water and carefully dry with a towel.
We do not advise putting any culinary knife in the dishwasher, as it will cause the blades to become blunt. This dramatically reduces the lifespan of your knife. There is also a risk of blades hitting other objects in the dishwasher and becoming damaged. Additionally, detergent and rinse aid might cause rust particles or localised corrosion to appear.
Do WÜSTHOF knives need to be sharpened?
Yes. It is really important to keep a sharp edge on your knife. To compensate for a dull blade by cutting with adding additional force can be dangerous. You can use a pull-through sharpener, sharpening and honing steels, a whetstone, or our favourite, a Horl rolling knife sharpener. (To read more about different knife sharpening methods, see our guide here.)
Sharpening a knife actually takes a small amount of steel off the blade. Depending on how often the knives are used, they may only need to be sharpened every few months. The best way to tell if a knife needs to be sharpened is to do a tomato test. To do so, just slice a tomato. If the knife slices the tomato easily, it's sharp enough. If it causes the tomato to squish, or turn into a watery puddle on your chopping board, it needs to be sharpened, or just honed. (For more information on the tomato test, as well as the difference between sharpening and honing, see our guide.)
What is WÜSTHOF PEtec?
WÜSTHOF’s Precision Edge Technology means their knives are put through the following four steps. First, the blades are measured by laser before sharpening. Then, the precise sharpening angle for each blade is calculated by computer programmes. Next, precision robots are used to sharpen blades on a whetstone. Finally, the knives are given a final polish using a special disc. These steps ensure exceptional cutting performance and durability.
Do WÜSTHOF knives have a lifetime warranty?
WÜSTHOF cutlery is manufactured to the highest quality standards. With that assurance of quality their products are fully guaranteed to be free of defects in material and craftsmanship. The warranty does not apply for normal wear or misuse.